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The knowledge transfer and learning aspects of international HRM: an empirical study of Singapore MNCs

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  • Tsang, Eric W. K.

Abstract

This paper has two main objectives: first, to theoretically examine the knowledge transfer and learning aspects of international human resource management (IHRM), and second, to empirically evaluate the IHRM practices adopted by 12 Singapore multinational corporations with respect to their foreign direct investments in China from a knowledge-based and learning perspective. It was found that the Singapore companies in general held an ethnocentric attitude and would like to transfer their routines to China. Their IHRM practices in terms of the decision to send expatriates to China, selection of expatriates, pre-assignment training, learning by expatriates, knowledge diffusion, evaluation of expatriates' performance, and expatriate failure are analyzed. Generally speaking, the IHRM practices adopted by these companies failed to take account of the fact that expatriates are key agents of knowledge transfer and learning.

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  • Tsang, Eric W. K., 1999. "The knowledge transfer and learning aspects of international HRM: an empirical study of Singapore MNCs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 8(5-6), pages 591-609, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:8:y:1999:i:5-6:p:591-609
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Khilji, Shaista E. & Wang, Xiaoyun, 2007. "New evidence in an old debate: Investigating the relationship between HR satisfaction and turnover," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 377-395, June.
    2. Lau, Chung-Ming & Ngo, Hang-Yue, 2004. "The HR system, organizational culture, and product innovation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 13(6), pages 685-703, December.
    3. Minbaeva, Dana B., 2008. "HRM practices affecting extrinsic and intrinsic motivation of knowledge receivers and their effect on intra-MNC knowledge transfer," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 703-713, December.
    4. Hanes, Denise R., 2013. "Geographically distributed audit work: Theoretical considerations and future directions," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 1-29.
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    6. Hong, Jacky F.L. & Nguyen, Thang V., 2009. "Knowledge embeddedness and the transfer mechanisms in multinational corporations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 347-356, October.
    7. Horak, Sven & Yang, Inju, 2016. "Affective networks, informal ties, and the limits of expatriate effectiveness," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 1030-1042.
    8. Tsai, Ming-Tien & Huang, Yen-Chih & Ma, Rong, 2009. "Antecedents and consequences of global responsiveness: An empirical examination of MNCs in the global sourcing context," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 617-629, December.
    9. Tieng Kimseng & Amna Javed & Chawalit Jeenanunta & Youji Kohda, 2020. "Sustaining Innovation through Joining Global Supply Chain Networks: The Case of Manufacturing Firms in Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Schmidt, Heiko M. & Santamaria-Alvarez, Sandra Milena, 2022. "Routines in International Business: A semi-systematic review of the concept," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(2).

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