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The emerging approach to employee relations in German overseas affiliates: A role model for international operation?

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  • Tüselmann, Heinz-Josef
  • McDonald, Frank
  • Thorpe, Richard

Abstract

In light of current changes in the German industrial relations' landscape and the wider and deeper integration of German multinationals into the world economy, this study investigates the relative importance of the country-of-origin effect in employee relations of German affiliates in an Anglo-American setting. The paper addresses important issues that relate to the wider international business domain. The comparative analysis to US affiliates in the UK and British owned firms points to a distinctively German flavored hybrid approach that integrates the best practice elements of the US model with the collective orientation of the German model. This bears a resemblance to an emerging trend in the parent companies' home locations. The intra-German analysis revealed that affiliates of multinationals that face pressures for international integration are at the forefront of this development. The findings suggest that this might provide a suitable model of international operation for multinationals from strongly institutionalized countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Tüselmann, Heinz-Josef & McDonald, Frank & Thorpe, Richard, 2006. "The emerging approach to employee relations in German overseas affiliates: A role model for international operation?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 66-80, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:41:y:2006:i:1:p:66-80
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    2. Schröter, Oliver & Davoine, Eric, 2013. "Unterschiede in der institutionellen Einbettung der Arbeitsbeziehungen und Human Resource Management Praktiken zwischen Deutschland und der Schweiz: eine explorative Untersuchung in Schweizer Tochterg," Die Unternehmung - Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 67(4), pages 364-390.
    3. Stevis, Dimitris., 2010. "International framework agreements and global social dialogue : parameters and prospects," ILO Working Papers 994539893402676, International Labour Organization.
    4. Maeve O'Sullivan & Christine Cross & Jonathan Lavelle, 2021. "Good or bad jobs? Characteristics of older female part‐time work," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(5), pages 423-441, September.
    5. Dörrenbächer, Christoph & Müller, Hans-Erich & Tüselmann, Heinz-Josef, 2021. "Transatlantische Mergers of Equals: Perspektiven europäisch-amerikanischer Unternehmensfusionen," Study / edition der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf, volume 127, number 465, March.
    6. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Li, Cheng, 2021. "State ownership and internationalization: The advantage and disadvantage of stateness," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    7. Cerar, Jelena & Dimitrova, Mihaela & Nell, Phillip C., 2022. "Fostering operational management “Best Practices” in subsidiary plants in the Western Balkans: The role of MNC home-country environment and resource allocation," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(2).
    8. Gammelgaard, Jens & McDonald, Frank & Stephan, Andreas & Tüselmann, Heinz & Dörrenbächer, Christoph, 2012. "The impact of increases in subsidiary autonomy and network relationships on performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(6), pages 1158-1172.

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