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The Management of Human Resources in Malaysia: Locally-owned Companies and Multinational Companies

Author

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  • Chris Rowley

    (City University, Cass Business School, Faculty of Management)

  • Saaidah Abdul-Rahman

Abstract

This paper is concerned with people management practices in companies in Malaysia. It examines the development of the main practice areas of the management of human resources (HR), the HR management (HRM) function and to what extent locally-owned companies (LOC) are influenced by multinational companies (MNC) operating in Malaysia. We found LOCs do not place a high priority on their HR practices and do not benchmark against the HR practices of MNCs. Overall, Malaysian people management generally would be better characterized as still more like 'personnel', than 'HR', management. Any acceptance and development of the HRM concept by Malaysian companies has been slow and cautious. This situation may prove problematic for future competitiveness and upgrading in the context of low wage cost competition from other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Rowley & Saaidah Abdul-Rahman, 2007. "The Management of Human Resources in Malaysia: Locally-owned Companies and Multinational Companies," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 18(4), pages 427-453.
    • Handle: RePEc:nms:mamere:doi_10.1688/1861-9908_mrev_2007_04_rowley2
    as

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    File URL: https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/0935-9915-2007-4-427
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    6. Hooi Lai Wan, 2002. "The Impact of Japanese Promotion Practices on Malaysian Enterprises," Asia Pacific Business Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(1), pages 21-38, October.
    7. Jeffrey B. Arthur, 1992. "The Link between Business Strategy and Industrial Relations Systems in American Steel Minimills," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 45(3), pages 488-506, April.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Jennifer Kim Lian Chan & Steward Giman Anak Stephen & Andi Tamsang Andi Kele, 2021. "Exploring Sustainable Human Resource Practices and Framework in Star-Rated Hotels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Nasina Mat Desa & Muhammad Hasmi Abu Hassan Asaari & Chiew Lee Yim, 2020. "Human Resource Management Practices and Job Satisfaction among Courier Service Provider Employees," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(6), pages 327-338, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human Resource Management; Local Companies; Multinational Companies; Malaysia; Transfer;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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