AMERICAN MULTINATIONALS IN EUROPE: MANAGING EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACROSS NATIONAL BORDERS; ED. BY PHIL ALMOND

## Abstract This book addresses some of the major contemporary issues in comparative business and employment relations. At its core are the findings of a four-year international exploration of the management of employment relations in American multinational companies in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. Data from detailed case studies are used to illuminate the tensions between the forces of globalization and the continuing distinctiveness of national business systems. It looks at what is distinctively American about US multinationals, asking how the US business system’s particular features influence their management of human resources across national borders. It shows that the transfer of ‘Americanness’ is not a technical, top-down, managerial process, but a highly political and ‘negotiated’ one in which groups and individuals at different levels within the company try to influence the terms of transfer. The book uses a wealth of empirical material to explore the ways in which US multinationals manage international employment relations in different host countries. Four areas of policy and practice are considered in detail: pay and performance; collective employee representation; the management of workforce ‘diversity’; and managerial careers. It shows how global HR policies are made; how they are diffused internationally; and how they are adopted, adapted, or resisted by overseas subsidiaries. It also explores some of the structures and processes that characterize US multinationals: the changing balance between centralization and subsidiary autonomy; the management of international learning; and the structure and role of the international human resource function. Explores some of the key questions in employment relations, comparative business, and globalization. This book is of interest to academics, researchers, and advanced students of HRM, International Business, and Organization Studies, as well as HR practitioners concerned with US multinationals operating in Europe. Some of the key questions in employment relations, comparative business, and globalization revolve around the extent to which businesses embody a national business system, and what happens when these employment models are exported to other national settings. By exploring the variety of ways in which US multinationals deal with these issues, and their reception, when operating in Europe, Phil Almond, Anthony Ferner, and their contributors examine the interaction between globalization and national 'Varieties of Capitalism'. Using the findings of a four-year international exploration of the management of employment relations in US multinationals in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and Spain, this book examines what is distinctively 'American' about these companies, and how this notion is exported. The process is shown to be one that is not a technical managerial one, but one that is highly political, and 'negotiated', in which groups and individuals at different levels within the company try to influence the terms of transfer. These questions are not only of theoretical importance, but also of practical significance in terms of the transfer of management knowledge and 'best practice' Some of the key questions in employment relations, comparative business, and globalization revolve around the extent to which businesses embody a national business system, and what happens when these employment models are exported to other national settings. By exploring the variety of ways in which US multinationals deal with these issues, and their reception, when operating in Europe, Phil Almond, Anthony Ferner, and their contributors examine the interaction between globalization and national'Varieties of Capitalism'. Using the findings of a four-year international exploration of the management of employment relations in US multinationals in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and Spain, this book examines what is distinctively'American'about these companies, and how this notion is exported. The process is shown to be one that is not a technical managerial one, but one that is highly political, and'negotiated', in which groups and individuals at different levels within the company try to influence the terms of transfer. These questions are not only of theoretical importance, but also of practical significance in terms of the transfer of management knowledge and'best practice'. The book will be of interest to academics, researchers, and advanced students of HRM, International Business, and Organization Studies, as well as HR practitioners concerned with US multinationals operating in Europe. Contents 10 List of Figures 12 List of Tables 13 List of Abbreviations 14 List of Contributors 15 Part I. Introduction 18 1. Introduction: American Multinationals and the Cross-National Management of Employment Relations 20 2. Multinationals and National Business Systems: A ‘Power and Institutions’ Perspective 27 Part II. The Context 52 3. Overview of the US Business System 54 4. Overview of the Host Business Systems 74 5. The Case Study Companies in Their Organizational Context 93 Part III. The Findings: Employment Relations Policies and Practices 110 6. Collective Representation and Participation 112 7. Pay and Performance 136 8. Workforce Diversity Policies 163 9. The Management of Managerial Careers 189 Part IV. The Findings: Structure, Process, and Dynamics 212 10. Centralization 214 11. Innovation and the Transfer of Organizational Learning 240 12. The Role of the International Personnel Function 265 13. Conclusions 288 Appendix 308 References 318 Index 346 A 346 B 346 C 347 D 349 E 350 F 351 G 351 H 352 I 353 J 354 K 355 L 355 M 356 N 357 O 357 P 357 Q 359 R 359 S 360 T 361 U 361 V 362 W 362 Y 363 Z 363

this Book Addresses Some Of The Major Contemporary Issues In Comparative Business And Employment Relations. At Its Core Are The Findings Of A Four-year Exploration Of The Management Of Employment Relations In American Multinational Companies In The Uk, Germany, Ireland, And Spain. Specifically, It Looks At What Is Distinctively American About Us Multinationals And Their Management Of Human Resources Across National Borders.

Exploring some of the key questions in employment relations, comparative business and globalization, this book covers important issues in human resources management and international business and organization studies