Global human resources: a key to mission accomplishment
ISSN: 2049-8799
Article publication date: 2 November 2018
Issue publication date: 11 April 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors needed for the development of global human resources for leadership assignments in foreign subsidiaries. The paper aims to find an answer to enhance expatriate mission accomplishment rate at subsidiaries abroad.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the development of global human resources. In-depth face-to-face interviews were employed to collect data from eight senior HR managers in three financial institutions in Taiwan, while data from 28 expatriates in the overseas subsidiaries were obtained from asynchronous e-mail interviews. Conventional content analysis was used to code categories directly from the data.
Findings
The results of the study revealed that organizational policies do not focus on developing global human resources. To portray a global image, the focus is on staffing overseas subsidiaries with foreigners and Taiwanese that can speak English. Development to prepare staff for expatriation is limited to pre-departure training that focused mainly on language and cultural awareness training. However, organizational support during expatriation and repatriation is important. Expatriates view security briefing crucial and familiarization visit helps them to decide whether or not to accept expatriation. Organizational policies favor those that were not expatriated in terms of career progression deter managers from accepting international assignments.
Originality/value
It highlights some best practices in developing global human resources taking into consideration the herd mentality and social perspective. Social support, social learning and social capital are instrumental in developing global human resources as these hasten cultural adjustment.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The study was sponsored by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China, Taiwan) under The Taiwan Fellowship Program.
Citation
Wan, H.L. (2019), "Global human resources: a key to mission accomplishment", Journal of Global Mobility, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 5-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-01-2018-0007
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited