Human resource

Human resource

Human resource

Keywords: Publication, Management, Cybernetics, Human resource management

The joint editors of a recent book tell us that at least two in six of all products sold anywhere in the world cross international boundaries on their way to market. We cannot avoid thinking globally and a book published by the Institute of Personnel and Development(IDP) tells us why. The book is:

The Global HR Manager

Edited by Bob Morton and Pat JoyntInstitute of Personnel and Development (IDP) Books1999256 pp.ISBN 0 8529 8157Paperback, £25 (£22.50 for IDP members)

IDP say that: The book illustrates why HR Directors now need to think global. It is estimated that up to a half of the UK economy is involved with international trade. Over 2 million Americans live and work abroad. At least one in six of UK workers is employed by a Japanese company and it is estimated that the number of people in the UK employed by foreign companies will rise to 50 per cent by 2005. This freeflow of key resources - people - across national boundaries provides a major impetus for all to understand the challenges this involves and the problems that can arise. It is in this context that the imperative for HR managers to contribute in managing people across international frontiers becomes ever more pressing.

We are told that over a dozen of the world's leading human resources (HRM) authors have contributed to the book. The text tackles some of the key questions bothering HR managers who are increasingly operating in a global context. Professionals will see a need inasmuch that they require to operate in a global context and have jobs that require them now to be more international in their approach. Others, including academics and researchers, would also benefit since it is also concerned with international teamwork. Management cyberneticians and those involved with systems will recognise much in the book's sections that will be of value to their research and development studies. These sections are:

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  Globalisation and HR

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  Organisational culture and international HRM

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  The HR manager as a global business partner

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  International recruitment, selection and assessment

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  International compensation

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  International team working

The editors say that:

The conduct of business is increasingly global. The advent of the internet and e-commerce is further increasing the flow of goods and services and, most importantly, it is also increasing the speed at which knowledge and therefore competitive advantage can be transferred across the globe. The seamless organisation is now with us. This means that people management policies and practices have to facilitate the process of working across time, distance and culture not only in a practical, operational sense but also in creating a new mind-set in managers of thinking and operating internationally.

Information about IDP books is obtained on Tel: +44 (0) 181 263 3387 and on the Website: www.ipd.co.uk