UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB,

I N S T I T U T E OF Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore Pakistan.
Tel:92-42-9231164-65, 9231810-11 Fax:92-42-9230622
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES Web site: www.ias.edu.pk Email: info@ias.edu.pk

International Human Resource Management

Discipline : Bs. Hons Credit Hours: 3 per week Pre Requisite: HRM
Course instructor: Email: Contact:
Dr. Sabeen Imran Ahmad sabeen.ias@pu.edu.pk 92429231164-65

OVERVIEW

Course Description:

Towards the end of the 20thcentury, the trend of global business has been exponentially
increasing. This is demonstrated in the growth of the number of enterprises conducting business
across the national borders of their headquarters, the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI)
and the value of trade between countries. In 2010 alone, more than 82,000 multinational
enterprises with more than 810,000 affiliates operated worldwide. Moreover, in 2013, the global
FDI reached $1.45 Trillion – a 9% growth compared to 2012 (UNCTAD, 2014). The global FDI
is projected to continue its growth for the coming years, reaching $1.6 Trillion, $1.75 Trillion
and $1.85 Trillion in 2014, 2015 and 2016 simultaneously (UNCTAD, 2014). In the year 2019,
the FDI was recorded $ 1.39 trillion as compared to $1.41 trillion in 2018, slightly less, but it is
expected to be increased further in 2020.

Furthermore, in 2012, the collective WTO members’ exports of merchandise and commercial
services reached around $21.55 Trillion – around 30% of the World’s GDP (WTO, 2013). As a
rough estimation, the total of 60-70% of the international trade takes place within the same
multinational groups (Sheppard, 2012, from www.taxjustice.net). Based on the preceding
figures, organizations are internationalizing their operations aggressively – some are even being
born as a global enterprise. This trend has a direct impact on the HR function. HR professionals
are expected to plan and manage a nationally and culturally diverse workforce. Moreover, they
are expected to manage migrant workers and international assignees at each geographical
location, in addition to its local employees.

Objectives of the course

This course examines both applied and theoretical perspectives of the effect of national
differences on the processes and systems associated with managing human resources across
national boundaries, as in the case of multinational corporations. We look at the diverse ways to
conceptualize cross-national differences and challenges facing the management of multinational
firms.
 UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB,
I N S T I T U T E OF Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore Pakistan.
Tel:92-42-9231164-65, 9231810-11 Fax:92-42-9230622
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES Web site: www.ias.edu.pk Email: info@ias.edu.pk

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, students should be able to:

 Define, explain and compare perspectives and theories related to IHRM
 Make use of an in-depth understanding of research in IHRM to critically analyse theories,
perspectives, and practical problems facing contemporary firms
 Identify and Understand issues and practices pertaining to the major IHRM functions
within the context of a multinational environment
 Recognize and value cultural differences
 Develop successful programs for international assignees (short term/long term)
 Become an expert in a particular country with regard to issues and practices pertaining to
major HRM functions
 Take ownership of their own career and its development
 Evaluate “best practices” across cultures

COURSE POLICY AND GUIDELINES

 The students are required to maintain a minimum 75% attendance to be eligible to sit in
the exams
 Students are expected to read thoroughly the teaching materials such as
chapter/article/case studies at individual level, and then discuss it in their learning teams,
and be ready to participate in the class. The students’ class participation (CP) shall be
scored on the basis of quality, rather than quantity. The quality of arguments are always
based on logics, and referring data either given in the reading or happening in the real
world. Please note that, the arguments for the sake of arguments shall not lead any CP.
 Mobile phones and edibles are not allowed in the class.
 Usage of any electronic device during the class is strictly prohibited.
 In case of copying assignment(s), cheating in quizzes/exams, may lead to either zero for
both the individuals/groups or any other strict action will be taken according to the
department policy.
 All the students are expected to be in the class 2 min before the class starts. Please note
that, late entry in the class will not be allowed.
 UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB,
I N S T I T U T E OF Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore Pakistan.
Tel:92-42-9231164-65, 9231810-11 Fax:92-42-9230622
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES Web site: www.ias.edu.pk Email: info@ias.edu.pk

COURSE PLAN

Week Topic Reading

1 Course introduction & Course Outline
formulation of the learning teams Chapter 1: Introduction
2 The cultural context of IHRM Chapter 2: The cultural context of IHRM
Case: Spanning the Globe
3 The organizational context Chapter 3: The organizational context
Case: Quality Compliance at the Hawthorn Arms
4 IHRM In Cross-Border Mergers Chapter 4: IHRM In Cross-Border Mergers and
and Acquisitions, International Acquisitions, International Alliances, and SMEs
Alliances, and SMEs Case: Wolfgang’s Balancing Act: Rewarding Healthcare
Executives in a Dispersed yet Integrated Firm
5 Sourcing Human Resources for Chapter 5: Sourcing Human Resources for Global
Global Markets – Staffing, Markets – Staffing, Recruitment, and Selection
Recruitment, and Selection Case: Strategic Forecasts and Staffing Formulation:
Executive and Managerial Planning for Bosch-
Kazakhstan
6 Seminar 1
7 Seminar 2
8 Mid Term Exam
9 International Performance Chapter 6: International Performance Management
Management Case: Local and International? Managing Complex
Employment Expectations
10 International Training, Chapter 7: International Training, Development, Careers,
Development, Careers, and and Talent
Talent Case: Balancing Values: An Indian Perspective on
Corporate Values from Scandinavia
11 International Compensation Chapter 8: International Compensation
Case: Just Another Move to China? The Impact of
International Assignments on Expatriate Families
12 International Industrial Relations Chapter 9: International Industrial Relations and the
and the Global Institutional Global Institutional Context
Context Case: Expatriate Compensation at Robert Bosch GmbH:
Coping with Modern Mobility Challenges
13 IHRM Trends and Future Chapter 10: Trends and Future Challenges
Challenges Case: Finding the Right View: Developing Local Talent
in Local Markets
14 Seminar 3
 UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB,
I N S T I T U T E OF Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore Pakistan.
Tel:92-42-9231164-65, 9231810-11 Fax:92-42-9230622
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES Web site: www.ias.edu.pk Email: info@ias.edu.pk

Seminar 4

15
16 Final term Exam

COURSE ACTIVITIES

Lecture, Class discussion, Group presentations, Assignments, Case Studies, Quiz, Final Project

COURSE TEXTS

 Dowling, P. J., Festing, M., & Engle, A. (2017). International Human Resource
Management (7th ed.): Cengage Learning.

REFERENCE BOOKS & JOURNALS

 International Journal of Human Resource Management, Academy of Management

Journal, Harvard Business Review

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Midterm Exam 35%

Final Exam 40%
Class Assessment/Participation and project 25%
Total 100%