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Multinational companies and the diffusion of employment practices from outside the country of origin explaining variation across firms

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Edwards, Tony, 1968-, Edwards, Paul, Ferner, Anthony, Marginson, Paul and Tregaskis, Olga. (2010) Multinational companies and the diffusion of employment practices from outside the country of origin explaining variation across firms. Management International Review, Vol.50 (No.5). pp. 613-634. ISSN 0938-8249

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11575-010-0051-2

Abstract

This paper analyses the issue of variation between multinational companies in the extent to which they use their foreign operating units as the origin of employment practices that are subsequently transferred across the firm. It uses data from a nationally representative survey of MNCs in the UK and contrasts the relative influences of three sets of factors on diffusion. The results demonstrate that while the nationality of the parent firm and the way in which the multinational is configured have only modest effects on diffusion, the organisational conduits through which the diffusion of practices can occur are central to explaining variation between firms.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	International business enterprises, Personnel management, Corporate culture
Journal or Publication Title:	Management International Review
Publisher:	Betriebswirtschaftlicher Verlag Dr. Th. Gabler GmbH
ISSN:	0938-8249
Date:	October 2010
Volume:	Vol.50
Number:	No.5
Page Range:	pp. 613-634
Identification Number:	10.1007/s11575-010-0051-2
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/39909