International Human Resources Management Strategies Essay

International Human Resources Management Strategies - Essay Example Some companies tend to lack the knowledge that globalization is closing the gap on how we relate to others. This paper on International HRM aims to assess various key issues associated with the management of human resources in a global environment, such as the key strategies or challenges faced by companies operating in international locations; the most effective approach recommended for global companies to operate successfully in an international environment; etc. For the purpose of this study, Nike Inc., is chosen for discussion and analysis. International HRM strategies: Nike Inc. Nike Inc., is an international footwear, sportswear and equipment supplier headquartered in Washington, U.S.A, and having branches all over the globe. The company truly reflects the characteristics of a truly global multinational brand, due to its successful operations in international markets. Nike’s international HRM strategies involve introduction of market driven policies aimed at profit maxim ization. Led by visionary Phil Knight, Nike Inc.'s phenomenal success in international markets was achieved by outsourcing majority of its manufacturing operations to low-wage countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and China. The company received flak for its outrageous HRM policies whereby young children and other workers in the Nike factories were made to work for long durations in unsafe work environments, raising alarm in the international community (Aswathappa & Dash, 2007). However, ever since the company has focused on improving its working conditions and rewired its approach to human resource management by introducing polices focusing on an integrated and multi-disciplinary team to support and monitor its outsourcing operations. The company today focuses on worker safety and sustainable business as its core business strategy and vision (Nike Inc., 2012). Global challenges of IHRM: A significant number of organizations have internationalized their operations over the past coupl e of decades. This new trend has given rise to global challenges with regard to the management of human resources across international borders. The key challenges faced by managers today, with regard to International HRM include aligning its resources and work practices with those of the host nations; increasing risk of global terrorism; change in patterns of hiring and staffing; ethical and CSR challenges; strategic challenges etc (Dowling, Festing, and Engle, 2008). However one of the most pressing issues faced by multinational companies today is to monitor and supervise the code of conduct and HRM practices in the host countries. Various multinational companies such as Nike, Benetton, Levi Strauss, Reebok, Adidas etc., among many others have faced severe criticism in their home country for their unethical work practices. These companies have been accused of child labor and violation of human rights thus resulting in a serious negative impact on its brand image. Similar challenges were faced by companies like Google for its questionable ethical practices in China; Coca Cola for its CSR practices; Allure Cruise Lines' strategic challenges etc (Dowling, Festing and Engle, 2008; Deresky, 2007). Some of the other key challenges faced by the multinational related to international HRM include those associated with ethnocentric, polycentric, geocentric and/ or region centric approaches. Ethnocentricity refers to

Principle-based ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Principle-based ethics - Essay Example According to the deontological principle, one ought to do an action that upholds his/her moral obligation without what the other people consider appropriate (Shaw, 2008). America is a capitalistic state whose economy is guarded by the laws of demand and supply, which determine the price of commodities in the market (Futrelle, 2012). From a deontological perspective, market forces can suddenly increase demand of commodities without a corresponding increase in supply; implying that people are demanding more than the market supply. Thus, this implies prices of commodities will automatically rise because of other factors other than those affecting demand and supply (Shaw, 2008). Thus, merchants often base their argument on this notion by arguing that they do not cause price gouging but the situation arises from the forces of demand and supply. Conversely, the principle of justice agitates for fairness to all involved entities in price gouging situations. It is widely known that if demand is more than supply, the prices of commodities will increase steadily to counter the deficit in the market. For this reason, merchants with sufficient stock during this particular time, can leverage from the situation since it is a rare case that may never happen again. Thus, according to this principle, it is fair for them to be allowed to benefit from the economic situation since it is not their making but because of market forces (Wicks, 2010). On the other hand, there are ethical principles that are against the act of price gouging because they consider such acts as selfishness that are only meant to benefit a few individuals at the opportunity cost of others (Bredeson, 2012). For instance, the principle of beneficence states that, whenever you are doing anything, the ratio of good should always supersede the quota of evil not only to one’s self but also to the entire world. Therefore, in the case of this particular situation,