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Human Resource Management Peter Reilly and Tony Williams, Global HR-Challenges Facing the Function, UK: Gower, Farmhand, 2012, ix+321 pp., Price not mentioned [Hardback]. DOI: 10.1177/0972262912460206
During the last three decades or so, and especially after the publication of the book, In Search of Excellence (1982) the discipline of human resource management (HRM) has got completely transformed at national and global levels. We have a large number of new sub-areas within HRM stream that are being practiced and researched into so as to meet the needs of today's business. The pace of specific changes in the area of international human resource management (IHRM), however, has not been that fast. But during the last one decade or so, in IHRM or global human resource management (GHRM-as it is being referred to now) new challenges are discernible. Even in developing economies like India a large number of multinational companies (MNCs) of Indian origin are emerging, thus enhancing the importance of principles of IHRM.
To what extent the human resources (HR) function is ready to face new challenges of the growing and more diverse community of MNCs is the issue that the book under review seeks to address. Is the function able to meet new needs like integration of the merging organizations; hiring and retaining international talent; helping build employer brand; managing global diversity and cultures; ensuring a more accountable HR governance; and ensuring a global service delivery model? The authors claim that they have written the book with...