Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue by problematising labour agency, precariousness, and labour fragmentation as defining themes of the interplay between employment relations, migration and mobility. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from discussions...

Korean firms are in the process of transforming their human resource management (HRM) systems to compete effectively in the global market. Whereas the traditional HRM system emphasized group harmony and age norms, the “new HR policy” emphasizes a performance‐based system. Whether the new...

This article is concerned with three key approaches to the implications of Japanese involvement in the UK. It is argued that the paradigms of the so‐called Japanization and lean production schools are inadequate to the task of resolving the sociological implications of Japanese investment and...

The Netherlands, although a small country with few natural resources, is a major industrial power in the West, and operates some of the world’s largest multinationals. To understand more about human resource management (HRM) practices in this country we used a structured interview format...

In this issue of “Spotlight”, Michael Treacy speaks to editor Sarah Powell about the development and significance of offshoring. Dr Michael Treacy is co‐founder and chief strategist of GEN3 Partners, a science‐based R&D services company based in Boston, USA and St Petersburg, Russia that...

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an interview with Celia de Anca on corporate diversity. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an interview with Celia de Anca exploring the background to and impact of her book Managing Diversity in the Global Organization coauthored by Antonio...

Purpose – Examines the recruitment and talent‐management policies introduced at Indian pharmaceutical company Bupharm, which are helping the organization to compete for talent with some of the industry's major multinationals. Design/methodology/approach – Describes how the company came to...

Purpose – This paper aims to describe how BT Innovate & Design (BTID), the company responsible for building all the systems and networks used by BT, has overhauled its working environment to facilitate global and agile working. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains that, with...