International Joint Ventures, HRM and Viable Knowledge Migration

International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 624-641, 2002

18 Pages Posted: 16 Mar 2009

See all articles by Maurice Yolles

Maurice Yolles

John Moores University - Centre for the Creation of Coherent Change and Knowledge (C4K)

Date Written: 2002

Abstract

International joint ventures (IJVs) are an increasingly popular form of voluntary co-operation between organizations of different sizes, sectors and geographical locations to satisfy strategic purposes and manage increasingly complex business environments. However, international joint ventures may fail, and HRM plays an important role in their success or failure. From a systems perspective, IJVs offer several kinds of complexity which may contribute to the generation of con¿ ict and failure. The paper proposes that we explore the role of HRM in IJVs through viable systems theory, especially in relation to knowledge migration and organizational learning. The theory presented distinguishes between the cognitive, organizing and behavioural domains of the IJV as a system in the analysis of the relationship between types of worldview and behaviour in IJVs. It proposes a model of viable knowledge development in IJVs and its relationship to HRM, involving knowledge migration, appreciation and action, leading to organizational learning, and identi¿ es directions for future research.

Keywords: IJVs, viable systems, HRM, organizational learning, knowledge migration

Suggested Citation

Yolles, Maurice, International Joint Ventures, HRM and Viable Knowledge Migration (2002). International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 624-641, 2002, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1360112 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1360112

Maurice Yolles (Contact Author)

John Moores University - Centre for the Creation of Coherent Change and Knowledge (C4K) ( email )

Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool
United Kingdom