Global Talent Management: International Staffing Policies and Practices of South Korean Multinationals in China

Abstract

Purpose

South Korean multinational enterprises (MNEs) have developed rapidly since the late 1950s. This chapter investigates South Korean MNEs’ talent management, more specifically international recruitment and selection policies and practices in their Chinese operations.

Methodology/approach

Using the snowball method through Chinese and Korean networks we recruited ten Korean MNEs to participate in this research. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key individuals within the organisations.

Findings

It reveals that South Korean MNEs tend to adopt the polycentric approach or a mixed approach of being polycentric and ethnocentric to international staffing, with the number of expatriates reducing gradually over time. South Korean MNEs adopt ‘one-way selection’ in recruiting and selecting expatriates and localise recruitment procedures and selection criteria for host-country nationals.

Originality/value

South Korean MNEs have paid inadequate attention to: firstly, expatriates’ career development; and secondly, personal and family issues emerging from expatriation and repatriation. This study highlights these issues.

Citation

Kang, H. and Shen, J. (2016), "Global Talent Management: International Staffing Policies and Practices of South Korean Multinationals in China", Global Talent Management and Staffing in MNEs (International Business and Management, Vol. 32), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 25-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-066X20160000032019