As more and more organizations continue to expand globally, the need to successfully manage a dispersed workforce across cultural and institutional boundaries has become vital. Thus, international human resource management (IHRM) plays an important strategic role by ensuring the smooth integration across international subsidiaries and by preparing employees to handle the challenges associated with working in the global context. This course is designed to provide you with a better understanding of the various IHRM practices. We will cover topics such as transfer of HRM practices across borders, global staffing, global performance management and compensation, global human resource development, and the link between HR practices and business strategy. This course is co-taught with Dr. Margaret Shaffer (University of Oklahoma), who is one of the foremost researchers in the field of IHRM, in particular in the area of expatriation and global employees.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

1. Demonstrate an increased understanding of the major aspects of international human resource management.
2. Be able to analyze how cultural, institutional, and organizational factors shape IHRM practices.
3. Acquire skills and tools to develop successful IHRM programs and practices, such as global staffing, recruitment, compensation, performance management, subsidiary integration, and training and development, and understand the importance of linking these with the business strategy.
4. Demonstrate improved research and critical thinking skills.

This course is comprised of lectures, case analyses, exercises, a group presentation, and a final in-class examination. This is a highly interactive course. Thus, students are expected to be fully engaged and participate in class discussions. The course is designed in such a way as to maximize your learning by balancing between lecture and your involvement in discussions, cases, and exercises. All course documents, assignments, lecture notes, etc. will be posted on the course website on Learn@WU.

Assessment will be based on both individual and team performance. Please note that successful in-class participation involves not only regularly attending class but also frequently contributing to the discussion by answering questions, participating in class exercises, engaging in a thoughtful analysis of the discussed cases, building on other students’ ideas, and synthesizing across readings and discussions. You are expected to have read in advance all the required reading materials and cases and be prepared to discuss them in class. Regular attendance is a requirement to pass this course, you cannot be absent for more than 20% of the total course time.

Written final exam (in-class, individual case analysis): 20% of total grade

One individual written case analysis *: 20% of total grade

Team project in-class presentation * (final grade partially depends on peer evaluations): 30% of total grade

In-class participation: 30% of total grade

* More information on these assignments will be provided on the course website.

I will be available for in-person meetings by appointment, e-mail address: mihaela.dimitrova@wu.ac.at