Divergence or convergence: A cross-national comparison of personnel selection practices

Abstract

Striking a balance between globalization and localization in human resource management (HRM) requires a better understanding of the cross-national differences in terms of both the status quo and the socially desirable HRM practices. With this purpose in mind, we examined the hiring practices in ten different countries or regions using the Best International Human Resource Management Practices Survey (BIHRMPS). Our empirical findings revealed more divergence than convergence in current recruiting practices, but they also suggest that organizations around the world are indeed in the process of converging on ways of recruitment even though the current selection criteria may still be driven by each country's prevalent cultural values. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.