International Human Resource Management

SAMPLE Case Study Assessment MGMT3012 International Human Resource Management

Read the below two scenarios/cases and answer the following questions:

Scenario/Case 1:

Volatility in the Global Business Environment (Source: based on the Unit Textbook, page 152)

One of the main factors that can affect the performance of a subsidiary is the occurrence of

volatility and turbulence in the global business environment. This volatility may require that

long-term goals be flexible in order to respond to potential market contingencies. According to

Pucik (1985), an inflexible approach may mean that subsidiaries could be pursuing strategies

that no longer fit the new environment.

Consider, for example, the impact on international business of major events in the past three

decades or so, such as: the collapse of the communist rule in the late 1980s in Eastern Europe

and Former Soviet Union; the adoption of the EURO (€) as the single currency by most of the

European Union (EU) countries; Chinese market reforms; the Severe Acute Respiratory

Syndrome (SARS); the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in 2004; government cutbacks and

austerity measures associated with the global financial crisis that began in 2008; the Arab

Spring political disturbances in 2011; or the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus

known as COVID-19.

Each of these events has had profound implications for the global and local strategies of

multinationals. Because subsidiaries operate under such volatility and fluctuation, they must

tailor long-term goals to the specific situation in a given market. Problems arise when

subsidiary managers perceive that goals and deadlines set by the distant headquarters

strategy team are unrealistic and inflexible due to a failure to take into account local conditions

that change as a result of a volatile environment obviously, involving regional and subsidiary

mangers in strategic planning assist in managing this perception.

Answer the following question:

1. In the above scenario, a number of world events are listed that have had profound

implications for the global and local strategies of MNEs. Select a recent world event;

a. Identify and explain at least FOUR specific HR implications or concerns that

may arise from this event. (10 Marks)

b. Using theories and concepts from this unit, devise ONE relevant policy or

solution for EACH of these implications/concerns and critically discuss how

each of these policies/solutions can address these implications or concerns.

(20 marks)

SAMPLE Case Study Assessment MGMT3012 International Human Resource Management

Scenario 2:

Establishing a subsidiary of an Australian mining company in New

Delhi, India.

An Australian mining company intends to open a subsidiary in New Delhi, India to benefit from

the Indian government financial support and the low-cost skilled and unskilled Indian labour

market. The company does not have any prior experience in terms of managing staff in

another country, especially in the Indian context.

As an IHRM specialist, you are asked to advise the company on cultural issues in this new

Indian subsidiary.

Answer the following question:

2. Using ONE of the theories of culture that we studied in this unit, identify and critically

discuss 4 (FOUR) important cultural areas/issues that the Australian Chief Engineer

should be aware of before starting his job in the Indian subsidiary? (10 marks)

END OF EXAMINATION PAPER

Please note that this is just a sample Case Study

Assessment to give you an idea of the type of cases

and questions. Therefore, the actual Assessment

might be on different topics with different questions.

International Human Resource Management

KEY TAKEAWAYS BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS ASSIGNMENT