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Coming unstuck? In search of the “corporate glue” in an international professional service firm
Author(s) -
Ferner Anthony,
Edwards Paul,
Sisson Keith
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
human resource management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.888
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-050X
pISSN - 0090-4848
DOI - 10.1002/hrm.3930340302
Subject(s) - internationalization , cohesion (chemistry) , bureaucracy , business , accounting , human resource management , organizational culture , human resources , glue , management , public relations , marketing , economics , political science , international trade , chemistry , organic chemistry , politics , law , materials science , composite material
Much has been made of “networks” and corporate “culture” as sources of cohesion in increasingly loosely structured international firms. But how strong is the “corporate glue”? Using a case study of human resource management (HRM) in an international accounting firm, this article shows that growth and internationalization may themselves weaken the corporate glue, just as the need for global integration of activities increases. The resulting stresses lead to a greater emphasis on formal bureaucratic structures and processes, further calling into question the role of traditional culture. Alternative strategies for managing these tensions are proposed. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.