Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the foundation of Taiwan¡¦s corporate structures and the driving force behind Taiwan¡¦s economic development. The economic miracle in the past could be attributed to the high proportion (97.8%) of small enterprises in Taiwan (2005). Therefore, how small and medium enterprises use human resource management to obtain organizational competitive advantages is the motivation behind this research. High-performing and potential SMEs¡¦ practices of human resource management may be beneficial to the learning and referencing of domestic enterprises. Thus, this study focuses on enterprises which received the National SMEs Award from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and enterprises listed as ¡§small but beautiful, small but rich¡¨ on the Feb 2006 issue of CommonWealth Magazine. Through in-depth interviews, this study attempted to qualitatively induce and analyze the core practices involved in human resource management and the practices developed under and applied to various situations. Through literature review and interviews with six high-performing SMEs in Taiwan, the following results were obtained: 1.The analysis of the human resource management measures currently adopted by SMEs showed that human resource management and organizational competitive advantages are correlated. Human resource management measures are influential to human resource competence, organizational core competence, and organizational competitive advantages. 2.From a universalistic perspective, SMEs¡¦ core practices of human resource management include: sharing of operation results with employees, providing a strict recruitment procedure and valuing employees¡¦ cultural adaptation, offering highly-competitive salary, valuing cultivation of professional competence, integrating performance, salary, and development, and providing open communication channels. 3.From a contingency perspective, we probed into the SMEs¡¦ practices of human resource management developed under and applied to various contexts. The analysis of the outstanding SMEs showed that human resource management measures that enterprises have focused on to obtain competitive advantages may vary with practical contexts. Organizations can thus react and adapt to the dynamic environment and maintain or elevate their competitive advantages.

Human Resource Management (HRM) handlar om att leda mänskliga resurser. Det blir det allt vanligare att personalansvaret delegeras till linjecheferna i organisationen eftersom de arbetar närmast de anställda. Syftet med denna studie var att med kvalitativ metod undersöka på vilket sätt chefers arbetssituation skiljer sig åt mellan de som har, respektive inte har, en HR-avdelning att tillgå. Studien baserades på nio enskilda intervjuer vilka tolkades enligt induktiv tematisk analysmetod. Resultatet visade att personalarbetet var mer integrerat i det dagliga chefsarbetet på företag som hade HR-avdelning, och dessa chefer kände sig inte stressade av personalansvaret i sig. Cheferna på företag utan HR-funktion prioriterade verksamhetsfrågor i större utsträckning och upplevde viss mental stress när de kände sig osäkra i sina HR-kunskaper och därmed ibland inte kunde hantera personalfrågor som dök upp.

Abstract Keeping the key individuals in a post merger and acquisition situation is vital to preserve the value of the investment. Yet it is not uncommon, in relation to mergers and acquisitions, that key individuals not only leave the organization but assumes a position with a competitor or even start a competing business. This problem was highlighted as a sug-gested topic for this thesis by Nordic Construction Company (NCC). Findings from interviews with 4 key individuals at NCC and 6 individuals with a combined experience of the human resource management aspect of the merger and acquisition process and its aftermath, show that the primary reasons why key individuals leave is, even if the deciding factor differs, strongly linked to uncertainty that can be reduced with a suffi-cient communication strategy. This thesis suggests a number of potential actions of improvement to the NCC merger and acquisition process and its aftermath. The following human resource influences should improve the NCC merger and acquisition process in order to prevent the loss of key individuals • Introduce the human resource aspect into the strategy discussion during the merger and acquisition preparation phase. • Infuse human resource related enquiries into the discussion with the target organization’s owners, during the initial due diligence phase. • Conduct qualitative and quantitative human resource research that relate to the set human resource management strategy, during the due diligence phase as soon as access to the workforce individuals have been granted. • Implement extraordinary PLUS conversations with key individuals shortly after the closing of the deal process. • Modify the welcome package that is communicated in relation to the merger or ac-quisition so that it includes a list of communication channels, a contact information list and a message in alliance with the human resource strategy. This message should put the individual in the center by focusing equally on the expectations flowing from the individual to the new organization and vice versa.

Background: Going abroad for a number of years to live and work in a different country and culture is a major change for most people. To make this easier and minimize the risks of facing adjustment difficulties for these people going abroad, companies’ Human resource departments, in particular, have great responsibilities. It is also mainly their responsibility to ensure a smooth re-adjustment for employees returning to home country after a completed international assignment. Today many companies not only underestimate the problems related to an unsuccessful repatriation process, but also do not acknowledge the difficulties that the expatriates face upon return. Moreover, there is evidence showing that only a minority of companies invest substantial resources in the task of creating an Effective Repatriation process, even though researchers have confirmed repatriation to be more challenging than expatriation. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to find out how companies can improve and facilitate the repatriation of their employees. This will be done by examining factors affecting how an expatriate perceives the repatriation process and by identifying the most critical actions in achieving an effective repatriation process. Method: In order to fulfill the purpose of this thesis a qualitative method was chosen. A case study was conducted over Volvo Construction Equipment in Eskilstuna, based upon personal interviews with expatriates as well as representatives of the Volvo International Assignment Management (VIAM) and Human Resource department of Volvo Construction Equipment in Eskilstuna. Further, the case study included a preliminary study based on a question and answer format, answered by 20 expatriates at Volvo CE in Eskilstuna. With support from information gathered through the preliminary study, later 10 personal interviews were carried out with expatriates at Volvo CE. Conclusion: The findings of this thesis propose 10 main factors, which influence how an expatriate perceives the repatriation process. These are; (1) the Purpose for why an expatriate is sent abroad, (2) the Picture of the repatriation process and responsibility areas communicated by the home company, (3) the perceived Communication and support, (4) the utilization of Mentorship, (5) Reverse culture shock issues, (6) Career issues, (7) Organizational issues, (8) Practical issues, (9) Family issues and finally,(10) the existence of an Evaluation. Further, the result of this thesis suggest that there are four critical actions in achieving an effective repatriation process; preplanning, communicating and providing support, proactive repositioning process and finally, applying an evaluation.

Många multinationella företag (MNC) ställs inför problemet hur de skall kunna implementera sina strategier i alla sina dotterbolag då det kan finnas både stora kulturella och legala skillnader mellan olika länder. Ett område som detta märks tydligt på är human resource management (HRM) då företaget måste anpassa sig till både den lokala arbetsmarknadens regler och lagar samt MNC:ts övergripande strategi. För att kunna hantera det här problemet finns det flera lösningar och ett vanligt sätt är att föra över mer eller mindre beslutanderätt till dotterbolaget. Den här uppsatsen undersöker vilken autonomi ett svenskt dotterbolag till ett amerikanskt läkemedelsbolag har när det gäller HRM. För att kunna undersöka det har vi gått igenom aktuell forskning inom området för att se vad som finns skrivet om liknande fall utomlands. Därefter har vi gjort en fallstudie med två kvalitativa intervjuer på Merck Sharp & Dohmes (MSD) svenska dotterbolag. Utifrån vår teori har vi sedan analyserat intervjusvaren och kommit fram till att MSD Sverige har en begränsad autonomi när det gäller HRM. Generellt gäller att MSD Sverige har att röra sig inom de ramar som moderbolaget sätter upp i form av policys och andra regler. Vi generaliserar även mot vår teori och kan med relativt stor säkerhet säga att dessa förhållanden även gäller andra amerikanska dotterbolag i Sverige. Avslutningsvis ger vi förslag på intressanta ämnen för framtida forskning.

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This dissertation investigates two related aspects of firms’ choice of HRM practices. The first is why some firms expend a great deal of resources on HRM practices for each employee while others spend very little; the second is the extent to which firms’ bundles of HRM practices sort into general discrete employment systems. In order to empirically address these issues, this dissertation uses an economics-based theoretical approach. The key theoretical link to economics is to treat HRM as a separate factor input in the production process, which allows me to derive an HRM input demand function. This function expresses the firm’s per employee expenditures on HRM and their choice of HRM system as a function of prices and internal and external firm characteristics. Ordinary least squares, two-stage least squares and linear quantile analysis are used to empirically estimate the HRM demand function using a unique dataset of several hundred firms collected by the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA). The regression equation is found to be statistically significant, implying firms do have an identifiable demand for HRM practices. Second, there are nine independent variables which are found to be stable determinants of the demand for per employee expenditures on HRM practices. Regarding the existence of discrete employment systems, cluster analysis is used to determine if the sets of HRM practices adopted by these firms sort into identifiable types of HRM systems. The results show that there is a discrete set of four HRM systems; however, the HRM demand function does not predict which system a firm will choose.

Kurs/nivå: Kandidatuppsats, Enterprising and Business Development, C- nivå, 2EB00E, VT 2012 Författare: Niklas Fridman & Jonas Persson Handledare: Lena Olaison Examinator: Richard Nakamura Titel: Employer Branding i Kina: Vad ser kinesiska studenter som attraktivt vid val av arbetsplats? Nyckelord: Employer Branding, Human resource management, Kinesisk management. Bakgrund: Allt fler företag etablerar sig i Kina och en förutsättning för att lyckas är att rätt personal driver företaget framåt. Västerländska företag upplever att kompetensen är svår att finna och behålla inom kunskapsbaserade tjänster (knowledgework) vilket skapat problem vid etableringar i landet. Employer Branding är ett vedertaget begrepp i västvärlden som hjälper företag att attrahera personal, forskningen är inte lika utbredd i Kina och det finns ett behov för att kunna attrahera och behålla kompetent personal på plats i landet. Kandidatuppsatsen fokuserar på rekrytering av kinesiska studenter i Kina. Syfte: Syftet med kandidatuppsatsen är att öka förståelsen för vad kinesiska studenter upplever som attraktivt med en arbetsplats och vad som får dem att välja en speciell arbetsgivare. Problemformulering: Vad ser kinesiska studenter som attraktivt på sin framtida arbetsplats och vad är viktigt att ta i beaktning som arbetsgivare för att förstå vad som attraherar kinesiska studenter i Kina? Metod: Studien har antagit en kvalitativ forskningsmetod där data är insamlad genom semistrukturerade intervjuer och en fokusgrupp. Författarna har ett tolkande perspektiv med en ontologiskt konstruktionistisk inriktning. Resultat/slutsatser: Av studien framgick det att kinesiska studenter lägger stor vikt vid företags rykte. Det var attraktivt för de kinesiska studenterna att kunna balansera arbetsliv med privatliv, känna stolthet för arbetsgivaren inför familj och vänner, känna trygghet i sin anställning, möjlighet till kompetensutveckling och en mer kommunikativ relation till sina chefer. Kulturen i Kina skiljer sig mot i väst, bland annat genom ett tydligt riskundvikande, hierarkiskt synsätt med stor respekt för överordnade samt en stark koppling till familjära band. / Abstract Course/level: Bachelor thesis, Enterprising and Business Development, C-level, 2EB00E Spring semester 2012 Authors: Niklas Fridman & Jonas Persson Advisor: Lena Olaison Examinator: Richard Nakamura Title: Employer Branding in China: What does Chinese students regard as attractive while selecting workplace? Key words: Employer Branding, Human resource management, Chinese management Background: More companies are setting up in China and a necessity for success is that the right people are taking the company forward. Western companies perceive that the suitable Chinese employers are hard to find and retain, specifically noticed in today’s many knowledge intensive companies. Employer Branding is term that is well known in the western world that help companies attract and retain employees, the research is not as widespread in China and more research is needed in order to know how to attract and retain Chinese staff in western companies established in the country. The bachelor thesis focuses on recruitment of Chinese students in China. Purpose: The purpose of the bachelor thesis is to increase an understanding of what Chinese students regard as attractive with a workplace and what makes them choose a particular employer. Research question: What does Chinese students regard as attractive with a workplace and what is important to take into consideration as an employer to understand what attracts Chinese students in China? Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative research method where the gathering of data has been done through semi structured interviews and a focus group. The authors have an interpretive perspective with an ontological constructionist approach. Research findings: The study showed that Chinese students place great importance on the corporate reputation. It was attractive to be able to balance work with private life, to feel pride for family and friends, to have good job security, opportunities for professional development and an open relationship to managers. The culture in China differs from the West, including a clear risk avoidance, hierarchical approach with great respect for superiors and the strong link to the family.

Background: We have identified the combination of Knowledge Management and Human Resource Management as interesting because of this constellation has been mentioned scarcely in previous studies. There also seem to be some interesting correlations with personnel turnover. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe and understand the theoretically best combination of Human Resource Management and Knowledge Management, by creating a model. The model is also going to be tested empirically through consulting firms, to see if they meet the ideal combination. With this model we also want to describe in what way the different combinations of strategies will affect the personnel turnover. Definitions: A huge part of this study concerns the theoretical area Human Resource Management, which we have entitled HRM. Similarly, Knowledge Management has been entitled KM. Completion: The study is designed both as a literature review and as a comparative case study in which empirical data has been collected through qualitative interviews with four Swedish management consulting firms. Results: The best combinations of KM and HRM are according to this study that strategies should consist of a thoroughgoing personalization or codification. The result also gives a description of how various HRM-aspects can be adapted in line with the best combination. The result stresses that the companies concerned in these case studies don’t follow these recommended combinations. The result also includes descriptions of the varying effects on personnel turnover that comes along with different combination of KM and HRM. / Bakgrund: Vi har identifierat kombinationen av Knowledge Management och Human Resource Management som intressant då denna konstellation behandlats sparsamt i tidigare studier. Det finns även intressanta samband i termer av personalomsättning som fångat vårt intresse. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att skapa en modell för att beskriva och förstå hur de teoretiskt bästa kombinationerna av Human Resource Management och Knowledge Management kan se ut. Modellen ska även testas empiriskt på konsultföretag för att se om de uppfyller idealkombinationerna. I modellen vill vi även beskriva på vilka sätt olika strategikombinationer kan påverka personalomsättningen. Definitioner: Stora delar av studien kretsar kring det teoretiska området Human Resource Management vilket vi har förkortat HRM. På samma sätt har Knowledge Management förkortats som KM. Genomförande: Studien är utformad dels som en litteraturstudie och dels som en komparativ fallstudie där empirin bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer med fyra svenska managementkonsultbolag. Resultat: De bästa kombinationerna av KM och HRM är enligt studien när de genomgående utgörs av personalisering eller kodifiering. Resultatet ger även en beskrivning av hur olika HRM-aspekter kan anpassas i linje med dessa bästa kombinationer. Studien visar även att företag (fallföretagen i denna studie) inte följer idealkombinationerna i praktiken samt att olika kombinationer kan få varierande effekter på företags personalomsättning.

Recent media articles have illustrated different human resource management problems within Zara Sweden and the retail industry in Sweden. In these articles numerous employees speak about mistreatment and abuse at Zara Sweden. A union official states that Zara is not a unique case, but more so a representative case of the retail industry. Adding to this Zara Sweden has not performed well financially and they state that they are still trying to adapt to the Swedish market.   There is plenty of research explaining the relationship between human resource management and performance. Furthermore, a lot of research urges international companies to be locally responsive especially in their people management. To understand the level of local responsiveness it is important to first examine the cultural disparity between the organization and the employees, for this Hofstede’s cultural dimension was used. With this background the study explores Zara Sweden’s level of local responsiveness as well as their general human resource management practices from three perspectives. Semi-structured interviews have been used to understand the employee perspective. The two other perspectives come from the Annual reports produced by both Inditex and Zara and media articles.   Our findings demonstrate that media perspective and employee perspectives comply well with each other. However, there is a great disparity between the annual report perspective and the other two perspectives. The results show three major HRM liabilities, the sole use of internal promotion, general employee dissatisfaction and the lack of local responsiveness. Our aim is that this study will benefit the Swedish retail industry, to perhaps understand performance issues through study. Also, benefit Zara and Inditex if they have similar problems in other countries and the study might explain their lack of financial performance in the Swedish market. In general, this research could assist companies that are expanding into the Swedish market, seeing it emphasis the importance of regional adaption.