Hearing a different drummer? Convergence of human resource management in Europe — A longitudinal analysis

In this paper we explore the notion of convergence in managerial practice as a result of globalization. Focused on convergence at the national level, we offer a more nuanced exposition of convergence than has been evident in previous literature and draw upon a study that empirically analyzes the development of HRM in larger private sector firms in 13 European countries between 1992 and 2004 to examine any evidence of human resource management practices becoming more alike. We find considerable evidence of directional similarity – practices increasing or decreasing in the same way across the countries – but no evidence of final convergence — countries becoming more alike in the way they manage people. The findings have important implications for theories of convergence, theories of HRM, and for practitioners in multinational corporations.