The effects of ‘language standardization’ on the acceptance and use of e-HRM systems in foreign subsidiaries

Electronic human resource management (e-HRM) systems are argued to be transforming the role of HR by facilitating the transfer of transaction processing responsibilities to employees, managers and other third parties. In multinational corporations, e-HRM systems must achieve this whilst accommodating regulatory and cultural differences, one of which being language. In light of scant empirical research on the role of language in the information technology and international HRM literature, this study investigates the effects of language standardization on the acceptance and use of e-HRM systems in foreign subsidiaries. The findings are based on 18 in-depth interviews with subsidiary HR managers from two European MNCs.