Challenges and strategies for global human resource executives: Perspectives from Canada and the United States

SummaryThis article examines the pressing challenges faced by global human resource executives and the strategies that are used to address those challenges at the macro, meso and micro levels. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 26 Canadian and American HR executives. The challenges include the degree of standardization of HR, foreign industrial relations, time zones, cross cultural differences and communication, expatriates’ adjustments, inflexibility, and work family balance. To deal with those challenges, the executives encourage stronger partnerships with the subsidiaries, diversity in recruitment, paying closer attention to changes in labor laws, cross cultural training and development, leadership development, and cultural sensitivity.

► Extant literature focused on micro-level challenges and strategies for HR. ► Twenty-six global HR executives from Canada and the USA were interviewed. ► We identified several macro, meso and micro level challenges and strategies. ► Some surprising findings and some factors consistent with the literature were found.