Looking back to look forward: disruption, innovation and future trends in International Human Resource Management.
Farndale, E., Horak, S., Piyanontalee, R., Puffer, S.
M., & Vidović, M., 2025. Looking back to look forward: disruption, innovation
and future trends in International Human Resource Management.
International Business Review,
34(1), 102362. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2024.102362
Abstract
Recent global challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored
the critical role of human resources in international business, pushing
disruptions and innovations to the forefront of international human resource
management (IHRM) research and practice. This special issue editorial provides a
timely and in-depth examination of the evolving IHRM landscape, reflecting on
the profound changes brought by the pandemic and investigating the
transformative potential of AI-driven innovations in shaping an uncertain
future. Through our exploration, we challenge several dangerous assumptions that
global leaders must navigate and propose a forward-looking research agenda for
the IHRM field. Our analysis highlights five key themes: (1) demographic shifts
and diversity, (2) evolving patterns in globalization and global mobility, (3)
the complexities of managing global workforces, (4) emerging dynamics in
international careers, and (5) the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and
international small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Together, these themes
offer a comprehensive framework for advancing IHRM research and practice in an
increasingly complex and dynamic global environment.
Keywords
International Human Resource Management, COVID-19 Pandemic; Artificial
Intelligence; Diversity; Globalization; Global Leadership.