Changing business environments have forced organizations to redefine their strategic initiatives—mergers and acquisitions, new products and market strategies, joint ventures and strategic alliances—for superior performance. Using case studies, this book portrays the challenges that organizations face during shifting alignments and shows how they respond by redesigning internally. One of the vital components in this process is human resource management (HRM).

This volume brings together five well researched case studies of globally active multinationals that integrate theory and practise—Lafarge, world leader in cement and construction material; Renault–Nissan and Maruti Suzuki, two automobile giants; Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), one of the largest petroleum companies in India with global interests; and the Mahut Group, an Indian transnational corporation.

The book provides a theoretical framework for a better understanding of the link between organizational redesign, the role of HRM, and organizational performance. This is followed by discussions on human resource management in emerging economies like India as well as professionalized HR practices and redesign mechanisms. The conclusion discusses an emergent HR model in a hyper-competitive market in the global system.

This book will interest students and teachers of management, professional managers and entrepreneurs, as well as HR professionals and consultants.

‘...a novel account of the key role of HRM in driving effective change and ultimately superior performance for global firms. This book will be of interest to both academics and practitioners.’ —Ranjay Gulati, Harvard Business School

‘...five interesting case studies of business firms that undertook significant changes in organizational structures [that] demanded concomitant changes in human resources practices.’ —William H. Starbuck, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon

‘...a much needed refreshing perspective on innovative approaches to HRM during organizational redesigns... highly recommended for researchers, practitioners and students in the field.’ —Pawan Budhwar Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham