Human Resource Management in Northern Europe: Trends, Dilemmas and Strategy

This book identifies and discusses the key features of human resource management at the turn of the century from a northern European perspective (particularly referring to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK). The authors’ approach reflects the fact that these countries have become increasingly critical of the universalist model of SHRM common in the USA. The early chapters of the book address differences in concepts and practices in HRM in the region: these are followed by chapters that explore topics seen as particularly relevant in northern Europe. The conclusion looks at the usefulness and future of the notion of HRM as a result of these discussions. Based on the authors’ own research and studies in Denmark and the UK, the book also draws particularly on empirical data from surveys by the Cranfield Network for the Study of Human Resource Management in Europe and on contributions from researchers in Sweden, Ireland, and Austria. Researchers and students will find here a useful summary of the challenge posed by northern Europe to universalist concepts of HRM.