HRM practices that boost successful integration of migrants

Abstract

Building on strategic HRM literature and the concept of well-being-oriented HRM, we analyze how firms can contribute to the successful integration of international migrants into the workplace. We identify HRM practices and sets of HRM practices that collectively form what we call a migrant-supporting HRM system. Based on data from self-initiated international migrants in Germany, we analyze the associations between this HRM system and cross-cultural adjustment, affective commitment and job performance. Our findings confirm the predictive validity and relevance of our migrant-supporting HRM system. Moreover, our results point to three salient sets of HRM practices, namely the provision of engaging work, organizational support and a positive organizational environment. Within these sets, we identify best practices that contribute most to the successful integration of international migrants.