International human resource management strategies of Chinese firms in Africa

Abstract

Little is known about Chinese MNEs and their HRM policies and practices in developing countries. China’s presence in Africa is still an underexplored area. Among a limited number of studies, attention has been drawn to approaches to international staffing (Cooke, Wang, & Wang, 2018), knowledge transfer and reverse knowledge transfer (Peng, Qin, Chen, Cannice, & Yang, 2017), and management of both expatriates and local employees (Cooke, 2012; Wood, Mazouz, Yin, & Cheah, 2014). This chapter summarises and develops thinking in this controversial area by setting it within a framework of Chinese investors’ international business strategies in Africa. Chinese FDI and its purpose and effects in Africa is first examined, suggesting that strategic motives and types of company ownership might affect how Chinese companies manage their employees in subsidiaries. International HRM policies are then examined, subsequently narrowing the focus to examine expatriation. Finally, the chapter summarises what we know so far and suggests potential research trajectories.