ABSTRACT
Human resource management (HRM) has achieved significant importance in the last few years: in practice and in the literature. In both arenas the focus is increasingly international. Management of all kinds is ever more often conducted across national borders. This chapter focuses on organisational policies and practices in human resource management in Europe. It outlines the conceptual rationale for studying HRM in Europe, and to outline the form of study that we have been involved in. The chapter explores the distinctive features of European HRM elsewhere and they are touched upon in other places throughout this text. Suffice it to say here that in many areas beyond the scope of this text in culture, government, legislation and ownership patterns again, and in labour markets and trading relationships Europe has both internal differences but also commonalities.
