ABSTRACT
This chapter examines an important way in which organizations “go international,” besides starting a foreign operation “from scratch” or just expanding internally: forming some form of international combination. In this chapter we discuss three types of combination: International mergers and acquisitions (e.g., two firms become one); international joint ventures (e.g., two or more firms create a separate entity); and international alliances (e.g., two or more firms enter into formal or nonformal agreements without creating a separate entity). The chapter starts with a general discussion of some basic concepts in international combinations. Then the chapter discusses IHRM issues in international mergers and acquisitions. This is followed by a similar discussion on IHRM issues in international joint ventures. Finally the chapter closes with a general discussion of IHRM issues in international alliances.
