Discuss at least two HR activities in which a multinational firm must engage that would not be required in a domestic environment

Discuss at least two HR activities in which a multinational firm must engage that would not be required in a domestic environment

Introduction

The human resource management of multinational companies has the responsibility of engaging in activities that would otherwise lead to the growth of the Company. The resource management should be careful in choosing these activities as some of them may be very critical, considering that the Company may be opening other branches outside their domestic market (Sambrook, 2011). Human resource activities should align with the Company’s goals and ethical values.

The multinational companies that are located in most countries and have many expatriates that travel across many countries should have their HRs engage in language translation services. Most of these companies use significant languages such as English, French, Germany, and Arabic, and it may be challenging to communicate with customers who do not understand these languages. Multinational companies such as Coca Cola should engage their HRs to employ translators who understand the indigenous languages some of the customers use. The communication barrier is a significant factor that can cause a hindrance in satisfying the customers. It may also cause misunderstandings and communication between the employees using email, making it challenging to convey the Company’s updates and news. Proper communication and understanding are vital in ensuring that all the parties involved in the Company understand the processes that are involved in making sure that they deliver quality products and services. It is, therefore, crucial for the Human Resource management to have a translator that will ensure that the customer needs are met for the growth of the Company.

Another activity that human resources management should get involved in is the assistance of the employee’s personal lives. The Human Resource team of multinational companies should step up and assist the employees in the foreign markets with their traveling arrangements such as booking of flights, hotels, taxi arrangements, and the orientations the employees may require. The human resource should also get engaged in the healthcare services of the employees, which would ensure that the Company has competent and healthy employees. The Human resource management should also assist in the personal lives of its associates because the associates and in some cases even the new employees may be traveling to new environments of work and may not be aware of the documents that are required in the airport and some of the national and international laws that surround the process. For instance, some countries require that foreigners entering the country should have certain immunizations and health screenings, which are completed with authentic documentation before they are allowed to interact with the locals. Therefore, the involvement of the human resource team would ease the work of the associates and employees, making the Company have a right image in the international regulations.

The human resource team should also get involved in making partnerships with the local companies that produce similar goods and services as that of the firm. This is a significant venture that every firm should consider when they are out of their domestic market because it makes them succeed in the new market(Sambrook, 2011). The human resource team should ensure that they choose a trustworthy and reliable partner that would handle their goods and services to the market place. Local partners have close contact with the local people. They can quickly obtain the required raw materials and convince the locals to buy the products from the Company and therefore increases the Company’s profits.

The human resource team must also engage themselves with local activities and cultural practices in their new environments. The local activities include local sports such as wrestling that brings people together to share a common interest in supporting their favorite players. This is important because it assists the Company in understanding the needs of the people at a close range and ensure that they satisfy them accordingly (Sambrook, 2011). For instance, multinationals companies such as Coca Cola usually sponsors local sports in most developing countries and award the winners and other participants with their products. The participants then give the Company the feedback on the taste of their products. The Company can use the feedback to know exactly how the customers view their products and the areas they should improve on. This makes the Company have the upper hand in the market even when there is stiff competition. It is, therefore, necessary for the human resource team to be actively involved in these activities and employ people who can act as participants in the local activities if the Company needs to succeed outside their domestic market.

Lastly, the Human resource team must be involved in improving the transport system, especially in the areas that they intend to build their Company. Good transport system ensures smooth movement of raw materials to the company and efficient delivery of the finished products to the customers. The human resource team should engage with the local authorities to ensure that the means of transport that links the Company with the market is in good condition and affordable for customers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, every multinational Company should perform enough research when they intend to penetrate new markets. They should consider communication means, personal lives of the employees and associates, cultural practices, and partnerships with the local people in their new market and the transport system that links the Company with the market and outside world.

Reference

Sambrook, S. (2011). Finding connections in human resource development (HRD): factors, actors, and activities. Human Resource Development International, 14(3), 249-251. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2011.585059