How Global HR Norms Are Really Made — And Why That Matters for Global Mobility

Episode Description In this episode, Ben discusses a research paper by Tony Edwards and his co-authors that examines how global HR norms are created and negotiated inside multinational companies. Rather than treating global practices as simple headquarters-driven rollouts, the episode explores norm-making as a dynamic, contested process — and explains why this perspective is highly relevant for Global Mobility.   What This Episode Covers • why global HR and Global Mobility norms are constructed rather than imposed • how negotiation and contestation shape global practices • the role of individuals in translating and legitimizing global norms • why policy alone rarely explains success or failure in Global Mobility • what this means for designing and governing Global Mobility frameworks   Three Key Takeaways • global norms emerge through interaction, not implementation • resistance and negotiation are part of effective global norm-making • Global Mobility professionals play an active role in shaping global practices   Referenced Article Edwards, T., Almond, P., Murray, G., & Tregaskis, O. (2021). International human resource management in multinational companies: Global norm making within strategic action fields. Human Resource Management Journal, 32(3), 683–697. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12422   Host Hosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®. Subscribe Subscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — TheMasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect research, insight, and real-world Global Mobility practice.