Managing Work-Life Tensions: The Challenges for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)

Abstract

AbstractManaging work-life issues presents a number of challenges for HR departments in multinational enterprises (MNEs) because of the complexity of implementing policies that require sensitivity to local issues such as cultural traditions and legislation. However, there has been limited discussion among researchers regarding the roles and responsibilities of HR managers in MNEs and even less attention given to work-life management in the global context. A tension-centered approach to analyzing these complexities in MNEs particularly focusing on work-life management and strategy development provide insight into constraints and challenges into organizations operating globally. There is evidence that tensions often exist in MNEs between corporate/global HR, local HR, and operational line managers involved in implementing work-life policies and practices. The promise of the tension-centered approach is that is provides insight into the ways these tensions are resolved in practice, and can point toward strategies to improve practices.