Human resource practices of multinational organizations in Belgium

This study uses data from a survey of 117 large organizations located in Belgium to examine the relationship between corporate ownership and personnel practices. Results obtained from multivariate analyses supported the general hypothesis that personnel policies and practices vary as a function of ownership and nationality. For example, foreign-owned firms are found to be more advanced in their adoption of methods to gain employee loyalty and commitment than domestic enterprises. In addition to ownership effects, the moderating effects of some key organizational characteristics were examined. This shows that large differences exist with respect to the human resource practices used in firms as a function of management philosophy, creative strategy and industry sector.     

Medicines in the 1990's: Experience with a Delphi forecast

‘Medicines in the 1990's’ created great public interest when it was published recently. It forecast, for example, that by 1990 it should be possible to replace almost all parts of the body, except the brain and spinal cord with transplants or prostheses. It also predicted that by 1990, the social use of medicines will have become accepted as legitimate. This article describes step by step, how the Delphi forecast was made and the effect which it has had.     

Pan-European groupings: A case study in paint manufacture

This complete Case Study, including Teaching Notes, won the 1991 EFMD Case Writing Competition Prize on a European theme, as well as receiving much praise from the judges. The Case concerns a group of four different European paint manufacturers co-operating in an EC Economic Interest Grouping to improve their economic position in European markets. The co-ordination of raw material purchasing policies was the first area of joint action; they obtained significant discounts straight away. Then they could begin to think about competing together against the big paint multinationals established in Europe. Later, talks started on joint investment and technology transfer.Lluis Renart and Francesco Parés have written a stimulating Case Study with Teaching Notes of value to business students and managers wishing to test out their analytical abilities.