When the Cat's Away: A Content Analysis of MNC Overseas Recruitment Print Ads

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-2004

Abstract

This study examines discrimination in the overseas recruitment print ad of Multinational National Corporations (MNC) in a lax regulatory environment, Singapore. Institutionalization theory suggests that in a weakly regulated environment, MNC affiliates would tend to adopt the less stringent requirements. With the lack of a strong legal framework in the host country, the home country's legal and cultural imperative would be more alien, suggesting differences in discrimination as a function of home country imperatives. Some 1122 recruitment print ads of US, UK, and Japanese affiliates of MNCs were examined. While discrimination was found in the print ads of all organizations, US affiliates were least discriminatory, followed by Japan, and UK affiliates. When Singapore firms were included, they were found to be least discriminatory. However, Singapore firms became more discriminatory when the request for a recent photograph was considered in the discrimination index. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research advanced.

Keywords

discrimination, international recruitment, advertising

Discipline

Human Resources Management | International Business

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Journal of Business Ethics

Volume

49

Issue

2

First Page

115

Last Page

127

ISSN

0167-4544

Identifier

10.1023/B:BUSI.0000015845.18419.1d

Publisher

Springer

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000015845.18419.1d

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