Instructor Resource
Kavanagh and Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Case Notes
Chapter 13: HRIS and International HRM
Cookware MNE
Case Summary
A large MNE in the cookware industry was having difficulties maintaining its market share due
to a number of mergers among other competing firms in the industry. As a result, the
Case Analysis
Globalization is a reality, and this case showcases an example of its impact on HRIS. This case
examines the implications of this globalization on the HRM function in MNEs. This case looks
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. How would you approach a solution to this problem for the MNE?
It is apparent that personnel costs had to be reduced.
a. First, I would ask the CEO and the corporate board to set a specific
Instructor Resource
Kavanagh and Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
2. Assuming that reducing personnel costs is the best—and probably only—way to
reduce overall corporate costs, what specific programs would you suggest to help
reduce costs? And why?
I would examine options other than layoffs for current employees. Several
3. How would an HRIS for the MNE aid in finding HR programs to help solve this
problem? What would be the important data to access in the HRIS for all of the
units and divisions of the MNE to determine feasible HR programs?
➢ The HRIS could be used, as mentioned above, to determine the exact
amount of personnel savings needed for each country to meet the
Instructor Resource
Kavanagh and Johnson, Human Resource Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
4. Are the problems of reducing personnel costs for an MNE different from those for
a domestic-only company? Explain.
As discussed above, the most significant difference is the reduction of