competitive drivers are likely to lead to isomorphism, while internal drivers are more
likely to lead to differentiation. Finally, the study suggested that MNCs face all three
drivers of HRM at the same time, leading to different patterns of practice adoption,
adaptation and innovation.
Our fourth article, by Majid Ghorbani and Rosalie Tung, considers the role of
women in the labour market in amajor Islamic country (Iran). This article is significant
as, while there has been a considerable growth in research about women in the labour
market and about women in management in the western world, very little is known
about the position and role of women in the labour market in Islamic countries. The
general perception in theWest is that in Islamic societies, women’s participation in the
labour market is marginal and that their career prospects are limited.
Starting from this base, the authors highlight some of the myths and realities
relating to women in the labour market in a major Islamic country through
qualitative research with Iranian women. The research shows that attitudes towards
women in the workplace have undergone considerable changes and are still
evolving. Currently, women in Iran can work in most occupations of choice and
appear to be fairly well represented in the workplace in managerial and professional
positions compared to other Islamic nations. This reality appears to run contrary to
the popular perception that women in these countries are fully veiled and are
prevented from active participation in society.
Because of talent shortages, women in Iran have been induced to return to the
workforce, and in order to do this, some of the benefits and status they enjoyed in
the pre-revolutionary era had to be restored, highlighting the importance of human
capital development in Islamic as well as Western countries. A key implication of the
study for IHRM relates to Iran’s success in attracting FDI from a wide variety of
countries and the recognition that as part of the government’s efforts to attract
foreign investment, the climate for foreign women working there is becoming more
favourable. Also, more generally, the article highlights the importance for Western
MNCs operating in Islamic countries to have an accurate understanding of the role
of women in the workplace and also a good understanding of society’s attitude