The Contribution of Sustainable Human Resource Management to International Trade Governance

Abstract

In the last 30 years, many scholars have proposed multilevel regulatory systems that go beyond the mere management of duties, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers, seeking instead to promote ethical, environmental, and social principles in international trade. A literature review shows that no detailed studies have examined whether, or how, sustainable human resource management (SHRM) practices can contribute to the development of effective international trade governance models. The role of human resource management (HRM) in major international trade agreements proposed by the World Trade Organization, USA, and EU is analyzed and discussed. Adopting a narrative review method, this study formulates and discusses six propositions on the potential contribution of SHRM practices to enhancing the effectiveness of international trade governance. A model to carry out a construct and criterion validation of such SHRM practices to increase the efficacy of international trade governance is proposed. Finally, critical issues arising from the constraints imposed by the current international context—marked by high levels of uncertainty and conflict—are analyzed. This analysis provides a realistic assessment of the actual contribution of SHRM practices to the effective governance of international trade.