Internal labour markets and human resource management in an international investment banking institution : deal makers in the global economy

摘要

This thesis investigates the continuing significance of the internal labour market construct for shaping human resource management practices in an international investment banking organisation. By adopting a historical perspective this study departs from existing literature and presents new explanations for understanding internal labour market theory in the investment banking industry. It also adds to existing scholarship on labour markets by considering more human resources indicators than have been previously used to differentiate labour market types.A range of approaches have been adopted. The BZW/ ABN AMRO case study has been investigated using both qualitative and quantitative methods and longitudinal and cross-sectional data. The theoretical framework elaborated has two dimensions. The first involves a model which highlights the importance of the organisational historical context for analysing the origins and functions of internal labour markets. It draws attention to certain recurring interrelated features that ultimately result in the adoption of internalised market arrangements. This aspect of the model also highlights the importance of emerging patterns in internal labour market structures that become evident over time. The second part of the framework involves a typology that establishes the existence of three different labour market types.The study revealed that a historical perspective is extremely valuable for understanding the origins and functions of internal labour markets, and for identifying two internal labour market types, the firm and occupational internal labour market types and also the occupational labour market type or external labour market. It was concluded that despite the claim made by various scholars that internal labour market arrangements are in decline, the dramatic changes experienced by the investment banking industry have proven that these arrangements are very resilient.