JOHN B. KIDD is at based at Aston Business School, where his research is focused on the development of IT use in SMEs; the management of projects; and the softer management issues which concern multi-national joint ventures, particularly Asian/European ventures. He has held a visiting professorship at the China Europe International Business School, Shanghai. - XUE LI gained first-hand knowledge of the issues facing managers who wish to set-up joint ventures in China whilst working as a `go between' in an Import/Export agency; and also though working as an interpreter for English speaking firms looking for business in China. - FRANK-J?RGEN RICHTER is Director for Asia at the World Economic Forum, and has lived, worked and travelled extensively throughout Asia. He has previously held executive management positions with multinational companies, and is a frequent speaker on issues related to Asian economies, international management and global competition.

'This book is a real enrichment for the reader to recognize the present development of Human Resource Management in Asia.' - Peter Faistauer, Chief Representative, Bank Austria Creditanstalt, Beijing 'A valuable book which provides a focused insight into the Asian business of today and the way forward.' - Jurgen Kracht, President, Fiducia Limited, Hong Kong 'With fundamental global shifts occurring in the world of work being swept along by dramatic changes in the use of information technology, this is a very timely benchmark of HRM developments in Asia. The Editors have brought together a snapshot of what is happening on the ground in HR Management in a powerhouse trade region as it emerges from recent crises. By contrasting approaches in Asian and Western companies, the authors provide the reader with real insight into cultural & diversity issues which have to be well managed to achieve best practice. It will serve as a great primer for managers and HR practitioners looking at how to ensure their operations in Asia are sustainable and successful. It throws up many useful challenges to conventional thinking about the relationship between employer and employee in the Asian context and effectively questions the unknowing adoption of HR practices developed for different cultures.' - Richard Rawling, Vice President, Asia Pacific Human Resources Forum, Melbourne 'The book has made a major step forward to close the gap between what we have known and what we still do not know very well in human resource management in the region. I have never seen a book written by scholars and business practitioners to cover Asia from such a practical viewpoint. I have never seen a book written by such a divergent team to cover such a variety of countries and topics. Moreover, the book is up-to-date and forward-looking. Therefore, I would highly recommend this book not only for scholars and students but also for those who are practising business in the region.' - Min Chen, Vice President Asia-Pacific, Teleflex Inc., Beijing; Professor, Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management, Glendale

• Affirmation of the Central Role of Human Resource Management in Asia PART I: Human Resource Management of Asian Firms The Rise of a Venture Business Culture and the Changes in Human Resource Management in Japan Deployment of Knowledge Workers in Japanese Corporate R&D at the Turning Point Towards the Knowledge-Based Economy On Human Resource Development and Human Resource Management in the Chaebols of South Korea in Response to a National Economic Crisis Transitions and Tradition in Chinese Family Business: Evidence from Hong Kong and Thailand Thai Business Culture: Hierarchy and Groups, Initiative and Motivation Career Planning and Development of Managers in Thailand Training in Thailand: Trends and Cases from the Service Industries The Future of China's Human Resource Management in its Asia Pacific Regional Context: A Critical Perspective PART II: Human Resource Management of Western Firms in China Cross-cultural Human Resource Strategies in China and India Human Resource Development for Localization: European Multinational Corporations in China Management of Human Resources in Joint Ventures in China Culture and BrainStyles©TM: New Alternatives for Human Resource Strategies to Develop Chinese-Western Cooperation