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Exploring HRM practices within Germany and beyond​

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This guide brings together key academic, legal, and practical resources to support your studies in Human Resource Management, with a particular focus on international HRM, comparative employment systems, and Germany’s HRM and labour relations framework. It offers an introductory overview of the materials available, though you may still need to conduct additional searches to locate sources tailored to your specific assignments or research topics. 

If you would like personalised guidance, you can book a one‑to‑one appointment with one of our librarians. 

Use this guide to quickly find authoritative textbooks, legal information, academic research, and institutional resources to support your essays, case studies, assignments, and exam preparation. 

Key Textbooks 

These books give you essential theoretical background and country‑specific insight into HRM and international HRM. 

• International HRM Foundations 

  • Wintersberger, D.,(2017), International Human Resource Management: A Case Study Approach 
     
  • Lucas, R. et al. (2006) Human resource management in an international context 
     
  • Brewster, C. et al. (2023) International human resource management
     

• German Labour Law & Employment System 

  • Key Aspects of German Employment and Labour Law by Kirchner et al. 
     
  • Wisskirchen, G., and Lützeler M., (2023) Labour and Employment Compliance in Germany.

Key Overviews & Legal Guides 

Use these for quick legal clarification, authoritative employment law guidance, and understanding German labour regulations. 

• Featured Primary Source

  • Gesetze‑im‑Internet (German Federal Legal Portal)  
    Official and up‑to‑date German legislation (selected laws also available in English). Ideal for referencing primary legal sources such as the Working Time Act or Works Constitution Act. 

• Other Key Guides 

  • Practical Law: Employment & Employee Benefits in Germany Library access - you will need to log in via Arden 
     
  • ICLG: Employment & Labour Law – Germany (2025–2026) - open access 
     
  • Employment Law in Germany - GvW Graf von Westphalen  - open access 
     
  • BMAS Labour Law (English) - German Ministry of Labour - open access 
     

  • Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) - official English translation - open access 

Key Journals 

These journals provide peer‑reviewed research and up‑to‑date academic perspectives on HRM topics. 

•  German Journal of Human Resource Management (GHRM)
   
• European Management Journal
   
• The International Journal of Human Resource Management  

Key Academic Articles & Chapters 

These readings offer in‑depth analysis of German HRM, labour institutions, and current HRM research themes. 

• Addison, J.T., (2025). The Present and Future of Works Councils and Changes in Collective Bargaining in Germany, Journal of Labor Research [online]. 46, pp 162–191.
   
• Ballnat, A. et al., (2025).The role of mandatory non-financial reporting in corporate sustainability: A qualitative study on HRM in German corporations, European Management Journal   
   
• Chugunova, M., Danilov, A., (2023). Use of Digital Technologies for HR Management in Germany: Survey Evidence, CESifo Economic Studies [online] 69(2) pp 69–90 
   
• Festing, M., (2012). Strategic Human Resource Management in Germany: Evidence of Convergence to the U.S. Model, the European Model, or a Distinctive National Model?, Academy of Management Perspectives [online], 26(2), pp. 37–54 
   
• Giardini, A., Kabst, R. and Müller-Camen, M. (2005) HRM in the German Business System: A Review, Management Revue [online], 16(1), pp. 63–80 
   
• Haipeter, T., (2025). Current Trends of German Codetermination by Works Councils: On Path Dependencies, Erosion and Innovation, Industrial Relations Journal [online], 56(3), pp. 226–235. 
   
• Hangarter-Sperling, D. and Leicht, J. (2025) Germany: Labour and Employment Comparative Guide, Labor Law Journal [online], 76(1), pp. 33–40.  
   
• Reich, R. (2024). Work hour mismatches and sickness absence and the moderating role of human resource practices: Evidence from Germany, German Journal of Human Resource Management / Zeitschrift für Personalforschung  [online], 38(1), pp. 25–58. 
   
• Wach, B.A., Wehner, M.C. and Kabst, R., (2022). Performance implications of the HR business partner model and the mediating role of internal efficiency: a comparison between Germany and the United Kingdom, International Journal of Human Resource Management [online]. 33(20), pp. 4113–4150 
   
• Siegel, J., Proeller, I. (2021). Human Resource Management in German Public Administration. In: Kuhlmann, S., Proeller, I., Schimanke, D., Ziekow, J. (eds) Public Administration in Germany. Governance and Public Management [online]. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. (open access book) 

Co‑Determination, Industrial Relations & Employment Institutions 

These sources explain the institutional setting shaping German HRM, including works councils, unions, and employment protections. 

• DGB - Co‑determination factsheet 
   
• Hans‑Böckler‑Stiftung: Codetermination Guide 
   
• Eurofound: Working Life in Germany 
   

• OECD EPL Indicators 

Vocational Training, Skills & Talent Development 

Helpful for understanding Germany’s dual vocational education system and its relevance to HR development and skills planning. 

• BIBB: German VET System 
  • Methods of competence assessment in vocational education and training (VET) in Germany – A systematic review by Rüschoff,
     
• GOVET: Dual VET (English) 
   
• Deutschland.de - explainer on dual vocational training 

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