Hybridization of human resource management practices at South Korean online game firms: the effects of inter-organizational networks

This article examines inter-organizational relationships as a vital context in the hybridization of human resource practices for adopting best practices. Employing an actor-centred institutional approach, it analyzes actor interactions in order to comprehend how institutionalized actors influence the hybridization process in South Korean online game firms. Drawing from interviews and secondary data, the findings highlight the significant impact of evolving actor relationships on situational contexts. Hierarchical relationships between game publishers and developers, coupled with unionization and state involvement, shape the distinct characteristics of hybrid HR practices. This study emphasizes the intricate interplay between national, industry and firm-level contexts in the hybridization process.