The impact of Mexican culture on the human resource management practices of Mexican-American family firms

Mexican-American family firms comprise one of the fastest growing family business sub-groups in the USA. Effective use of human resources is important for the profitability of family firms and their capability for growth. We interviewed Mexican-American family firm leaders from 20 companies to gauge the extent to which the cultural dimensions of their country of origin, Mexico, were influencing the operation of their family firms. We found evidence that these cultural dimensions continued to influence Mexican-American family firm leaders. We present propositions regarding how Mexican-American family firm leaders retain and/or reduce their cultural ties to Mexico and if their HRM practices differ from other US family firms. We discuss which cultural dimensions may affect Mexican-American family firm HRM practices. Then, we present ideas for future research as well as implications for practice for Mexican-American family firms.