Looking back to look forward: Disruption, innovation and future trends in international human resource management

Recent global challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the critical role of human resources in international business, pushing disruptions and innovations to the forefront of international human resource management (IHRM) research and practice. This special issue editorial provides a timely and in-depth examination of the evolving IHRM landscape, reflecting on the profound changes brought by the pandemic and investigating the transformative potential of AI-driven innovations in shaping an uncertain future. Through our exploration, we challenge several dangerous assumptions that global leaders must navigate and propose a forward-looking research agenda for the IHRM field. Our analysis highlights five key themes: (1) demographic shifts and diversity, (2) evolving patterns in globalization and global mobility, (3) the complexities of managing global workforces, (4) emerging dynamics in international careers, and (5) the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and international small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Together, these themes offer a comprehensive framework for advancing IHRM research and practice in an increasingly complex and dynamic global environment.