A Configurational Theory of Strategic HRM and Firm Performance in Emerging Market Multinationals: Evidence from Nigerian Conglomerates

This study develops and tests a configurational theory of strategic HRM and firm performance within the context of Nigerian emerging market multinationals (EMNCs), addressing a theoretical gap in the SHRM literature, which has been disproportionately built on evidence from advanced-economy firms. The research argues that the SHRM-performance relationship is non-linear and configuration-dependent, meaning that specific bundles of mutually reinforcing HR practices generate synergistic performance effects that cannot be detected through additive main-effects models. The study employs a multi-wave longitudinal design across 35 Nigerian conglomerates with multinational operations, collecting HR practice data and performance metrics at two-year intervals over a six-year period. Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and panel data regression are combined as complementary analytical methods. The Resource-Based View, HR Systems Strength Theory, and Institutional Complexity Theory provide the multi-level theoretical foundation. Findings reveal three empirically distinct SHRM configurations that each achieve high performance, but through qualitatively different mechanisms: a talent-intensive configuration, a systems-intensive configuration, and a hybrid localisation-driven configuration dominant in subsidiaries operating across multiple African markets. The study also demonstrates that institutional distance between Nigerian headquarters and host country environments significantly moderates which configuration generates superior performance. These findings challenge universalist SHRM prescriptions and advance a context-sensitive configurational theory. Contributions include a novel SHRM Configuration Taxonomy for African EMNCs and methodological guidance on applying fsQCA in HR research. Keywords: Strategic HRM, Configurational Theory, Emerging Market Multinationals, Nigeria, fsQCA.