AbstractBased on a survey of 308 firms in China, this paper compares the human resource management practices of Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) with the Sino-foreign joint ventures (SFJVs) formed between TVEs and foreign firms. Systematic differences in employment practices are found in recruiting, educational qualifications of top management, training, benefits, and the role of unions in enterprise management. These differences are consistent with the predictions of institutional theory. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research and management of enterprises in China.