The politicization of senior civil service in Korea: a human resource management perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Kil Lee

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the politicization of senior civil service (SCS) in Korea from a human resource perspective. To be specific, it is to explore how much the SCS has been politicized after its inception in 2006 and to discover what has strengthened it.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs the human resource management perspective with five stages, selection, rotation, education, promotion and compensation, which are related with different weights to four causes of politicization: political desire to control, leadership change, public demands and political interest.FindingsThis paper argues that politicization of SCS in Korea has gradually increased during the last 10 years. It also found that, while selection and promotion is strongly politicized, education and compensation is weakly politicized.Originality/valueThis paper mainly draws increasing politicization after it was introduced. Little prior literature has explored the politicization of SCS in human resource management processes and its causes for Korea.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clotilde Coron

PurposeWith a focus on the evolution of human resource management (HRM) quantification over 2000–2020, this study addresses the following questions: (1) What are the data sources used to quantify HRM? (2) What are the methods used to quantify HRM? (3) What are the objectives of HRM quantification? (4) What are the representations of quantification in HRM?Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on an integrative synthesis of 94 published peer-reviewed empirical and non-empirical articles on the use of quantification in HRM. It uses the theoretical framework of the sociology of quantification.FindingsThe analysis shows that there have been several changes in HRM quantification over 2000–2020 in terms of data sources, methods and objectives. Meanwhile, representations of quantification have evolved relatively little; it is still considered as a tool, and this ignores the possible conflicts and subjectivity associated with the use of quantification.Originality/valueThis literature review addresses the use of quantification in HRM in general and is thus larger in scope than previous reviews. Notably, it brings forth new insights on possible differences between the main uses of quantification in HRM, as well as on artificial intelligence and algorithms in HRM.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Henrique Helal ◽  
Cleverson Vasconcelos da Nóbrega ◽  
Tatiana Aguiar Porfírio de Lima

Purpose This paper aims to reflect on retirement, showing its different viewpoints, advocating the need to understand the issue from a procedural and multidimensional perspective, and especially, defending a more active role of human resource management in the process. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a theoretical framework of retirement, based on a procedural and multidimensional perspective. Findings To study how individuals adapt to retirement permits the discovery, for example, of how they obtain the quality of life after the transition and how they manage the internal and external aspects of the process. Human resource management must treat retirement as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. This means it should consider retirement not only as a decision but also as a process. Originality/value This essay seeks to reflect on retirement, advocating the need to understand the issue from a procedural and multidimensional perspective, and especially, defending a more active role of human resource management in the process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Meijerink ◽  
Anne Keegan

Purpose Although it is transforming the meaning of employment for many people, little is known about the implications of the gig economy for human resource management (HRM) theory and practice. The purpose of this paper is to conceptually explore the notion of HRM in the gig economy, where intermediary platform firms design and implement HRM activities while simultaneously trying to avoid the establishment of employment relationships with gig workers. Design/methodology/approach To conceptualize HRM in the gig economy, the authors offer a novel ecosystem perspective to develop propositions on the role and implementation of HRM activities in the gig economy. Findings The authors show that HRM activities in the gig economy are designed to govern platform ecosystems by aligning the multilateral exchanges of three key gig economy actors: gig workers, requesters and intermediary platform firms, for ensuring value co-creation. The authors argue that the implementation of HRM activities in the gig economy is contingent on the involvement and activities of these gig economy actors. This means that they are not mere recipients of HRM but also actively engaged in, and needed for, the execution of HRM activities. Originality/value The study contributes to research by proposing a theoretical framework for studying the design of HRM activities, and their implementation, in the gig economy. From this framework, the authors derive directions for future research on HRM in the gig economy.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Émilie Genin ◽  
Mélanie Laroche ◽  
Guénolé Marchadour

PurposeThis paper examines the challenges posed for employers by gender equality in the workplace, in a seemingly favourable institutional context (the province of Quebec, Canada), and the reasons why employers adopt (or not) gender equality measures (GEMs) exceeding legal requirements.Design/methodology/approachThe approach draws on both institutional theory and the strategic human resource management (SHRM) approach. Our research is based on a quantitative study involving human resource management professionals in Quebec (n = 296).FindingsThe results allow us to link GEMs with certain SHRM orientations (Yang and Konrad, 2011) and institutional pressures (Lawrence et al., 2009). The findings show that, for approximately two-thirds of the employers in the sample, gender equality was not a strategic priority. Consistent with our hypothesis, a greater number of GEMs were found when gender equality was a strategic priority for the employer. Unionization and legal requirements were also positively correlated with the presence of GEMs.Originality/valueThe findings indicate a combined effect of SHRM and institutions on GEMs. They point out the relative dependency of employers on the pressures stemming from the institutional framework, and it captures some of the current challenges involved in adopting a SHRM approach with a view to achieving gender equality.


Author(s):  
Salvatore Moccia ◽  
Shuming Zhao ◽  
Patrick Flanagan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a new model of leadership in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) context, paying special attention to human resource management. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual. It presents the challenges of the VUCA environment that from which technically empowered democracy movements around the world have emerged, needing a new leadership model that aligns human resources tools to the new leadership model. Findings New tools for human resource management are proposed. Originality/value The paper links technological changes and leadership skills, providing a novel framework that can provide a basis for further research into the profound nature of leadership. Implications useful for managers and leaders are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 20-22

Purpose The authors wanted to find out if perceptions of training were positively related to work engagement and also assess the mediating influence on human resource management. Design/methodology/approach The authors sent out 415 questionnaires to employees in two Chinese garment factories supplying an Australian retailer. Overall, 360 questionnaires were returned and 348 were valid. The survey covered perceptions of the organization’s training practices. A month later, a second survey included employee evaluations of the HRM strength and their work engagement. Meanwhile, supervisors filled out a survey rating employee work performance. Findings The study found that their perceptions of training were positively related to work engagement. The study also revealed that when there was a strong human resource management (HRM) climate, employees had more training opportunities and were more strongly motivated to perform well. Originality/value The authors claimed their study of 348 supervisor-subordinate dyads offered important lessons for managers. It provided guidance on how to increase work engagement and job performance. The research took place in China because it was especially relevant to the cultural and economic context there. China has rapidly grown, but shortages of labour and rising protests about working conditions have made change inevitable.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 139-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aviv Kidron ◽  
Shay S. Tzafrir ◽  
Ilan Meshoulam

Purpose This study aims to reveal the necessary human resource management (HRM) teamwork processes for achieving HRM integration. Design/methodology/approach A research survey was carried out among 233 HRM professionals from 29 HRM teams. Findings The findings revealed significant correlation between formal HRM aspects of HRM teams (HRM goals and strategy, formal communication and formalization) and informal HRM aspects (perceived proximity and trust). Another significant correlation was found between trust and HRM integration. Also, trust fully mediated the relationship between informal communication and centralization, on the one hand, and HRM integration, on the other. Originality/value The study contributed to the understanding of formal and informal aspects of HRM team (HRMT) processes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-126
Author(s):  
John Sutherland

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a human resource management perspective of the workforce adjustment strategies implemented at workplaces in Britain in response to the Great Recession. Design/methodology/approach The analysis uses an ordered probit and a series of binomial probits to examine a micro data set from the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Study. Findings Not all workplaces were affected equally by the recession. Not all workplaces chose to implement workforce adjustment strategies consequential of the recession, although the probability of a workplace taking no action decreased the greater the adverse effect of the recession on the workplace. Most workplaces used a combination of workforce adjustment strategies. Workplaces implemented strategies more compatible with labour hoarding than labour shedding, i.e., cutting/freezing wages and halting recruitment to fill vacant posts rather than making employees redundant. Research limitations/implications What was examined was the incidence of the workforce adjustment strategies, not the number of employees affected by the implementation of a strategy. Further, what was examined were outcomes. What is not known are the processes by which these outcomes were arrived at. Originality/value This paper concurs with the findings of previous economic studies that workplaces hoarded labour, cut hours and lowered pay. In so doing, however, it provides a more detailed and more informed human resource management perspective of these adjustment strategies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-15

Purpose This paper aims to explore the nature of risk as the world becomes a more volatile place. Risk thinking is gaining a higher profile within human resource management, and this paper examines the responses being made and the characteristics of resilient and adaptive organizations. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a categorization of risk using the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous metaphor to lay out the likely shape of imminent business risks and the concept of adaptation to show how responses can be effective. Findings Businesses will be forced to re-examine how they work in ways that will have an impact on customer expectations, product enhancement, collaborative innovation and organizational forms. Firms will need to understand corporate cultures and governance issues, as well as traditional talent management practices and processes. Originality/value This paper provides a wide-ranging examination of the nature of risks – internal, external, political, and societal – and points to the importance of human resource management strategists in addressing these issues and shaping policy.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozsef Poor ◽  
George Plesoianu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a number of initiatives which have been spearheaded by the Romanian government in the field of HRM in the civil service. A more specific purpose is to determine the modelling strategy which best reflects the reform programme of HRM in the civil service, the topic of our study.Design/methodology/approachThis paper attempts to supplement existing research into New Public Management (NPM) by outlining the modernisation of a range of public HR functions in the country, and it would like to explain how this special issue arose, to provide a historical perspective for the work undertaken by the Romanian National Civil Servant Agency (NACS) and to outline the context and significance of each of the attempts at modernisation in the HRM field.FindingsEmpirical evidence shows that the centralised Romanian civil service is in need of serious change if it is to deliver a more efficient and less politically driven level of practice. Many external and internal organisational forces such as the demographics of the labour‐force, technology and privatisation – as well as the erosion of confidence in government institutions have drastically altered the environment of the civil service in Romania. Consequently, traditional Human Resource Management (HRM) approaches no longer work.Practical implicationsAt this point, in the authors' opinion, the time has come to devote more attention to decentralisation and to formulating the terms of so‐called best or good practice.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to bridge the gap by reporting on the research and consulting work of the authors in the Romanian civil service.


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