Gender equality in the workplace in Quebec: strategic priority for employers or partial response to institutional pressures?

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.

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 798-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suwastika Naidu ◽  
Anand Chand

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to comparatively analyse the best human resource management (HRM) practices in the hotel sector of Samoa and Tonga. Design/methodology/approach – This study examined best HRM practices used by the hotel sector of Samoa and Tonga by using self-administered questionnaires. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 73 hotels in Samoa and 66 hotels in Tonga. Out of the 73 self-administered questionnaires that were distributed in Samoa, 58 usable questionnaires were returned resulting in a response rate of 79 per cent. In the case of Tonga, out of the 66 self-administered questionnaires were distributed, 51 usable questionnaires were returned resulting in a response rate of 77 per cent. Findings – The findings of this study show that there are 28 best HRM practices in Samoa and 15 best HRM practices in Tonga. This study also found that best HRM practices differ based on differences in internal and external environmental factors present in different geographical areas. The findings of this paper support the assumptions of the Contextual Paradigm of HRM and strategic human resource management. Research limitations/implications – This study is based on a single sector of Samoa and Tonga. A single sector study limits the generalisations that can be made across different sectors in Samoa and Tonga. Practical implications – Human resource managers should incorporate cultural, political, legal, economic and social factors in HRM practices. Originality/value – None of the existing studies have examined best HRM practices used by the hotel sector of Samoa and Tonga. This study is a pioneering study that comparatively analyses the best HRM practices used by the hotel sector of Samoa and Tonga.


2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonios Panagiotakopoulos

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe how strategic human resource management has transformed the fortunes of three Greek micro‐enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explains the problems faced by Mina mini‐market, Franco leather manufacturing and Yiannis Hair Care, and how they overcame them.FindingsThe paper highlights the key role that training can play in improving product quality and customer service and setting a struggling company back on the track to success.Practical implicationsThe paper reveals that training can go hand in hand with new bonus schemes, employee empowerment and better conditions of employment.Social implicationsThe paper details a number of approaches that small companies can adopt to help them to survive in a challenging economic context.Originality/valueThe paper recounts how three Greek micro‐businesses have achieved organizational change against the background of difficult economic circumstances.


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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 537-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Bouaziz ◽  
Zouhour Smaoui Hachicha

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices and organizational resilience in a Tunisian democratic transition context. It is hypothesized that five SHRM practices influence three organizational resilience dimensions. Design/methodology/approach The research design is based on a deductive approach. The relations were checked over two periods by using quantitative methods. Questionnaires were addressed to top managers of resilient Tunisian companies. The hypotheses were verified after. Findings Results showed that SHRM practices affect the resilience dimensions. Analysis showed that SHRM practices enhance the robustness of firms, especially in the second period, and significantly influence agility and integrity. Practical implications Managers can use these findings to develop targeted actions in HRM to enhance a specific resilience dimension. They can make better decisions based on knowledge surrounding the precise effects of SHRM practices on resilience dimensions. Originality/value The authors highlighted the role of SHRM in developing organizational resilience. Gaps were noticed in the organizational resilience literature. This research is among the rare studies that have investigated the linkage between SHRM practices and organizational resilience. By using quantitative methods and adopting a longitudinal perspective for analyzing data, it leads to better identify the evolution of the influence of SHRM practices on each resilience dimension over time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Iqbal

PurposeDespite the strategic importance of the approaches, most of the approaches consider “internal fit” or “external fit”, and do not consider the role of creative climate. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between approaches to strategic human resource management (SHRM) and organisational performance through a creative climate.Design/methodology/approachThis paper has divided into three parts. First, the paper explores the literatures on the constructs. Second, it examines the relationships between constructs dealt with in the literature. Third, the review identifies the gaps in the literature and describes future recommendations of research for this field.FindingsThis study can serve as a starting point for future research on the relationship between SHRM practices, creative climate and organisational performance in terms of financial, human resource and customer retention. Researchers and practitioners need to understand the relationship between the three constructs.Originality/valueThe paper helps managers need to design strategic HRM policies and practices that are aligned with creative climate and organisational performance. Furthermore, it helps scholars/researchers focus their research on the relationship between HRM approaches (universal and contingency approaches), organisational performance and examining the role of creative climate as a mediator to overcome its causal limitations.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothea Roumpi

Purpose Numerous empirical studies and meta-analyses have offered ample evidence for the relationship between the strategic management of human resources and a variety of important organizational outcomes, such as individual- and firm-level performance. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, steered the discussion away from the traditional performance-related outcomes of the strategic human resource management and brought to the fore the importance of resilience. The purpose of this paper is to identify areas in which strategic human resource management can help organizations to become more resilient. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of a brief overview of the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the management of human resources, this conceptual paper uses the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity framework as the backbone for the development of suggestions for the strategic management of employees to create and maintain organizational resilience. Findings A series of actionable suggestions regarding the way forward in building organizational resilience through the effective and ethical management of employees are presented and discussed. Specifically, the importance of using flexibility-oriented human resource management systems is highlighted. This “flexibility-orientation” involves all functions of human resource management, such as selection, training and compensation. Originality/value The proposed suggestions can benefit organizations by offering actionable recommendations regarding the management of human resources by taking stock of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document