Towards a sustainable HRM in Latin America? Union-management relationship in Chile

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisca Gutiérrez Crocco ◽  
Angel Martin

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss why and how the notion of sustainability has been integrated to the practices of HRM in Chile. Especially, it examines how the union‒management relationship shapes and is shaped by the adoption of a sustainable approach. By doing so, it contributes to a broader debate about HRM in Latin America. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a case study conducted between 2016 and 2018 in two large companies. In each of these companies, besides the analysis of internal and administrative documentation, human resource managers, line managers and union officers were interviewed. Findings In this paper, two main findings are discussed. First, the sustainable HRM idea installed in Chile has not involved a total renunciation of some old ideological frames, but rather an adjustment of these. The old paternalist managerialism is shaping a path to a new HRM model, willing to yield part of its control to workers, but not less unitarist in its foundations. Second, the sustainable HRM concept adoption by the studied companies is not primarily motivated by economic goals as it may have occurred in other contexts, but by the need of a solution to labour conflicts in a context of union action renewal. Practical implications This research could be used to teach about leadership, strategy and sustainability, highlighting the importance of understanding the contested nature of the employment relations within these processes of changing. To accomplish this, HR practitioners need to get more involved with pluralistic perspectives in labour relations and thus achieve effective sustainable practices in the workplace. It is also relevant that unions recognise and strengthen their ability to influence these policies. Originality/value This paper sheds lights on how the concept of sustainable HRM has been introduced in Latin America, which has been slightly discussed in mainstream scientific literature. It also provides empirical evidence about unexplored and recent changes in HRM and proposes new perspectives for the study of this topic in the region, considering variables as the managerial ideologies, current labour disputes and the relevance of trade union voice.

Author(s):  
Olivier Wurtz

PurposeExpatriation is known to be stressful. The purpose of this paper is to examine stress as an antecedent of substance use (SU) during expatriation and related effects on expatriates’ work adjustment. Moreover, the study sheds light on individual-level moderators (i.e. gender and prior international experience) and organizational-level moderators (i.e. organizational social support) that might condition the stress–SU link.Design/methodology/approachThis work adopts a quantitative survey approach. It is based on two studies, one of 205 expatriates and one of 96 expatriate–supervisor dyads. The data were collected through personal networks and with the help of multinational companies.FindingsThis research shows that stress at a medium- to high-level increases SU among male expatriates, but not among female expatriates. Expatriates with substantial prior international experience were identified as being more prone to react to stress by resorting to SU. It also provides evidence that SU to aid coping harms professional adjustment. Moreover, some implications relating to professional adjustment are discussed.Research limitations/implicationsSU was self-reported; this may have deterred users from accurately reporting their consumption levels. Moreover, convenience samples have been used. Preventive actions limiting SU, such as well-being programs, could be sponsored by local human resource managers in order to limit this phenomenon.Originality/valueThis work is one of the first to analyze SU among expatriates. It shows that some expatriates are more at risk than others of resorting to such use to cope with the hardships of expatriation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-20
Author(s):  
Ali Ahmad ◽  
◽  
Dababrata Chowdhury ◽  

Resistance to change is widely recognized as the main reason forfailure whenit comes to any kind of change initiative. Despite its importance, there is still rather limited knowledge concerning the factors that trigger this behaviorinthe workplace. The primary purpose of this research study is to uncover the reason behind the resistance to change during uncertainty (perspective of covid-19). A mixed methodologyapproach was used in this research study to identify the factors that facilitate resistance management in healthcare organizations in Bangladesh. Data collection was semi-structured interviews with purposive sampling to select respondents which included top executives, human resource managers, CEOs,and line managers. To create themes and sub-themes computer software NVIVO has been used and 10 total interviews were recorded by the software. Clustered probability sampling method has been carried out for the questionnaire survey and analyzedthe data with computer software SPSS. The results show that effective communication reduces the intensity of resistance in healthcare organizations.The study also revealed that resistance to change often helps to explore alternative perspectives


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maninder Singh ◽  
P.S. James ◽  
Shirshendu Ganguli

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify future directions for human resource managers to provide work accommodations to chronically ill employees. Design/methodology/approach The authors researched empirical studies in management, occupational health journals, and reports on chronically ill employees. Findings The paper provides research-based practical insights for human resource practitioners to deal with the growing number of chronically ill employees. Practical implications The paper highlights solutions for human resource managers to create an inclusive workplace for employees with chronic illness. Originality/value The authors identified effective human resource and health practices for chronically ill employees, which would help to increase their productivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rinki Dahiya ◽  
Juhi Raghuvanshi

Purpose Researchers have strived to identify the factors enhancing happiness at work (HAW), and the causal relations among the enablers of happiness remained underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to map and prioritize the causal relation structures of enablers of HAW. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from key representatives of information technology (IT) firms located in India. A framework based on the cause and effect relationship among enablers of HAW is proposed, and to establish this causality, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique was applied. Findings The findings indicate five out of 12 enablers as causal, namely, transformational leadership, authentizotic work climate, person–organization work fit, organizational virtuousness and meaningfulness in work. Originality/value Human resource managers, organizational policymakers and scholars will gain greater understanding through this causal framework of enablers of HAW. Knowledge and facilitation of these enablers will aid in nurturing a happy workplace.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumar Biswas ◽  
Brendan Boyle ◽  
Sneh Bhardwaj

PurposeUsing the theoretical lens of the behavioural perspective on HRM, this study examined a mediated model to understand the extent to which organisational factors such as supportive human resource management policies and practices (SHRPP) and organisational climate (OC) can influence the affective attitudes of HR managers towards promoting women into organisational leadership roles. Survey data collected from 182 human resource managers in Bangladesh were analysed using partial least squares–based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and the PROCESS macro to test mediating effects. The results reveal that the adoption of SHRPP is positively associated with OC, which in turn shapes the attitudes of HR managers leading to implementing unbiased promotional practices for organisational leadership roles.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative survey data collected from 182 human resource managers in Bangladesh were analysed using PLS-SEM and PROCESS macro.FindingsThe results reveal that the adoption of SHRPP is positively associated with OC which in turn shapes the attitudes of HR managers leading to implementing unbiased promotional practices for organisational leadership roles.Research limitations/implicationsSelf-report, cross-sectional survey data may contribute to the methodological bias such as common method bias (CMB). Harman's single-factor test revealed that no single component explained a major portion of the total variance. Furthermore, partial correlational analysis using a marker variable coupled with an assessment of social desirability indicates that common method variance is unlikely to have any CMB risks to the validity of the study results.Practical implicationsFrom a practical point of view, the findings of this study suggest that supportive HR practices may create a positive organisational climate that leads to creating a healthy work environment ensuring an equal opportunity for everyone to grow and excel irrespective of their socio-cultural backgrounds and gender identity; thus, facilitating the organisation to take advantage of creativity and innovation offered by their talents, a critical factor for the organisation to survive and flourish in the dynamic market.Social implicationsThe study findings provide insights into why organisations should adopt fair and transparent HR policies to create a congenial work climate impacting on positive social attitudes towards acceptance of a gender-balanced empowered society.Originality/valueTo the best of author's knowledge, this is the first study that examined a mediated model to understand how organisational factors such as SHRPP and OC can impact on the affective attitudes of HR managers towards promoting women in the organisational leadership roles.


Kybernetes ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Čančer ◽  
Simona Šarotar Žižek

Purpose This paper aims to develop a multiple-criteria model for the assessment of human resource management (HRM), focusing on groups of organizations with respect to industry. Design/methodology/approach The approach presented in this paper follows the framework procedure for multiple-criteria decision-making based on the Quantified Dialectical Systems Theory. It considers the factor analysis results in structuring the problem. By considering several experts’ judgments already when measuring the importance of criteria, it enables respondents to omit those sets of criteria for which they are neither experts nor responsible. Findings The paper shows that the factor analysis results can also be used in structuring the multi-dimensional concept in multiple-criteria model for assessing HRM – a step forward to multi-methodology. The obtained aggregate values show human resource managers the key success and failure factors to adopt an integrated/requisitely holistic and innovated strategy related to HRM in organizations. Research limitations/implications The approach presented in this paper helps managers in developing and implementing a requisitely holistic model of HRM, adapted to several groups of organizations, such as with respect to their industry, in any country. Practical implications This paper provides recommendations for HRM in organizations. Originality/value This paper fills the gap in the research on multiple-criteria HRM assessment in organizations with respect to their industry by developing a multiple-criteria model for the assessment of HRM in groups of organizations, with application based on their industries.


Author(s):  
Vibhav Singh

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study and understand the older generation’s attitude toward use of technology for workplace communications. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth interviews were conducted with the older generation employees of an Indian Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings. Data gathered from the interviews were then analyzed to draw broad themes. Findings – Although the older generation is aware of the importance of technology and has adequate knowledge of its use, they are reluctant to use it. The reluctance is not on account of techno-phobia; it is more in the nature of approach-avoidance. Research limitations/implications – Organizations and human resource managers should focus on addressing the mental block of the older generation regarding the use of technology. Practical implications – Reverse mentoring and formation of cross-generational teams can be used to alter older generation’s selective mindset in relation to technology. Originality/value – This paper discusses the role of technology in intergenerational communication in the Indian context.


Author(s):  
Sandra Castro-González ◽  
Belén Bande

PurposeThis paper aims to show how managers model culture for employees to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.Design/methodology/approachThe proposal begins by highlighting the importance of culture for CSR implementation and then explains the impact of culture on employees.FindingsCurrently, many companies carry out activities under the CSR umbrella, but they may do so without considering whether their company’s context is ideal for such initiatives. They may also not consider the types of employees composing the workforce or their disposition toward CSR. In these circumstances, organizations may miss out on the added value of CSR practices.Originality/valueThe important influence of CSR practices on employees’ attitudes and behaviors at work requires organizations to implement these types of actions. Therefore, the contextual factors that are most likely to aid in developing and maintaining these practices must be acknowledged. This paper seeks to offer a new perspective to managers and human resource managers regarding the implementation of CSR activities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1344-1360
Author(s):  
Abdul Waheed ◽  
Jianhua Yang

Hiring is likely a more critical process for an organization, which might be possible through distinct procedures. Simultaneously, employee selection process has vital importance in which organizations adopt numerous methods and techniques to assess the dynamic individual. Many researchers have claimed that there are diverse factors that affect the employee selection process. Despite, this study investigates the effect of prejudice and references on the employee selection process within the context of banking sector in Pakistan. To this end, primary data were collected through questionnaire distribution among 400 human resource managers of all levels, that is, top, middle and first-line managers within the period of October 2015 to May 2016. Subsequently, 310 surveys were acquired for final analysis that indicates 78 per cent accuracy in the response rate. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques were applied to research findings using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS. 20.0). It is revealed that prejudice (P) and reference (R) have a significant correlation on the employee selection process. However, the levels of intensity are quite different in each sub-attribute as thereafter demonstrated hierarchically. Finally, our research proposes few future studies for the research scholars and practitioners.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoheng Li ◽  
Christopher J. Rees

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore employers' perceptions of China's Labour Contract Law (LCL) and its influence on employment relations and human resource management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative approach based on 24 interviews with owners and human resource managers of 23 privately owned SMEs in eastern and western China.FindingsMixed levels of reported compliance with the provisions of the LCL legislation indicate that the regulatory adoptive behaviours of SME employers are partially explained by the coercive mechanism. Various strategies adopted by employers suggest that when under the pressure of law, SMEs are formalising their employment practices while simultaneously seeking to maintain a degree of informality in respect these practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe adopted qualitative approach may limit the findings to be explorative within broader national contexts.Practical implicationsThe move towards more formalised practices helps to address issues such as high turnover and widespread labour shortage in SMEs. The paper is likely to be of interest to policymakers seeking to gain insights into employers' perceptions as a means to develop more effective labour regulations.Originality/valueUnlike most of existing literature examining the general compliance to the LCL and workers' perspectives, this paper reports the views of SME employers; as such, it offers an original contribution to understanding of the role and behaviours of SME employers in regulatory responses in the studied context.


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