Small firms, owner managers and (strategic?) human resource management
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
The focus of much strategic human resource management
(SHRM) research has been on large firms and there are ques tions as to the applicability of the existing SHRM models in
small firms that have different modes of operation, particu larly where owner managers dominate and human resource
(HR) specialists are largely absent. There is nevertheless
growing evidence that SHRM can be effective in small firms.
To develop understanding, this study uses qualitative data
from a project that delivered HR support services to small
firms to explore why HR practices exist and how they operate.
Owner manager responses to cues prompted take up of HR
support and developing their understanding and confidence
led to the implementation of both routine and progressive
HR practices. Owner managers engaged in sense making to
navigate the associated dynamics of formality. We present a
model of SHRM in the small firm context, incorporating HR
support services as an important contribution
Description
Keywords
business support, strategic human resource management, small firms, owner manager