Effective Human Resources Management Practices in Small and Medium Enterprises

Abstract

This chapter explores HRM (Human Resource Management) practices in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the MIST (Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey) economies. Researchers and consultancy firms such as Goldman Sachs have suggested that these nations will be potentially very strong trading economies for the next decade based on economic analyses. SMEs play pivotal roles in these nations as they contribute to a majority of their domestic employment and GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The focus of the chapter is based on a thorough investigation of secondary sources on HRM practices (recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, and compensation) of SMEs in the MIST nations. Institutional theory and Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) perspectives are showcased in understanding these practices better. The findings of the study suggest that HRM practices adopted in the MIST countries, both individually as well as a cluster, reflect the aspects of universalistic, contingency, resources bases, and institutional perspectives of the Strategic HRM (SHRM) model. The evidence also indicates the simultaneous adoption of both convergence and divergence theories of international HRM. The chapter also presents a model of HRM practices adopted by the SMEs in the MIST nations. Theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed and directions for future research are provided.