COVID-19 and People Management: The View of Human Resource Managers

Sónia P. Gonçalves, Joana Vieira dos Santos, Isabel S. Silva, Ana Veloso, Catarina Brandão and Rita Moura
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Sónia P. Gonçalves: Centro de Administração e Políticas Públicas (CAPP), Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-663 Lisboa, Portugal
Joana Vieira dos Santos: Psychology Research Centre (CIP), Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Isabel S. Silva: Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA.UMinho), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Ana Veloso: Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA.UMinho), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Catarina Brandão: Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
Rita Moura: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal

Administrative Sciences, 2021, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: COVID-19 has brought an unexpected need for change within organizations, particularly regarding human resource management. The nature of this global crisis has meant that these processes remain under-systematized. The aim of this study, which uses an exploratory design and mixed-methods analysis, is to contribute to describing the changes in human resource management practices and processes that resulted from this pandemic and to present the outlook of human resource managers for the future. One hundred and thirty-six Portuguese companies participated in the study, with the answers provided by their human resource managers. Results show that the main changes have occurred in the processes of work and safety, training, work organization, recruitment and selection, induction and onboarding, and communication. The profiles that emerged showed an association between the level of change and size of the organization. There was an increase in the use of teleworking and layoffs, and a positive assessment of the organizations’ level of preparation and adaptation to this crisis. Human resource managers reported that the most evident changes in the future will be associated with the use of technology, teleworking, and work organization. These findings are of the upmost importance, as human resource managers are essential pillars in the adjustment of the organizations to this pandemic situation.

Keywords: COVID-19; human resource management; organizations; challenges; changes; preparation; adaptation; teleworking; layoff (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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