Strategic Human Resource Management, Innovation, and Social Dialogue in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Case of Greek Pharmaceutical Multinationals

Dimos Chatzinikolaou, Nefeli-Maria Magaliou () and Charis Michael Vlados
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Dimos Chatzinikolaou: Department of Economics, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece
Nefeli-Maria Magaliou: School of Business, University of Nicosia, P.O. Box 24005, CY-2417 Nicosia, Cyprus
Charis Michael Vlados: Department of Economics, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: This study examines how strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices in pharmaceutical multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Greece are influenced by digital innovation and social dialogue. Structured questionnaires were distributed to 82 participants across seven large pharmaceutical MNEs in Greece, using purposive and stratified sampling to capture perspectives from senior managers, middle managers, and specialized employees. Findings indicate that while digital tools are present in SHRM systems, their integration remains functional rather than strategic. Social dialogue mechanisms exist but exert limited influence on decision-making. The study proposes that SHRM models—economies like Greece (characterized by medium-level competitiveness performance)—must be recontextualized to account for organizational learning capacities, and the strategic alignment between innovation, management, and social dialogue. We suggest that MNEs in the pharmaceutical sector should invest in integrated SHRM systems that prioritize cross-functional collaboration, localized adaptability, and participatory governance.

Keywords: strategic human resource management (SHRM); multinational enterprises (MNEs); innovation; social dialogue; Stra.Tech.Man framework (strategy-technology-management synthesis); Greek pharmaceutical sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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