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Strategic human resource development in times of business and economic uncertainty: the case of Greek banks

Fotios Mitsakis (Department of Human Resource Management, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK)

European Journal of Training and Development

ISSN: 2046-9012

Article publication date: 24 August 2021

Issue publication date: 3 February 2023

753

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to operationalise a modified strategic human resource development (SHRD) framework to examine managerial perceptions of the strategic embeddedness of human resource development (HRD) in organisations in times of business and economic uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on qualitative research data, following a case-study research design and semi-structured interviews with 44 participants to enable an in-depth investigation of managerial perspectives.

Findings

Research findings outline complexities in both understanding and operationalising SHRD in times of crisis which flow from managerial differing viewpoints.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings and conclusions are subject to “respondent bias” as events occurred several years ago, thus participants may not fully recall how SHRD has changed over time. Focussing on a unique industrial sector, as well as to a specific national context, limits the generalisation of the findings in comparative contexts.

Practical implications

Owing to the ongoing business and economic uncertainty, this study could serve as a powerful tool at the hands of HRD professionals to effectively assess the nature of their HRD interventions in their organisations.

Originality/value

Having a modified SHRD framework assessed in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous contexts, the reality of SHRD in organisations is examined. In addition, focussing on a single sector overcomes the “one-size fits all” proposition of prominent SHRD models. Finally, the paper expands SHRD literature by examining managerial perspectives on SHRD into understudied national and industrial contexts.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Citation

Mitsakis, F. (2023), "Strategic human resource development in times of business and economic uncertainty: the case of Greek banks", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 47 No. 1/2, pp. 58-84. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-03-2021-0038

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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