Study shows companies need to take into account value changes of blue-collar Chinese workers

Abstract

Purpose

The authors wanted to find out if workers' values had changed compared with previous generations. This is a vital issues for HRM departments who need to know how to keep their workers from moving elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted semi-structured interviews into the work values of Chinese blue-collar workers. The interviewees were 25 employees at German multinationals in the auto-making industry in Shanghai. There were 17 blue-collar workers and eight white-collar managers. The blue-collar interviews focused on personal demographics, perceptions of the job and company, attitude toward work, goals in life, main reasons to quit and incentives offered to stay. The white-collar interviews were more focused on managerial issues.

Findings

The authors concluded that HRM systems should be adapted to meet the preferences of the employees. Companies needed to take into account the value changes of blue-collar Chinese workers. Interviewee comments also revealed that, although pay was still important, career development had become more significant for some workers.

Originality/value

The author said her paper could help talent managers to get the best out of their employees. In particular, if HRM processes were improved it would reduce voluntary employee turnover, a major problem for employers.

Citation

(2021), "Study shows companies need to take into account value changes of blue-collar Chinese workers", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 7-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-09-2020-0210