The jury is out – Can the HR managers be the choice architects in a post-pandemic work setting?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of HR managers as choice architects to increase the communication efforts for vaccination drives, thereby making the workplace a safe place for all employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used qualitative research methodology and interviewed 10 HR managers.

Findings

The findings indicate that HR managers can use the nudge theory and choice architecture to encourage employees towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.

Practical implications

HR professionals will get an alternate perspective regarding how learnings from behavioural economics can be leveraged in a post-pandemic world which can help them create a safe working environment.

Originality/value

This paper is an attempt to explore how learnings from behavioural economics (that is, nudge theory and choice architecture) can be leveraged by HR managers to design default options while organizing COVID-19 vaccination camps to motivate employees to get fully vaccinated and hence creating a safe working environment.

Citation

Sinha, S. and Jain, N.K. (2022), "The jury is out – Can the HR managers be the choice architects in a post-pandemic work setting?", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 35 No. 1, pp. 165-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-09-2021-0284