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Interdependent HRM practices as active responses to paradox in Finnish growth enterprises

Sara Lindström (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland)
Minna Janhonen (Filosofian Akatemia, Helsinki, Finland) (Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland)

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development

ISSN: 1462-6004

Article publication date: 30 April 2021

Issue publication date: 23 June 2021

300

Abstract

Purpose

By adopting a paradox lens, the purpose of this study is to explore paradoxes in relation to work organization, recruitment and competence development in growth-oriented companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a qualitative content analysis based on research interviews of managers responsible for human resource management (HRM) in Finnish small and medium-sized growth enterprises (SMEs).

Findings

The results show four themes, namely, (1) individualized work, (2) cultural cohesiveness, (3) experimental organization and (4) personal closeness. These identified themes are interpreted as mutually enabling, active responses to the underlying paradoxes of individualism – community and stability – change.

Originality/value

The results contribute to research on tension and paradox in HRM by taking the still unexplored opportunity to apply paradox theory to HRM in SMEs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Professor Pia Heilmann and Doctor Jenni Kantola for insightful comments and support in different stages of developing the manuscript. The empirical materials of the study were collected in the project “Kasvuyritysten ketterä henkilöstöjohtaminen: Toimintamalleja pk-yrityksille” (S20213), funded by the European Social Fund.

Citation

Lindström, S. and Janhonen, M. (2021), "Interdependent HRM practices as active responses to paradox in Finnish growth enterprises", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 619-639. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-11-2020-0397

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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