Human resource management and innovation in SMEs
ISSN: 0048-3486
Article publication date: 18 December 2019
Issue publication date: 10 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relation between human resource management (HRM) and innovation in small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) through gift/counter-gift exchanges.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the theory of the gift/counter-gift, the authors study the case of a French SME, specifically, a technological innovation project developed from 2013 to 2016. The authors structure the data and create a model using the Gioia method.
Findings
The results reveal that the logic of giving evolves in three key stages: freeing up gifts, mobilizing gifts and rethinking gifts.
Originality/value
These stages highlight the importance of an enabling organizational environment, gift/counter-gift relationships and the role of a number of HRM practices.
Keywords
Citation
Adla, L., Gallego-Roquelaure, V. and Calamel, L. (2020), "Human resource management and innovation in SMEs", Personnel Review, Vol. 49 No. 8, pp. 1519-1535. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2018-0328
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited