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Understanding HR frames' differences: perceptions of HR professionals about the HRM system

Hesselink, Xanthe (2013) Understanding HR frames' differences: perceptions of HR professionals about the HRM system.

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Abstract:This research confirms a well-known finding that different social groups may have incongruent frames (Orlikowski and Gash, 1994; Wright and Nishi, 2006). HR professionals and middle level managers may have different HRM frames about the HRM system including different knowledge, assumptions and expectations. Research has shown that congruent thinking of line and HR managers may lead to a better HRM system and organizational performance and changes in a HRM process are expected to progress easier (Bondarouk et al., 2009; Reger and Huff, 1993; Kaše et al., 2009). An explorative case study was performed in a national home care organization, TSN Thuiszorg. A total of eight HR professionals and middle level managers of different rayons were interviewed. Intensive document analysis provided more data. Our research attempted to explore the cognitive frames’ roots of HR professionals and middle level managers. We confirm HRM frames’ differences originate in differences in functions, expectations and backgrounds (Orlikowski and Gash, 1994; Kaplan, 2008). However, our research shows differences also originate in unclearness about the HRM’s philosophy and goals experienced by organizational members, different functions leading to a different client focus, inertia and intuition-based execution of HR practices and a seemingly big distance of HR administration between the central and local HRM function. In being sparring partners of the middle level managers HR professionals should take in an advising and supporting role but should also attempt to create a shared understanding by early communication and discussion of clear and complete information of the HRM system and its changes.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Business Administration MSc (60644)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63603
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