HOW EFFECTIVE ARE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES? AN EXAMPLE OF ORGANIZATIONS IN SERBIA - A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

With this research we would like to investigate the characteristics of the strategic system of human resource management practices in organizations in Serbia, their connection to the characteristics and behaviors of employees, and their relation to organizational performance in organizations in Serbia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 human resource managers representing 14 organizations with a total of 7,000 employees, and analyzed using the Gioia method. Two types of organizations were specifically selected for the sample: international organizations in the manufacturing industry and organizations operating in the field of information technology. According the results- strategic practices from the investigated model are present in organizations in Serbia. Human resource managers who participated in this study found connection between organizational performance and characteristics and behaviors of employees. They connect the characteristics and behaviors of employees with strategic human resource management practices. The results also suggest that in organizations in Serbia there is a need for a more transparent presentation of strategic human resources practices’ contribution.