PurposeIn 2020, the education system was preliminary halted by the COVID-19 crisis and went through radical improvisation, and online-based distance learning was the only plausible initiative to continue educational activities ensuring health guidelines properly. However, in reality, such desperate measure in case of a lower-middle-income developing nation lacking proper structural capabilities raised some issues and concerns for both pupils and mentors, and this study aims to explore the practice of online-based distance learning in private universities of Bangladesh and the challenges associated with it.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research is qualitative in nature. A total number of 89 undergraduate level university students from different private universities were divided into two main clusters and interviewed in depth.FindingsThe findings of this paper revealed that common developing country syndromes like improper technological infrastructure development, limitation to devices or internet accessibility and financial hindrances can disrupt the harmony of the online learning experience. Also, the lack of tech literacy has created a huge tension and psychological inertia among both the teachers and the students.Social implicationsThe coronavirus pandemic event, with its dreadful influence, is creating immense mental pressures for students to cope well with the online learning system. Comprehending the underlying challenges affiliated with online-based distance learning and enabling faculties or respected personnel with training and development programs to handle impediments better way, this learning initiative can ensure the best outcomes.Originality/valueThe significance of this study lies in comprehending the feasibility of online-based education regarding lower-middle-income developing nation context and the realism of such learning process's acceptability considering its actual effectiveness.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the perspectives of 26 business owners, managers and supervisors on “decent work” (DW) in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative study draws on a framework of ethical human resource management and situated moral agency to establish the ways in which RMG workers are afforded DW. This study uses semi-structured interviews to assess the prospect of DW through applying the ILO’s four-pillar framework of DW. Findings Findings indicate there is a concern among owners and managers of the need to reconcile internal and external pressures to maintain and improve DW. It is evident that ethical practices and moral agency are not self-initiated but in response to mounting political and legal pressures and those of external stakeholders. Employers favour the concept of workers’ participation committees as one means to communicate and negotiate with workers rather than recognise trade unions. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to six organisations in the RMG sector in Bangladesh, but there are implications for all RMG sector organisations to promote reform and DW for all workers. Practical implications DW necessitates major national and international stakeholders to negotiate and cooperate to ensure the long-term competitiveness and survival of the Bangladeshi RMG sector. Originality/value The study calls for reform in a developing country where many workers are denied DW.

PurposeHuman resources (HR) management has encountered unforeseen obstacles and issues in recruiting, retaining, training and developing workforces under the “new normal” due to pandemic circumstances followed by the Russo–Ukrainian War and global economic turmoil. As the world is now well-equipped with technological advancements and internet-based connectivity, many pandemic disruptions have been avoided through rapid adaptation of technological systems. Despite the constructive outcomes of this contemporary approach to learning and development (L&D), this study explores the further depths of massive open online courses (MOOC) platform adoption in human resource development initiatives during pandemic times.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was adopted to understand the employee and HR perspective on the changes in L&D approaches in organizations. To gather the primary data, respondents were divided into two clusters; different sets of questionnaires were developed for interview sessions.FindingsResults suggest that employee L&D was much more improvised with distance or online learning, including organizational e-learning systems and MOOC platforms. To accomplish their HR development goals, organizations went through significant transformations during the Coronavirus pandemic; organizational attempts to initiate online training and MOOC-based learning fostered positive results in employee capacity development, process improvement, employee engagement and motivation.Originality/valueThis research will assist organizations in developing interactive training methods as an effective replacement for traditional training. Additionally, it will assist readers, practitioners and HR specialists in understanding how MOOCs are changing the L&D ecosystem.

Introduction and Main Objective: This study attempted to explain the anxieties from the insights of expatriates and their views related to international assignments in Bangladesh after the Holey Artisan attack in 2016, this study also discusses the immediate and current status of expatriation in Bangladesh. Background Problems: The host countries’ environment plays an important role in accomplishing any overseas assignment. Bangladesh with its ethnicity of warm hospitality has always been an ideal place for expatriates from both novel and similar cultures and environments. Conversely, the recent incidents of terror attacks, notably the major attack at ‘Holey Artisan Bakery’ in 2016 have changed many calculations. Research Method: This qualitative research is a combination of narrative situational analysis and longitudinal study. Primary data was collected through interviews. Findings/Results: Research findings revealed some aftermaths of the attack related to the actions taken by the authority of the state. And how this incident hampered the assignments and work-life balance of the expatriates. Novelty: This particular study contributes to the existing literature of international human resource management with the tools and technics of effective crisis management from the real-life experiences of the expatriates. Conclusion: This study suggests that this is high time for organizations to work on their people and culture management strategies to increase interfaith, intercultural, and multiracial harmony.

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This paper aims to see the levels of empowerment exist in the private hospital in Dhaka city, considering the case of doctors and nurses. A small sample of 40 respondents from the two private hospitals was chosen randomly. The theories of empowerment are discussed and the results are analyzed in respect to the theories which shows that doctors are more empowered than the nurses.

JEL Classification: J8, J28, M12, RMG sector is the largest foreign exchange earning sector of Bangladesh. This paper examines the HR practices of this sector and to help the policymakers to update the policy agenda in order for better supporting it to achieve the long-term goal. This is a pilot study on human resources practice of selected RMG factories in Dhaka. The HR officials were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. The objective of this paper is to explore the HR practices of RMG sector in Dhaka. The results showed that RMG factories now trying to maintain the best practices to create a good image as they now become the part of global supply. The paper suggested that global labor standards, good HR practice and professional management are required for the smooth operation of this sector. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which allows use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This paper aims to see the levels of empowerment exist in the private hospital in Dhaka city, considering the case of doctors and nurses. A small sample of 40 respondents from the two private hospitals was chosen randomly. The theories of empowerment are discussed and the results are analyzed in respect to the theories which shows that doctors are more empowered than the nurses.