Human resource management in project-based organizations: revisiting the permanency assumption

Abstract

With the aim of portraying the future of the field, HRM scholars have repeatedly proposed new research domains and perspectives. Unusual forms of organization do not, however, play a major role in these proposals, even if they have gained some importance in practice. A case in point relates to temporary forms of organization in general and project-based organizations in particular. In this paper, after outlining the evolution of HRM as a discipline, we will systematically review top-tier HRM journals as well as other management journals over a period of two decades. Findings reveal that HRM research concentrates mostly on only one dimension of temporary organizing, i.e. temporary employment, and adheres otherwise to the assumption of the permanency or at least longevity of organizations. We argue that theorizing HRM beyond the permanency assumption is not only urgently needed in face of spreading forms of project-based organizing, but also offers unique potentials to study HRM problems, including those of international HRM.

Freelance job search during times of uncertainty: protean career orientation, career competencies and job search

“…Project-based organizations, as employers of temporary workers (Samimi and Sydow, 2020), can use the findings of this study. Improving motivation and skills is vital for freelancers to remain confident and proactive in their job search.…”

“…Employers can include such opportunities in their recruitment advertisements to attract freelancers as a population with high need for flexibility (Stich, 2020). Nonetheless, current research is mainly focused on permanent workers and has overlooked as to how human resource practices can be adjusted for the needs of temporary workers (Samimi and Sydow, 2020). Future research can provide more insights into the recruitment and development of freelancers.…”

PMHRA-PM (Prescriptive Modeling for Human Resources Allocation to Project Implementation)

“…However, the critical challenge is about the performance ability of all the ten resources being part of the task. For instance, if one of the key resources among the ten are not in right mindset while on duty or facing any kind of mental stress, it shall seriously affect the performance of the resource, and the ripple effects are evident on the task completion [5][6] [7].…”

“…From the dimensions of analytics being adapted in the project environment, many of the studies point to the application of project management tools or business intelligence tools adapted for executing the project conditions. Few of the studies appropriately highlighted the problem in terms of how such solutions are being limited to quantitative representation, but do not consider the contextual application and circumstances while assigning the resources to the project [7][19] [20].…”

Human Resource Management: Pre-pandemic, Pandemic and Beyond

“…Simultaneously, the same employees perform other different specific tasks related to various projects. While the HRM practices and processes are different from a permanent organizational setting(Samimi & Sydow, 2021), PBOs will be extensively used in the post-pandemic period. Thus, human resources need to be trained to meet the unique challenges and opportunities offered by these temporary organizations.Remote WorkingRemote working or Work From Home(WFH) became the norm in the new normal in many sectors and business settings.…”