Managing Human Resources During a Global Crisis: A Multilevel Perspective

Abstract

We develop a multi‐level framework for understanding the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices in managing people during a significant global crisis. We provide a critical review of the research on the topic, focusing on papers published in the British Journal of Management (BJM). Our review focuses on papers dealing with people management issues during or after a global crisis event. To this end, two BJM special issues and other articles on global crises published were selected for our critical review. Our choice of additional papers reviewed was deliberate. We reviewed papers from several other premier outlets covering diverse geographies. Such an approach allows for delineating critical factors and practices that stand out despite national, cultural, industry and sectoral differences. These papers cover the two major global crises in the last two decades: the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID‐19 Pandemic. We conclude with future research directions.

The Effect of Perceived Organizational and Supervisory Support on Employee Engagement During COVID-19 Crises: Mediating Effect of Work-Life Balance Policy

“…By engaging in communication with employees, supervisors can understand their needs, solicit their input, and encourage them to try new strategies. Malik and Sanders’ (2021) recent human resource management study emphasizes that the role of supervisors is vital in human resource management during global crises.…”

Comparative analysis of human capital management strategies in the context of digitalization of the national economy

“…The next relevant concept of human resources management in the context of the digitalization of national economic systems is an entrepreneurial strategy (Malik and Sanders, 2021 ). The polyparadigm aspects of entrepreneurial strategy (GDP phw ; IEF; PI) converge on the management, the theory of behavioral dogmas of the organization, and strategic and collective human capital.…”

Managing human resources in information technology and business process offshoring firms operating in Asia: a literature review toward theoretically and contextually grounded research

“…It would also be timely to examine how “work from home” arrangements within the IT&BP offshoring sector improve work–life balance, or worsen it. Aside from these, a multilevel approach could be undertaken to consider HRM within the IT&BP offshoring sector in the context of national business and cultural systems as well as global pressures (Malik and Sanders 2021).…”