The Intricate Systemic Relationships Between the Labor Market, Labor Relations, and Human Resources Management in a Pandemic Context

Abstract

The article analyzes how organizations interpret the systemic relationships among labor market and labor relations in their human resource management (HRM) strategies in the Covid-19 pandemic. Through a qualitative approach, four focus groups were carried out with 24 people managers, and interviews with four union representatives in cities at three regions in Brazil: Northeast (Fortaleza, CE), South, (Joinville, SC) and Central-West (Brasília, DF). The findings indicate knowledge gaps in the HRM areas about market and labor relations, similar HRM practices at different levels, institutionalized by a common repertoire; while the unions adapt to the new labor legislation. The pandemic context brought structural changes such as telework, adjustment to legislation and work organization; and behavioral including the health of workers. The study contributes theoretically by expanding the analysis of HRM under the institutional approach; methodologically it provides comparative research; and empirically illustrates HRM practices in different regions of the country.