Human Resource Management 2014

The Research-Practice Gap in Human Resource Management: A Cross-Cultural Study

Aino Tenhiälä¹; Tamara Giluk^2,3; Sven Kepes⁴; Cristina Simón⁵; In-Sue Oh^6,7,8; Seongsu Kim^2,9,10,11

¹ Aalto University · ² College of Business Administration · ³ Williams College · ⁴ Virginia Commonwealth University · ⁵ IE University · ⁶ Temple University · ⁷ Temple College · ⁸ Division of Human Resource Management · ⁹ New Generation University College · ¹⁰ Seoul National University · ¹¹ National University College

Abstract

In this study, we examine the cross-cultural differences in human resource (HR) managers’ beliefs in effective HR practices by surveying HR practitioners in Finland (N = 86), South Korea (N = 147), and Spain (N = 196). Similar to previous studies from the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia, there are large discrepancies between HR practitioner beliefs and research findings, particularly in the area of staffing. In addition, we find that interpersonal-oriented aspects of HR practices tend to be more culturally bound than technical-oriented aspects of HR practices. We interpret the differences using Hofstede's cultural dimensions (Power Distance, Individualism versus Collectivism, Masculinity versus Femininity, Long-Term Orientation versus Short-Term Orientation, and Uncertainty Avoidance). We discuss the overall nature of the science-practice gap in HR management, and the implications for evidence-based management.

DOI

10.1002/hrm.21656

Sources

openalex

Cite

APA 7 MLA 9 Chicago (author–date) Harvard Elsevier Harvard (JFE, JBF…) The Accounting Review Academy of Management American Marketing Association INFORMS (Management Science) Copy citation Copied ✓