Organizational HR in Croatian MNCs: Roles and Challenges
Author
Ajdukovic, Luka
Term
4. term
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-02-01
Pages
84
Abstract
Globalization and the growth of multinational companies make International Human Resource Management (IHRM) an important field. This study examines the HR function in Croatian multinationals to understand how HR employees see their roles and what challenges they face. We conducted in-depth interviews and analyzed them using a grounded theory approach, which builds concepts from the data rather than starting from a fixed model. Participants described HR as a bridge that aligns employees’ needs with management’s priorities so the organization can reach its goals. Open communication was seen as essential to playing this bridging role. Three recurring challenges emerged: managing communication in the workplace, attracting and keeping talent, and nurturing a positive organizational culture. According to participants, these challenges often arise because limited or ineffective communication prevents HR from fully performing its role. They also believed that communication practices shape organizational culture, reinforcing the centrality of openness. The study suggests that strengthening open communication can help HR perform its bridging role more effectively in Croatian multinational companies. Future research should examine in more detail how open communication supports the HR function in this context.
Globalisering og væksten i multinationale selskaber gør International Human Resource Management (IHRM) til et vigtigt felt. Dette studie undersøger HR-funktionen i kroatiske multinationale selskaber for at forstå, hvordan HR-medarbejdere opfatter deres roller, og hvilke udfordringer de møder. Vi gennemførte dybdegående interviews og analyserede dem med en grounded theory-tilgang, hvor begreber udvikles ud fra data frem for ud fra en fast model. Deltagerne beskrev HR som en bro, der afstemmer medarbejderes behov med ledelsens prioriteringer, så organisationen kan nå sine mål. Åben kommunikation blev set som afgørende for at udfylde denne bro-rolle. Tre tilbagevendende udfordringer kom frem: at styre kommunikationen på arbejdspladsen, at tiltrække og fastholde talenter, og at udvikle en positiv organisationskultur. Ifølge deltagerne opstår disse udfordringer ofte, fordi begrænset eller ineffektiv kommunikation forhindrer HR i at udføre sin rolle fuldt ud. De mente også, at kommunikationspraksisser former organisationskulturen, hvilket understreger, hvor central åbenhed er. Studiet peger på, at stærkere åben kommunikation kan hjælpe HR med bedre at udfylde sin bro-rolle i kroatiske multinationale selskaber. Fremtidig forskning bør undersøge mere detaljeret, hvordan åben kommunikation understøtter HR-funktionen og forbedrer resultater i denne kontekst.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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