UNDERSTANDING HR SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS: CONTROL VS COMMITMENT PRACTICES IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS OF PAKISTAN
MUHAMMAD ASHRAF *
Faculty of Business and Management Science, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
MUHAMMAD ALI
Faculty of Business and Management Science, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
ATTIQUE ARSHAD
School of Business and Economics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
KHURRAM JAWAD KHAWAJA
School of Business and Economics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Despite the fact that literature is replete with knowledge on HR systems, understanding about HR system is at infancy stage which indicates a considerable gap. Black holes exist in developing countries such as Pakistan about functioning of HR systems as performance generators. Need arises to explore the new insight of HR systems by exploring the policies and practices of control and commitment based HR practices and their link with organizational outcomes (OC). The study adopted the qualitative research design to gather public mangers’ perceptions by applying face to face in-depth interview technique. Thematic analysis was applied to address the research questions by highlighting the emerging themes and sub categories. HR system is capacitated to deploy its potential role/ functions through a set of control practices that suits best to bureaucratic structures in public organizations. It further helped to bridge the “research practice-gap” in HR practices. The results will help managers/academia/practioners to expand the current scope for HR department and provide support to the organization through an efficient HR team in attaining the desired and sustainable outcome. Future research may ponder to develop a measurable scale using the validity of identified set of seven HR practices with organizational outcome.
Keywords: HR system, control, commitment, practices, performance, Pakistan