HRM in Global Context

  Skill shortages in the workforce pose a significant challenge for businesses, particularly in an era marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving market demands. HR professionals play a vital role in navigating these shortages, ensuring their organizations are equipped with the talent needed to thrive in a competitive landscape. According to Ulrich, et al. (1995), HR professionals are a credible activist, culture and change steward, talent manager, organizational designer, strategy architect, operational executor and business ally.  Why is the Skills shortage?  We are in the middle of a global talent shortage. Skill shortage is primarily driven by technological changes, an ageing population and shifts in industry demands (Harrison, 2023). According to data from Aaron, et al., (2021), massive 87% of businesses report they are either facing a skills shortage or expect to do so in the next five years.   For many mature economies, such as Japan (which curren...

What (or who) is Gen Z (aka Gen Zers or Zoomers)? This group born between 1997 and 2012, is the most diverse generation and the fast-growing age group in the workforce. In fact, Forbes estimated that by 2025, Generation Z workers will make up almost a quarter of the global workforce  (Galarza, 2023). Gen Z is a group of digital natives with little or no memory of the world before smartphones, which has shaped their communication and work styles. Major events like Covid-19 pandemic, the global economic crisis and the boom of social media platforms has changed their views and fostered traits like resilience and adaptability. Forbes says that Gen Z'ers also place more emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion than past generations, and then they have a strong sense of ethics and a desire to address social issues.  What does Gen Z want from the workplace? You were warned that Gen Z thinks differently!!! They care more most about the work-life balance and personal well-being. Inc...

The link between work and mental health Work can have a significant impact on a persons general well-being. In addition to the financial benefits, the job can add meaning, structure and purpose to your life. It can also provide a sense of identity, improve self-esteem and offer an important social outlet (Robinson & Smith, 2024). On the other hand working in negative environment might have the opposite impact and take a heavy toll on mental health. These are some of the risks identified by World Health Organization (2022) which impact employee's mental health at work, under use of skills or being under-skilled for work excessive workloads long, unsocial or inflexible hours lack of control over job unsafe working conditions organizational culture that enable negative behaviors violence, harassments or bullying discrimination unclear job role under or over promotion job insecurity, inadequate pay, poor investment in career development conflicting home/work demands Five Essential...