HR is different up here!

The tropics is a region known for its environmental, social, and economic diversity, as well as wonderful geographical features such as rainforests, palm trees and white sandy beaches. In countries like Australia, there are often stories about the tropical north that hold a place not only in folklore but also the contemporary work environment. One such narrative is that “HR is different up here!”

Intrigued by this narrative, Dr Leigh-ann Onnis undertook an exploratory study investigating the notion that human resources (HR) practices may not be generic, and that there are contexts within which HR is done differently. The scarcity of scholarly evidence, together with her professional experience, and the sincerity with the stories being shared, were the impetus for this study. In short, Dr Onnis wanted to know if, and how, HR practices differ in tropical northern Australia.

Through an analysis of 354 recruitment advertisements, and an online survey completed by 42 HR professionals. Dr Onnis found that more than two-thirds (69%) of the respondents believed that HR is different up here. Interestingly, of those who reported that HR is different up here, 69% believed that HR behaviours were generic and 72% believed that HR capabilities were generic. In other words, at least half of the respondents thought that HR capabilities and behaviours were generic and believed that HR is different up here in the tropics. Late last year Dr Onnis presented her findings at the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) conference in Wellington, New Zealand. In February, Leigh-ann presented the findings to the HR industry at an Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI) Townsville Network event. And later this year, Leigh-ann will be presenting this research to the HR industry in Cairns.

The exploratory study was the first step towards understanding whether HR is different in tropical northern Australia. The findings suggest that further investigation is needed; however, the challenge that faces researchers in this area, is going to be in examining the multi-layered aspects of societies, business, and economic growth in the tropics and how they impact on HR practices. Dr Onnis believes that the benefits of research such as this study, lies in developing and educating future HR workforces. For organisations recruiting HR practitioners in the tropics, research can provide guidance on how to better develop and recruit HR professionals to meet the HR needs of businesses operating in northern Australia into the future.

The full conference paper was published in the ANZAM conference proceedings, please contact Dr Leigh-ann Onnis for further information (leighann.onnis@jcu.edu.au).