Human resource management strategies for small territories: an alternative proposition

Abstract

This paper tackles the issue of educational development from a somewhat different, and still under-explored, perspective: that of human resource management (HRM). This paper argues that small territories have, often blindly, accepted an 'industrial relations' (IR) framework that is much more at home in the formalistic, mass production and mass employment based, manufacturing economies of the industrialised world. While the future of 'IR' in these settings is also being called into question today, small territories have been hard put all along to apply their labour relations practice to the strictures of this theory. An inductive analysis of the human resource condition in small territories reveals rather a contextual disposition for empowerment and entrepreneurship -a critical component for successful HRM practice -which is often unacknowledged, let alone addressed in public policy. The paper identifies aspects of current industrial relations as well as educational practice that could be addressed in order to better tap the benefits of this different understanding of human resourcefulness.

Value-oriented public management in vulnerable societies: assessing the impact of Public Value Management practices in three Caribbean countries

“…Interaction 1: public leadership and the nature of relationships Both the public officials of the very best and very worst utilities overshadowed their surroundings in terms of initiative, experience, and expertise. It may seem paradoxical that agencies working within societies already plagued by hierarchical patronage structures need yet more strong leaders to create public value (Baldacchino, 2001(Baldacchino, , 2012. However, officials at the high-performing agencies combined this leadership with engaging stakeholders and spreading information, whereas the active public leaders at the worst-performing utilities preferred to work alone and in opaque manners.…”

“…Public Value proponents respond that everyone in the public realm -whether civil servant, politician, or citizen -could act as value seekers and that even the highest public officials are subject to the restraints of their authorising environment (Alford, 2008;Benington & Moore, 2010). However, the practical effects of this license for leadership must be examined empirically, especially when looking at societies where the leadership dynamics are potentially intertwined with nepotistic relationship patterns (Baldacchino, 2001).…”

“…From a demographic perspective, the small size of the population reinforces hierarchical relationship patterns. The elites on the islands were by necessity small, concentrating a lot of roles and power in a small number of hands (Baldacchino, 2001). One could argue that this means that a few individuals can already make a difference, but unchecked power can easily lead to excesses (Selwin, 1999).…”

Improving Business Capacity for Online Sales: Product Photos Training for SMSEs

“…Working together and empowering each other as a group also has significant results to secure their outcome. This phenomenon is also captured by Baldacchino (2001) who states that by working together the community would catch several success to change their mindset to become productive and creative and also increase confidence in doing something.…”

Globalisation and Comparative Education: A Caribbean perspective

“…There appears to be a singular 430 P. Louisy lack of knowledge of the circumstances of small states. Yet there does exist a growing body of literature on the subject from the economic and social as well as educational perspectives (Brock, 1984(Brock, , 1988aBray, 1990Bray, , 1992Atchoarena, 1991Atchoarena, , 1993Commonwealth Secretariat, 1997;Baldacchino, 2001) which could inform decisions taken and attitudes adopted, on matters relating to small states. The Commonwealth Secretariat has been particularly active in this regard (Brock, 1984;Commonwealth Secretariat, 1986Bray, 1991a, b;Crossley & Holmes, 1999).…”