Is there Something as an Ex-Yugoslavian HRM Model? – Sticking to the Socialist Heritage or Converging With Neoliberal Practices

Nina Pološki Vokić; Andrej Kohont; Agneš Slavić

Nina Pološki Vokić
Andrej Kohont
Agneš Slavić

Keywords: human resource management (HRM), ex-Yugoslavia HRM model, CRANET data, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia

Abstract

The question of this paper is whether there is an ex-Yugoslavia HRM model drawing upon Western imported features fused with ethno open-socialistic and self-management elements? In the empirical part Cranet data for 341 companies from Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia are analysed. Main characteristics of HRM systems in ex-Yugoslavia are: the HRM strategic partner role is still neglected, the mind-set of taking care for everybody is omnipresent, the value of performance management is not fully entrusted, the full-time employment still predominates, and the trade unions retained their barging power. Although 30 indicators revealed specifics of ex-Yugoslavia HRM model, the theorized hybrid HRM system was not disclosed.

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Author Biographies

Nina Pološki Vokić

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, Croatia
E-mail: npoloski@efzg.hr

Nina Pološki Vokić is a full professor of management and human resource management at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia. From 2011 she teaches as well at Wirtschaftsuniversität – Wien, Austria, first as a CEEPUS lecturer and from 2016 at the International Summer University. She is a coauthor of 3 university textbooks, a coeditor of 3 scientific books, and a (co)author of 16 book chapters and more than 60 scientific papers. Her research interests include international and comparative HRM, HRM metrics and gender equality.

Andrej Kohont

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Slovenia
E-mail: andrej.kohont@fdv.uni-lj.si

Andrej Kohont is assistant professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. He teaches human resources management, organizational behaviour and leadership courses. His research focuses on international and comparative HRM, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, competency management and reforms of higher education.

Agneš Slavić

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Economics, Subotica, Serbia
E-mail: slavica@ef.uns.ac.rs

Agneš Slavić is an associate professor at Faculty of Economics, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. She teaches Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour at bachelor level studies and International Human Resource Management at PhD studies. She is a coauthor of university textbook, coeditor of a research monograph and a coauthor of numerous scientific papers. She is a coordinator for Serbia of Cranet and CEEIRT international research projects. Her research interest is human resource management practice in Central and Eastern Europe, management practice in Serbia, and job satisfaction.

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