Human resource management in transitional economies: the case of Poland and the Czech Republic

Abstract

This is an exploratory study to examine human resource management (HRM) policies and practices in Poland and the Czech Republic in their transition to free market economies. A questionnaire survey was administered to 120 Czech and forty-three Polish firms. This was supplemented by in-depth interviews with ten Czech and nine Polish companies. It was found that macro-environmental variables had a major impact on the development of HRM policies and practices in both countries. HR/personnel departments in Czech state-owned firms were less likely to be involved in training and development activities under the present system because of their former association with the ‘secret police’under the communist system. Because of the Czech Republic’s historically closer linkage with Austria and Germany and its higher level of industrialization, many aspects of its HRM policies and practices tend to resemble those of the industrialized West. The egalitarian tradition in Poland continues to be reflected in a more equitable distribution of monetary and non-pecuniary benefits throughout the enterprise. Furthermore, the high rate of unemployment in Poland due to structural unemployment has led to a greater need for training and development of personnel across the board. Type of ownership did not appear to have a major impact on HRM policies and practices. This may be attributed to the recent history of privatization in these two countries.

Keywords:

• Czech
• Polish
• comparative HRM
• transitional economies