Human Resource Management and Economic Success: An Australian Perspective**

Zusammenfassung

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In this paper we examine the case for a link at the national and firm level between human resource management (HRM) and economic success in Australia. A brief history of the industrial development of Australia (and New Zealand) is presented and some differentiating factors noted (Dowling/Boxall 1994). A key factor with regard to Australia is the relatively small size of the population and economy and the disproportionate impact of globalisation and global political and economic events upon the performance of the Australian economy. Recent empirical research in the US which argues that there is evidence that positive employee relations effectively serves as an intangible and enduring asset at the firm level (Fulmer/Gerhart/Scott 2003) is noted, as is the December 2003 special issue of International Journal of Human Resource Management which focuses on Developments in Comparative HRM and concludes that there is evidence both for and against the hypothesis that there are no universal prescriptions for effective HRM. The editors (Wright and Brewster) argue that "the variety of views about what makes for 'good HRM' and the variety of understandings of which policies and practices lead to success is not only inevitable, but should be welcomed" (Wright/Brewster 2003: 1305). The author is in broad agreement with this conclusion.

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Auszug

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Human Resource Management and Economic Success: An Australian Perspective**

Introduction

The focus of this paper is on the extent to which there is a connection between human resource management and economic success in Australia. Before commencing this analysis it is appropriate to provide some historical context. In doing so, it should be noted that Australia and New Zealand have a similar history and are an interdependent economic region so some information about New Zealand is also provided. While not attempting to reduce the impact of human resource management policies and practices on firm performance, this paper argues that human resource management is one of several key components of the equation in developing a business strategy that can be implemented effectively in an increasingly globalised market.

As Dowling and Boxall (1994) 1 have noted, Australia and New Zealand are small, resource-based economies with low populations (Australia, 20 million; New Zealand, 4 million) located in the geographically remote South Pa...

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