An exploratory inquiry into the Human Resource Management being implemented in Small-Medium Sized businesses: A study of the implications Dublin cafes may face in the absence of well established Human Resource practices, particularly during times of global crisis

O'Connor, Tori (2020) An exploratory inquiry into the Human Resource Management being implemented in Small-Medium Sized businesses: A study of the implications Dublin cafes may face in the absence of well established Human Resource practices, particularly during times of global crisis. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This study is an exploratory inquiry into the current Human Resource Management (HRM) practices being implemented in Small-Medium Sized businesses (SME), in this case, Dublin cafes, in times of global crises. The study will examine the implications, if any, cafes may face in the absence of strong Human Resource practices or personnel. The logic behind this study is to examine four cafes and whether they were sufficiently prepared in terms of Human Resource Management during the on-going global pandemic, Covid-19.

The research will firstly examine previous literature based on HRM and SMEs during times of global crises, such as pandemics, terrorism and natural disasters. The participants involved in this study are a mix of café owners and café employees. The research will be conducted using a qualitative research method in the form of semi-structured interviews. This allowed for the researcher to conduct the interviews in-depth and on a more personal level that the quantitative research method would. The data findings are presented under themes that were produced from the respondent's opinions and thoughts, expressed during the interview process.

The researcher will discuss the data findings and link the findings back to previous literature. Limitations and implications will be evaluated. The research will also offer recommendations for future study.

The study will shine light on current HRM in Dublin cafes, during the turbulent and uncertain times Ireland and the rest of the world are currently facing, due the existing Covid-19 pandemic. Will these businesses learn from the challenges they encountered during and in the aftermath of Covid-19? Will they have crisis plans in place and will they establish relevant HR practices to adequately manage employees? Covid-19 has changed the workplace as we know it, HRM will also inevitably be significantly impacted. The relevance of this study will be to examine how these SMEs are coping during these unsettling times.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Dan English
Date Deposited:	02 Feb 2021 12:24
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2021 12:24
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4619

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