The journal celebrated its fifth year in 2018. We are proud of the fact that we are the only journal that focuses exclusively on human resource management (HRM) in South Asia. This region is home to one fourth of the world’s population, the world’s largest working age population, a quarter of the world’s middle-class consumers and also the largest number of poor and undernourished population in the world. Human capital is at once the biggest asset and challenge for this region, and the journal is uniquely placed to address academic research and practice aspects in HRM.

While only in its fifth year, the journal receives submission of over 100 manuscripts per year with the acceptance rate of 15.5 per cent, on par with any international quality journal. Journal circulation is truly international with 36 per cent subscribers from the USA and 18 per cent from Western Europe. The number of subscriptions and downloads have been increasing steadily. The journal has received global recognition for its quality and standing, and has been listed in Scopus, IBS (UK), Australian Business Deals Council (ANZ) and University Grants Commission (India). I am very excited to share the news that the journal has just been selected for coverage in the Clarivate Analytics (Formerly Thomson Reuters) database under Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI).

South Asian Journal of Human Resources Management

Volume: 5 Issue: 2 (December 2018), pp. 129–264

https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/hrma/5/2

 

Editorial

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718812989

 

Articles

Employee Turnover in the Garment Industry in Bangladesh: An Organization-level Perspective

Gazi Hossain and Monowar Mahmood

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718791368

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to identify the root causes of employee turnover in the garment industry in Bangladesh. The study employed a combination of case study and documentary research methods. Data and information were collected from eight garment factories through in-depth interviews, reviewing relevant documents, information extracting from annual reports and meetings minutes. The findings reveal wage rates, wage payment methods, training and development, career opportunities and occupational health and safety (OHS) as the main factors leading to high employee turnover in garment factories in Bangladesh. This study further explores the reasons for the variation in employee turnover rates among different garment factories. The findings advocate for a holistic approach adopting “multiple human resource practices” as a bundle to reduce employee turnover in the garment industry. Based on its empirical findings, this study provides recommendations that both corporate managers and government policy makers can follow to reduce employee turnover in the garment industry in Bangladesh.

 

Women Advancing to Leadership Positions: A Qualitative Study of Women Leaders in IT and ITES Sector in India

Shubhasheesh Bhattacharya, Sweta Mohapatra, Sonali Bhattacharya

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718782756

Abstract

The article examines the key factors that facilitate the advancement of women to leadership positions in the information technology and information technology enabled services (IT and ITES) sector in India. It adopted interview based exploratory case study method using multiple case studies and gathered empirical data using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study identified critical individual and organizational factors which facilitate the advancement of women in leadership positions. The findings are of value to human resource and diversity practitioners to create gender-balanced and inclusive leadership in the organizations that would lead to attracting, retaining and developing women talent for leadership roles.

 

Conceal or Not? Management of Dehumanized Work Identity among Lower Caste Domestic Workers and Non-domestic Scavenging Workers

Chetan Sinha and Mohit Kumar

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718787097

Abstract

The current study explored a social identity approach to understand the role of caste identity in the domestic labour market in India. Domestic and other nondomestic scavenging workers form an important human resource of the informal job market system. Earlier research in the context of these workers in India did not link with the critical social psychological viewpoints leading to macro-level interpretations only. Domestic work in India in itself is a low-status job having many psychological repercussions such as stigmatization and dehumanization. The focused group discussion is done with a group of domestic workers and non-domestic scavenging workers who are from lower caste background in order to understand the management of their dehumanized identity.

 

Crossing the Work/Life Boundary with ICT: Moderating Effect of ICT Perception on the Relationship between Cross-domain ICT Use and Work/Life Conflict

Uthpala Senarathne Tennakoon

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718788712

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) enables employees to seamlessly traverse work and life domains, and thus impacts employee work/life interactions. Employers today are mindful of employee work/life interactions as an important element in employee wellbeing. With ICT being an integral element of today’s workplace, the ICT implications on work/life interactions have great relevance for the employers and policymakers. Literature on ICT and work/ life interactions have focused on the Western and/or developed countries. Considering the rapid adaptation of ICTs in developing countries, it is important to understand whether the effect of ICT use on work/life interactions is universal. This study examined the impact of cross-domain ICT use on individual work/ life conflict using a sample of professionals/ managers from Sri Lanka. Next, the cognitive dissonance theory was used to examine whether individuals’ perception towards ICTs (positive or negative) has a moderating impact on the aforementioned relationship. The findings validated the literature by demonstrating that cross-domain ICT use positively relates to work/life conflict even in the Sri Lankan context. Next, the results empirically demonstrated that individuals with negative perception towards ICT tend to experience a stronger relationship between work ICT use beyond times and work-to-life conflict. The theoretical contribution together with the implications for employers, human resource practitioners and individuals are also discussed.

 

Exploring Incongruence in Mentoring Dyads in Indian Firms: The Protégé Perspective

Payal Kumar

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718792726

Abstract

This study seeks to explore whether the negative mentoring experiences (NMEs) of protégés in Western samples are generalizable, or whether there are possibly NMEs unique to the Indian cultural context. The finding of this exploratory study suggests that the most frequently occurring NME for protégés was mismatch in the membership of social group, as per regional, caste or religious orientation. While Western mentoring models are being practised widely in corporate workplaces in India, the process of enculturation and feeling of belonging to an India-specific social group is strong enough to negatively impact mentoring relationships such that these protégés perceive themselves to be “out-group” members. Managers may consider pairing mentors and protégés taking into consideration demographic profiling

 

Research Note

Automation and the Future of Employment: Implications for India

Iyanatul Islam

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718802972

Abstract

This article reviews the international evidence on the impact of automation on employment and interprets the Indian experience in light of such evidence. It argues that the apocalyptic notion that one faces large-scale technological unemployment either in India or globally is exaggerated. On the other hand, the romantic notion that new technology–especially in the form of on-line work– will create a new era of prosperity in India driven by digitally-enabled microentrepreneurs is unlikely to materialize. This does not mean that new employment opportunities created by digital platforms should be shunned. They should be carefully nurtured by novel regulatory frameworks that seek to improve wages and working conditions for the growing community of online workers in India. This should be complemented by adequate investments in digital infrastructure.

 

Practitioner Perspective

Scrapping the Bell Curve: A Practitioner’s Review of Reinvented Performance Management System

Bharat Chillakuri

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718795549

Abstract

Conventional methods of performance management followed the bell curve or the relative ranking of employees. This resulted in counterproductive outcomes such as stress and disengagement. In recent years, a paradigm shift has occurred in performance management practices. This article describes a new performance management system, currently being practised in multinational companies including Deloitte LLP, a Big Four accounting and consulting firm. The model, with such features as touch points and regular coaching discussions, aims at providing feedback at regular intervals and implementing course correction activities, if necessary, more immediately and frequently. The model and the expected outcomes are discussed in detail.

 

Interview with Mr Gaurav Vasu, Founder and CEO, Unearth Insights

Gopal Mahapatra

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718802734

 

Book Review

Ganesh Chella, Harish Devarajan and V. J. Rao, HR HERE AND NOW: The Making of the Quintessential People Champion

Pallab Bandyopadhyay

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2322093718803425