The human resources management system in Slovakia and Poland : chosen aspects

Abstract

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this paper is to identify similarities and differences between Slovak and Polish companies for selected elements of HRM.

DESIGN: Literature review and questionnaire research were conducted among 811 Polish and Slovak companies. The possibility of comparing these countries resulted mainly from the fact that both countries underwent transformation at the beginning of the 1990s and were struggling with similar problems resulting from political, economic, social and cultural changes.

FINDINGS: The paper presents the results of research on job descriptions, evaluation of employees, financing employee development and employing talented and intercultural people. The analysis and assessment of data obtained in the course of research has proved the existence of statisticall significant differences in selected elements of the system of HRM in Slovak and Polish companies.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: For employees of HR departments, the results of the conducted research may indicate the directions of changes to clarify expectations for employees, ways to use the employee evaluation, financing employee development and employment of talents and people with intercultural skills. For business owners and management staff, the results of conducted research may be helpful in determining the consistency of the general strategy of the company with the adopted HRM strategy in the company and to indicate the directions of future changes in the HRM system in order to achieve compliance of these strategies.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The findings allowed to suggest relevant recommendations for Slovak and Polish companies. A comparison of activities related to the functioning of selected aspects of the HRM system provided an opportunity to exchange good practices and experiences. This paper also indicates the need to constantly monitor the entire HRM process and its individual elements in the company.