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Human resource challenges for growing SMEs. How Flemish entrepreneurs attract, develop and retain employees
Van Bruystegem, Kristien Van De Woestyne, Mieke Dewettinck, Koen
Van Bruystegem, Kristien
Van De Woestyne, Mieke
Dewettinck, Koen
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Publication Type
Working paper
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2008
Journal
Book
Publication Volume
Publication Issue
24
Publication Begin page
Publication End page
Publication NUmber of pages
33
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Abstract
For Flemish entrepreneurs human resource management is one of the biggest challenges for further development and growth (Forum on Entrepreneurship, October 2006). Hence, this paper aims to shed light on how successful entrepreneurs in Flanders manage their human resources. Building on Greiner’s (1998) growth model and the model of Ulrich (1997), we conducted a qualitative study of various human resource practices within Flemish entrepreneurial firms in different sectors and stages of growth. We investigated the interplay between the focus of HRM and the growth phase of an SME. The main objective is to better understand the major challenges entrepreneurs experience when managing people during the first stages of company growth. Our findings suggest that HRM within growing SMEs shifts from an operational focus on people to a more strategic focus on procedures. Throughout the process of evolution entrepreneurs need to find the right balance of HR practices, paying attention to formalisation, delegation and coaching.
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Keywords
Human Resource Management, SME, HRM, Small Firms, Growth Phase