Government Incentives: The Role of Human Resource in Delivering Flexible Organizational Working Strategies in Singapore
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/ijema.v31i2.1084Keywords:
FWAs, Government incentive, HR strategy and practicesAbstract
Rapidly changing and turbulent business environments due to the socio-economic changes, the increased technology use and the Covid-19 pandemic crisis have forced governments to fast-track development of flexible working arrangements (FWAs). The recent initiatives have seen government FWA incentives to support FWA adoption in the workplace. Singapore is a leader among developing Asian countries regarding adopting FWA incentive-based approaches, which also emphasize human resource (HR) roles in delivering the FWA program. This paper investigates the nexus between government incentives and HR roles in managing FWAs. Additionally, during times of pandemic crisis, most businesses have no option but to implement FWAs in sustaining business continuity or ensuring survival. Therefore, strategic FWAs are critically needed. This paper has two aims; first we investigate how HR translates government FWA incentives into strategies and practices, and then we critically analyze these findings to improve the current FWA strategies by developing a conceptual framework for strategic FWAs. Twenty case studies from Singapore were used as a data set. As results, we identified ten themes representing the role HR plays in delivering organizational flexibility through their strategies and practices. We then propose a conceptual model for advancing FWA practices from policy formalization to flexibility strategy and agility working practices.
References
Almer, E.D., J.R. Cohen, and L.E. Single. “Factors Affecting the Choice to Participate in Flexible Work Arrangements.” Auditing 22 (2003): 69–91.
Amirul, S.R., S.M. Amirul, and R. Mail. “Strategic Flexible Working Arrangement: The Realignment Between Human Resource and Management Accounting.” Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews 8, no. 4 (2020): 1252–265.
S.R. Amirul, S.M. Amirul, R. Mail, and J. Dasan. “The Effectiveness of Flexible Working Arrangement: Hybridisation of Human Resource Management and Management Accounting.” Jurnal Pengurusan (UKM Journal of Management) 62 (2021): 101 – 17.
Armstrong, Michael. A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th Edition). London, United Kingdom: Kogan Page Ltd., 2006.
______, and Stephen Taylor. Armstrong's Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (13th Edition). London: Kogan Page Ltd., 2014.
Australian Government: Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Workplace Flexibility Strategy. 2014. https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default /files/Building_a_flexibility_strategy.pdf
Ayman, M., A.-L. Ashoush, A.A. Elsayed, and R.A. Younis. “Flexible Work Arrangements: Related Topics and Directions.” Journal of Business Studies Quarterly 7, no. 1 (2015): 36-45.
Babtiste, N.R. “Tightening the Link Between Employee Wellbeing at Work and Performance: A New Dimension for HRM.” Management Decision 46. no. 2 (2008): 284-309.
Braun, V., and V. Clarke. “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology.” Qualitative Research in Psychology 3 (2006): 77–101.
Brower, Tracy. Agile Requires Role Flexibility. 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2020/02/23/agile-and-role-flexibility-6-ways-to-help-people-succeed-when-theyre-wearing-multiple-hats/?sh=72b56efe45bf
Burgmann, L. “Managing in a Flexible Work Environment.” (November), (2012): 1–41. https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/AIM-Managing-in-a-Flexible-Work-Environment.pdf
Cannon Fiona, and N. Elford. The Agility Mindset: How Reframing Flexible Working Delivers Competitive Advantage. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017.
Carnevale, D. “The Culture of Trust—Leadership: and the Culture of Trust by Gilbert W. Fairholm.” Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. (1995). http://search.proquest.com/docview/232687155/
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). HR: Getting Smart about Agile Working. (November), 2014. https://www.cipd.org/globalassets/media/knowledge/knowledge-hub/reports/hr-getting-smart-agile-working_2014_tcm18-14105.pdf
Clake, R. “Flexible Working: The Implementation Challenge.” CIPD, 3–60, 2005. http://www.cipd.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C3B8BDF1-3979-4B95-BF90-A3C19521560D/0/flexwrkimpman1105.pdf
Daft, Richard L., and Dorothy Marcic. Understanding management (5th Edition). USA: Thompson South-Western, 2006.
De Menezes, L.M., and C. Kelliher. “Flexible Working and Performance: A Systematic Review of the Evidence for a Business Case.” International Journal of Management Reviews 13, no. 4 (2011): 452–74.
Dikkers, J., S. Geurts, L. den Dulk, B. Peper, and M. Kompier. “Relations among Work-Home Culture, the Utilization of Work-Home Arrangements, and Work-Home Interference.” International Journal of Stress Management 11, no. 4 (2004): 323–45.
Downes, C., and E. Koekemoer. “Work–life Balance Policies: Challenges and Benefits Associated with Implementing Flexitime.” SA Journal of Human Resource Management 9, no. 1–13 (2011): 382–93.
Eby, L.T., W.J. Casper, A. Lockwood, C. Bordeaux, and A. Brinley. “Work and Family Research in IO/OB: Content Analysis and Review of the Literature (1989–2002).” Journal of Vocational Behavior 66 (2005): 124–97.
Economist Intelligence Unit. Organisational Agility: How Business Can Survive and Thrive in Turbulent Times, 2009. https://www.emc.com/collateral/leadership/organisational-agility-230309.pdf
Frese, M., H. Garst, and D. Fay. “Making Things Happen: Reciprocal Relationships Between Work Characteristics and Personal Initiative in a Four-Wave Longitudinal Structural Equation Model.” Journal of Applied Psychology 92, no. 4 (2007): 1084-102.
Galea, C., I. Houkes, and A. De Rijk. An Insider’s Point of View: How a System of Flexible Working Hours Helps Employees to Strike a Proper Balance Between Work and Personal Life.” International Journal of Human Resource Management 25, no. 8 (2014): 1090-111.
Gibbs, M. “How is New Technology Changing Job Design?” IZA World of Labor (March) (2017): 1–10.
Gilbert, C., S. De Winne, and L. Sels. “The Influence of Line Managers and HR Department on Employees' Affective Commitment.” The International Journal of Human Resource Management 22, no. 8 (2011): 1618–637.
Goga-Cooke, J. The Benefits of Flexible Working Arrangements. 2012. https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/centers/cwf/individuals/pdf/benefitsCEOFlex.pdf
Golden, L. The effects of working time on productivity and firm performance: A research synthesis paper. Conditions of Work and Employment Series, 33 (2011): 1–34.
Guest, Greg, Kathleen M. MacQueen, and Emily E. Namey. “Applied Thematic Analysis.” In M. Tarsilla (Ed.), Book Review. The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation 29, no. 1 (2012): 141-43.
Hackman, J.R., and G.R. Oldham. Work Redesign. Reading, MA.: Addison-Wesley, 1980.
Hamouche, S. Human resource management and the COVID-19 crisis: implications, challenges, opportunities, and future organizational directions. Journal of Management & Organization, 29, no. 5 (2021): 799–814.
Härtel, Charmine E.J., and Yuka Fujimoto. Human Resource Management (3rd Edition). New South Wales, Australia: Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd., 2014.
Hayman, J.R. “Flexible Work Arrangements: Exploring the Linkages between Perceived Usability of Flexible Work Schedules and Work/Life Balance.” Community, Work & Family 12, no. 3 (2009): 327–38.
Healy, G. “Work-Life Balance and Family Friendly Policies – In Whose Interest?” Work, Employment & Society 18, no.1 (2004): 219–23.
Holland, P., and A. Bardoel. “The Impact of Technology on Work in the Twenty-First Century: Exploring the Smart and Dark Side.” The International Journal of Human Resource Management 27, no. 21 (2016): 2579–581.
Itika, J.S. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management: Emerging Experiences from Africa. African Studies Centre, 2011.
Kelliher, C., and D. Anderson. “For Better or for Worse? An Analysis of How Flexible Working Practices Influence Employees’ Perceptions of Job Quality.” International Journal of Human Resource Management 19, no. 3 (2008): 419–31.
Kossek, E.E., and J. Michel. “Flexible Work Schedules.” Handbook Of Industrial-Organizational Psychology 1 (2010): 535–72.
Lake, A. Smarter Government and its Impacts. In Chapters in Smart Flexibility, 1st Edition. Gower Publishing Limited, 2013: 207–29.
Lambert, A.D., J.H. Marler, and H.G. Gueutal. “Individual Differences: Factors Affecting Employee Utilization of Flexible Work Arrangements.” Journal of Vocational Behavior 73 (2008): 107–17.
Leslie, L.M., C.F. Manchester, T.Y. Park, and S.A. Mehng. “Flexible Work Practices: A Source of Career Premiums or Penalties?” Academy of Management Journal no. 55 (2012): 1407–428.
Lewis, S., and I. Roper. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance. In M. Muller-Camen, R. Croucher, & S. Leigh (Eds.), Human Resource Management: A Case Study Approach London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2008: 181–99.
Maguire, M., and B. Delahunt. “Doing a Thematic Analysis: A Practical, Step-By-Step Guide for Learning and Teaching Scholars.” All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 8, no. 3 (2017): 3351–514.
Masuda, A.D., S.A.Y. Poelmans, T.D., Allen, P.E. Spector, L.M., Lapierre, C.L., Cooper, and I. Moreno-Velazquez. “Flexible Work Arrangements Availability and Their Relationship with Work-to-Family Conflict, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions: A Comparison of Three Country Clusters.” Applied Psychology 61 (2012): 1–29.
Mathis, Robert L., and John Harold Jackson. Human Resource Management (13th Edition). USA: Cengage Learning, 2011.
Maxwell, G., L. Rankine, S. Bell, and A. MacVicar. “The Incidence and Impact of Flexible Working Arrangements in Smaller Businesses.” Employee Relations 29, no. 2 (2007): 138–61.
Mayne, L., O. Tregaskis, and C. Brewster. “A Comparative Analysis of the Link Between Flexibility and HRM Strategy.” Employee Relations 18, no. 3, (1996): 5–24.
Ministry of Manpower Singapore. Work-life Grant: Better Work-life Harmony for all. In Singapore Work-life Grant Booklet, 2014.
Moen, K., and A.-L.Middleton. Qualitative Research Methods. In P. Laake, H. B. Benestad, & B. R. Olsen (Eds.), Medical and Biological Sciences: From Planning and Preparation to Grant Application and Publication. USA: Elsevier, 2015.
Obrenovic, B., D. Jianguo, A. Khudaykulov, and M.A.S. Khan. Work-Family Conflict Impact on Psychological Safety and Psychological Well-Being: A Job Performance Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 (2020): 1-18.
Pedersen, D. E., Minnote, K. L., Kiger, G., & Mannon, S. E. Workplace policy and environment, family role quality, and positive family-to-work spillover. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 30 (2009): 80–9.
Project Management Institute. Pulse of the Profession Report: Success rate rise - Transforming the high cost of low performance. 2017 PMI, (2017). https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse/pulse-of-the-profession-2017
Rogier, S.A., and M.Y. Padgett. “The Impact of Utilizing a Flexible Work Schedule on The Perceived Career Advancement Potential of Women.” Human Resource Development Quarterly 15, no. 1 (2004): 89–106.
Shagvaliyeva, S., and R. Yazdanifard. “Impact of Flexible Working Hours on Work-Life Balance.” American Journal of Industry and Business Management 5, no. 1 (2014): 20-3.
Sinclair, T.M. Labor Market Outlook 2016. Indeed Research, 2016.
Society Human Resource Management. SHRM Survey Findings: 2016 Strategic Benefits— Flexible Work Arrangements. 2016. https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/research-and-surveys/Documents/SHRM-Survey-Findings-Strategic-Benefits-Flexible-Work-Arrangements.pdf
Subramaniam, A.G., B.J. Overton, and C.B. Maniam. “Flexible Working Arrangements, Work Life Balance and Women in Malaysia.” International Journal of Social Science and Humanity 5, no. 1 (2015): 34–8.
Trade Union Congress. The Future of Flexible Work. 2021. https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-06/Flexibleworkingreport2.pdf
Tricor. 2019. https://www.tricorglobal.com/perspectives/employers-in-asia-cant-afford-to-ignore-the-rising-demand-for-flexible-work
Tripartite Advisory on FWAs. 2011. https://www.mom.gov.sg/~/media/mom/documents/employment-practices/tripartite-advisory-on-fwas.pdf
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
