Developing HRM practices in a Lebanese SME - a consultancy project -

Abstract

The future belongs to small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), they are the heart of every economy. This project is part of a large consultancy project conducted in a Lebanese SME with the purpose of developing formal human resource management (HRM) practices. An extensive literature review was executed studying the concepts of Strategic HRM and linking it to SMEs, globally and in the Lebanese context. Neglected research in this field lead to gap in literature between HRM and SMEs, hence this project strives to add value to the existing knowledge by presenting this project as an example that any firm, even with the least number of employees, can adopt. Presented here is a detailed methodology of developing job descriptions of occupied positions in the subject company and formalizing the recruiting strategy of sales assistants. This was executed through job analysis and interviews with selected employees and managers. The aim here is to show entrepreneurs and owners-mangers of SMEs the importance of HRM and investment in this function. Do not fear the financial burden of HR, SMEs can have formalized HRM practices, intension is the key.