Strategic Human Resource Development in Organisational Crisis Management: Insights from the Malaysian Food and Beverage Industry

In today’s interconnected, high-speed global environment, organizations of all sizes are increasingly vulnerable to crises that threaten their stability and success. Crisis management has the potential to drive organizational transformation; however, inadequate understanding of crisis procedures can compromise resilience and survival. This study explores the strategic role of Human Resource (HR) functions in crisis management within Malaysia’s food and beverage sector. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen decision-makers across ten organizations involved in crisis response. Employing Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) and NVivo software, we identified key HR contributions to crisis navigation, including challenges of inconsistent information, rapid decision-making demands, and the need for strong human resource management (HRM) practices. The findings underscore how integrating HR strategies within crisis management frameworks enhances organizational resilience and mitigates risk. This research enriches data-driven management by showing how qualitative insights from HR can elevate crisis preparedness and response.

Human resource management, crisis management, qualitative Analysis, change management, Covid-19, Corporate Responsibility

1. Arora, A., & Suri, R. (2023). Crisis Preparedness in Organizations: A Review and Future Directions. Journal of Business Research, 145, 1123-1135. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Bhaduri, R. (2022). Understanding the Strategic Role of Human Resource Development in Crisis Management. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 33(2), 175-193. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bhaduri, R. M. (2019). Leveraging culture and leadership in crisis management. European Journal of Training and Development, 43(5/6), 554-569. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Chapman, E. F., Sisk, F. A., Schatten, J., & Miles, E. W. (2018). Human resource development and human resource management levers for sustained competitive advantage: Combining isomorphism and differentiation. Journal of Management & Organization, 24(4), 533-550. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Chapman, R. J., & Ward, S. (2020). Project Risk Management: Processes, Techniques, and Insights. Wiley. This book provides a comprehensive overview of risk management practices and strategies relevant to crisis situations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Chikudate, N. (2019). Corporate Wrongdoing and Reputational Risk: A Genealogical Analysis of Toyota’s Recall Crisis in 2010 Responsible People (pp. 259-277): Springer. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Cleeren, K., Dekimpe, M. G. & van Heerde, H. J. (2017). Marketing research on product-harm crises: a review, managerial implications, and an agenda for future research. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 45(5), 593-615. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Cleeren, K., et al. (2021). The Role of HRM in Crisis Management: A Review and Future Research Directions. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(10), 2156-2181. Link to article [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Emmel, N., Hughes, K., Greenhalgh, J., & Sales, A. (2007). Accessing socially excluded people—Trust and the gatekeeper in the researcher-participant relationship. Sociological Research Online, 12(2), 43-55. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Fener, T., & Cevik, T. (2015). Leadership in Crisis Management: Separation of Leadership and Executive Concepts. Procedia Economics and Finance, 26, 695-701. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hong, P., Huang, C. & Li, B. (2012). Crisis management for SMEs: Insights from a multiple-case study. International Journal of Business Excellence, 5(5), 535-553. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hosie, P., & Smith, C. (2004). Preparing for crises with online security management education. Research and Practice in HRM, 12(2), 90-127. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hosie, P. & Pforr, C. (2016). Human resource development: Proactive preparation to manage crises Crisis Management in the Tourism Industry (pp. 93-108): Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Hughes, R. L., Gosney, A., & Sims, J. (2022). The Impact of Human Resource Development on Organizational Resilience in Times of Crisis. International Journal of Management Reviews, 24(4), 665-688. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. James, E. H., Wooten, L. P., and Dushek, K. (2011). Crisis management: Informing a new leadership research agenda. Academy of Management Annals, 5(1), 455-493. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Johansen, W., Aggerholm, H., & Frandsen, F. (2012). Entering New Territory: A Study of Internal Crisis Management and Crisis Communication in Organizations. Public Relations Review, 38, 270–279. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Lockwood, N. R. (2020). Crisis Management and Organizational Culture: The Role of HR. SHRM Research Quarterly. This report explores the intersection of HR practices and crisis management. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Mackenzie, K. D., Garavan, T. N., & Carbery, R. (2021). Developing a Framework for Understanding the Role of HR in Crisis Management. Journal of Business Research, 129, 942-951. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. MacKenzie, C., Garavan, T. N., &Carbery, R. (2014). The global financial and economic crisis: did HRD play a role? Advances in Developing Human Resources, 16(1), 34-53. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. McCracken, M., & Wallace, M. (2000). Towards a redefinition of strategic HRD. Journal of European Industrial Training, 24(5), 281-290. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Mitsakis, F. V. (2020). Human resource development (HRD) resilience: a new ‘success element’of organizational resilience? Human Resource Development International, 23(3), 321-328. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Mitsakis, F. (2021). The Role of Human Resource Development in Organizational Resilience. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 11(1), 1-15 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Simon, L., and Pauchant, T. C. (2000). Developing the three levels of learning in crisis management: A case study of the Hagersville tire fire. REVIEW OF BUSINESS-SAINT JOHNS UNIVERSITY, 21(3), 6-11. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Tworzydło, D., & Szuba, P. (2019). The role of crisis prevention from the perspective of the biggest polish companies and public relations agencies on the basis of expert research. Marketing Instytucji Naukowych i Badawczych(1 (31)), 109-130. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Vardarlıer, P. (2016). Strategic approach to human resources management during crisis. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 235, 463-472. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Wang, J., and Hutchins, H. M. (2010). Crisis management in higher education: What have we learned from Virginia Tech? Advances in Developing Human Resources, 12(5), 552-572. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Wang, J., Hutchins, H. M., & Garavan, T. N. (2009). Exploring the strategic role of human resource development in organizational crisis management. Human Resource Development Review, 8(1), 22-53. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Is Strike Relevant in the Modern Era? Evidence from Indian Manufacturing, IT/Ites, FMCG, Electronics and Emerging Sectors
• A Qualitative Exploration of Work-Life Balance Among Private Universities Lecturers in Klang Valley
• Leadership Styles and Employee Motivation: Examining the Impact on Job Satisfaction and Turnover
• Human Resource Management, Organizational Culture, and Good Governance Practices: A Structural Equation Model on Service Orientation among Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation in Davao Region
• Cost of Silence: Exploring the Impact of Organisational Silence on Employee Engagement