HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BEFORE AND AFTER COVID19: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND PAKISTAN

Abstract

The given research focuses on the analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices before and after the COVID-19 pandemic through the comparative analysis of organizational strategies in the United States and Pakistan. The pandemic and its effect on the world as a whole influenced the way the customary workplace was organized shifting the organizations towards the need to make immediate alterations in their HR policies to secure the continuity of functioning, safety of employees, and sustainability of the organization in general. The proposed research will help to detect the crucial changes in HRM policies, assess the strategies used to respond to the crisis, and present the similarities and differences between a developed economy and a developing one.

A qualitative comparative study design adopted the secondary data in the form of scholarly publications, industry reports, and case studies of organizations published to date (2022). The results show that in the United States, organizations hastened the process of digital transformation, embraced remote work and hybrid work arrangements, and focused on employee well-being by creating flexibility and implementing technology-driven solutions. Correspondingly, Pakistani organizations showed responsive yet limited reactions as a result of infrastructural constraints, regulatory difficulties, and different degrees of technological preparedness even though numerous ones started to take up more adaptable working practices and health-centered programs.

The research is relevant to global HRM, as it brings about cross-national information regarding the crisis-induced organizational change and workforce management. It provides also practical implications to the HR leaders and policymakers due to its focus on the relevance of strategic preparedness, technological investment, and responsive HR frameworks in supporting organizational resilience in the event of future disruptions.