Addressing contextual pressures and challenges in social care: the prospects of multi-actor engagement with strategic HRM

Article

Baluch, A., Scholarios, D., Cunningham, I., James, P., Jendro, E. and Johnstone, S. 2025. Addressing contextual pressures and challenges in social care: the prospects of multi-actor engagement with strategic HRM. Human Resource Management. 64 (6), pp. 1747-1765. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.70000
TypeArticle
TitleAddressing contextual pressures and challenges in social care: the prospects of multi-actor engagement with strategic HRM
AuthorsBaluch, A., Scholarios, D., Cunningham, I., James, P., Jendro, E. and Johnstone, S.
Abstract

Drawing on an exemplary case of strategic HRM in a nonprofit social care provider responding to a recruitment and retention crisis, this article offers evidence for a multi-actor, recursive model of HRM implementation. We examine how multi-actor engagement with strategic HRM reinforces or modifies intended HRM, and how this engagement is shaped by external and internal contextual pressures in nonprofit social care organizations. Through an in-depth qualitative study, we shed light on the internal process dynamics that not only engender a shared understanding of intended HRM strategy and practice among key organizational actors (convergence) but also allow for local deviation (divergence) that forges a more adequate response to workforce challenges. Our study contributes to theory on the social dynamics of HRM implementation within wider institutional contexts while highlighting the limits of a business-oriented HRM system for delivering a sustainable workforce within social care.

Sustainable Development Goals9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
PublisherWiley
JournalHuman Resource Management
ISSN0090-4848
Electronic1099-050X
Publication dates
Online29 Jul 2025
Print03 Nov 2025
Publication process dates
Submitted09 Apr 2025
Accepted09 Jul 2025
Deposited18 Aug 2025
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

© 2025 The Author(s). Human Resource Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.70000
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/299zyy

Log in to edit

Download files

Publisher's version
Human Resource Management - 2025 - Baluch - Addressing Contextual Pressures and Challenges in Social Care The Prospects of.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 440
    total views
  • 19
    total downloads
  • 7
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Fundamental principles and realities of practice: work health and safety in low- and middle-income countries
Walters, D., James, P. and Johnstone, R. 2025. Fundamental principles and realities of practice: work health and safety in low- and middle-income countries. Work in the Global Economy. 5 (1), pp. 120-143. https://doi.org/10.1332/27324176y2024d000000024
The challenge of improving work health and safety in global supply chains: Institutions and evidence of effectiveness
Walters, D., Johnstone, R. and James, P. 2024. The challenge of improving work health and safety in global supply chains: Institutions and evidence of effectiveness. Economic and Industrial Democracy. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831x241247645
Introducing Fair Work through ‘soft’ regulation in outsourced public service networks: Explaining unintended outcomes in the implementation of the Scottish living wage policy
Cunningham, I., James, P., Baluch, A. and Cullen, A. 2022. Introducing Fair Work through ‘soft’ regulation in outsourced public service networks: Explaining unintended outcomes in the implementation of the Scottish living wage policy. Industrial Law Journal. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwac023
The influence of 'soft' fair work regulation on union recovery: a case of re-recognition in the Scottish voluntary social care sector
Cunningham, I., James, P. and Baluch, A. 2022. The influence of 'soft' fair work regulation on union recovery: a case of re-recognition in the Scottish voluntary social care sector. Industrial Relations Journal. 53 (3), pp. 261-277. https://doi.org/10.1111/irj.12362
Supply chain regulation in Scottish social care: Facilitators and barriers
James, P., Baluch, A., Cunningham, I. and Cullen, A. 2021. Supply chain regulation in Scottish social care: Facilitators and barriers. Economic and Industrial Democracy. 43 (3), pp. 1319-1339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831x21997564
Legal sanction, international organisations and the Bangladesh Accord
Croucher, R., Houssart, M., Miles, L. and James, P. 2019. Legal sanction, international organisations and the Bangladesh Accord. Industrial Law Journal. 48 (4), pp. 549-570. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwz003
Micropolitical dynamics of interlingual translation processes in an MNC subsidiary
Ciuk, S., James, P. and Śliwa, M. 2019. Micropolitical dynamics of interlingual translation processes in an MNC subsidiary. British Journal of Management. 30 (4), pp. 926-942. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12323
Examining public service motivation in the voluntary sector: implications for public management
Lapworth, L., James, P. and Wylie, N. 2018. Examining public service motivation in the voluntary sector: implications for public management. Public Management Review. 20 (11), pp. 1663-1682. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2017.1417466
Regulating factory safety in the Bangladeshi garment industry
James, P., Miles, L., Croucher, R. and Houssart, M. 2019. Regulating factory safety in the Bangladeshi garment industry. Regulation & Governance. 13 (3), pp. 431-444. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12183
Outsourcing transitions and the employment relationship implications
Mitchell, I. and James, P. 2017. Outsourcing transitions and the employment relationship implications. Human Resource Management Journal. 27 (4), pp. 614-629. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12146
Health & safety at work: time for change
James, P. and Walters, D. 2016. Health & safety at work: time for change. Liverpool Institute of Employment rights.
Analysing public service outsourcing: the value of a regulatory perspective
Cunningham, I. and James, P. 2017. Analysing public service outsourcing: the value of a regulatory perspective. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 35 (6), pp. 958-974. https://doi.org/10.1177/0263774X16671138
Protecting life and death under the coalition
James, P. 2016. Protecting life and death under the coalition. in: Employment Relations under Coalition Government Abingdon Routledge.
A contingency analysis of precarious organizational temporariness
Karmowska, J., Child, J. and James, P. 2017. A contingency analysis of precarious organizational temporariness. British Journal of Management. 28 (2), pp. 213-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12185
British union renewal: does salvation really lie beyond the workplace?
James, P. and Karmowska, J. 2016. British union renewal: does salvation really lie beyond the workplace? Industrial Relations Journal. 47 (2), pp. 102-116. https://doi.org/10.1111/irj.12128
Employment regulation and productivity: is there a case for deregulation?
Brookes, M., James, P. and Rizov, M. 2018. Employment regulation and productivity: is there a case for deregulation? Economic and Industrial Democracy. 39 (3), pp. 381-403. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X16631029
Supply chain leverage and regulating health and safety management in shipping
Walters, D., James, P., Sampson, H., Bhattacharya, S., Xue, C. and Wadsworth, E. 2016. Supply chain leverage and regulating health and safety management in shipping. Relations Industrielles / Industrial Relations. 71 (1), pp. 33-56. https://doi.org/10.7202/1035901ar
Interlingual translation and the transfer of value-infused practices: an in-depth qualitative exploration
Ciuk, S. and James, P. 2015. Interlingual translation and the transfer of value-infused practices: an in-depth qualitative exploration. Management Learning. 46 (5), pp. 565-581. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507614560304
Making headway: regulatory compliance in the shipping industry
Sampson, H., Walters, D., James, P. and Wadsworth, E. 2014. Making headway: regulatory compliance in the shipping industry. Social and Legal Studies. 23 (3), pp. 383-402. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663914529684
The shift in regulatory focus from employment to work relationships: critiquing reforms to Australian and UK occupational safety and health laws
Harpur, P. and James, P. 2014. The shift in regulatory focus from employment to work relationships: critiquing reforms to Australian and UK occupational safety and health laws. Comparative Labor Law and Policy Journal. 36 (1), pp. 111-130.
Regulating the employment dynamics of domestic supply chains
James, P., Walters, D., Sampson, H. and Wadsworth, E. 2015. Regulating the employment dynamics of domestic supply chains. Journal of Industrial Relations. 57 (4), pp. 526-543. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022185615582235
Protecting workers through supply chains: lessons from two construction case studies
James, P., Walters, D., Sampson, H. and Wadsworth, E. 2015. Protecting workers through supply chains: lessons from two construction case studies. Economic and Industrial Democracy. 36 (4), pp. 727-747. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X14532296
Public services outsourcing in an era of austerity: the case of British social care
Cunningham, I. and James, P. 2014. Public services outsourcing in an era of austerity: the case of British social care. Competition and Change. 18 (1), pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1179/1024529413Z.00000000045
What motivates employers to establish preventive arrangements? An examination of the case of supply chains
Walters, D. and James, P. 2011. What motivates employers to establish preventive arrangements? An examination of the case of supply chains. Safety Science. 49 (7), pp. 988-994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2010.12.004
A comparative examination of the use of academic sabbaticals
Spencer, M., Clay, H., Hearne, G. and James, P. 2012. A comparative examination of the use of academic sabbaticals. International journal of management education. 10 (3), pp. 147-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2012.06.003
Regulating supply chains to improve health and safety.
James, P., Johnstone, R., Quinlan, M. and Walters, D. 2007. Regulating supply chains to improve health and safety. Industrial Law Journal. 36 (2), pp. 163-187. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwm002
Cultural influences on health and safety attitudes and behaviour in small firms.
Vickers, I., Owen, R., Smallbone, D., James, P., Ekanem, I., Bertotti, M. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2003. Cultural influences on health and safety attitudes and behaviour in small firms. London Health & Safety Executive Research Report, HSE Books.
Regulating health and safety in small firms.
Smallbone, D., Vickers, I., James, P. and Owen, R. 2005. Regulating health and safety in small firms. in: Gray, C. and Bannock, G. (ed.) Government regulation and the small firm Milton Keynes, UK Open University Business School.
Transferring Western HRM practices to developing countries: the case of a privatised utility in Jordan
Baddar Al-Husan, F., Brennan, R. and James, P. 2009. Transferring Western HRM practices to developing countries: the case of a privatised utility in Jordan. Personnel Review. 38 (2), pp. 104-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480910931299
Modernising work in public services: redefining roles and relationships in Britain's changing workplace
Dibben, P., Wood, G., Roper, I. and James, P. 2007. Modernising work in public services: redefining roles and relationships in Britain's changing workplace. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan.
Involving the socially excluded in transport decision making
Dibben, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Involving the socially excluded in transport decision making. Local governance. 30 (1), pp. 32-41.
Compulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government.
Higgins, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Compulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government. Asia pacific journal of public administration. 26 (2), pp. 95-114.
An investigation into the compatibility of consultation and performance comparison in the UK's policy of best value
Higgins, P., Roper, I. and James, P. 2005. An investigation into the compatibility of consultation and performance comparison in the UK's policy of best value. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 29 (2) (2), pp. 148-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2004.00423.x
Best value: is it delivering?
Higgins, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Best value: is it delivering? Public Money & Management. 24 (4), pp. 251-258. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9302.2004.00427.x
Influences on small firm compliance-related behaviour: the case of workplace health and safety.
Owen, R., James, P., Smallbone, D. and Vickers, I. 2006. Influences on small firm compliance-related behaviour: the case of workplace health and safety. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 24 (6), pp. 827-846. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0564
Understanding small firm responses to regulation: the case of workplace health and safety
Vickers, I., Smallbone, D., James, P. and Owen, R. 2005. Understanding small firm responses to regulation: the case of workplace health and safety. Policy Studies. 26 (2), pp. 149-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/01442870500127626
Workplace partnership and public service provision: the case of the 'Best Value' performance regime in British local government
Roper, I., Higgins, P. and James, P. 2005. Workplace partnership and public service provision: the case of the 'Best Value' performance regime in British local government. Work, Employment and Society. 19 (3), pp. 639-649. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017005055677
Promoting family friendly policies: is the basis of the Government's ethical standpoint viable?
Roper, I., Cunningham, I. and James, P. 2003. Promoting family friendly policies: is the basis of the Government's ethical standpoint viable? Personnel Review. 32 (2), pp. 211-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480310460225
Shaping the bargaining agenda. The Audit Commission and public service reform in British local government
Roper, I., Higgins, P. and James, P. 2007. Shaping the bargaining agenda. The Audit Commission and public service reform in British local government. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 18 (9), pp. 1589-1607. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190701570650
The role of competition in best value: how far does it differ to CCT?
Higgins, P., Roper, I. and James, P. 2005. The role of competition in best value: how far does it differ to CCT? Local Government Studies. 31 (2), pp. 219-235. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930500032148