Exploring HRM Practices in Academia: Comparative Insights From the Employees of Polish, Maltese, and Finnish Universities

Purpose: The aim of this article is threefold: to gain detailed insights into academic employees’ experiences and perceptions of human resource (HR) practices; to identify the challenges and opportunities perceived by academic actors in these practices; and to provide recommendations for further research. Design/methodology/approach: The study involved 17 key informants from Polish (8), Maltese (5), and Finnish (4) universities. Data were analysed using semantic thematic analysis, resulting in a rich and nuanced understanding of the experiences shared by participants. Findings: Findings reveal that respondents are primarily motivated to pursue academic careers due to institutional reputation, professional development opportunities, a desire for a ‘dream job’ and a passion for teaching. However, significant shortcomings in HR practices were identified, particularly in recruitment processes that favour inbreeding and onboarding limited to administrative tasks. While salary dissatisfaction is prevalent, many are motivated by the chance to positively impact teaching and research. Nonetheless, substantial barriers to career development exist, with excessive bureaucracy stifling innovation. The study highlights the need for a culture of cybersecurity awareness to protect sensitive data and emphasizes the importance of proactive diversity initiatives for promoting inclusivity. Contribution: This study contributes by drawing attention to new and important aspects, such as proactive initiatives for diversity and inclusivity and the need for a culture of cybersecurity awareness, which are often overlooked in HR research within the academic environment.