A1 Journal article (refereed)
Company values guiding the recruitment of employees with a foreign background (2019)
Lämsä, A.-M., Mattila, M., Lähdesmäki, M., & Suutari, T. (2019). Company values guiding the recruitment of employees with a foreign background. Baltic Journal of Management, 14(4), 658-675. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-04-2019-0112
The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Lämsä, Anna-Maija; Mattila, Markku; Lähdesmäki, Merja; Suutari, Timo
Journal or series: Baltic Journal of Management
ISSN: 1746-5265
eISSN: 1746-5273
Publication year: 2019
Volume: 14
Issue number: 4
Pages range: 658-675
Publisher: Emerald
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-04-2019-0112
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67327
Abstract
Purpose: In this paper, the following research question is addressed: Why do business organisations recruit employees with a foreign background? This was examined in terms of the values that guide organisations and their management. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: The study focused on two businesses in Finland that are pioneers in the recruitment of immigrants. A case study approach was adopted. The research data consist of interviews and documentary data. The data were analysed using content analysis in accordance with grounded theory. Findings: Companies can act as an enabling force in the integration of immigrants into the local labour market, especially when the company’s value basis extends beyond only economic values. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted only in two case companies in Finland. Practical implications: Companies have the potential to affect local people’s attitudes towards immigrants as workers. This is important because many western societies are likely to face a labour shortage in the future due to the ageing population and low birth rate. Originality/value: Prior research has mostly investigated the topic from the viewpoints of the immigrants themselves and of policy makers. The value of this study is that it makes the employers’ viewpoint visible. The dominant theories applied in the field of immigrant recruitment are inadequate to explain employers’ behaviour because of their underlying assumption of the overwhelming importance of economic values in decision making.
Keywords: recruitment of employees; providing employment; immigrants; immigrant background; enterprises; leadership (activity); values (conceptions)
Free keywords: Finland; values; recruitment; case study; diversity management; employee with a foreign background
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Social and Economic Sustainability of Future Worklife: Policies, Equalities and Intersectionalities in Finland (WEALL)
- Lämsä, Anna-Maija
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2019
JUFO rating: 1