Which Combinations of Human Resource Management and National Culture Optimize Government Effectiveness?

Abstract

Despite the need for culturally-grounded public sector management practices, only a few studies have empirically investigated the compatibility between HRM practices and national culture. This study used fsQCA to investigate ‘bundles’ of HRM practices (recruitment, appraisal, and compensation) and Hofstede’s original four dimensions of national culture as antecedent conditions for government effectiveness in 30 OECD countries. We found that performance-based appraisal, compensation and informal recruitment form a causal relationship with high individualism and low uncertainty avoidance for stronger government effectiveness. The results imply that local national culture is an important context for the transferability of public management practices.