Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations

Abstract

Human resource management (HRM) as a discipline within economic research has developed over the past 30 to 50 years with the focus being primarily on business enterprises. In the meantime, many enterprises, especially larger ones, have become highly professional in doing HRM. Following this trend, the role that HRM plays within scientific research has also increased. This development was mainly driven by two forces. First, the expenditures for personnel especially in nonproductive industries often consume more than half of the revenue or total costs. Second, personnel has an enormous influence on organizational performance. In a situation of intense competition, it is therefore important for companies to concentrate on HRM in order to improve their own performance and to reduce their costs.