Management of business projects in line with HRM: impact of human resources management practices on the productivity of cameroonian agri-food SMEs

Abstract

Since project management is generally stressful because of its countless activities, a subjective HRM of projects leads to great conflicts and tensions. Previous scientific work has focused more on project management for large companies. The opinions of project management experts are divergent between those who are skeptical about its link with HRM and those who maintain that HRM is a global lever for project success. This study aims to enrich this debate by focusing on the existence of a link between HRM and the management of SME projects. The general hypothesis of the study is based on the principle that the HRM practices of SMEs can result in objectivity in recruitment procedures, the relevance of remuneration systems, rigors in training actions and the development of skills determine the levels of organizational productivity. The methodological design adopted is the wish-based sampling technique of administering a questionnaire to a sample of 87 parties interested in the study. The results reveal that HRM practices have significant links with the productivity of SMEs. These results could be explained by specific characteristics of HRM in SMEs. By way of discussion, since few studies are done in SME project management, shouldn't future methodologists give prominence to the exploration of this research perspective?