Re‐visiting HIV/AIDS in the workplace and HR work in Thai business organizations

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims is to investigate human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and human resources (HR) management in Thai business organizations listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The first such survey was reported on in 1998.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through questionnaires mailed twice to 534 HR managers, yielding 211 usable responses (39.5 per cent).FindingsFindings of both surveys were compared to identify changes. HIV/AIDS is not perceived to be a serious problem by Thai business organizations, and their executives do not view HIV/AIDS as an important workplace issue. This reflects an improvement since 1998. HR management has also improved. These improvements are due, in part, to national policies driven by Thai public institutions more than a decade ago. While there are improvements, there is still room for improvement. Many Thai business organizations still do not prepare themselves, policy‐wise, to deal with HIV/AIDS systematically.Research limitations/implicationsThe data were based on the perceptions of HR managers; SET organizations are leading business organizations in Thailand, but most businesses are small to medium‐sized; as HIV/AIDS is a sensitive issue. The real number of HIV/AIDS cases may not be accurate; while the two surveys included the same population, there is no way to know whether the same companies responded, so differences may not be real; and the number of companies in the food and beverage industry is under‐represented as respondents.Practical implicationsThe paper may be useful to business companies, especially Thai; government agencies; and non‐government agencies by understanding their critical roles in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.Originality/valueThe paper findings may help businesses understand the HIV/AIDS situation in Thailand and their critical role in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS and lessening the difficulties that HIV/AIDS people face. They may also help government, public, and private HIV/AIDS‐prevention advocates to find ways to work together with business companies to strengthen and maintain HIV/AIDS policies and practices that can help control HIV/AIDS as Thailand has done in the recent past.