Human Resource Flexibility in Inter-Organisational Networks

Obtaining benefits from collaboration between organisations is a common business strategy, requiring flexible management practices and workforce skills & behaviours. Historically, organisations have relied on internally oriented flexibility. The research identifies a new model of external HR flexibility that incorporates HR management practices and workforce skills & behaviours specifically tuned to inter-organisational collaboration. Multi-level analysis linking workforce, organisational and network factors were combined with novel investigative methods, engaging over 150 senior HR and business leaders to confirm the new model. Application of the research findings will enable organisations to further increase innovation potential and benefits from collaborative, external partnering.