Human resource management innovation in regional Australia

Abstract

This case study investigates the challenges of attracting and retaining staff in regional labour markets. It outlines how a regional company thrived, expanding in a competitive market, and confidently deciding to compete not on cost but on a different value proposition for its employees and its clients. Our case study referred to anonymously as ‘RegionalOrg’ has its head office in North Queensland. The study included multiple sources of data, including company policy and strategy documents, as well as interviews and focus groups with key personnel involved in the development and application of RegionalOrg’s human resource (HR) policies and processes. Despite regional skills shortages, RegionalOrg has been successful in attracting and retaining quality staff. The chapter sheds light on RegionalOrg’s HR recruitment and retention strategies and challenges. It outlines RegionalOrg’s clear business strategy, and how that business strategy and value proposition is the basis of its attraction and retention of employees