Mina makes the most of human-resource management: Mini-market switches from competing on price to competing on service

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to describe how strategic human resource management has transformed the fortunes of three Greek micro-enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: The paper explains the problems faced by Mina mini-market, Franco leather manufacturing and Yiannis Hair Care, and how they overcame them. Findings: The paper highlights the key role that training can play in improving product quality and customer service and setting a struggling company back on the track to success. Practical implications: The paper reveals that training can go hand in hand with new bonus schemes, employee empowerment and better conditions of employment. Social implications: The paper details a number of approaches that small companies can adopt to help them to survive in a challenging economic context. Originality/value: The paper recounts how three Greek micro-businesses have achieved organizational change against the background of difficult economic circumstances.