The Influence of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Values on HR Policies and Employee Engagement

Sri Lankan workplace culture is firmly rooted in respect and hierarchy, which have been shaped by historical norms, religious traditions, and social conventions. These components encourage consistency and order in businesses, but they can also provide problems for contemporary HRM, particularly when organizations wish to implement employee-centred and globalized methods. This blog explores the difficulties HRM has in striking a balance between tradition and modernity, as well as the effects hierarchy and respect have on Sri Lankan workplaces. The Influence of Respect and Hierarchy In Sri Lankan organizations, which are typically hierarchical with respect for authority, seniority determines decision-making (Fernando & Cohen, 2011). Instead of having frank discussions or questioning choices, staff members typically take a top-down approach, showing deference to senior management. By promoting order and discipline, this tactic facilitates workplace harmony. In Sri Lankan society, ...

What is collectivism? Collectivist cultures place more value on interdependence, loyalty, and harmony within the collective than on individual achievement. In order to keep the peace, choices are frequently made by consensus and indirect communication, and people identify themselves through their relationships with their families, communities, and workplaces (Hofstede, 2001; Triandis, 1995). Collectivist cultures, which are prevalent in many Asian, African, and Latin American nations, prioritize cooperation and shared responsibility over rivalry (Gelfand et al., 2007).                                                                       Working relationships and teamwork flourish in Sri Lanka's    strong collectivist culture...