Human resource management and coordination for innovation activities: gleanings from Malaysian cases

This study explores human resource management (HRM) andcoordination for research and development (R&D) or innovationrelatedactivities in companies operating in Malaysia. The casestudies conducted show that internal mechanisms like recruitmentand training can be seen as hygiene factors in all threeorganisations. Reward systems were not discussed as critical in allthree cases. In order for the organisations to up their level oftechnological or innovation capability, external mechanisms forhuman resource development can be seen as critical. This variedin terms of developing links with a foreign university for trainingand also joint projects in the case of large conglomerates, theforeign subsidiary sending personnel to the R&D centre of theheadquarters and links with the government research institute,which was critical. In all the cases, the role of the topmanagement in supporting the R&D (formal or informal) functionwas crucial for innovation capabilities.