Business Strategies in HR in Times of Crisis: The Case of Agri-Food Industry in Central Greece

Crisis, in whatever form it takes, is a challenge for modern business. The challenge lies in the fact that a company is prepared to balance the difficult conditions that are created, while preserving their business interest and efficiency. Thus, companies focus only on their perceived fixed bases, those that are in the internal environment such as the human capital. The need for better human resource management is more urgent than ever, and the burden on the business department is particularly great. The aim of this qualitative research is to highlight the strategies that were developed by agri-food companies in Greece and contribute to the maintenance and motivation of employees in the context of economic crisis. The methodology of this study is based on in depth interviews that were conducted in focus group discussion. Eleven companies from the agri-food sector in the region of Central Greece participated in the research. The executives highlighted three different strategies that were developed by agri-food companies in Greece, which focused on internal mobility, training and appraisal performance. Companies had to face different difficulties to use these strategies, but most of them proved that they can face their weaknesses and apply these strategies in a turbulent period like a financial crisis.