Navigating uncertainty : how HRM practices propel start-ups through lifecycle phases

Globovnik, Ema (author), Svetina Nabergoj, Anja (author)

This study explores the evolution of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in start-ups across different life cycle phases, focusing on recruitment, selection, training, and development. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), eight start-up founders were interviewed to understand how HRM strategies adapt as start-ups transition from early-stage to growth. The findings highlight that recruitment in the early stages is informal, relying on personal networks and recommendations, whereas formal selection processes, including psychological assessments, emerge as companies mature. Training and development are often limited by financial constraints in early stages, but as start-ups grow, structured learning programs, mentorship, and external training resources become more prominent. The study confirms the dynamic and evolving nature of HRM in start-ups and emphasizes the increasing role of HR professionals in structured hiring and employee development. The research provides practical insights for start-up founders, HR professionals, and policymakers to enhance HRM strategies in entrepreneurial settings.

• Language: English
• Keywords: entrepreneurship, start-up, personnel activities, start-ups, HRM, recruitment, training, development, life cycle phases, qualitative research
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: EF - School of Economics and Business
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 23.06.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 11-31
• Numbering: Vol. 19, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-177623
• UDC: 658.3
• ISSN on article: 1846-3355
• DOI: 10.22598/pi-be/2025.19.1.11
• COBISS.SI-ID: 240619779
• Publication date in RUL: 30.12.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Poslovna izvrsnost
• Shortened title: Posl. izvrsnost
• Publisher: University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics & Business
• ISSN: 1846-3355
• COBISS.SI-ID: 517381657

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Croatian
• Title: Navigacija kroz neizvjesnost : kako hrm prakse pokreću start-upe kroz faze životnog ciklusa

Abstract

Ova studija istražuje evoluciju praksi upravljanja ljudskim resursima (HRM) u start-upima kroz različite faze životnog ciklusa, s naglaskom na regrutaciju, selekciju, obuku i razvoj zaposlenika. Korištenjem interpretativne fenomenološke analize (IPA), provedeni su intervjui s osam osnivača start-upa kako bi se razumjelo kako se HRM strategije prilagođavaju tijekom prijelaza iz rane faze u fazu rasta. Rezultati pokazuju da je regrutacija u ranim fazama neformalna, oslanjajući se na osobne mreže i preporuke, dok u kasnijim fazama tvrtke usvajaju strukturirane procese selekcije, uključujući psihološke procjene. Trening i razvoj su često ograničeni financijskim resursima u početnim fazama, no kako start-upi rastu, strukturirani programi obuke, mentorstvo i vanjski resursi za razvoj postaju sve prisutniji. Studija potvrđuje dinamičnu i evoluirajuću prirodu HRM-a u start-upima te naglašava sve veću ulogu HR stručnjaka u strukturiranom zapošljavanju i razvoju zaposlenika. Istraživanje nudi praktične uvide za osnivače start-upa, HR profesionalce i donositelje politika s ciljem poboljšanja HRM strategija u poduzetničkom okruženju.

• Keywords: start-upi, HRM, regrutacija, trening, razvoj, faze životnog ciklusa, - kvalitativno istraživanje