The shifting terrain of commercial aviation: Implications for HRM

Grant, Kirsteen; Maxwell, Gill

Abstract

Safety is of paramount importance in commercial aviation. Human factors account for up to 80% of aviation accidents and incidents. Commercial aviation is experiencing rapid growth and change while facing intense competition from a large number of new entrant, low cost carriers. These changes have a profound impact on the HRM model utilized by airlines, with many resorting to harder models of HRM and more low cost work practices. This changing HRM landscape raises important concerns in relation to pilots’ readiness and ability to deal with unpredictability and critical incidents. Our paper explores personal accounts of critical incidents narrated during in-depth interviews with 28 UK-based commercial airline pilots. We identify key emergent implications for HRM in aviation and beyond.

Citation

Grant, K., & Maxwell, G. (2018, December). The shifting terrain of commercial aviation: Implications for HRM. Presented at CIPD Applied Research Conference, Nottingham Trent University

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: CIPD Applied Research Conference
• Start Date: Dec 5, 2018
• End Date: Dec 6, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Sep 14, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 6, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 13, 2018
• Book Title: Conference Proceedings
• Keywords: Aviation, workforce, human resources,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1438703
• Publisher URL: https://www.cipd.co.uk/learn/events-networks/applied-research-conference