Organizational Psychology

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a sudden global threat to business which raised theissue of organizational resilience — the ability not only to maintain productivity during a crisis, but also to ensure strategic development. Human resources play a key role in these processes, butthe accumulated experience did not give an answer to the question of how to manage them in the current situation. Purpose. The purpose of research is to study human resource management (HRM) practices in Russian companies in response to the coronavirus crisis and to determine their role in the development of an organization’s ability to be resilient. Study design. The empirical research design is based on qualitative methodology. Based on the data of the Association of Managers People Investor 2020 competition project applications 18 cases were studied on the anti-crisis measures taken in the field of HRM. Using a comparative analysis of cases, both common and unique HRM practices, their characteristics and methods of implementation were identified. Findings. The findingswere compared with a theoretical model on the impact of an organization’s cognitive, behavioral and contextual capabilities in developing resilience. As a result, a list of HRM practices was formed, the implementation of which entails the development of the organizational capacity for resilience, which isnecessary to successfully overcome the crisis and prepare for future shocks. The considered theoretical model was supplemented by a description of HRM practices, most of which contain a set of tools for their implementation. The importance of developing contextual conditions for resilience during acrisis is emphasized, among which the most important practice in a modern crisis is the creation of a safe internal environment for an organization through the introduction of well-being practices, which demonstrated the role of organizational ambidexterity in enhancing resilience. The main contribution of the research presented in the report to the scientific literature on organizational resilience is the definition of modern practices of human resource management in a situation of uncertainty with afocus on the overall business strategy of companies. Practical implementation. From a practical point of view, the research results can be the basis for maintaining organizational resilience by identifying tools for implementing people management practices and enhancing the role of HRM.