EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN THE PAKISTAN TELECOM INDUSTRY: A Case Study on Mobilink

Abstract

Employee retention is one of the challenges facing many business organizations today. For many organizations, strategic staffing has become a concern because the ability to hold on to highly talented core employees can be crucial to future survival. This research study examines the current human resource management (HRM) practices of the Pakistani Telecom Industry by taking the example of Mobilink and considering the retention of their core employees. In particular, the research identifies the core elements of HRM practices, which strongly influence the decision for top employees to stay. The study is based on using the qualitative method and interviews were conducted to analyze the current retention techniques being employed at the company. The findings reveal greater insights into the HRM-retention relationship and provide empirical validation of the relationship. More specifically, the research identifies retention factors that influence the decision of top employees to stay. These specific factors consist of two types of practices: HR factors (e.g., person-organizational fit, remuneration, reward and recognition, training and career development, challenging job opportunities) and Organizational factors (e.g., leadership behavior, company culture and policies, teamwork relationship and satisfactory work environment). The findings of this study reveal positive significant co-relationships between the retention factors and organizational commitment. The study produces a model suitable for use by human resource practitioners in Pakistani industries as a guide in determining what initiatives an organization should adopt to retain their critical employees. This research has also made a contribution by illuminating the current employment relationships in global organizations and providing relevant empirical evidence to support the theory.