The relationship between employee expectations and culture: the case of MNC employees in Bangladesh

Abstract

Through individual narratives this study explores the culturally significant elements of human resource management (HRM) practices among employees of Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) operating in Bangladesh,an emerging South Asian economy. The study seeks to understand how the national cultural context in which the employees live influences their expectations of their employers (psychological contract). Cultural dimensions for Bangladesh were extrapolated from Hofstede’s cultural dimensions framework for Pakistan and India. Using interviews from management level employees from three major MNCs operating in Bangladesh a thematic analysis identified four critical elements of HR practices that can affect an employee’s psychological contract significantly. The emerged themes that were found to be directly or indirectly affected by the cultural orientation of the employees were the work environment, family considerations, social recognition, and financial stability.