Cranet is the largest HRM network in the world and the only one that has been collecting comparative data on HRM in different countries for three decades. Articles based on the Cranet data have been published in the world’s best journals and presented at most prestigious academic conferences. Cranet is also proud to have presented its data at practitioner conferences around the world and to have had it published in local journals, in newspaper and through the broadcast media. Switzerland is represented in the network by the Center for Human Resource Management (CEHRM) of the University of Lucerne, which had the pleasure to host this year’s network meeting.

Over thirty scholars form Europe, North and South America, and Australia joined the meeting in Lucerne to discuss future developments of the network, challenges and solutions regarding publishing, research designs and current topics in the HRM. Network gathering was followed by a research workshop with Prof. Christ Brewster, Henley Business School UK, as a keynote speaker and Prof. Elaine Farndale, Pennsylvania State University, as a chair and reviewer for presented research papers. Vivid discussions followed the presented research centering on “hot topics” in HRM such as workplace health, temporary organizations, automatization, talent management, gig work and working time. A variety of methodological approaches were presented including qualitative studies, literature reviews, randomized and field experiments. Rounding up the discussions, Prof. Chris Brewster provided a review of the 30 years comparative HRM research and an outlook for future research opportunities. Finally, the participants of the meeting had the opportunity to engage in further exchange during the organized social program including a city sightseeing tour and a boat trip on the Lake Lucerne.

The organization committee, which included the members of the CEHRM (Prof. Dr. Bruno Staffelbach, Dr. Anna Sender, Dr. Anja Feierabend, Sandra Furrer and Esther Kunz) acknowledges the generous contribution of the Research Committe of the University of Lucerne.

Impressions