The Impact of COVID-19 on HRM Practices and Working Conditions: Moderating Role of Ethical Orientation

Abstract

As a result of the lack of rules and sometimes conflict of values owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges impacting the HRM practices and working conditions of the companies were generated. This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HRM practices and working conditions and analyze the moderating role of ethical orientation that affects this relationship. A survey of 172 managers and HRM practitioners from Saudi Arabian companies was conducted as the data collection method. To investigate the direct effect of COVID-19 pandemic on HRM practices and working conditions, and its moderating effect through development of ethical orientation we used linear regression analysis. The findings indicate that ethical orientation plays a moderating role and impact positively and strongly the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the enhancement of the organizational structure, the organizational leadership, the HRM practices, the corporate culture and the responsibility for health.