Swimming against the current: the positive effects of counter-cultural HR practices on the calculative/collaborative HR practices–firm performance relationship

Purpose This paper investigates the effect of counter-cultural human resources (CCHR) practices on firm performance. Specifically, it investigates the impact of national culture [future orientation (FO), in-group collectivism (I-GC), performance orientation (PO), power distance (PD) and uncertainty avoidance (UA)] on the calculative and collaborative HR practice–firm performance relationship. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from the CRANET and GLOBE studies to conduct a multi-level analysis of the impact of national culture on the calculative/collaborative HR–firm performance relationship. Findings It finds support for both the CCHR and societal-culture fit (SCF) perspectives of national culture, with FO and I-GC supporting the CCHR perspective and the other culture dimensions aligning more closely with SCF. Originality/value These findings empirically validate that CCHR practices can help supplement behaviors lacking in the cultural environment in which organizations operate.