Attraction and retention of health professionals in remote Northern Australia: HRM practices in a geographically challenging context

In geographically unattractive areas, the war for talent is increased as organisations compete to attract and retain experienced, competent health professionals in a sector with projected global workforce shortages. Human Resource Management strategies and recruitment practices offer organisations the opportunity to attract sufficient and appropriate applicants enhancing their ability to recruit for person-organisation fit. The aim of this study was to examine whether recruitment advertising is promoting the benefits of working in remote northern Australia using attraction factors comparable with the factors that those working in remote regions report as attractive. Psychological Contract Theory provides a theoretical basis for interpreting the data, particularly unmet expectations about working in geographically unattractive regions and the remote employment experience. This study found that while recruitment advertisements are using appropriate content to attract health professionals working in remote regions there is considerable scope for improvement. The findings suggest that organisations can improve their employer brand and reduce turnover through more focused recruitment advertising that seeks to attract health professionals using the factors that health professionals currently working in remote regions find attractive.

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HRIC 2016: 2nd Human Resources Division International Conference

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