Paternalism and professionalism at BCI and ABN Amro: Banks accommodate Latin American cultural traits in modern HR policies

Abstract

Purpose

The paper shows how two banks – Bank of Credit and Investments (BCI) and ABN Amro – have taken the paternalism widespread in Latin America into account in designing their HR policies and management practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reveals, through case studies of the two banks, how different contractual premises represent different sets of cultural expectations.

Findings

The paper emonstrates that the two approaches differ widely, but neither bank has compromised on performance.

Practical implications

The author contends that HR policies and practices need to be consistent with the premises underlying the labour contract and social bond in order to allow for productivity increases.

Originality/value

The pape advises organizations not to work against the paternalism that continues to exist in business in Latin America, but to acknowledge and accommodate it.

Citation

(2008), "Paternalism and professionalism at BCI and ABN Amro: Banks accommodate Latin American cultural traits in modern HR policies", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 16 No. 6, pp. 20-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730810900857