HRD in Southeast Asia – 25 May 2021

Hi all,

Apologies for the hiatus. I wrapped up my book manuscript on Developing Human Resources in Southeast Asia on May 1 and have been playing catch up. That said, there has been a lot going on in the world of HRD in Southeast Asia in the last couple of months.

1. Labor protections for gig workers in Indonesia. Check out this piece in New Mandala on some of the issues facing gig workers. While many Southeast Asian countries have a vibrant informal economy, gig workers are a gray area that are largely unprotected from the whims of their employers who are competing for the lowest prices. This is especially important given that Indonesia’s ride-hailing app, Gojek, has just announced a merger with the the emerging e-commerce company Tokopedia. Clearly the emerging tech hub that is Southeast Asia will rely on harnessing the power of HRD to support the workforce needed.
2. Remote work might actually help build relationships in the region. This Nation Thailand piece has an unexpected view on the topic of remote work in Southeast Asia: it can actually help build relationships. In a region where face-to-face interactions are vital to support the relationship orientation of individuals, remote work can actually help. The author points out the advantages of translation/interpretation software, saving time by having fewer meetings and commuting less, and overcoming challenges together. A lot could be written in this space in terms of what organizations in the region could do to take advantage of technology for remote working instead of wishing to return to the status quo.
3. ASEAN must be transformed or replaced. That’s the title of a compelling Nikkei Asia article, which feels a little like “round and round we go” in the debate of ASEAN’s efficacy and purpose. However, I do think the times are changing and ASEAN has some big choices to make as an organization. “If ASEAN opts to maintain the status quo, it is destined for decline and disintegration.” Couldn’t agree more.

There are also some good academic articles out related to HRD in Southeast Asia:

• “Analysis of human resource development and planning as moderators of employee performance” by Arafat et al. (2021). Indonesian context.
• “Guidelines for the development of academic competencies In the new normal for lecturer of Rajabhat University, Thailand” by Sirivadee Wiwithkhunakorn et al. (2021)
• “Human capital quality development strategy in efforts to improve economic growth in Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province” by Alam et al. (2021)
• “Educational investment strategies for capacity building of Thailand’s tourism professions” by Pongpan Compan et al. (2021)
• “Model of human resource management and development with appropriate strategies for large-scale factories in Bangchan Industrial Estate in Thailand” by Ekkasit Sanamthong and Wattanasom Meksuwan (2021).
• “The challenges of human resource development in Indonesia” by Burgess et al. (2020)

The contexts of Thailand and Indonesia tend to dominate the literature in recent months but it’s clear that the need to develop the workplace knowledge, skills, abilities, and mindsets of people in Southeast Asia is only increasing as the region changes in response to COVID-19, the rise of Chinese influence, and most recently the challenges facing ASEAN re: Myanmar and threats to human rights and human life.

Onward.