Human resource management practice in Lithuania: evidences and challenges

As human resources have been already recognized as the most valuable factor for organizational success, HRM in order to cope with new challenges has to focus more and more attention to the choice and application of up-to-date practices that would allow the most efficient use of the human resources of organizations. The purpose of this article is to define the level of usage of different HRM practices in business companies in Lithuania and to assess the perception of their effectiveness by HR specialists and professionals. The methodology is based on cross-sectional analysis of HRM practices in great variety of business sectors and included the survey of more than 500 respondents responsible for HRM. Research findings revealed that in recruitment field old fashioned peer recommendations are competing with application of newest internet-based technologies as the most effective practices for finding the best candidates. Job interviews have almost total application in the businesses as selection practice and it is seen as the most effective tool by specialists and professionals. The most common formal employees appraisal practices seem do not have big support between specialists and professionals. Here, more specific, customtailored solutions are preferred by the companies. Both, on-the-job training and off-the-job training are very highly valued by respondents. Research results let to outline some major trends and regularities important for understanding of HRM in contemporary business environment in Lithuania.