Onnis, Leigh-ann, and Oorschot, Jane (2025) How does place shape human resource management?: A qualitative study in tropical northern Queensland. Report. James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Executive Summary

Introduction: HR in the Tropics is a multiphase study examining human resources (HR) in tropical northern Australia. This report presents the findings from the second phase of the study which sought to understand how where HR people work, shapes how HR people work. The Phase 2 study used a regional lens to look closely at the concept of ‘place’ through the experiences of HR practitioners. This report shares insights to inform HR professionals, managers and small business owners in northern Queensland. The insights are supported by stories from HR practitioners that exemplify the typical experiences of HR practitioners in northern Queensland, which the HR practitioners themselves perceive as being shaped by ‘place’.

Method: The qualitative interview-based study used a collaborative research design with university researchers working closely with a four-member regional HR industry panel. Using a purposive non-probability sampling method twenty-four HR practitioners who met the selection criteria participated in the study. Online interviews were conducted from July to November 2024. A research framework guided coding for the thematic analysis of 23 transcripts and field notes for one interview where permission was not received to audio record the interview.

Findings: The study identified twelve HR practices, of which ten were perceived by participants to be specific to northern Queensland. The HR practices perceived by participants to be unique to northern Queensland were examined using the self-others-environment framework (Gustafson, 2001) which provides an analytical framework to investigate ‘what makes place meaningful’. An analysis using the Self-Others-Environment framework found that there were sixteen themes perceived to be specifically associated with HR in northern Queensland: Self (Person-Fit); Self-Others (communication, relationships, Community); Others (population, relaxed/less corporate); Others-Environment (technology, scope of role, leadership mindset); Environment (infrastructure, weather/climate); Environment-Self (Geographical attractiveness, distance, professional isolation); and Self-Others-Environment (culture and lifestyle, connection to northern Queensland) (Onnis et al., 2025).

Conclusion: Overall, the Phase 2 study found that how HR practitioners implement HR practices is influenced by place which was supported by examples provided by HR practitioners living and working in northern Queensland. While the study supports the proposition that place influences HR practices, especially during policy implementation, further research is needed to understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’, and whether the experiences of HR practitioners in northern Queensland are translatable to another ‘place’. The findings from the study have identified opportunities for further research to contribute to the HR body of knowledge with theoretical and practical applications.

Item ID:	89594
Item Type:	Report (Report)
ISBN:	978-1-923389-11-3
Keywords:	HRM, human resources, workforce sustainability, northern Australia, recruitment, retention
Copyright Information:	© James Cook University.
Date Deposited:	25 May 2026 04:36
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350503 Human resources management @ 100%
SEO Codes:	11 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 1103 Property, business support services and trade > 110302 Professional, scientific and technical services @ 100%
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