Human Resource Processes in Small and Medium Enterprises in Mali: The Case of Pharmaceutical Import and Wholesale Establishments

Abstract

While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up the bulk of the economic fabric in most countries of the world and contribute more than large enterprises to job creation, the dominant literature tends to maintain that the HR function is emerging, poorly structured and reveals informal practices. This research sheds light on the debates surrounding human resource management processes in Malian SMEs, particularly in the pharmaceutical import and wholesale establishments of Bamako. Three types of processes are identified: recruitment, training and skills development, and finally remuneration. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study that lasted 10 months (July 2021-June 2022). A survey was conducted with 28 people, including 15 managers, 5 supervisors and 8 executives.

The results show that the companies studied are more frequently putting in place a global policy in terms of recruitment, training and skills development; and thus, gradually, a remuneration system more relevant to the regulations in force and the changes in the economic context has been established. Our results show that there are differences in the practices of the companies, and that there is also a commitment on the part of staff to improve the recruitment process. However, improvements are to be expected, as Human Resources Management functions are devolved to personnel with technical and scientific knowledge. No forward-looking management of jobs and skills has been put in place. This strongly deteriorates the performance in human resources management.

Keywords: Human resources process, Drug import and wholesale establishments, Bamako, Mali.

JEL Classification: O15

Paper type: Empirical research.