Does place shape HR in the Tropics?

Over the past few months, Dr Leigh-ann Onnis and Dr Jane Oorschot have been busy sharing the findings from the second phase of the Human Resources (HR) in the Tropics research project. In Phase 2, both researchers collaborated with a HR Industry Panel comprising the AHRI (Australian HR Institute) Network convenors in Cairns (Lisa Mannering & Amy Rein) and Townsville (Trina Matthews & Christine Dillon). The qualitative interview study of 24 HR professionals living and working in northern Queensland sought to examine if, and how, place shapes human resource management (HRM) practices.

Developing Northern Australia Conference
In July, Leigh-ann and Jane presented a poster entitled, ‘HR in the Tropics: HR leading workforce strategies for northern Australia’, at the Developing Northern Australia Conference in Cairns. Using Gustafson’s (2001) self-others-environment theoretical framework, sixteen themes that captured the aspects of place that are perceived to be shaping how HR is practiced in northern Queensland were depicted in the poster in a conceptual model. 

In addition, the poster highlighted a key finding from the study that has practice implications - place is integral to how HR practices are implemented. In the poster presentation, the researchers argued that given the increasing evidence that context shapes HR practices, consideration of the influence of place in the northern Australian context is essential to build a HR workforce with the skills and expertise to inform policy
decisions, build capability and lead workforce development strategies to advance Australia’s north.

Cairns AHRI Network event
In late July, Drs Onnis and Oorschot gave a brief overview of the study and the findings to HR practitioners at a Cairns AHRI (Australian HR Institute) Network event. The informal nature of the event provided an opportunity to discuss the findings and field questions from the HR practitioners in attendance, and an opportunity for the research team to discuss workforce challenges in northern Australia.

Inspiration on Tap
In August, Leigh-ann Onnis and Lisa Mannering presented at JCU’s Inspiration on Tap at the Salt House in Cairns for National Skills Week. Their presentation, ‘Skilling the North: Bring skills in or develop from within?’ considered one of the key findings that emerged through the HR in the Tropics project – workforce development to support industry growth and innovation in northern Queensland. In the study, the research team found that the enduring question for workforce development is about talent acquisition and capability– do they recruit the skills into the region, or invest in developing the current workforce?

A poll conducted at the end of the presentation found that attendees considered the way forward to include a combination of developing from within by creating development opportunities within their organisation, and growing our own (talent and skills) in the region; as well as (to a lesser extent) recruiting talent into the region (workforce migration).

For more information on HR in the Tropics, contact leads are leighann.onnis@jcu.edu.au or jane.oorschot1@jcu.edu.au

November 2025