Eureka! Institutional Repository

The economic recession that has hit our country in recent years has brought about radical changes both at individual and collective levels. These changes have not only affected Greek economy but the Greek society as well. These two levels are closely interrelated, as people’s lives are structured upon their work and depend both on the sense of fulfillment they receive and on the financial capability it provides them with. This paper explores the attitudes of secondary school teachers towards their involvement in shaping the objectives and strategies of their school unit in the context of the protracted economic recession. Through the analysis of the theoretical background, concepts such as Strategic Management of Human Resources, the Human Asset as a key element to the organization and also the Development of Human Resources as a means of obtaining a competitive advantage have emerged. Additional concepts discussed in this paper include Human Resources and Fundamental Human Resource Management Functions and Goals in educational organizations. Also, teachers’ job satisfaction amidst the protracted economic slowdown constitutes a further point of interest. Given the analysis of the data collected through a questionnaire shared with secondary school teachers, this research attempts to address the factors that influence their attitudes. In particular, the human capital is considered a catalyst in the formulation of the organization's objectives and strategies during the period of the protracted economic recession; and the organization (school unit) as a (working) environment that provides the appropriate conditions and procedures for teachers’ involvement in shaping goals and strategies during the period of the protracted economic recession. In addition, it is evident that teachers' attitudes differ significantly with regard to the above factors, thus emphasizing the uniqueness of each person's personality as well as their distinct perceptions and attitudes.