Case for Human Resources as a Strategic Partner
In an era of organizational flux due to competition and globalization, companies and employees are faced with constant change. Leaders must be able to adapt to change as the environment shifts. HR has been known as the organizational change agent, administrative expert, and employee advocate. More recently they have been regarded as business strategic partners for many organizations. In order to be successful and remain competitive in today’s market, Human Resources (HR) must be considered a strategic partner if an organization wants to flourish. Top executives today commit significant resources to ensure that their company’s functions are capable of rapid change and achieving their
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Business strategies touch every entity of the business including HR which is where many of the business necessities begin. The HR function needs to be involved in the strategic management process as “each component of the process involves people related business issues” (Noe et al., 2002, 59) which is the primary function of HR. “Once the strategy has been determined, HRM has a profound impact on the implementation of the plan by developing and aligning HRM practices that ensure that the company has motivated employees with the necessary skills” (Noe et al., 2002, 83).
HR must enact its own strategies which can aid the organization in meeting its goals and mission. They are referred to as strategic human resource management (SHRM). SHRM is “a pattern of planned human resource deployments and activities intended to enable an organization to achieve its goals” (Noe et al., 2002, 55). The following are examples in which HR strategies can positively impact an organization in meeting its desired outcomes.
Strategies require more than retaining competent people. They require specific people with specific talents for specific tasks. Concentration strategies are a good example of how HR can affect change. They are an integral part in retaining employees by way if training to keep skills sharp and compensation to give those with
Human resource departments today have a more distinct, calculated position within organizations, and human resource strategy influences the bottom line. “One of the challenges for HR leaders is convincing executive leadership teams that human capital is one of the most important resources in which the company can invest” (Mayhew, 2014, p.). Subsequently, “this return on investment is an essential part of the argument for including HR as part of an overall business strategy” (Mayhew, 2014, p.). Human resource departments utilize the information given to them from company executives and leaders, coupled with their respective expertise on all things personnel, and they plan and implement staffing concerns for the betterment of the organization. From preparing job analysis, to comparing inventory and forecasting, it is the responsibility of human resources to consider the objectives of an organization and fulfill those goals while operating the specific planning relative to HR.
Human Resource (HR) strategic plan’s outline short term goals that have been aligned with their organization’s strategic plans. With the HR’s goals being aligned it also helps the representative know how much man power is needed from the budgeting process done through HR. The HR function of an organization is responsible for ensuring top talent is recruited and retained, which means ensuring success of an organization’s strategic plan.
In order to develop a human resource strategy; there must be a linkage of the entire human resource function with the firm’s business strategy in order to improve business strategy execution. The first recommendation
Today 's fast-paced, competitive business environment has resulted in "rediscovery" of the human resource management function as a group that may be able to enhance firm competitiveness and performance by being "strategic" (Dyer & Kochan, 1995; Ulrich, 1997). Strategic Human Resource Management is a term describing an integrated approach to the development of Human Resource Strategy that will enable the organization to achieve its goals (Armstrong, 2005). Whiles strategy is an action that managers take to attain one or more of the organization’s goals. Strategy presents a general direction set for the company and its various components to achieve a desired state in the future. This results from the detailed
The strategies adopted by our organisation can be influenced by both internal and external factors. HR are involved in the initial planning process and assisted with the formation of a business plan detailing objectives for departments to achieve.
‘HR strategy, a ‘people plan’, that will help you ensure you have the right people in your business, at the right time with the right skills to ensure you achieve your business goals’.
Wright and McMahan (1994) define strategic HRM as “the pattern of planned Human Resource deployments and activities intended to enable the organisation to achieve its goals.” A HR function should impact the success of an organisation; a policy must remain current and suitable to both the internal and external environment. Ulrich and Lake (1990) affirm, ‘HRM systems can be the source of organisational capabilities that allow organisations to learn and capitalise on new opportunities.’
In order to fulfill the organizational strategy successfully the Human Resource aspect needs to be given importance in order to ensure competitive advantage and alignment of Human Resource Strategy and Organizational Strategy.
Strategy is the skill and planning that are involved in governing resources. In a business sense this relates to "a set of ideas, policies and practices which management adopt in order to achieve a people management objective" in studying Human Resource Management it is important to differentiate between the 'operational' and the 'strategic' methods of managing a workforce. A Strategic focus will require operating HR initiatives with an eye to long term corporate strategies and objectives. To focus on strategy would mean tackle and
Whether an organization consists of five or 25,000 employees, human resources management is vital to the success of the organization. HR is important to all managers because it provides managers with the resources – the employees – necessary to produce the work for the managers and the organization. Beyond this role, HR is capable of becoming a strong strategic partner when it comes to “establishing the overall direction and objectives of key areas of human resource management in order to ensure that they not only are consistent with but also support the achievement of business goals.” (Massey, 1994, p. 27)
More firms’ business strategy can be better realized using the integrative model of HRM. Both employees and firms’ aspirations can be met if the right strategy is used. . HR professionals must be well trained to implement this strategy.
The strategic human resources management of the means every person from within organization from the top of management level to the bottom of ground staffs are doing things that make the organization successful. According to Schuler, R. S. (1992) strategic human resources management is defined about integration and adaption within organization .Its concern to ensure HR management is fully integrated with the strategy and these HR policies are adjusted and used by the employees and their line managers as part of their everyday work.
HR managers and HR professionals are taking much more of a proactive approach on the management team than ever before. The strategic HR approach is involved in variety of tasks ranging from strategic planning to decision making and coordinating all Human Resources functions for all employees (Schlesinger, Leonard A 1983).
The growing issues with Internet usage in the workplace has become a major concern for employers. Employers are discovering that employees are spending hours of wasted time surfing the Internet and sending inappropriate emails. Employers classify this type of behavior as, “Internet abuse,” and breaking company’s policies. While employees see this type of behavior harmless, employers see this as potential risks to their organization. Previous researched study show employees spend hours surfing the Internet and sending non-work related emails to co-workers, family, and friends. With millions of employees having access to their employer’s Internet, companies are seeing an increase in Internet usage causing potential legal