Human Resource Management

Question 1:   There is a perception that Human Resource is an Administrative Function. Discuss the importance of escalating an Organisation Human Resource Function to a strategic level and aligning their HR Strategy with overall Business Strategy.   Discuss how Ravenall has managed to achieve this.

To answer this question/statement holistically, a discussion of what human resource management is and it’s role in the organisation; as well as the importance of escalating   this to a strategic level and how Ravenall achieved this will be discussed in the following order:

a)   What is Human Resource Management?

b) The role of Human Resource Management within an organisation

c) Importance of escalating an Organisation Human Resource Function to a strategic level and aligning HR strategy with the overall business strategy.

d) How CEO, Suzanne Ravenall has managed to achieve this at Beyond Outsourcing.

a) What is Human Resource Management?

Human Resource Management is not just a new label for old-fashioned personnel practices. While the classic personnel department of the 1970s dealt with personnel issues as a separate and purely administrative function, Human Resource Management aims at a close integration of HR policies with business strategy and other internal and external factors which affect the organization (institutional environment, production technology, etc). Human Resource Management (HRM) is the function within an organization that focuses on recruitment of, management of, and providing direction for the people who work in the organization. Human Resource Management can also be performed by line managers.

Noe, et al (2006:5) define Human Resource Management as referring to the policies, practices, and systems that influence employees’ behaviour, attitudes, and performance.

In other words, Human Resource Management is more than just about managing people; it includes anything and everything that influences behaviour, attitudes and... [continues]

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