Strategic Human Resource Management

Durga,

Thank you for your query. We have a number of books in the library which will help you with this …I have sent you a listing, together with details of how to borrow books from us.

Most of these will include something on how to define strategic human resource management. For example:

Strategic human resource management: building research based practice, Aston Centre for Human Resources
London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2008
Aimed primarily at students, this textbook covers the topic of strategic human resource management (HRM), examining the relationship between strategic HRM, strategic management and organisational behaviour. A general introduction to strategic HRM precedes a presentation of three broad topic areas: the strategy policy divide, which examines strategic resourcing and learning and development (L&D) within the organisation; an examination of the connection between HRM and business performance; and the contextualisation of strategic HRM which includes a look at this issue from an international standpoint. Case studies, figures, and tables of data are incorporated, together with a series of questions which reflect upon the main themes raised within the text.

This book includes perspectives from a number of different writers. The opening chapter has a section starting on page 14 which is headed “What is strategic HRM” which starts by saying that the field is still evolving and there is a lack of agreement among scholars on an acceptable definition. However, it goes on to say, “Broadly speaking, SHRM is about systematically linking people with the organisation, more specifically it is about the integration of HRM strategies into the corporate strategies. HRM strategies are essentially plans and programmes which address and solve fundamental strategic issues related to the management of human resources in an organisation.” An article by R S Schuller in Organizational Dynamics, Summer92, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p18-32 is cited and I have sent you a copy of the article.

I’ve downloaded a couple more articles on strategic HRM from the e-journals database and will forward these to you in separate messages. You can of course do further searches for yourself by logging in at www.managers.org.uk/ejournals.

The 5th edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Business and Management published in 2009 (page 534) defines SHRM as:
“A systematic attempt to integrate the use of human resources with the wider long-term business strategy of an organization.”

The Conscise Blackwell Encyclopedia of Management published in 1998 (page 628) has a long entry on strategic human resource planning processes which starts as follows:

“The term strategic human resource planning processes refers to the efforts of firms to identify the human resource implications of organizational changes and of key business issues, in order to align their human resources with needs resulting from those changes and issues.”

‘Aligning human resources with business strategy’  by Linda Holbeche should also be helpful, particularly with the implementation part of your query. This is available as an e-book on our website at www.managers.org.uk/ebooks . Here is the summary:

What difference can the aspiring HR strategist really make to business value? This book answers this question and provides the tools and insights to help HR managers and directors add value to the organisation by implementing effective HR initiatives that are aligned to core business strategies. The areas covered include the context for strategic HRM, measuring the impact of strategic HRM, aligning business and HR strategy, recruitment and retention strategies, strategies for developing people, high potential assessment and succession planning, and working across boundaries.