Human resource management practice I also available by michael armstrong

The strategic role

HR professionals have a strategic role when they are 

operating at a transformational (strategic) level as 

HR  directors  or  heads  of  the  HR  function,  heads  

of  centres  of  expertise  or  key  HR  functions,  and 

strategic  business  partners.  The  strategic  HRM 

skills and knowledge they need to carry out this role 

are described in Chapter 44. At a transactional level 

(as  an  HR  officer,  adviser  or  assistant  delivering 

basic HR services such as recruitment or training, 

or working in an HR shared service centre) their role 

is not primarily strategic but they can make a con-

tribution to the formulation and implementation of 

HR strategy.

Strategic level roles

The roles of HR professionals at a strategic level are:

 

●

To formulate and implement, in conjunction 

with their management colleagues, forward-

looking HR strategies that are based on insights 

into the needs of the organization, aligned to 

business objectives and integrated with one 

another. In doing so they adopt an ‘outside-in’ 

approach as described by Wright et al (2004) 

in which the starting point is the business, 

including the customer, competitor and 

business issues it faces. The HR strategy then 

derives directly from these challenges in order 

to create real solutions and add real value.

 

●

To contribute to the development of business 

strategies. They do this by advising on how 

the business can achieve its strategic goals  

by making the best use of its human 

resources and by demonstrating the 

particular contribution that can be made  

by the talented people it employs.

 

●

To work alongside their line management 

colleagues and provide on an everyday basis 

continuous support to the implementation  

of the business or operational strategy of  

the organization, function or unit.

The strategic contribution of HR 

advisers or assistants

The  role  of  HR  advisers  or  assistants  is  primarily 

that of delivering effective HR services within their 

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