Organizational Outcomes Essay Example

in addition to the way an organization competes and where the organization competes, that the assets and skills of the business are the basis of competition and provide the foundation for sustainable competitive advantage. They theorized that organizations increased levels of human resource management practices will (a) increase motivation; (b) improve knowledge, skills, and abilities; (c) reduce shirking; (d) enhance retention; and (e) encourage non-performers to leave.

Other researchers suggest that human resource management practices can add to the sustained competitive advantage of the organization when they add value to production and produce rare skills that are not easily imitated by the competition or easily replaced by technology (Wright & MacMahan, 1992). Gowen and Tallon (2002) found that management and employee support were found to be critical for the implementation of all four levels of employee training: (a) problem solving skills, (b) leadership skills, (c) team-building skills, and (d) job skills.Additionally, Gowen and Tallon (2002) suggested that training plays an important role in firm success. Hatch and Dyer (2004) studied the effect of positive employee relations on firm level competitive advantage and found a significantly positive link between organizations that have good employee relations and firm level performance. On the other hand, Huselid (1995) and Karami, Anoloui, and Cusworth (2004) studied impact of human resource management processes on firm performance.

Huselid (1995) found human resource management systems to have a significant impact on intermediate employee outcomes (turnover and productivity) and short and long term measures of corporate financial performance (profits, cash flow to sales, and firm market value). In a following study, Huselid, Jackson, and Schuler (1997) found positive associations between human resource management practices, such as

training and staffing selectivity, and the perception of firm performance in for profit and not for profit organizations.Huselid, Jackson, and Schuler (1997) evaluated the impact of human resource managers' capabilities on HR management effectiveness and the impact of that effectiveness on corporate financial performance. In this study, effectiveness of human resource management was significantly related to the capabilities and attributes of the HR staff.

Additionally, Huselid, Jackson, and Schuler (1997) reported a significantly positive relationship between HR management effectiveness and productivity, cash flow, and market value.Karami, et al. (2004) examined the relationship between strategic human resource management and the sustained competitive advantage of electronic manufacturing firms and reported a positive relationship between core competencies and firm performance, company performance and product and service quality, HR effectiveness and the linkage between HR and business strategy, and HR involvement in the design and implementation of business strategies and organizational effectiveness.Karami, Anoloui, and Cusworth (2004) therefore suggest that the HR capabilities of a firm, are a considerable resource that may determine the competitive advantage of a firm, and increasing HR competencies and capabilities will lead to a firm's success in achieving its goals and objectives in a competitive landscape. One of the few studies that examined the entire human resource system was conducted at Wells Fargo Bank using largely proprietary tools termed PACA (People as a Competitive Advantage).

In this study, Lawson and Hepp (2001) reported that PACA tools (competency models used for team member selection, management, and development, a proprietary 360 degree feedback and development process, learning tools developed to guide and improve management, newly designed HR policies and procedures, and a new performance appraisal process aligned with the

Wells Fargo business system) and PACA management practices (workforce and business planning; competency based interviewing; leader-team member supervisory principles; identifying, developing, and implementing development plans; and improving the frequency and quality of team member communication relative to organizational goals, objectives, and work related decisions) had a positive and significant impact on employee commitment, return pn expenses (ROE), return on assets (ROA), and on the bank's efficiency ratio (ER).These findings are consistent with other HR practice effects, but also offer a direct and independent relationship between human resource practices and organizational outcomes suggesting that effective human resource decisions that drive leadership and management practices can help ensure a unique and sustainable competitive advantage. Conclusion Intense competitive forces, an increasingly global economy, and a relative decrease in the availability of knowledgeable and skilled employees place compounding pressures on organizations to gain, maintain, and sustain a competitive advantage over competitors.Previous research regarding human resource management and competitive advantage suggests intense competitive forces, an increasingly global economy, and a relative decrease in the availability of knowledgeable and skilled employees places compounding pressures on organizations to gain, maintain, and sustain a competitive advantage over competitors. However, other researchers have suggested human resource selection and management practices can be an integral part of a firm's successful competitive strategy. The findings from this study suggest that there is a link between human resources, job, and firm performance, thus HRM is important to organization’s success.

The entire human resource management system consisting of inputs (knowledge, skills, and motivation), human resource management practices, job performance, and firm performance. Employee skills and motivation along with organizational and financial human resource management processes have significant relationships with

both job performance and firm performance. Suggesting that organizations that use human resource management practices to develop and maintain a highly skilled and motivated workforce will experience higher levels of job performance and firm performance. Human resource selection and management practices can be an integral part of a firm's successful competitive strategy.

However, managers must be able to communicate a significant link between human resources and job and firm performance in order to gain the attention and investment dollars of business leaders. The primary purpose of manager is to identify what human resource factors, both individual and organizational, are key to gaining a sustaining competitive advantage. Effective implementation of HRM practices, should help future managers to develop the much needed reliable and valid measures of HRM.

References

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