Exploring HRM Practices, Strategic Approaches, and Industry Insights in the UK,
Human resource management (HRM) refers to the comprehensive and all-encompassing method of effectively handling an organization's most important asset, its employees. It entails organising and overseeing a variety of HR tasks, including as recruitment and selection, instruction and growth, performance oversight, pay and benefits administration, relations with staff, and HR planning (What Is Human Resource Management? 2023). The report will discuss about the UK-based John Lewis Partnership plc owns and runs convenience shops, supermarkets, and departmental stores. Offering a variety of products and services, it trades under the trademarks John Lewis and Waitrose. The company is renowned for its dedication to excellence and client fulfilment as well as its employee ownership structure.
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HRM seeks to recruit in, nurture, inspire, and retain talented people who add to the achievement of the business. In the context of an organisation, the many facets of human resource management (HRM) will be extensively studied in this paper. Using Storey's model as an outline, the report will discuss the key distinctions among HRM and personnel management. The essential contrasts between both approaches will be thoroughly examined in this section, along with their ramifications for organisations. This section will examine the connection between HRM tactics and practises and the strategic aims and objectives of the company. It will examine how HRM can cooperate with the company's long-term objectives in order to support the success of the organisation.
The company's "Model of Employment" will be critically addressed utilising Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) concepts. This section will look at the organisational levers available to build a long-term competitive edge through sound HRM practises and analyse the business's approach for managing its employees and examination of the organisational culture and how it affects the SHRM of the firm. This reportwill look at the business's culture and how it affects the activities and results of HRM. It will evaluate how the organisational culture impacts human resources management processes and worker conduct as well as how well it fits with the company's strategic goals.
The purpose of this reportis to provide readers a thorough grasp of HRM inside the business and its strategic repercussions. The study will be supported up by relevant company examples from literature and conceptual frameworks like Storey's model and SHRM frameworks. The report's findings and recommendations will offer beneficial recommendations to improve HRM procedures and enhancing the company as a whole.
Task 1
The employees of a business can be managed using either the methods of human resource management (HRM) or personnel management (PM).
To differentiate between HRM and PM, Storey (1992) put up an established framework. Beliefs and presumptions, tactical considerations, line management duties, and key levers are the model's four core dimensions (Boon, et. al. 2019). These factors offer an advantageous basis for analysing the differences among HRM and PM.
The contrasts between HRM and PM have been the subject of various researches, the majority of which demonstrate Storey's concept. Ozkeser (2019) assessed that personnel management is more focused on efficiency in administration, and HRM emphasises the tactical blending of HR procedures and procedures with overall corporate goals. Parallel to this, Aboramadan, et. al. (2020) suggested that while PM emphasises upholding compliance and control, HRM concentrates on developing a workplace that is highly effective by matching HR practises with organisational objectives. Armstrong and Brown, (2019) found that HRM has been associated to higher levels of employee empowerment and participation, as well as an emphasis on skill development and well-being for workers. In contrast, PM frequently places greater emphasis on compliance, job security, and procedural standardisation.
Although Storey's model offers an invaluable basis for comprehending the distinctions between HRM and PM, it has come into criticism for being oversimplified and without evidence to back it up. Critics contend that in reality, the distinction between HRM and PM is less clear-cut since many organisations use hybrid approaches that include aspects of both (Hamouche, 2021). Furthermore, the environment whereby HRM and PM operate in might affect how far they differ from one another. For instance, due to legislative and cultural constraints, multinational businesses may follow HRM procedures at an international level while utilising PM methodologies in a few local subsidiaries (Alqudah, et. al. 2022). Future studies should go more deeply into the contextual elements that affect how HRM or PM practices are adopted in organisations. Researchers and practitioners alike would benefit immensely from examining how these techniques affect employee outcomes, organisational effectiveness, and relationships between staff and employers.
Task 2
John Lewis is a well-known British retailer known for its unique business strategy, employee ownership, and customer-oriented philosophy. The objective of this critical study is to take a look at John Lewis' strategic objectives and how they may affect HRM procedures.
The strategic goals of John Lewis are in line with modern HRM techniques that prioritise employee involvement, customer service, and innovation. The business recognises the importance of coordinating HRM practises to support outstanding service delivery by placing an extreme value on customer experience and satisfaction (Aguinis, et. al. 2022). The challenge, however, is in ensuring that customer-centric practises are carried out consistently at all organisational levels.
The success of John Lewis is greatly impacted by employee empowerment and engagement, but it is crucial to assess the systems in place that promote employee participation and decision-making. To promote true employee engagement and prevent superficiality, HRM should regularly evaluate the efficiency of channels of communication, employee forums, and empowering programmes.
It is important to find and keep talent, particularly in a tight labour market. Although John Lewis has become known for its alluring worker ownership model, HRM must assess its success in luring and keeping people given the importance of additional factors like pay, job advancement possibilities, and work-life balance (Paulet, et. al. 2021). Innovation and digital transformation are crucial for maintaining competitiveness. To make sure that staff members possess the digital mindset and skills essential to foster creativity and successfully adapt to technological changes, HRM should critically assess the outcomes of its training programmes and initiatives.
The long-term objectives of John Lewis emphasise the significance of HRM in coordinating its procedures to enable digital transformation, staff engagement, and customer experience. Despite the reality that the organisation has put in place a number of campaigns, rigorous analysis and assessment are still required to guarantee the effectiveness and ongoing improvement of HRM methods.
Task 3
An effective workforce that offers organisations a long-term competitive edge in any market is generated through strategic human resource management.
To improve performance and gain a competitive edge, HR practices should be in line with the overall strategy of an organisation, according to the "Best Fit" model. The "Model of Employment" of John Lewis is built on the business's distinctive employee ownership structure and customer-centric philosophy. The "Partnership" approach, as John Lewis calls it, places a strong emphasis on staff engagement, employee empowerment, and a dedication to providing superior customer service.
The "Partnership" approach supports the company's fundamental values and strategic aims by emphasizing strategic HR practices (Ichsan, et. al. 2020). This corresponds to the "Best Fit" perspective. For instance, John Lewis' collaborative ownership structure, in which employees consider themselves as partners and have a share in the company's success, is in line with its focus on employee involvement and engagement.
Although the "Best Fit" approach connects HR practices with the company's goal, it may encounter challenges in a corporate environment that is undergoing rapid transformation. The stability of the company plan and outside variables are crucial to the model's performance (Khanra, et. al. 2022). Due to the disruption in the digital revolution and the changing tastes of customers in the traditional retail environment, John Lewis must constantly adapt and innovate.
This theory emphasises that a company's resources, especially its human resources, maybe a source of competitive advantage over time. The employee ownership structure that is reserved to John Lewis, the company's engaged staff, and its customer-focused culture may all be viewed as important and uncommon resources that help the business maintain its competitive edge (Gerhart and Feng, 2021). John Lewis may put the organisational into practice to fully utilise the potential of its human resources for long-term competitive advantage:
Employees' abilities and expertise may be improved by investment in continuous learning and development, making them better prepared to respond to shifting market needs. To enable staff to make a contribution to the success of the business in a competitive market, John Lewis may offer training programmes that emphasise the use of technology, customer experience enhancement, and innovation.
A sustained competitive advantage is highly influenced from the extent to which work engagement takes place among workers. To make sure that employees feel appreciated and included in the process of making choices, John Lewis may use a variety of methods. This in turn includes as employee surveys, input channels, and recognition programmes. Engaged staff members are more inclined to deliver outstanding customer service, increasing client loyalty and enhancing brand reputation.
Securing top talent while maintaining them on board is essential for long-term success. To attract individuals who share the culture and principles of the business, John Lewis can deploy cutting-edge talent acquisition methods, such as employee referral schemes and employer branding campaigns (Collins, 2021). A great work environment, development opportunities, and competitive salary packages may all aid in keeping key personnel.
By using data analytics and technology related to HRM processes firms can improve efficiency and effectiveness pertaining to decision-making aspects. John Lewis, for instance, may utilise analytics to pinpoint areas where employee productivity, customer happiness, and overall business operations need to be improved. Technology may also streamline HR procedures, allowing HR specialists to focus on key projects.
In line with John Lewis' emphasis on its staff's partnership approach, the RBV model recognises the strategic significance of human resources. On the contrary, maintaining a competitive edge primarily based on human resources may be difficult over the long run (Gueler and Schneider, 2021). Although the employee ownership structure and customer-focused culture of John Lewis are great assets, they must be matched by other elements like creativity, operational effectiveness, and market adaption to maintain a competitive edge.
Task 4
An organization's organisational culture has a significant impact on the strategic management of human resources (SHRM) practises used by the business. This critical study intends to examine the organisational culture of John Lewis and how it affects SHRM, recognising the culture's vital elements and assessing how it affects HR practices inside the business.
John Lewis is renowned for its outstanding and unusual organisational culture, which is firmly based on its commitment to employee cooperation and collaborative ownership model. Values like trust, inclusion, integrity, and a keen focus on pleasing clients define the culture of a company. It encourages a sense of community, a sense of purpose, and a dedication to offering first-rate service.
High levels of staff engagement, a customer-centric strategy, driven by values leadership, and an emphasis on learning and development are just a few of the positive impacts of John Lewis' organisational culture on SHRM (Ployhart, 2021). The business's strong employer brand and ability to recruit and maintain bright people who share its beliefs are both affected by its cooperative business model and values-driven culture.
However it is crucial to consider any potential difficulties and limitations. While encouraging employee participation and commitment, the cooperative culture may have trouble being persistent and adaptable in a company environment that undergoes fast change. When compared to organisations with a more structured hierarchy, the emphasis on agreement and diversity may lead to longer processes for making decisions.
Additionally, the effect of organisational culture on SHRM may change across various divisions or organisational levels. The degree to which the culture has been ingrained and effectively applied throughout the organisation must be assessed.
Task 5
A widely recognised business example that highlights the impact of its own organisational culture on HRM is the John Lewis Partnership. The company's culture focuses on employee collaboration and shared ideals as it uses a cooperative ownership model (John Lewis Partnership, 2023). This culture appears in a number of HRM practices, including profit-sharing, employee participation in making choices, and open lines of communication. The core of John Lewis' HRM strategy is empowering staff members and involvement, which is consistent with the business's cooperative culture.
Due to a difficult year, John Lewis, a department-store company that also owns Waitrose convenience stores, is announcing the cancellation of worker incentives for a second time. The business recorded a £234 million pre-tax deficit. Despite getting more visitors, the shops saw lesser expenditure. According to Dame Sharon White, the Partnership chair, the economy has forced the company to explore employment losses and a likely decrease in the number of staff members, who are known as "partners" within the organisation (John Lewis axes staff bonus and plan to cut jobs, 2023). This is a break from the organization's long-standing practice of awarding incentives since the program's start in 1953.
In reaction to a more difficult economic environment, John Lewis and Waitrose have declared plans to reduce 1,000 positions. By January 2026, the company will have raised its savings goal from £300 million to £900 million. The cost reductions will be attained through an array of methods, including rising manufacturing and passing off assets like the Berkshire Golf Club. In addition, John Lewis has a long-term objective of obtaining 40% of its revenue by 2030 via sources other than physical stores.
Waitrose had a fall in spending by consumers during the year that ended in January despite a rise in the number of customers. Customers chose to buy cheaper goods, which resulted in a 15% fall in the average basket size. Waitrose's annual sales fell by 3% as a result, accomplishing £7.31 billion. Customers switched some of their expenditures to bargain merchants, somewhat reversing the considerable surge in purchasing food online that occurred during the pandemic years. The cost of living crisis has negatively impacted John Lewis, making worse-than-expected results. Customer has increased their overall buying, especially at Waitrose, where amounts diminished by 10% for the year. The retailer is also battling rising costs, including an increase of almost £180 million in costs such as energy bills as well as wages. To address these difficulties, the business has already accomplished £300 million in savings.
Task 6
Recommendation
Suggestions for John Lewis in relation to HRM:
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Conclusion
The key distinctions among HRM and PM are clarified by Storey's approach. Strategic direction, managerial participation, and an emphasis on the employee constitute HRM. While PM tended to be more managerial and control-oriented, relying upon specialised HR functions, HRM uses a strategic and proactive approach, incorporating direct reports and emphasising employee development and commitment. In addition, it is crucial to acknowledge how HRM and PM practices are growing and the possibility for hybrid strategies in actual organizational situations.
The strategic goals of John Lewis emphasise the significance of HRM in integrating its procedures to enable digital change, employee engagement, and customer experience. Considering the fact that the organisation has put in place a number of initiatives, rigorous analysis and assessment remain necessary to guarantee the efficacy and continual enhancement of HRM methods. John Lewis may enhance its HRM processes to promote organisational performance while maintaining its place as a top retailer by addressing any gaps and challenges. The requirement for ongoing innovation, market changes, and external influences necessitate a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond traditional HRM procedures. In order to strengthen its competitive edge and achieve long-term success in a constantly shifting business environment, John Lewis combines strategic HRM practises with an emphasis on excellence in operations, innovation, and market adaption.
John Lewis can preserve its great brand name and create a robust and prosperous future by putting a priority on staff involvement and sustainability while concentrating on customer service, online visibility, cost optimisation, and strategic alliances. John Lewis may create a productive work environment that recruits, develops, and keeps outstanding people by putting these HRM ideas into practice. A driven and high-performing staff may be attained through boosting staff engagement, making investments in learning and growth, supporting work-life balance, and promoting diversity and inclusion. Additionally, putting a focus on efficient interaction, change management, and employee well-being may promote a company's adaptability and resilience. In the end, these HRM determines may help John Lewis thrive overall and continue to exist.
References
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