Changing Role of HR Management in Response

Changing role of HR management in response to trends in globalization, technology, diversity, e-Business, and ethics

Human resources management of any organization has many functions which it continues to perform. One major function is that is provides the organization with the necessary human resources for it to continue in its day-to-day activities. The business environment in which companies operate is quite dynamic and is exposed to various internal and external factors which make the HR role of the organization also to be quite dynamic. Some of the factors that change the HR role include globalization, technology, diversity, e-business, and ethics.

Globalization

Companies undergo a pattern of growth which sees them start out as small companies with little complexity and diversity. A business is required to be constantly aware of the effect of globalization and the importance of innovation and change in these times of globalization. Globalization also requires the organizations to pick a strategy of cost management where they are able to balance out their cost with sustainability of the business Youndt et al., 1996.

Globalization also helps organizations to expand to other regions and countries.

The role of the human resources department will also need to change to give the business a chance for adapting to the changes as a result of globalization. One is by the organization hiring new staff to provide the necessary human resources for the new locations. It also helps to standardize the practice across all branches or offices of the organization by holding training sessions and interactive workshops through which the staff are taught on how they should carry themselves in the day-to-day activities in the way which best standardizes the practice.

Technology

Technology is a growing trend in any organization. The organization needs to keep up with changes in technology as a result of the positive effects that technology brings to the organization such as optimizing the processes of the organization and allowing the organization to expand in new ways. Technology also helps organizations to become cost leaders by decreasing the running costs for the organization. Technology also changes how data in the organization is entered, stored and manipulated.

The human resources department, therefore, has to change their role to adopt the changes in technology through various strategies such as employee development through training employees to be knowledgeable on the new forms of technology in use in the organization. It also includes the adoption of a human resources information system (HRIS) which helps the organization to manage its human resource activities such as e-recruiting, payroll, complaints and compliments from staff, etc. The staff and management in the human resources department need to be properly trained on the HRIS in order for them to be able to carry out their role in the organization Mirvis, 1997()

Diversity

The human resources management of any organization needs to consider that all members of the organization come from different cultural and historical backgrounds. Thus these people have different beliefs and thoughts as per their different values. The HR role thus has change in order to ensure the organization balances out their workforce by making sure they fully utilize the talent and skills of their employees Marrewijk and Timmers, 2003.

It also helps to ensure that there is no form of discrimination in the workplace despite the difference in cultures. This helps the organization to be an equal opportunity employer through ensuring the employees get equal pay and there is no form of discrimination in the selection, recruitment and promotion of employees.

E-business

Many organizations all over the world are adopting e-business as their preferred method of conducting business. There are three major ways which the organizations use to conduct e-business. These are business to business, business to consumer, and lastly, consumer to consumer Ferligoj et al., 1997()

The strategy of e-business usually comes about as an expansion strategy for the organization and it is a direct result of the need to develop a new market for the products and services of the organization and to revolutionize the operations of the company or organization. The HR management must be able to navigate round the development of the e-business strategy for the organization in order for the organization to become successful. This includes ensuring that the employees of the organization are well aware of what is entailed in e-business and what they need to do in order to support the growth of the e-business direction of the company or organization.

Ethics

There are many issues of concern regarding ethics that are arising in the human resource management field. The human resource department of the organization is responsible for ensuring that the organization carries itself in an ethical manner in all its activities. For example ensuring the organization is an equal opportunity employer through non-discrimination and ensuring all employees get equal pay and there is no form of favoritism in promotion, selection and recruitment Turner, 1990()