Sustainability is an issue that has raised concerns in the field of management for a very long time. This paper provides a discussion of why organizational sustainability is fundamental for strategic approach to human resource management. It provides examples of organizations that incorporate sustainable approaches, for example, Coca Cola Company.
¶ … Organizational Sustainability is an essential feature of strategic approach to Human Resource Management
For effective functioning of an organization, the input of workers is essential. Therefore, the employer forms a relationship with one or few employees who freely sacrifice their time and effort in exchange for a reward, the reward in this case is the salary. Human Resource Management (HRM) is the regulation of the work relationships that exist between the employer and their employees. HRM involves acquiring, utilizing, and keeping employees. HRM aims at managing the relationships to ensure they are productive and work well for the employer or organization. Strategic human resource is the making of investments in the HRM policies that leads to continuous financial outcomes. In addition, it aims at meeting the current needs without affecting the capacity of future generations to meet their own needs (Aggerholm, Andersen & Thomsen, 2011).
A company's Human Resource Management is the core instrument in enhancing the approach to form a culture of sustainability in the organization. Therefore, the company's Sustainability Coordinator ought to operate closely with the Human Resource Executive. The motive behind this is to concentrate on the accomplishment of sustainable growth in the company. The strategy will involve making significant changes in the company' systems for; recruiting applicants, selecting employees, conducting new employee orientation, conducting employee assessments, coming up with employee compensation, creating promotion planning processes, and providing employees with training and development (Liebowitz, 2010).
Every company should hire a Sustainability Coordinator. This individual has the responsibility to increase sustainability among the company's executives, employees, and managers. The sustainability Coordinator possesses a strong background in technical, environmental, safety, and scientific areas. When this individual works in conjunction with the HR of a company, this leads to sustainable development in the company. When the management of a company hires people and subsequently treats them well, then the employees will show dedication to their work, and consecutively take care of the customers. If this idea has a good planning, then the company is likely to realize high profits. In addition, research suggests that a supportive senior management will mostly likely enhance greater employee management (Kirby, 2012).
Sustainable companies in the world
Some of the most sustainable companies in the world include Alcoa, Coca Cola Company, Novartis AG and many other multinational companies. These firms revealed diverse industry sectors that were founded between 1985 and 1968. In 2006, the companies averaged over 119,000 employees and $38 billion in revenues. A study on these companies reveals that the companies greatly have values, which have relationship to sustainability. In addition, the founders through their Human Resource recognized that sustainability was central to the companies' development. The top management of the companies regularly asserted their significance of sustainability. The personal and positional influence was also necessary in enhancing sustainability (Wirtenberg, Harmon & Fairfield, 2006).
The Human Resource Management took part in making strategic, significant decisions for a company, which may have an effect on the sustainability of the company. In order to enhance sustainability, the decisions made, had a short-term effect because they valued the strength of the company, which depends on the development and sustainability of the company. The management was also supportive shown by will to take part in extensive inquiry. In order to attain sustainability, there is the need to incorporate holistic integration because it can lead to a sustainable enterprise. Some of the sustainable companies include such elements all around in certain aspects of development sustainability such as concern for environmental stewardship (Wirtenberg, Harmon & Fairfield, 2006).
Making sustainability the core of business strategy and the Human Resource may act as fundamentals to achieving sustainability. Sustainability may also be realized by having a strategic focus, and having initiatives, around the development of the organization and management of talents in the company. The top management or the HRM sees the initiatives and talents nurtured. Companies should spend time to strengthen their organizational capabilities instead of worrying about the losses incurred in a day. The acknowledgement of the HR as leaders is also a key step to achieving sustainability because the HR can take part in change management, leadership development, collaboration, and teamwork (Spooner, & Kaine, 2010).
The HR contributions in development are of great essence because companies need to build an environment of development. Companies should offer maximum leadership development chances for their potential employees. In addition, the HR educates the subordinate staff about the need for sustainable development and its advantages (Borland, 2009). This is by leveraging the learning management system, to educate the employee to gain knowledge concerning sustainability as an easy program aimed at upgrading the employee's competencies. Undertaking such measures will lead to a sustainable enterprise (Gollan, 2006).
You’re 88% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.