...university Business school Human Resources Management M47BSS COURSE: MBA Management Best Practice VS Best Fit A Case study of United Bank for Africa (UBA) By Name: Foluso Akintunde Fapohunda Student Id: 5471799 Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 4 2.1 Human Resources Management (HRM) 4 2.1.1 Best Practice as an Approach in HRM 4 2.1.2 Characteristics of best practice 5 2.1.3 Advantages of Best Practice: 6 3.0 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 9 3.1 Distinct Human Resources Practice: 9 3.2 Hofstede Model of Cultural Dimension: 10 3.2.1 Power Distance: 10 3.2.2 Uncertainty Avoidance: 10 3.2.3 Individualism: 11 3.2.4 Masculinity: 11 3.3 HRM Best Fit Model 11 3.4 Differences between Best Practice and Best Fit 12 3.5 Key Issues in Implementing HRM Strategies 13 4.0 CONCLUSION 14 5.0 RECOMMENDATION 15 REFERENCES 16 1.0 INTRODUCTION The battle for survival among companies such as in the banking Industry in Nigeria has led to the liquidation, amalgamation, merger and acquisition of banks. This in effect brought down the number of banks in Nigeria to 25 solid banks (Gunu, 2009). The manufacturing and aviation industries have also incorporated the adoption of many principles, plans, forecast and strategy practices in the day to day trading activities. So many authors have written different reviews and articles on Best Practice and Best Fit as strategic tools of achieving the predetermined...
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...Table of Contents: Abstract 1. Introduction- statement of problem 2. Two perspectives on SHRM (i) Best Practices (ii) Best Fit 3. Best approach in different contexts 4. Summary – Google case study 5. Contingency perspective of organizational theory and Justification for application Conclusion References 1. Introduction: - This report is based on a case study of Google’s HR practices. Google Inc. is located at Mountain View, California is not simply known for its unique workplace culture but it also known for its advance innovation approach and HR programs. The HR practices at Google which are named as ‘people operations’ is intended to describe that HR is not merely an administration but rather it makes sure the strong relationship between employee and employer. The case encourages discussion on whether the company’s culture is truly emphasis on attracting and motivating the best employees or it is with a business motive. In order to present critical review of the case study , the concept of HRM as a new strategic approach to the management of people is discussed and two different approaches “best practices” and “best fit” is explained. In the end of the report, the case study is presented from “best fit” HRM perspective .Thus this case study helps us to analyze the two different HRM approaches are applied in the organizations. 2. Two perspectives on SHRM: - HRM has experienced a drastic change over the last few years....
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...concepts of 'best fit' and 'best practice' are two well known approaches to human resource management. The 'best fit' perspective claims that HR strategy become more and more efficient when it is linked to its environment of the business. It explores the close link between strategic management and HRM by assessing the extend to which there is a vertical integration between an organisation business strategy and its HRM policies and practices. 'Best practice' school claims that certain 'best' human resource practices would result in enhanced organisational performance, manifested in improved employee attitude, lower level of absenteeism and turnover, higher level of skills for higher productivity, enhanced quality and efficiency. That is why the 'best practice' model is also referred as high commitment models. These two concepts are generally described within the literature but it is sometimes difficult to stretch the specifications of each approach. This essay will attempt to fill that gap. Section two compares these concepts according to human resource studies. It will highlight areas of agreement between each approach. Section three therefore stretches the differences between 'best fit' and 'best practice' approaches. We now try to discuss in section four the approach taken in this debate by the CIPD. Concluding elements are found in section five. The terms 'best fit' and 'best practice' are used in strategic human resource management literature. The 'best fit' approach...
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...RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, BUSINESS STRATEGY FIT AND FIRM PERFORMANCE Oya Erdil & Ay e Günsel Gebze Institute of Technology, Turkey ABSTRACT While there has been growing interest concerning the relationship between human resource (HR) practices, firm strategy and firm performance, limited research attention has been paid providing empirical evidence in support of them. This study investigates the relationships between HR practices, human resources management (HRM) - firm strategy fit and the firm performance of 63 small and medium sized firms located around Kocaeli and Gebze from both theoretical and empirical perspective. The findings indicate a strong relationship between different HR practices and HRM-firm strategy fit and firm performance. Further, the results provide support for the assertion that HR-firm strategy fit can significantly assist a firm in improving performance. Therefore, empirical support is obtained for the efforts at aligning HRM practices with firm strategy and firm performance. (recruitment, development, etc.) share the same basic character and play a similar kind of role in relation to strategic management (Luoma, 2000: 771). Effective HRM strategy systematically organizes all individual HRM measures to directly influence employee attitude and behavior in a way that leads business to achieve its competitive strategy. (Huang, 2001: 134). In view of the fact that the goals and necessities of each of the competitive...
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...Managing Human Resources HRD, Performance and Reward Management The current Coles regional store manager is currently underperforming in the role the company has assigned for them. As this position of regional store manager plays a key role in Coles achieving its organisational objectives through inspiring, engaging and leading a team of staff to embrace and demonstrate the above values. (Nanverkis, Baird, Coffey, & Shields, 2014) Suggest that human resources should review an organisations strategic direction before selecting recruits. All positions should be reviewed and aligned with the corporate strategy to ensure corporate goals are achieved. Human resource management is one of the most essential departments of an organisations success. The overall goal of this management team is to make sure that the organisations relations with their employees are satisfied. This includes attracting, developing and maintaining a quality workforce and developing performance objectives (Schermerhorn, et al., 2014). The human resource department is investigating one of the current regional manager’s performances. Reports have indicated that the regional manager is underperforming. Underperforming employee’s need to be addressed and handled by the organisation. Detailing several issues will help realign the employee with the organisations goals. The issues being addressed will actively engage and offer recommendations in assisting the regional store manager to effectively perform...
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... A Case Study of Human Resource Practices in a Private Sector Pharmacy in Trindad and Its Comparison to the Best Practice Model Sandeep Maharaj1SHalimar ALI1, AlliaHUSAIN1, Cassie JOSEPH 1,Dushala PRASHAD1 Sureshwar Pandey2 1,2 School of Pharmacy The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex Mount Hope, Trinidad & Tobago Abstract Objective: To conduct a case study on the Human Resource Practices in a Pharmacy and compare their practise to the Best Practice model. Method: An interview was conducted, with respect to the Human Resource Practice employed at a private sector pharmacy. A list of the questions used as a guide during the interview is attached in Appendix 1. The overall response rate was 100%. Results: The results obtained were summarized in a table. It showed at the pharmacy under study adopts 6 of the 10 best practices: Providing a Safe, Healthy and Happy Workplace, Providing Performance linked Bonuses, Utilization of 360 Degree Performance Management Feedback System, and Utilization of a Fair Evaluation System for Employees, Highlighting performers and Employing Open house discussions and feedback mechanisms. The practices which are not carried out by the pharmacy include an Open book management style, knowledge sharing, reward ceremonies and surprising employees with unexpected rewards. Conclusion: From the interview it can be deduced that the pharmacy employs most of the Best practices listed, with the results being reflected...
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...1. Introduction The discussion between promoters of best practice and best fit approaches has sparked widespread controversy in the human resource management (HRM) area. The topic has gained much scholarly attention because it not only addresses a theoretical controversy but also possesses a high degree of practical managerial significance. The essay has the aim to analyse best practice and best fit approaches in HRM of a multinational enterprise. The reader receives insight into Lincoln Electric's organization through a case-study analysis of practical HR approaches serving as a basis for developing practical managerial implications in the last part of the paper. 2. Critical evaluation of "best practice" and "best fit" practices in HRM 2.1 Best practice approach The best practice approach claims that certain bundles of HR activities exist which universally support companies in reaching a competitive advantage regardless of the organizational setting or industry (Redman and Wilkinson 2009). Best practice models imply a close connection between HR practices and organizational performance and are often associated with high commitment management (Paauwe & Boselie 2003). Empirical research in the best-practice field shows similar groups of HR polices which are especially suitable for maximizing performance irrespective of market and product strategies (Peffer 1998, Guest 2000). Best practice bundles of activities are characterized as mutually compatible HR activities...
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...CONFERENCE PAPERS 165 What is the Impact of Corporate Governance on Organisational Performance?* Loizos Heracleous** Research on the importance of generally accepted ``best practices'' in corporate governance has generally failed to find convincing connections between these practices and organisational performance. We discuss research outcomes on the relationship between two such ``best practices'' (CEO/Chair duality and insider/outsider composition) and organisational performance, and find this relationship to be insignificant. We propose four possibilities for this tenuous relationship, that are not mutually exclusive: firstly, the possibility that ``best practices'' in governance are indeed irrelevant to organisational performance; secondly, that the operationalisation of theoretical concepts has low face validity; thirdly, that studies are too narrow, aiming to relate board attributes directly to organisational performance and ignoring other systemic factors; and lastly, the possibility that different types of organisations require different practices in corporate governance. Lastly, we address the methodological and substantive implications of each of these possibilities. Keywords: Corporate governance, best practices, performance, research methodology T he legal formation of limited liability companies in the UK in the eighteenth century has separated ownership from control of corporations (Fama and Jensen, 1983), where salaried managers ideally...
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...has become more essential. In recent years, many individuals demanded for a more strategic approach to managing people in a firm, rather than the traditional methods, and thus the idea of strategic human resource management (SHRM) was adopted. Strategic human resource management is a branch of human resource management, and it can be defined as ‘ the linking of human resources with strategic goals and objectives in order to improve business performance and develop organizational culture that foster innovation, flexibility and competitive advantage.’ (Sinha, R 2007). This essay is going to focus on how strategic human resource management helps organizations achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Sustainable competitive advantage is the position a firm develops in relation to its competitors that are not duplicable an unsurpassable than its competitors. Recently scholars have come to the basis of HR skills and competences as sources of competitive advantage. Human resource practices as well as competitive strategies are based on the assumption that employee behaviors are needed for each type of competitive strategy and that these behaviors can be attained by using human resource practices (Storey, J). This shows the importance of using human resource practices (models) in order to achieve competitive advantage. This is an important topic because strategic human resources refer to the long term human resources that lead to the...
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...BJMQ 3103 QUALITY MANAGEMENT | | Marks (20%) Q | Mark | Grp. Mark | Q1 | 5% | | Q2 | 15% | | Total | | Marks (20%) Q | Mark | Grp. Mark | Q1 | 5% | | Q2 | 15% | | Total | | BJMQ 3013 QUALITY MANAGEMENT | | | | NAME: ONG YUH KIANG MATRIC NO: 227806 TITLE: Benchmarking: A general review about the classification, process and pitfall of the model LECTURER: PROF. MADYA DR. RIZAL BIN RAZALLI NAME: ONG YUH KIANG MATRIC NO: 227806 TITLE: Benchmarking: A general review about the classification, process and pitfall of the model LECTURER: PROF. MADYA DR. RIZAL BIN RAZALLI | | | | | | Summary of selected articles Article 1 | Benchmarking: a general reading for management practitioners | Author | Sik, W.F., Cheng, E.W.L., & Ho, D.C.K. | Year | 1998 | Setting/ Place/ Sample | Management Decision, Vol. 36 Iss 6 pp. 407 - 418 | Objectives | Introduce the basics of benchmarking to management practitioners | Analysis | Classification of benchmarking, benchmarking process model, components in a benchmarking project, hints for organization to conduct first time benchmarking project. | Findings | Identify the sources of best practices as a result of assisting in promoting management perspectives and facilitating the formation of various specific goals. | Article 2 | Benchmarking the benchmarking models | Author | Anand, G., & Kodali, Rambabu | Year | 2008 | Setting/ Place/ Sample | Benchmarking: An...
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...20th century and improve the performance of employees is the main function and aim of HR department. However, how to maintain and do well at the human resourcing management is a difficult topic of the organizations as employees are motional and uncertain. For instance, the employees can put on a strike, ask for higher benefits or leave. In additions, lack of management of human resourcing leads to low efficiency of employees. All those factors above will cause great harm to the organization. That makes human resourcing management so important in the model management. The experience of the successful human resourcing management of Procter& Gamble is a good example to study. From the purpose of that, this paper analyses the best-practice model of Procter& Gamble with all sections of Procter& Gamble’s human resourcing strategies of recruitment and selection, employee performance and reward. Additionally, it will give an evaluation of how Procter& Gamble to do on the learning and development and workplace relations. 2.0 Best Fit vs. Best Practice 2.1 Difference of Best Fit and Best Practice Best fit and best practice are two models of Strategic human resource management. Best fit focus on the industrial section that to make the HR activities designed to meet the specific needs of business (Egan, 2014). However, best practice model concerned more on the performance of the employees (Pfeffer, 1998). 2.2 Seven Practices of Improving Performance According to Jeffrey Pfeffer...
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...contrast the ‘best fit’, BP and RBV models of HRM strategy – explain how EACH approach is argued to contribute to improve organizational performance. As the global business environment becomes increasingly competitive, more and more organisations are targeting human resources as a means of strategically gaining competitive advantage. Strategic human resource management (SHRM) is a constantly evolving process which is concerned with providing a strategic framework that supports an organisation’s long term business goals. The logic behind this is that organisations are using new innovative technologies to provide qualitative low- cost solutions, and are trying to manage their human assets more effectively (Wright, P. 2008). If competitive advantage is understood as a set of organisational capabilities that would lead to superior performance over competitors, then, HRM strategy is essentially the process of defining and enhancing appropriate systems that maximise people’s added value (Wilton, 2011). The key debate which will be explored is whether there is a best way of achieving strategic HRM. This essay will therefore critically engage in this theoretical debate by comparing and contrasting three SHRM models and explore how each can make a contribution towards improved organisational performance. Boxall and Purcell (2008) highlight that there is significant debate regarding approaches to strategic HRM when they discuss three theoretical contrasting models, namely ‘‘best fit’’,...
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...organization's practices and performance against those of others. It seeks to identify standards, or "best practices," to apply in measuring and improving performance. It is the process of comparing one's business processes and performance metrics to industry bests or best practices from other industries. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time and cost. In the process of best practice benchmarking, management identifies the best firms in their industry, or in another industry where similar processes exist, and compares the results and processes of those studied (the "targets") to one's own results and processes. In this way, they learn how well the targets perform and, more importantly, the business processes that explain why these firms are successful. Benchmarking is used to measure performance using a specific indicator (cost per unit of measure, productivity per unit of measure, cycle time of x per unit of measure or defects per unit of measure) resulting in a metric of performance that is then compared to others. Also referred to as "best practice benchmarking" or "process benchmarking", this process is used in management and particularly strategic management, in which organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice companies' processes, usually within a peer group defined for the purposes of comparison. This then allows organizations to develop plans on how to make improvements or adapt specific best practices, usually with...
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...Is Best Practice Dead? Abstract In the light of globalization, HRM becoming from being a mere support function to one of strategic importance and researchers have argued that HRM policies and practices are more significant because they can act as mechanisms for co-ordination and control of international operations. Meanwhile, “best practice” on HRM has been acknowledged to constitute a major constraint when MNCs try to implement global strategies, mainly because of the different cultural and institutional framework of each country in which the MNC operates. Some even argue that best practice is dead. This essay will examine that although best fit play an important role in the practice of strategic HR management, best practice is still valuable in the context of a multinational corporation (MNC). Introduction In the light of globalization, HRM is evolving from being a mere support function to one of strategic importance and researchers have argued that HRM policies and practices are more significant because they can act as mechanisms for co-ordination and control of international operations. Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) involves the development of a consistent, aligned collection of practices, strategies and policies to facilitate the achievement of the organization’ strategic objectives (Mello, 2002). The theory of SHRM does, actually, advocate two ways of linking HRM to strategy. The “best fit” approach is associated with the contingency approaches....
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...In the article, The Impact of Human Resource and Operational Management Practices on Company Productivity: A Longitudinal Study, authors Kamal Birdi, Chris Clegg, Malcolm Patterson, Andrew Robinson, Chris B. Stride, Toby D. Wall, and Stephen J. Wood address the use of practices that enhance organizational performance and sustain competitive advantage. The article investigates the practice of strategic human resources management (SHRM) through a study of 308 companies over a 22 year timeline. Employee based practices such as empowerment, training and teamwork have been the focus for years on how to better organizational effectiveness. However now, seven managerial practices have been introduced to be used in conjunction with the previous three. The seven practices to be evaluated throughout this article are empowerment, training, teamwork, total quality management, just- in- time, advanced manufacturing technology, and supply- chain monitoring. Practices such as empowerment, training and teamwork are linked to having increase employee knowledge, which in return allows them to develop and utilize it. Empowerment is spreading the power of decision making amongst operational management and individuals/ teams. This type of initiative encourages employees, allows for flexibility, requires less supervision and ultimately envisions organizational gains. Training is fundamental in terms of teaching employees skills that not only prepare them for their job, but also enriching them with...
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