Overview

Different organizations construct their Human Resources Strategy in different ways emphasizing different areas of human resources. What is included in the H.R. program for any particular organization is influenced by a number of factors which we will review in studying each different H.R. program. Factors influencing what is emphasized in an H.R. Strategy include:

The importance placed on H.R. and its various elements (e.g. hiring, compensation, training, etc.) by the organizations top leadership.

The nature of the organization: e.g. sales oriented, technologically focused, manufacturing, educational, etc.

Other factors which will be discussed in the specific organizational case being discussed this week and for the rest of this course.

Bear in mind that one summary of the overall purpose of a Human Resources Department is that it recruits and hires people for the organization, develops and trains them to perform their work, and keeps the effective personnel in the organization. There are a number of programs performed by H.R. units to achieve this purpose and various ways to conduct these programs. Constructing the most effective Human Resources Strategy and program possible for a particular organization is the primary job of the H.R.s top leaders.

***Based on the overview for this week, take a few minutes to briefly list the similarities between a non-profit organization Webster University for example and a for-profit organization Walmart, Microsoft or Citigroup for example. Post your list to the discussion board and discuss explain the lists that you created. Start your discussion by telling us the organizations you compared.