Read the project scenario below and answer ALL the questions that follow.

SCENARIO

You are part of the HR leadership team at Takealot, South Africa's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products

from electronics to groceries. Recently, Takealot has faced intensified competition with the entry of Amazon SA into the

South African market. Known for its global reach and extensive logistics network, Amazon SA poses a significant challenge

to Takealot's market dominance. As a result, Takealot is reassessing its HR strategies to maintain its competitive edge and

foster a resilient organisational culture amidst market uncertainties. Key challenges include attracting and retaining top

talent amidst Amazon's competitive offerings, adapting to rapid technological advancements in e$-$commerce, maintaining

high levels of employee engagement amidst market uncertainties, and enhancing diversity and inclusion initiatives to foster

innovation and resilience within the organisation.

As a leader in the HR team at Takealot, your task is to guide the HR team in developing and presenting a sustainable

strategic plan to optimise human resources in response to intensified competition from Amazon. This plan should

incorporate key HR concepts such as talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement, performance management,

learning and development, and organisational culture. By leveraging these HR principles, you aim to propose how Takealot

can, not only attracts and retains top talent but also fosters a motivated, high$-$performing workforce. And in turn, significantly

contributing to Takealot's competitiveness in the retail market.

Note: students are required to read and critically discuss beyond the scope of the scenario and module guide to answer the

questions that follow. Foundations of literature include primary and secondary sources.

QUESTION $1$

Starting your report, provide a critical examination of the challenges and issues currently facing Human Resource

Management $($HRM$)$ in the digital era, particularly in light of the increased competition Amazon is bringing to Takealot SA$.$

Discuss potential strategies and innovative approaches that HRM can adopt to address these challenges and thrive in the

rapidly evolving digital landscape.