SECTION A $[40$ MARKS$]$

Read the case study below and answer ALL the questions that follow.

Talent Management at MED Pharmaceuticals

MED Pharmaceuticals has a market capitalisation of approximately US$$15$ billion and is the leading pharmaceutical

company in South Africa. As a global player in speciality, branded and generic medications, the company has an extensive

range of products that provide for a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions. Today, MED has a strong global

presence in both emerging and developed countries, with more than $60$ established business operations in $50$ countries.

The Group has $30$ manufacturing facilities at $20$ sites across six continents and has more than $15,000$ employees.

The operations of MED Pharmaceuticals have changed significantly since Andile Mpofu took over as CEO in $2018.$ Not only

did the company become more transparent in its talent management processes, but more emphasis was placed on product

development and innovation. The transparent approach adopted by MED allowed employees to understand the strategic

rationale for certain talent management decisions. Second, the innovative processes adopted by MED were more humancentred.

Consequently, the research and development programme adopted by MED included medical representatives,

pharmaceutical engineers, chemists and pharmacists who focused on improving product development by identifying

several success factors.

MED$$s success is mainly ascribed to the attention it pays in developing the potential of their employees to support their

personal growth and advancement of the organisation. The company further recognises that it is dependent on the

intellectual resources of its workforce. This is reflected in Andile$$s emphasis on attracting, developing and retaining those

invaluable thinkers in the organisation.

Human Resource Management at MED Pharmaceuticals

As a global company, MED recognises the need to integrate its human resource policies and procedures in its daily

operations. This includes the talent management practices of the company. Jenna Pillay, the HR Director, further explains

that for the talent management programme to be successful, they need to include a certain degree of flexibility.

Consequently, the organisation$$s talent management approach is one that emphases differentiating talents. This means that

MED recognises that talent management should not only focus on managing talented employees for succession in

managerial positions, but also on the development and advancement of employees who are high performers with

leadership potential. MED$$s current talent management practice is built into two key processes, namely its performance

management system and its succession management system.

QUESTION $1(20$ Marks$)$

Critically analyse the extent to which MED Pharmaceuticals$$ approach to talent management aligns with the concept of

$$Strategic Human Resource Development$($SHRD$).$ Provide in$-$text source referencing