COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the course Strategic HR Management with the Harvard Framework. This course is designed to equip you with a deep understanding of how strategic human resource management (HRM) can drive organisational success by aligning HR practices with business goals. Through the lens of the Harvard Framework, you will learn to navigate the complexities of HR strategy, stakeholder interests, and situational factors that influence HR decisions.
We begin with an introduction to strategic HR management, exploring the critical role HR plays in strategic management. You will learn how HR has evolved from a purely administrative function to a strategic partner in achieving organisational objectives. This section will also highlight the importance of aligning HR strategies with the broader goals of the organisation, ensuring that HR contributes to business success at every level.
The course then provides an overview of the Harvard Framework, one of the most influential models in HRM. You will delve into the origins and development of this framework, understand its core components, and discover how it differs from other HR models. This section sets the foundation for applying the Harvard Framework in real-world HR scenarios.
Understanding stakeholder interests in HRM is essential for balancing the needs and expectations of various groups. This section will help you identify key stakeholders in HR management, explore the competing interests among them, and examine how these stakeholders influence HR policies and practices.
Situational factors affecting HRM are another crucial consideration in strategic HR management. You will explore both internal factors, such as organisational culture, structure, and leadership, and external factors, including economic, social, and legal influences. The course will guide you in adapting HR strategies to these changing situational factors, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in your HR approach.
HR policy choices in the Harvard Framework are central to aligning HR practices with strategic goals. This section will cover key HR policy areas, including recruitment, training, compensation, and performance management. You will also learn how to make trade-offs in HR policy choices to balance organisational needs with available resources.
HR outcomes and their strategic objectives are vital in measuring the effectiveness of HRM. You will focus on outcomes such as employee commitment and engagement, competence and skill development, and cost-effectiveness. This section will link HR practices to organisational performance and explore how effective HR strategies can lead to business success.
The role of HR in organisational performance is explored in depth, with a focus on how HR practices contribute to overall business outcomes. You will examine case studies that illustrate the impact of strategic HR on organisational success and learn how to measure the effectiveness of HR initiatives.
Employee influence in strategic HRM is key to fostering a participatory workplace culture. This section will explore how to empower employees through participatory practices, balance control with autonomy in HR decisions, and enhance employee voice and representation within the organisation.
Managing human resource flow involves critical HR functions such as workforce planning, talent acquisition, and career development. You will learn strategies for effective workforce forecasting, recruitment, and succession planning to ensure that the organisation has the right talent in place to achieve its goals.
Reward systems in strategic HRM focus on designing compensation and benefits packages that attract and retain top talent. This section will cover linking pay to performance, developing incentive systems, and recognising employee contributions to reinforce desired behaviours and outcomes.
Work systems and organisational design are crucial for aligning HR practices with organisational strategy. You will explore how to design flexible work arrangements, optimise job design, and leverage technology to create work systems that support business objectives.
Employee development and training are strategic imperatives in HRM. You will learn how to design and implement effective training programs that build the skills and competencies needed for organisational success, and how to measure the return on investment (ROI) of these initiatives.
Labour relations and collective bargaining are critical aspects of HRM, particularly in unionised environments. This section will guide you through the role of unions in HRM, strategies for effective collective bargaining, and managing labour relations in a changing workforce.
HRM and organisational change are closely linked, with HR playing a pivotal role in facilitating change initiatives. You will explore how HR can manage resistance to change, align HR practices with organisational transformation efforts, and support the organisation through periods of change.
Finally, evaluating and evolving HR strategy is essential for continuous improvement. This section will cover how to use data and analytics to drive HR decision-making, identify future trends in strategic HRM, and adapt the Harvard Framework to meet the evolving needs of your organisation.
By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of how to apply the Harvard Framework to strategic HR management, enabling you to align HR practices with organisational goals and drive sustained business success.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Strategic HR Management
- Understanding the Role of HR in Strategic Management
- Evolution of HR from Administrative to Strategic Partner
- Importance of Aligning HR Strategy with Organisational Goals
2. Overview of the Harvard Framework
- Origins and Development of the Harvard Framework
- Core Components of the Harvard HRM Model
- How the Harvard Framework Differs from Other HR Models
3. Stakeholder Interests in HRM
- Identifying Key Stakeholders in HR Management
- Balancing Competing Interests Among Stakeholders
- Stakeholder Influence on HR Policies and Practices
4. Situational Factors Affecting HRM
- Internal Factors
- External Factors
- Adapting HR Strategies to Changing Situational Factors
5. HR Policy Choices in the Harvard Framework
- Developing HR Policies Aligned with Strategic Goals
- Key HR Policy Areas
- Making Trade-Offs in HR Policy Choices
6. HR Outcomes: Strategic Objectives of HRM
- Employee Commitment and Engagement
- Competence and Skill Development
- Cost-Effectiveness and Workforce Flexibility
7. The Role of HR in Organisational Performance
- Linking HR Practices to Organisational Outcomes
- Measuring the Impact of HR on Business Performance
- Case Studies of Effective HR Strategies Leading to Success
8. Employee Influence in Strategic HRM
- Empowering Employees Through Participatory Practices
- Balancing Control and Autonomy in HR Practices
- Enhancing Employee Voice and Representation
9. Managing Human Resource Flow
- Workforce Planning and Forecasting
- Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Strategies
- Career Development and Succession Planning
10. Reward Systems in Strategic HRM
- Designing Competitive Compensation and Benefits Packages
- Linking Pay to Performance: Incentive Systems
- Recognising and Rewarding Employee Contributions
11. Work Systems and Organisational Design
- Aligning Work Systems with Organisational Strategy
- Flexible Work Arrangements and Job Design
- Role of Technology in Work System Design
12. Employee Development and Training
- Strategic Importance of Employee Training and Development
- Designing and Implementing Effective Training Programs
- Measuring the ROI of Training and Development Initiatives
13. Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining
- Understanding the Role of Unions in HRM
- Strategies for Effective Collective Bargaining
- Managing Labour Relations in a Changing Workforce
14. HRM and Organisational Change
- The Role of HR in Facilitating Organisational Change
- Managing Resistance to Change Through Effective HR Practices
- Aligning HRM with Organisational Transformation Initiatives
15. Evaluating and Evolving HR Strategy
- Continuous Improvement in HR Practices
- Using Data and Analytics to Drive HR Decision-Making
- Future Trends in Strategic HRM and the Evolution of the Harvard Framework
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.