To what extent does the approach being taken by Macquarie Bank demonstrate features of SHRM? (10 marks)
There are 3 models of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) being taken by Macquarie Bank – the best practice view, the best fit view and the resources-based approach. Each approach is capable to make impact in an organizational performance, usually through increased competitive advantage and added value.
The meaning of SHRM can only really be understood in the context of something else, namely organizational performance, whether that be in terms of economic value added and increased shareholder value, customer value added and increased market share, or people added value through increased employee commitment and reservoirs of employee skills and knowledge (Ian Beardwell, et al, 2004).
The best practice view starts from the promise that a single set or ‘bundle’ of Human Resource (HR) policies and practices will lead to better organizational performance, sustained over a lengthy period, whatever the prevailing business circumstances (John Leopold, et al, 2009). In best practice view of Macquarie Bank, it is talking about long-term plan, strategy or policies. The priority areas in Macquarie Bank human resources practice were recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, rewards and compensation and organization and development.
They are strict in recruitment and selection because they believe corporate image as an employer is important. One of the way for them to recruit and select good employees is by using psychological tests, and another key strategy is the policy of ‘growing our own’ from graduate trainees. Performance appraisal is their essential mechanism for tracking goal achievement and help in determining rewards.
Macquarie Bank pays well for their employee through rewards and compensation.
“At Macquarie, you are recognized and rewarded for your hard work. Managers care about their staff, and are not full of empty promises.”
References: 1. Amit, R. and Shoemaker, P. (1993) ‘Strategic assets and organizational rent’, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 14, pp. 33-46. 2. Barney, J.B. and Wright, P.M. (1998) ‘On becoming a strategic partner: the role of human resources in gaining competitive advantage’, Human Resource Management, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 31-46. 3. Mueller, F. (1998) ‘Human resources as strategic assets: an evolutionary resources-based theory’, in Mabey, C., Slaman, G. and Storey, J. (eds) Strategic Human Resource Management: A Reader. London: OU Press/Sage, pp. 152-169. 4. Ian Beardwell, Len Holden and Tim Claydon (2004) Human Resource Management a Contemporary Approach, 4th edition. FT Prentice Hall. 5. The Strategic Managing of Human Resources (2004), edited by John Leopold, Lynette Harris & Tony Watson, FT Prentice Hall. 6. Macquarie Bank: Experienced professionals (2009). Available from: http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/careers/people/experienced_professionals.htm [Accessed 01/04/2009] 7 8. Huang, T-C. (2000) ‘Are the human resource practices of effective firms distinctly different from those of poorly performance ones? Evidence from Taiwanese enterprises’, International Journal of Human Resource Management 11(2):436-51. 9. Kelliher, C. and Riley, M. (2002) ‘Making functional flexibility stick: an assessment of the outcomes for stakeholders’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 14(5): 237-42. 13. James W. Walker (2001), Journal article Excerpt, Human Resource Planning, Vol. 22. 14. William P. Anthony, K. Michele Kacmar & Pamela L. Perrewe, Human Resource Management A Strategic Approach (5th edition), 2006, Thomson Custom, pg. 323, 322 15 16. Honey, P. and Mumford, A. (1992) Manual of Learning Styles, 3rd edn. London: Peter Honey. 17. Scarborough, H. (1999) ‘Science fiction: System error’. People Management, Vol. 5, No. 7,8 April, pp.68-74. 18. Guest, D., Storey, Y. and Tate, W. (1997) Opportunity Through People. IPD Consultative Document, June. London: IPD. 19. Guest, D. and McKenzie Davey, K.M. (1996) ‘Don’t write off the traditional career’, People Management, Vol. 2, No. 4, 22 February, pp. 22-25. 20. Dixon, N. (2000) ‘Common knowledge: the insight track’ People Management, Vol. 6, No. 4, 17 February, pp. 34-39. 21. Bayliss, V. (1998) Redefining Work: An RSA Initiative. London: The Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. 22. Strategic Management Human Resources Workbook (2009), University of Sunderland. 23. Rana, E. (2000) ‘2000 predictions: Enter the people dimension’, People Management, Vol. 6, No. 1, 6 January, pp. 16-17. 24. Rondeau, K.V. and Wager, T.H. (2001) ‘impact of human resource management practice on nursing home performance’, Health Service Management Research 14(3): 192-202. 25. Ulrich, D. and Stewart Black, J. (1999) ‘All around the world: worldly wise’, People Management, Vol. 5, No. 21, 25 October, pp. 42-46. 26. Castells, M. (1998) The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture. Vol. 111: End of Millennium. Oxford: Blackwell. 27. Arnold, J. (1997) Managing Careers into the 21st Century. London: Paul Chapman. 28. Ian Beardwell and Len Holden (2001) Human Resource Management a contemporary approach, 3rd edition, FT Prentice Hall, pp. 273-317. 30. Rüdiger G. Klimecki (2004) Human Resource Management as Intervention in the Evolution of Human Resources, Nr 35, Management Forschung und Praxis, Universität Konstanz.