Difference Between Hrm

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Answers to the end of chapter review questions 1. Explain the difference between vertical and horizontal alignment. Vertical strategic alignment (also termed vertical integration and external fit) is the process by which the HRD strategy, policies and plans are aligned with an organisation’s strategic goals and objectives. HRD interventions and initiatives are designed to support the organisation’s business strategy and strategic objectives. For instance, designing and implementing change management training to support a merger or acquisition strategy. In horizontal alignment (also termed horizontal integration or internal fit) the HRD function ensures that the HRD strategy, policies, plans and practices are consistent with the HRM strategy, policies, plans and practices. For instance, ensuring the set of competencies underpinning a management development programme is the same as that used for recruitment and selection. However, horizontal alignment goes beyond ensuring consistency between HRD and HRM. There is a need for a wider horizontal integration of organisational processes and activities: operational integration, intellectual integration, social integration and emotional integration (Ghosal & Gratton, 2005). 2. Summarise the key challenges facing the HRD practitioner in developing a strategic approach to HRD. Changing organisational culture is probably the biggest challenge confronting HRD practitioners. It is much more difficult to change culture than to change strategy or structure. Achieving a learning (oriented) culture is highly problematic in an era when many of the control principles of scientific management still prevail in a wide range of organisational settings. Altering what Hamel and Prahalad (1996) refer to as ‘managerial frames’ (which underpin how managers think and act) is difficult as it involves challenging some of the basic assumptions
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