What a difference a role makes: Occupational and organizational characteristics related to the HR strategic role among human resource managers
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the human resources (HR) role framework (Conner and Ulrich, 1996), the purpose of this paper is to empirically explore why HR practitioners differ in their strategic partner role positioning. The present study suggests and tests a descriptive model regarding occupational and organizational characteristics associated with strategic HR role positioning.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 100 questionnaires were collected from Israeli HR practitioners. Hierarchical regressions were used to test the association between occupational and organizational characteristics and the strategic role perception among HR practitioners.
Findings
Although the findings only partially supported the suggested model, significant associations between occupational and organizational characteristics and HR strategic positioning were found. HR practitioners in volatile organizational environments adopt a strategic role perception. Moreover, years of experience are also associated with an HR strategic role perception. Specifically, the major predictors of attaining a strategic partner role amongst HR practitioners are location of organizational activities mainly in the metropolitan area, and involvement in major organizational changes.
Research limitations/implications
The sample had a positive bias of respondents. Questionnaires were delivered mainly to highly educated HR practitioners in notably professional HR departments. Data were based on self-reported one-time questionnaires.
Practical implications
The research has implications for the processes of academic education and professional training of HR practitioners and also their recruitment in organizations.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, recent studies aimed at exploring sources of variance in the strategic role perception amongst HR practitioners are rather scarce. This research helps to address this gap, while also broadening the literature regarding HR communities in the Middle East.
Keywords
Citation
Nadiv, R., Raz, A. and Kuna, S. (2017), "What a difference a role makes: Occupational and organizational characteristics related to the HR strategic role among human resource managers", Employee Relations, Vol. 39 No. 7, pp. 1131-1147. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-08-2016-0160
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited