From hero to zero (Ulrich’s business partner model)

Citation

(2008), "From hero to zero (Ulrich’s business partner model)", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 22 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/dlo.2008.08122fad.001

From hero to zero (Ulrich’s business partner model)

Article Type: Abstracts From: Development and Learning in Organizations, Volume 22, Issue 6

Bentley R.Personnel Today, 1 April 2008, Start page: 20, No. of pages: 3

Purpose – to investigate the progress and effectiveness of Ulrich’s (1997) HR business partner model. Design/methodology/approach – discusses some of the problems encountered with the business partner model introduced in 1997 by David Ulrich to help HR professionals meet emerging competitive challenges, referring to the opinions of a number of industry practitioners. Findings – states that, according to recent research, 47 per cent of managers feel the model has been successful while 26 per cent feel that it has not been effective at all. Adds that a range of problems have occurred when HR has implemented the model, for example putting structures in place without being clear as to what they are for, failing to understand the four business partner roles (strategic player, administrative expert, employee champion, change agent), and expecting HR staff to deliver the model when they have neither the competences nor the training to move to a strategic role. Notes that some organizations in implementing the model have chosen to hive off administrative functions to shared-service centres, a move that has only worked well in larger companies, and that line managers must understand what HR business partners are for or they may continue to use old techniques such as profit and loss auditing and seeing people and training as an overhead. Recommends a different approach to the business partner model in areas where it is currently failing, for example better designed, simpler pay schemes for companies with large, complex pay schemes. Originality/value – provides a useful update on the progress of the business partner model. ISSN: 09595848 Reference: 37AM278

Keywords: Competences, Human resource management, Training,