HRM and Strategic Thinking

This dissertation proposal examines the importance of developing effective HRM from a holistic perspective within an organization and its impact on strategic thinking and formulation. The research focuses on Tesco Plc, a leading multinational retailer, to analyze how a holistic HRM approach contributes to strategic decision-making and overall business success. The proposal outlines the research objectives, questions, methodology, data collection methods, and ethical considerations.

Dissertation
Proposal

Table of Contents
Title of the Project Proposal............................................................................................................1
1.0 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1
1.1 The specific research Topic..................................................................................................1
1.2 Importance of the Problem....................................................................................................2
1.3 Aim of the Research..............................................................................................................4
2.0 Research Objectives and Research Questions...........................................................................5
Research Objectives ...................................................................................................................5
Research Questions ....................................................................................................................5
3.0 Literature Review ......................................................................................................................6
4.0 Methodology (800)..................................................................................................................11
4.1 Research Design, Research approach and Research Type..................................................11
4.2 Rationale.............................................................................................................................12
5.0 Access to Data and Research Ethics .......................................................................................13
6.0 Limitations...............................................................................................................................14
7.0 Bibliography ...........................................................................................................................15

Title of the Project Proposal
“An investigation to analyse the importance of developing effective HRM from the
holistic perspective of an organisation and its impact on strategic thinking and formulation. A
case study on Tesco Plc”.
1.0 Introduction
Human resource management is considered as the key area of an organisation to attain
growth and success. Effective implementation of human resource through the holistic perspective
of an organisation is beneficial for firm to attain growth by the proper execution of
organisational operations (Gavetti and et. al., 2012). Holistic Perspective is considered as a study
of humanity, though a major focus area in culture. It is a broad field which get benefits from a
perspective in which many different aspects are taken into account to generate a picture of the
culture as a whole. Holistic business approach is considerably the new concept that is
increasingly being adopted by organisations in respect to systematic execution of organisational
operations. Holistic perspective in organisation is effective for developing appropriate human
resource that helps a business in proper strategic thinking and formulation. The idea of strategic
human resource management arose through the perspective that human resources are a key
source of competitive edge for business rather than access to capital or the use of technology
(Miletzki and Broten, 2017). Given that perspective, it was quite imperative that attention be
paid to the nature of the human resource and its management and how it would impact human
resource behaviour and performance both at the individual and organizational level. The holistic
perspective of a firm helps in developing the strategic thinking and formulation through the
enhanced idea and knowledge base. This also assist the overall human resource in right direction
to attain higher growth and success. Tesco Plc is the chosen organisation for this particular
project and it is a British multinational groceries and general merchandising retailer company
(Boxall and Purcell, 2011). The potential motive of the firm is to holistically develop HRM in
respect to support the strategic thinking and formulation. Thus it create value in developing the
operations of the firm within the commercial centre.
1.1 The specific research Topic
In this particular research project the specific issue is based on the importance of
developing effective HRM from the holistic perspective of an organisation and its impact on
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strategic thinking and formulation. The exploration issue is based on the study of Tesco Plc. The
problem is resides within the overall strategic thinking and formulation of the firm and has a
huge impact on the business operations.
It is a wide area of research that provides an individual an appropriate direction to
develop their skills and apply them in academic level to attain higher growth and profitability.
Influential knowledge in regards to the specified area of study assist leaner in achieving
professional growth by applying their knowledge in the right areas. This also develops
management skills and people or learners.
In the organisational context, the problem is majorly resides in the management department as
HRM is emphasis on developing the workforce for effective operations of organisational and
HRM is also focused on developing the skills and ability of employees in terms of holistic
perspective that helps both, firm and individual in enhancing their strategic thinking and
formulate them in proper manner in respect to improvising the operations of an organisation
(Soomro, Shah and Ahmed, 2016).
1.2 Importance of the Problem
The considered project is based on the significance of developing effective HRM through
the holistic perspective of an organisation and its influence on the strategic thinking and
formulation. This is a wide area of academic research which plays vast role in developing the
idea and knowledge base to the learners in respect to developing the personal as well as
professional skills. Appropriate execution of HRM with holistic approach is a major issue which
mainly faces by organisations in their strategic thinking and formulation. This has direct
influence on the overall performance and operations of firm.
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(Source: Employees performance report, 2018)
From the description of the above mentioned graph it has been analysed that proper
execution of HRM helps an organisation in developing its overall operations. In proper execution
of HRM, holistic approach plays vital role in improvising the strategic thinking and formulation
for the purpose of maximization of business operations. Via proper HRM, the performance of
employees within Tesco has increased at rapid basis and higher growth of employee's
performance helps the firm in developing proper strategies to attain growth within the
commercial market.
(Source: Tesco Stores (Malaysia) revenue, focusing on two growth drivers, 2016)
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Illustration 1: Employees performance report
Illustration 2: Tesco's growth in terms of
Revenue

The above mentioned graph described that Tesco has returned to profit for the financial
year ending of 2016 through a pre-tax profit of GBP around 162 million compared with a pre tax
loss of GBP around 6.4 billion a year ago. The company is follow holistic perspective that helps
in conducting all business operations in appropriate manner. The holistic perspective of firm
helps in developing the strategic thinking and formulation, which has a huge impacts on the
operations of firm, thus the revenue of Tesco has increases through the enhancement of its stores
within globe.
1.3 Aim of the Research
To analyse the importance of developing effective HRM from the holistic perspective of
an organisation and its impact on strategic thinking and formulation. A case study on Tesco Plc.
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2.0 Research Objectives and Research Questions
Research objectives are considered as the specific actions or activities that are effective in
providing answer to the research question. These two aspects are interlinked with each other and
plays effective role in developing the section of literature review by conducting critical analysis.
Research Objectives
Research objectives refers as the clear, concise, declarative statement, that gives direction
to the variables, thus objectives basically focuses on the way to analyse the variables in terms of
identifying or describing them. The objectives of this particular research are associated as below:
 To understand the concept of holistic perspective of an organisation and its role in
business growth.
 To determine the significance of implementing HRM from the holistic perspective of
Tesco Plc. To evaluate the influence of effective HRM from the holistic perspective of Tesco Plc. on
the strategic thinking and formulation.
Research Questions
An investigation question is refers as the methodological aspect of departure of scholarly
research in both the natural and social sciences. This section of research is based on aim and
objectives. The potential questions of this exploration work are described as under:
 What is the concept of holistic perspective of an organisation and its role in business
growth?
 What are the significance of implementing HRM from the holistic perspective of Tesco
Plc?
 What are the potential influence of effective HRM from the holistic perspective of Tesco
Plc. on the strategic thinking and formulation?
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3.0 Literature Review
This is the most imperative part of an exploration work thus it helps in providing in-depth
analysis on the research issue by accumulation of data from different sources. This section is
effective in describing all the essential aspect that contributes in the overall analysis of the work
in right manner. This investigation work is based on the importance of developing effective
HRM from the holistic perspective of an organisation and its impact on strategic thinking and
formulation. The essential aspect that assist the overall work in right manner of this particular
investigation are associated as below:
Performance Management system:
Performance management is considered as a set of activities that ensure goals are met in an
efficient way (Aier, Gleichauf and Winter, 2011). Performance management can focus on the
performance of a business concern, a department, an employee, or the processes in place to
manage particular tasks. This is an effective process which is used by human resource
department to analyse the performance of employees within the work place. This is an important
consideration of an organisation through which the firm or its management aligns their mission,
goals and objectives with help of available resources like as Manpower, material etc. , systems
and fixed the priorities.
Flexible Working:
This also recognised as the key consideration of an organisation which helps in managing
good relationship among organisation and its employees for providing them flexible working
schedule. Flexible hours is refers as a schedule that allows workers to alter workday start and
finish times. Employees can mainly access flexible working by human resources norms and
policies, that basically require management approval. Flexible working is emphasises of three
main arrangements like as full-time, part-time and career flexibility.
HR Strategy:
It determined as a designation for a long-term plan that are build to attain aims in the
field of human resource and human capital administration and development in the business.
Human Resource strategy is also considered as one of the outputs of strategic administration in
the field of human resources management. Proper strategies are implemented by the HR manager
in respect to proper implementation of organisational operations.
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The holistic perspective plays vast role in proper execution of organisation's operation
through analysis of top to bottom line of organisational structure. As per the view of Olena,
(2018), holistic concept is used for immemorial and well rooted in different field. Holistic
approach in the business is basically termed as ability to successfully blend the recognition and
combination of business procedure. It involves systems areas such as finance, marketing,
operations and IT in addition to the traditional people management aspects. The organisations
that uses holistic techniques are entirely focused towards its processes or policies as opposed to
focusing only on its specific components.
Human Resource Management:
Human resource management is considered as the most essential aspect, thus proper
management is effective in developing the operations of firm in effective manner. Human
resource management works in a cycle for the purpose of systematic working of organisational
operations.
(Source: Human Resource Cycle from strategic human resource management)
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Illustration 3: Human Resource Cycle

The above given model has criticised because if its dependence on a rational strategy
formulations rather than on an emergent strategy formation approach, thus due to the reason of
the nature of the one way relationship by organisational strategy. It can also been criticised to
owing its unitarist assumptions, as not any kind of recognition is created for employees interest
and their needs of either change or not to change their behaviour regarding the operations of
firm. Human resource cycle is a combination of multiple activities thus selection of employees,
analysis of performance, appraisal, rewards and training. These all activities are work in a
systematic procedure that helps an organisation in maintaining its workforces in appropriate
manner.
In this modern business scenario, the potential purpose of each small as well as large
business enterprises is to attain higher growth and success by appropriate strategic thinking and
formulation. As a large British Multinational company, Tesco Plc is concern on developing
effective HRM from the holistic perspective of firm in respect to attaining proper strategic
thinking and formulation, thus this cause benefit in attainment of high growth by appropriate
collaboration and coordination of workforce in the decision making process of firm (Buller and
McEvoy, 2012).
The concept of holistic perspective of an organisation and its role in business growth.
Holistic perspective refers to a view which is developed by thinking of business as a
whole. It attempts to create and maintain multiple perspectives on commercial activities of an
organisation and is considered by many experts as a fundamental to achieve the desired success .
Elizabeth Grace Saunders, 2017, has described holistic perspective of business, as the
willingness to successfully blend the identification and integration of business process to
understand the functional areas of management. Holistic perspective is playing a huge role in
business growth as companies has to go 'lean and mean' which means they can use only what is
necessary and can determine the work effectively in order to compete successfully. They are
allowing business or people to develop entirely new mindsets and beliefs about their companies,
that helps them in executing systematic operations (Moore and Brannen, 2016). To maximize the
potential of business and take full advantage ,dramatic improvements are to be made. Entire
business situation will be considered instead of single portion of it, in order to help different
team member to see entire new light in the organization. A proper foundation must be laid to
reach the right goals.
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The significance of implementing HRM from the holistic perspective of Tesco Plc.
As per Emma zoe, 2017, Human resource management offers the most encouraging
atmosphere for the employees so that the individuals working there can perform resourcefully.
Which will eventually lead to extend resourceful knowledge ,expertise and capability. The main
purpose of Tesco was to provide services to customers as they demand and to feel
responsibilities over the communities they serve. As the brand has gone above other brands,
Tesco wanted to become the market leader and create high value brand ,which will help in
building the brand image of the company.
Significance of implementing HRM at Tesco plc. Increased Productivity:-Productivity refers to how well an organization converts raw
materials into finished goods whereas, increased productivity refers to working smarter .
In Tesco productivity increases when employees working there perform maximum of
their capability. High Revenue generation:-Revenue is the amount of money generated be sale of goods
and services. The amount of revenue generated will be high which will help in measuring
the wealth of the business (Hutchinson, 2013). Builds Relationships:-Better relationships will build between employee and managers
because managers are treating employees as the most important asset of organisation
which make employees feel as important part of organisation ,will lead to better
employee performance.
The potential influence of effective HRM from the holistic perspective of Tesco Plc. on the
strategic thinking and formulation.
According to Ruth Mayhew, HRM of Tesco is well bounded and synchronised with
employees,the employees understand their duties and responsibilities and supervisors also make
it their duty and responsibility to ensure that employees are working in a fruitful environment.'
Strategic thinking is used to arrive at a decision which may be related whether to work or
professional life Influence of HRM on strategic thinking:-From the holistic perspective, in order
to increase sales Tesco needs to sell more products to its existing customers to hold on its
customers.
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Influence of HRM on strategic formulation:-From the holistic perspective, Tesco is trying
to modify the current objectives and strategies in view to attain organisational success an
produces a clear set of justification.
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4.0 Methodology (800)
Methodology is the systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field of
study. It also refers as a process that used to gather data and information for the purpose of
developing effective decisions (Park and Harris, 2014). This section is effective in providing a
clear direction to the researcher to carry out the overall investigation work in right direction with
the support of suitable methodologies. The selection of methodologies are based on data which
are accumulated by the researcher to reaching at the valid and reliable outcome.
4.1 Research Design, Research approach and Research Type
Research Type
The primary obligation of the investigator is to select the type of investigation that assist
the overall work in right direction. An investigation is either qualitative or quantitative in nature,
thus in this particular investigation work qualitative investigation has been applied by the
researcher. This tool is effective in developing an appropriate theoretical frame work in which
proper analysis is done on the basis of data that are based on qualitative means.
Research Design
This is also an imperative part of research methodology, thus it can also be considered as
a blue print of the research. Research design comprises of various methodologies which is
analysed through various sources . It is basically of three types which are descriptive, exploratory
and experimental (Tasnim, 2018). In this investigation descriptive research is being used by the
investigator because it will give detailed information about the research topic and research
problem in a sequential and coordinated manner.
Research Approach
Research approach is the procedure for collecting data, analysis and interpret the data in
appropriate manner. It is applied to carry out the investigation in the accurate and right manner.
There are basically four types of approaches which are deductive and inductive research
approach. In this particular investigation work qualitative research has been used and inductive
research will help the researcher to gather accurate and desirable outcomes.
Data Collection
Data collection is recognised as the most important part of methodology, as an
investigation is based on data that are accumulated by different sources in respect to reaching at
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the potential outcome. Data collection tools are basically encompasses on two major types i.e.
primary and secondary source of data collection (Moore and Brannen, 2016). Primary data
collection tools are used to gather data for the very first time. In this data has been gathered
through conducting survey and on the other side secondary tools are effective in providing in-
depth knowledge in regards to the specified area of issue by analysing he perspective of various
authors and writers. In this tool data has been gathered through books, journals, online sites,
published research articles, past research project etc. In this present investigation work secondary
sources are widely applied by the researcher for analysing the issue in proper manner through
accumulation of in-depth analysis.
4.2 Rationale
The investigation work is based on the analysis of the importance of developing effective
HRM from the holistic perspective of an organisation and its impact on strategic thinking and
formulation. For reaching at the potential aim of the research the investigator has decide to apply
secondary sources, thus it is most effective and relevant way of collecting reliable information
that assist the overall investigation in right manner (Neeley, 2013). Secondary source is effective
in providing support to the investigation by which data regarding the company as well as issues
faced by them can be analysed in appropriate manner.
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5.0 Access to Data and Research Ethics
Holistic perspective is an essential aspect that plays vast role in developing the overall
perspective of individual, thus this create value in improvisation of HRM with the emergence of
unique thinking, knowledge base and perspective of people (Schuurman and et. al., 2011). Hence
to analyse the holistic perspective of an organisation or its impact on the strategic thinking,
secondary source of data collection method is effective and widely applied by the researcher as it
appropriate in accumulation of information from online sites, published articles etc. The major
consideration of an investigator is to follow research ethics in respect to effective execution of
research activities. For considering ethical norms, it has been decided to gather data from
authenticated sources in respect to developing the reliability of information.
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6.0 Limitations
Researcher faces various kind of issues at the time of conducting an investigation work.
Limitations are also recognised as an error that affects the overall work, there are various
limitations that are faced by the researcher while conducting an investigation. Limitations of data
is the major issue which is widely faced by the researcher, thus it is necessary for the investigator
to gather information from the authentic sources and the prescribed time for the investigation is
less, so it is not possible for the researcher to gather all possible information from number of
sources (Moore and Brannen, 2016). Along with this the data available over the internet in
regards to the related article is also older that may impacted over the suggestion as well as
recommendation sections of exploration work.
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7.0 Bibliography
Books and Journals
Boxall, P. and Purcell, J., 2011. Strategy and human resource management. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Buller, P. F. and McEvoy, G. M., 2012. Strategy, human resource management and
performance: Sharpening line of sight. Human resource management review. 22(1) .
pp.43-56.
Camelo-Ordaz, C. and et. al., 2011. The influence of human resource management on knowledge
sharing and innovation in Spain: the mediating role of affective commitment. The
International Journal of Human Resource Management. 22(07). pp.1442-1463.
Gavetti, G. and et. al., 2012. The behavioral theory of the firm: Assessment and prospects. The
academy of management annals. 6(1). pp.1-40.
Miletzki, J. and Broten, N., 2017. Development as freedom. Macat Library.
Soomro, Z. A., Shah, M .H. and Ahmed, J., 2016. Information security management needs more
holistic approach: A literature review. International Journal of Information
Management. 36(2). pp.215-225.
Aier, S., Gleichauf, B. and Winter, R., 2011. Understanding enterprise architecture management
design-an empirical analysis.
Moore, F. and Brannen, M.Y., 2016. The anthropological comparative method as a means of
analysing and solving pressing issues in comparative HRM. Handbook of research in
comparative human resource management.
Hutchinson, S., 2013. Performance management: theory and practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Tasnim, Z., 2018. HRM Practices in Babylon Group Limited.
Park, J. Y. and Harris, S., 2014. Microfoundations for learning within international joint
ventures. International Business Review. 23(3). pp.490-503.
Moore, F. and Brannen, M. Y., 2016. The anthropological comparative method as a means of
analysing and solving pressing issues in comparative HRM. Handbook of research in
comparative human resource management.
Schuurman, D., and et. al., 2011. A Living Lab research approach for mobile TV. Telematics and
Informatics. 28(4). pp.271-282.
Moore, F. and Brannen, M. Y., 2016. The anthropological comparative method as a means of
analysing and solving pressing issues in comparative HRM. Handbook of research in
comparative human resource management.
Neeley, T. B., 2013. Language matters: Status loss and achieved status distinctions in global
organizations. Organization Science. 24(2). pp.476-497.
Online
THE POWER OF THE HOLISTIC BUSINESS ANALYSIS. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://kruschecompany.com/blog/post/the-power-of-the-holistic-business-analysis>.
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