HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT ZARA - Introduction

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
Mission and Vision Statements
The mission of the organization of Zara, which is one of the biggest organizations
related to fashion industry, is to provide the customers an exclusive selection of fashion
through offering a faster turnover of fresh stock than other fashion retailers. They solely
focus on the needs and preferences of the customers or people who are present in the market
and fulfil their needs accordingly. And the vision statement of this organization states to
focus on the contribution to the sustainable improvement of the society where they serve
along with the environment with which the company interacts on their daily business
operations. This helps them to enjoy a sustainable competitive advantage against the rival
institutions in the market places where Zara serves their customers (ZARA United States,
2020).
The mission statement of H&M, a clothing retail organization from Sweden having its
presence around the world, follows the mission which states that to reach beyond the value
chain of the group of H&M which complements the sustainability work that is performed by
them. The management is focused to possess a long-lasting positive change as well as
improving the living conditions of the people by investing in societies and innovative ideas to
serve the people where they operate their business. The vision statement of H&M is to lead
the change that is occurring towards renewable and circular fashion and at the same time to
perform like an equal and fair organization in all the places where this fashion company is
present (H&M offers fashion and quality at the best price, 2020).
The mission statement of Walmart, which is a retail multinational corporation from
the Unites States follows the mission, which states that to make better the quality of life of
the people around the world on regular basis. This can be done through selling of quality
products across the globe. The vision statement that is followed by this organization is to

2INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
provide the quality products at low prices, along with providing opportunities for growth and
responsible for effective as well as efficient manufacturing of the products. They are
dedicated enough in excellency in each and every part of the business that is performed by
them (Walmart.com, 2020).
Strategic Goals
The strategic goal of Zara is to provide the customers an exclusive selection of
fashion through offering a faster turnover of fresh stock than other fashion retailers, along
with focusing on the basic requirements of the people from fashion industry and which
changes according to the advancement of the technology. The organization is strictly focused
on overall contribution to the sustainable improvement of the society as well as the
environment which helps the organization to interact with the people on their daily business
operations (ZARA United States, 2020).
The strategic goal of H&M is to follow the sustainability through manufacturing and
selling of different kinds of products that are sold through their stores and to the people
worldwide. Sustainable fashion is the primary and major aim that this organization follows,
as long-term investment in sustainability approaches will provide long-term business
opportunities which will help them to taste the success through sustainability strategy (H&M
offers fashion and quality at the best price, 2020).
The strategic goal of Walmart is set so as to achieve their mission and vision
statements, which states that the help of the predetermined goals and objectives, this
company possess the power to reach towards the mission. Their main aim is to provide the
products at lower prices and improve the standard of living of all the people who comes
across this company in terms of purchasing of their product (Walmart.com, 2020).

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Diversity Management Plans
The diversified management plan of the organization of Zara includes the strategies
which follows the fresh 4Es of the marketing strategy, which are experience, exchange,
evangelism and every place, which helps to put their customers at the main focus point, so
that it will help the management of this fashion company to effectively aim at the mission and
vision of them. A highly-engaged workforce is present in the business environment of Zara
which helps them to engage themselves with the interaction with their customers.
On the other hand, the diversity management plans of H&M are to believe in the
people who are working with them as well as making continuous improvement through their
daily operations and following a cost-conscious business in the market places where they
serve. Health and safety measures are followed the management of this company along with
maintaining an inclusive workplace and following open door policy, where free and honest
communications can be performed.
At the same time, the diversity management plans of Walmart are to follow the
change of the businesses, which is changing at a fast pace due to the advancement in the field
of technology, so that it helps to assess the basic requirements of the customers, which is also
changing due to this advancement. Engagement of more women employees in their overall
workforce and following five-year aspirational goals, which will help to focus more on their
mission and vision as well as the strategic objectives that has been discussed earlier in this
paper.
Analysis and Assessment
In this context, it can be said that the strategic human resource is followed in these
companies, which helps to follow and maintain the fast pace of the business environment that
is occurring in the overall business operations of these three business entities. It has been

4INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
already discussed that the tastes and preferences of the people are ever-changing due to the
advancement of technology, which forces the human resource department of the
organizations to alter the approach to lead the diversified workforce that works in their
respective organizations to fulfil these ever-changing demands of the people (Kramar, 2014).
It can also be stated in this context that holistic approach is being followed by the human
resource departments of these organizations, where advanced technologies are used in the
business operations across the world, and which are human centric. All these also helps to
add value to the stakeholders who are associated with the business houses of Zara, Walmart
and H&M.
The recommendations are also followed closely by the human resource department of
these three business entities, as it can be noted that if these recommendations are not followed
properly, then the daily business operations will be hampered and the competitive advantages
will be lost against the rival business entities. As Zara, Walmart and H&M belongs from
fashion and retail industry, it can be said that these two business industries are very much
competitive in nature, and every single step of not following the recommendations will lead
to lose the strategic position of these companies, which will hamper both the market share
and the revenue earning (Bailey et al., 2018).
The overall strengths and weaknesses of these industries plays a huge role in the
context of strategic human resource. Strengths can be identified as the huge opportunities that
are available in the retail and fashion industry, where people need to buy various kinds of
products from these two industries on regular basis, which create opportunities for the
employees to excel in their respective field. But on the other hand, as it has been stated that
these two business sectors are two of the most competitive business sectors across the world,
it is difficult to read the ever-changing minds of the people and deliver the correct product at
right time to fulfil their demands. In order to meet this, proper training need to be provided to

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the employees of these organizations to identify these changes and provide the products
accordingly, in effective and efficient manner. This will help them to strategize their plans
effectively and follow the mission and vision efficiently (Jackson, Schuler & Jiang, 2014).

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Reference
Bailey, C., Mankin, D., Kelliher, C., & Garavan, T. (2018). Strategic human resource
management. Oxford University Press.
H&M offers fashion and quality at the best price. (2020). Retrieved 23 January 2020, from
https://www.hm.com/entrance.ahtml?orguri=%2F
Jackson, S. E., Schuler, R. S., & Jiang, K. (2014). An aspirational framework for strategic
human resource management. The academy of management annals, 8(1), 1-56.
Kramar, R. (2014). Beyond strategic human resource management: is sustainable human
resource management the next approach?. The International Journal of Human
Resource Management, 25(8), 1069-1089.
Walmart.com | Save Money. Live Better. (2020). Retrieved 23 January 2020, from
https://www.walmart.com/
ZARA United States | SALE. (2020). Retrieved 23 January 2020, from
https://www.zara.com/us/

7INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
Strategic HR Assignment Marks Available Marks Earned
Mission and vision for each company, description of search process. 3
Strategic goals of the organizations 2
Diversity management plans of the organizations 3
Analysis and assessment of the above topics.
 How sophisticated are the practices in the industry relative to your
textbook? (4 marks)
 How closely do the practices follow the recommendations in the
textbook? (4 marks)
 What are the overall strengths and weaknesses of this industry in this
area of HR practice? (4 marks)
12
TOTAL 20 /20
COURSE MARK 6% /6