Level 5 Research: HR Strategies' Impact on IKEA's Productivity

This Level 5 research report investigates the impact of human resource strategies on organizational productivity, using IKEA as a case study. It explores the concept and importance of human resource management, potential strategies for enhancing productivity (including understanding organizational objectives, evaluating necessary tools, competitive rewards, and advanced training), and the challenges IKEA's HR department might face in implementing these strategies. These challenges include leadership quality, managing changing business needs, and utilizing data analytics. The report also identifies ways for IKEA HR to overcome these challenges through employee engagement, incentive programs, a positive workplace environment, and the use of advanced technology, ultimately aiming to increase organizational productivity. The literature review analyzes various sources to support the findings and recommendations.

Research Methods
Level 5
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Title: Impact of human resource strategies on organizational productivity...................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Aim.........................................................................................................................................3
Background of the topic.........................................................................................................3
Research Questions................................................................................................................4
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................5
Methodology....................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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Title: Impact of human resource strategies on organizational productivity
INTRODUCTION
Human resources mainly a set of people who make up the workforce of an organization. To
manage these people human resource management or HR is a strategic approach that helps
organization to strategically and efficiently manage people (Aburumman, Omar and Abadi,
2020). Employees are most important asset of an organization which help company to manage
business operations and fulfill vision and objectives effectively. Present research report is
conducted to investigate the impact of human resource strategy on organizational productivity
for which literature review is being conducted with the help of suitable research methodology.
Aim
“To investigate the impact of human resource strategies on organisational productivity. A
stud on IKEA.”
Background of the topic
Present report is conducted on the impact of human resource strategy on organizational
productivity. It has been said that human resource is one of the most important aspect of an
organization and is an effective strategic approach which helps company to efficiently and
effectively manage workers by guiding leading and training them. In modern business
environment human resource plays important role in which with the help of various strategies
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performance and productivity of employees can be enhanced. It also helps human resource
professional to retain skilled and talented employees for longer period of time which
automatically led towards positive organization image in industry along with skilled and talented
workforce. Research outlines the concept and importance of human resource management along
with potential strategies which helps in enhancing organizational productivity. This research
outlines the importance of human resource management and also identifies strategies through
which company can increase overall productivity in effective manner.
Objectives
 To determine the concept of human resource management and its importance for the
organization.
 To ascertain the potential human resource strategies and their impact on organizational
productivity.
 To investigate the challenges that IKEA HR can face in the process of implementing
human resource strategies in the workplace.
 To identify the ways through which IKEA HR can overcome the challenges in the
process of implementing human resource strategies in the workplace to increase
organizational productivity.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of human resource management and its importance for the
organization?
 What are the potential human resource strategies and their impact on organizational
productivity?
 What are the challenges that IKEA HR can face in the process of implementing human
resource strategies in the workplace?
 What are ways through which IKEA HR can overcome the challenges in the process of
implementing human resource strategies in the workplace to increase organizational
productivity?
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Literature Review
This forms out to be a vital section of every research project which comprises of analysis
and survey of secondary form of data that is vital and essentially needed to set a framework and
base for an investigation; With respect to current investigation a number of online articles and
journals are analysed which are based on the topic of impact of human resource strategies on
organisational productivity is provided as below:
Concept of human resource management and its importance for the organization
According to the viewpoint of Armstrong and Taylor, 2020 Human resource management is
defined as a concept in which HR manager engaged in the process of recruiting of employees,
providing training and monitoring, selecting and administering, developing employee relations,
on board, manage and train employees effectively etc. Human resource management is defined a
strategic approach which helps organization to efficiently and effectively manage individuals
within company. This process is playing essential role in enhancing overall competitiveness of
organization by managing employees performance in effective manner. Human resource
management is crucial aspect for all organization irrespective of its size and scope as it assist
company to manage its one of its most important asset i.e. employees. As per the view point
of .....it has been evaluated that most of human resource professional believes that employee
engagement enhances when onboarding process is better. Human resource management is
important for organization as it effectively helps in bridging the gap between employees
performance with the company strategic objectives. This function within company significantly
contributes in overall success of organization. Human resource manager conduct various roles
and responsibilities associated to recruitment learning and development, building employee
relations, compensation and benefits (Collins, 2021). All these roles are playing essential
element for enhancing and boosting employees productivity which automatically lead towards
success of company. Human resource management is important for organization as it helps in
conducting important functions like strategy management, benefit analysis, training and
development, interactivity with employees, conflict management, establishing a healthy culture
and more. All these roles and responsibilities undertaken by human resource department within
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organization is important for overall growth of organization which enhances productivity
efficiently.
Potential human resource strategies and their impact on organizational productivity
According to the viewpoint of Distelhorst and McGahan, 2021human resource is a process of
employing people, training them, compensating them developing policies for their well being
and managing them in effective manner to optimise organizational performance. There are
various forms of potential human resource strategy which automatically enhances overall
productivity organization.
Understand organization’s objectives
A good human resource strategy is mainly associated to organization goals. In this it is
important for human resource department within the organization to have proper and efficient
understanding of organizational objectives and missoon and further work closely with executing
and managing then with employees short and long term goals.
Evaluate whether additional tools are necessary
It is essential for human resource department within organization to evaluate tools and
techniques which is needed to conduct process like scheduling, training and development.
employees management etc. With the help of working with information technology human
results can enhance overall effectiveness of HR functions and can further speed up the process of
providing support and guide to employees. For example with the help of taking advantage of
communication platform HR department can instantly message employees and can share
necessary information documentations in effective manner.
Competitive reward and recognition
With help of emphasising upon limiting turnover human resource management can
significantly enhance overall organizational productivity. In this it is essential for HR managers
to determine the root cause which is affecting employees performance. In this with the help of
devising comprehensive plan to address the issue and further motivate employees with the help
of strategies like rewarding. With the help of this overall productivity of organization can be
significantly enhanced.
Advanced training and development
Training and development is one of the most important forms of human resource strategy
in which it is essential for HR managers to understand the fact that technology is playing
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important role. In today’s work environment with the help of providing training to employees
with the help of digital and virtual mode HR manager cannot only enhance their performance but
can also conduct cost effective training. This can significantly enhances overall organizational
productivity.
Challenges that IKEA HR can face in the process of implementing human resource strategies
in the workplace
According to the viewpoint of Jonsson and Foss, 2011human resource management is an
important aspect for an organization which is inclusive of strategic planning which helps in
enhancing overall performance and productivity of both employees in organisations on
simultaneous basis. However, in this there are certain challenges that HR manager of IKEA can
face in the process implementing human resource strategy in the workplace.
Quality of leadership and management
In this major challenge human resource manager of IKEA can faces related to strong
leadership and management. It is essential for leaders and managers within organization to
execute strategies while guiding and supporting employees. In this lack of strong leadership and
management can affect IKEA HR manager to implement strategies in effective manner.
Manage the changing business needs for talent and skills
It is the another major challenge that IKEA HR manager can face in the process of
implementing human resource strategy in the workplace. In this HR can face challenge related to
managing the changing business needs for skilled and talented candidates. It has been identified
that IKEA is a leading organization and is operating its roles and responsibilities in a fast
changing business environment. In this with the help of aligning with market needs with right
attitude and skilled candidate’s HR manager can face challenge to implement strategies in
workplace in effective manner.
Use data analytics
The another challenge that our manager of IKEA can face in the process of implementing
human resource strategy in the workplace is related to use of data analytics to improve HR-
related decision. In this modern business environment information technology is playing
important role which not only helps in conducting operations in time effective manner but also
helps to be multitasking. In this HR manager can face challenge related to data privacy. In this if
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HR manager ignore data privacy concerns then it will increase cost and complexity that can
affect the process of implementing strategies in workplace on adverse manner.
Ways through which IKEA HR can overcome the challenges in the process of implementing
human resource strategies in the workplace to increase organizational productivity
According to the viewpoint of Mousa and Othman, 2020human resource strategy plays essential
role in maximising overall performance and productivity of organization from simultaneous
basis. With the help of taking use of potential strategies IKEA HR can overcome the challenges
in the process of implementing human resource strategies in the workplace to increase
organizational productivity to enhance organizational productivity.
Employee engagement
Human resource manager within company is required to focus upon one of the most vital
HR strategy which is employee engagement in order to develop employees productivity at work.
It not only helps in enhancing employees productivity but also helps in enhancing their loyalty
and satisfaction level towards organization. HR professionals is needed to understand the fact
that with the help of conducting research and identifying the strategies that competitors are using
for employee engagement and further implement most competitive strategy helps in boosting
employees output. This helps IKEA HR manager to overcome the challenge of managing
business need for skilled and talented employees.
Incentive programs
It is also the most important strategy in which it is essential for human resource
professional to improve employee productivity with the help of having efficient incentive
programs. For a leading business like IKEA it is essential for company to manage workers in
which incentive programs plays important role in enhancing overall productivity of workers. It
not only helps business to fulfill productivity and goals but also helps them to retain employees
for longer period of time and manage challenges to implement HR strategies in workplace.
Positive workplace environment
It is essential for human resource professionals to provide a positive workplace environment to
workers with the help of offering them flexible work options (Zaid, Jaaron and Bon, 2018). Due
to the outbreak of 19 employees remote working trend is currently prevailing in the business
environment. In this with the help of providing flexible working options to employees with
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positive workplace structure human resource professional can assure higher productivity and can
manage the challenge of implementing HR strategies in workplace.
Take use of advanced technology
It is essential for human resource professional to update tools and technologies to attract
and maintain employees or potential candidates. This will help them to conduct cost effective
human resource operations and prepare training materials for employees in time effective
manner. In also helps in implementing HR strategies in workplace.
With the help of emphasising upon all these strategies human resource professional can
enhance organizational productivity in effective manner. Thus, from the above mentioned
analysis of the various authors viewpoint, it has been identified that human resource management
is an important concept for organization which not only helps them to enhance productivity but
also allow them to manage performance of employees and guide them in effective manner.
However, there are certain challenges that IKEA HR manager can face. In this with the help of
implementing right strategies these challenges can be overcome which automatically lead
towards enhancing productivity of organization in effective manner.
Methodology
Research methodology is termed as a type of process and technique which help researcher to
analyse data and information associated to present topic. With the assistance of research
methodology in research, the paper researcher can actually permit the peruser to make a basic
assessment of the review generally speaking unwavering quality as well as legitimacy. Research
approach assumes significant part in research which assists scientists with examining the data for
a review and guarantee dependable and legitimate outcomes to fundamentally satisfy research
goals. With the assistance of exploiting proper instruments and strategies in research philosophy,
researcher legitimate examination results. Likewise, it has been underlined that this segment in
research assumes a crucial part which assisting researcher with having the help of efficient
strategies and gather information successfully with the assistance of proper instruments and
methods.
Research philosophy-
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Research philosophy is close to term as a conviction about how information related with
the peculiarity is expected to be gathered, analyzed, and utilized really. Research philosophy
principally manages nature, source, and advancement of information. In basic terms research
theory is connected to the supposition nature and information on the review. It has been
distinguished that examination theory assumes a significant part and goes about as an essential
piece of exploration methodology. It allows the researcher to acquire a comprehension of hidden
reasons assessments and inspirations really. To fulfill present examination goals researcher
embraces the utilization of positivism research reasoning. The fundamental defense behind
choosing this technique is that it is reasonable and suitable for directing present examination as it
really efficiently upholds a training to lead a review and practice to conduct a study and helps in
sporting a better generation of understanding and knowledge to fulfill research objectives.
Research approach-
The research approach is for the most part characterized as an arrangement a methodology that is
predominantly comprehensive of move forward expansive presumption to detail strategies for
information assortment and assessment and translation. There are basically two types of The
research approach which are inductive and deductive (Pattanayak, 2020). In setting with the
current idea of review researcher with the assistance of the deductive approach is anticipating
making efficient and fitting testing of gathered data and realities as well as having legitimate
filtering of data. The primary avocation behind taking use of this method is to use the logical
methodology is that it is reasonable and reasonable to line up with the positivism approach which
assists the analyst with having a particular and quantifiable arrangement of examination results.
Research strategy-
Research strategy is for the most part characterized as a bit by bit strategy that provides
researcher with a course of endeavors and contemplations in a viable way. Research technique is
an indispensable part of examination procedure as it empowers the agent to direct research in a
deliberate way and on time to give nitty gritty detailing and quality outcomes. Among this large
number of techniques to satisfy present examination targets with the assistance of survey,
strategy, is pointing toward to give fitting and appropriate information and data related with the
current theme.
Choice of method-
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Research choices are essentially related and related with undertaking information in data
about the technique applied to gather data. The research decision is predominantly embraced by
the analyst in a review that is comprehensive of subjective and quantitative examination
decisions. To lead the current examination researcher will attempt the utilization of the
quantitative research of the examination. The fundamental avocation behind choosing this
technique is that it is more reasonable and fitting and helps in guaranteeing the assortment of
data and information in numeric raw numbers. Moreover, it has been distinguished that with the
assistance of exploiting the quantitative research show of realities which depends on bar chart
and table which supports research in a more quantifiable and explicit arrangement of exploration
result.
Data collection-
This is one of the main pieces of research methodology as it is principally named as a
methodology of gathering, estimating and examining precise knowledge of examination with the
assistance of standard approved strategies. In setting with the current examination researcher
with the assistance of both primary and secondary sources of data collection are expecting to
satisfy research targets with the assistance of a wide scope of information in data. In setting with
primary method, the researcher will utilize a questionnaire. The fundamental support behind
exploiting the poll as an essential information assortment technique is that it is cost-saving which
assist specialist with contacting individuals rapidly and have a guarantee of information
exactness .notwithstanding this with the assistance of exploiting this examination strategy
researcher will achieve research in a savvy commonsense and adaptable way with effective
outcomes. While in setting with secondary data collection method in this researcher with the
assistance of assessing perspective of different writers, articles and books will lead an inside and
out investigation of the present chosen research point. The principle explanation for exploiting
these techniques is that it helps in improving the practicality and realness of the gathered realities
and figures. With the assistance of exploiting both of these data, the assortment strategy
specialist points towards successfully satisfying examination goals.
Data analysis-
Data analysis in research philosophy is chiefly named as a course of deliberately taking
the use of measurements or sensible strategies to represent and portray data. There are various
strategies for information examination which are qualitative data analysis techniques and
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quantitative data analysis techniques. With the assistance of exploiting these information
examination techniques, the researcher can really satisfy research goals. To lead present
researcher examiner with the assistance of exploiting the quantitative data analysis technique
strategy is pointing towards satisfying examination goals with the investigation of data in a
measurable manner. In this researcher with the assistance of questionnaire and the use of the bar
and the graphical chart will break down information and gather data unseemly manner. The
fundamental avocation behind choosing this technique is that this assists researcher with
directing examination cost-effectively. Along with this it additionally assists the researcher with
regulating remotely through cell phone, on the web, email, or phone which helps in diminishing
and preventing geographical dependence.
Sampling-
Sampling is a process in which researcher use statistical analysis is being undertaken in
which a predetermined number of observations are being undertaken from a larger population
group. Researcher with the help of random sampling method will investigate topic. In this, 45
respondents of company is selected o fulfill the research objectives effectively.
CONCLUSION
As per the above research it has been concluded that HR is important aspect of an
organisation. In this it is essential for HR to utilize effective strategies and policies in order to
guide employees. This helps in fulfilling overall goals and objectives in effective manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aburumman, O., Salleh, A., Omar, K. and Abadi, M., 2020. The impact of human resource
management practices and career satisfaction on employee’s turnover
intention. Management Science Letters, 10(3), pp.641-652.
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2020. Armstrong's handbook of human resource management
practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Collins, C.J., 2021. Expanding the resource based view model of strategic human resource
management. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(2),
pp.331-358.
Distelhorst, G. and McGahan, A., 2021. Socially irresponsible employment in emerging-market
manufacturers. Organization Science.
Jonsson, A. and Foss, N.J., 2011. International expansion through flexible replication: Learning
from the internationalization experience of IKEA. Journal of International Business
Studies, 42(9), pp.1079-1102.
Kim, Y.J., Kim, W.G., Choi, H.M. and Phetvaroon, K., 2019. The effect of green human
resource management on hotel employees’ eco-friendly behavior and environmental
performance. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 76, pp.83-93.
Mousa, S.K. and Othman, M., 2020. The impact of green human resource management practices
on sustainable performance in healthcare organisations: A conceptual
framework. Journal of Cleaner Production, 243, p.118595.
Pattanayak, B., 2020. Human resource management. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Song, J.W., 2021. How MNE subsidiaries transfer HRM practices in distant environments: A tale
of two IKEA subsidiaries. Journal of International Management, 27(2), p.100850.
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Zaid, A.A., Jaaron, A.A. and Bon, A.T., 2018. The impact of green human resource management
and green supply chain management practices on sustainable performance: An empirical
study. Journal of cleaner production, 204, pp.965-979.
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