This paper discusses the rationale of embedding HR strategies into the broader corporate strategies, how AstraZeneca embeds its HR to the corporate strategy, implementation of HR strategy at the departmental level, and contemporary HR challenges facing the AstraZeneca company.
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STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT2 Introduction AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish science-led multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered at Cambridge in United Kingdom. The human resource of AstraZeneca company hasunderstoodtheimportanceofdevelopingandimplementingproperhumanresource strategies aimed at achieving maximum benefits. The HM strategies at AstraZeneca are aligned to the broader corporate strategies of achieving scientific leadership, being a great place to work, and creating a valuable and trustworthy relationship with the stakeholders (Mazzettiet al., 2018). To ensure the overall strategy of the organization is achieved, the human resource strategies should be aligned to the mission and vision of the company. This paper discusses the rationale of embedding HR strategies into the broader corporate strategies, how AstraZeneca embeds its HR tothecorporatestrategy,Implementationof HRstrategyatthedepartmentallevel,and Contemporary HR challenges facing the AstraZeneca company. 1. Rationale of embedding HR strategies into broader corporate strategies Integration of the HR policies and practices to the organizational strategy involves aligning them to the global-arching human resource management (HRM) so as to achieve a competitive edge over the rivals (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, & Wright, 2017).While formulating the HR strategies, it is important to put into consideration the external and internal environment factors that may influence the company’s business strategy. Embedding HR strategies to organizationstrategyrequiresin-depthknowledgeoftheprocess.TheHROrganization Alignment and Integration Model has been used by many companies to embed the HR strategies with the overall organization planning and organization management (Sthapit, 2010).The model uses the top-down, bottom-up, and Management by Objectives (MBO) approaches to align the HR strategies to the broader corporate strategy as well as evaluate the effectiveness of strategies.
STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT3 Therefore, the HR-Organization Alignment/Integration Model involves: identifying organization mission/goals,corecompetencies,needsassessment,integratingsolutions,andfinding organization outcomes (Sthapit, 2010). a) Organization mission/goals/strategies- The human resource need to make strategies that align with the goals and mission of the company. The Human resource functions such as staffing, performance appraisal, and performance management systems should be designed in such a way that they support the overall company goals (Bratton & Gold, 2017). b) Core competencies- The core competencies such as skills, abilities, and knowledge employed in making the HR strategies should be steered towards achieving a corporate success. The HR strategies, systems, and employee career paths should be able to promote and strengthen the company’s core competencies. c) HR needs assessment- The strategies should identify any performance issues and opportunities that are crucial for innovation and invention within the company. The human resource should have enough training that will enable them to make the right decisions and proper strategies in line with the organization priority (Pollach, 2015). d) Integrated solutions- The strategies should find solutions to performance issues that are arise within the organization. This may include automating work, improving management systems, training, and development. Here, the HR practices, programs, and priorities are configured in support of the broader company future plans (Sthapit, 2010). e) Organization outcome- After embedding the HR strategies, it is possible to expect positive outcomes such as improved organization performance and enhanced outputs (Pollach, 2015).
STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT4 2. How HR strategies are embedded in the broader corporate strategy of AstraZeneca company AstraZeneca seeks to embed these HR strategies to the broader corporate strategy; a culture of ethics and integrity, promoting sustainability programs, adopting higher governance standards, and improving relationships with stakeholders, shareholders, and employees. Through inclusion and diversity strategy, the HR seeks to foster an inclusive workplace and workforce that values equality (Holder, Devpura, Lee, & Chandran 2019).AstraZeneca understands the importance of creating a conducive environment for employees where they feel empowered, needed, and safe. As a result of this, the employee engagement is increased which translates to improved productivity and innovation which is the bottom line strategy of the company. Also, they have invested in diversifying the workforce by creating a diverse pipeline of leaders from different backgrounds (Morganet al., 2018).Women as well are encouraged to take up leadership roles which encourages equity. The ratio of male to female employees globally stands at 49.9% and 50.1% respectively. Creating a workforce diversity is in line with the broader corporate strategy of enhancing innovation and discovery of new medicine (Winkfieldet al., 2017). Inlinewithachievingsustainabledevelopmentinthefuture,AstraZenecahas implemented environmental protection, ethics and transparency strategies that seeks to offer accessible healthcare to all people. To achieve this the company has embedded the HM strategies into the larger corporate strategies through an operational model that encourages every employee to work towards achieving the set goals of the company (Mason & Simmons, 2014). An induction model also that includes sustainability employee training is incorporated into the company’s overall strategy that aims at improving the skills of the employees. The HR strategies
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STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT5 as well includes risk management and financial reporting that ensures that operations of the company run smoothly (Schneider, Wilson, & Rosenbeck, 2010).All these strategies set by the company’s management and the Human Resource team are directed towards the larger goal of the company. 3. Implementation of HR strategy at the departmental level Efficient implementation of HR strategies at the departmental level is crucial in ensuring productivity and success of the company. AstraZeneca has implemented the inclusion and diversity strategy at all enterprises or departments responsible for increasing engagement and overseeing the operations of the company. In 2018, the company established Inclusion Councils that were to ensure that the workforce was balanced between men and female employees. Additionally, a Senior Executive Team (SET) and Board was created that ensures that there is no sexual harassment amongst the female workers and gender and leadership ethnic diversity is maintained. The company also launched Global Women Leaders program in 2017, that seeks to support women in line with the corporate strategy of gender equality (Doyle, 2015).The Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) as well have been created that aims to align the needs of the employees to the business priorities. AstraZeneca has understood the role a heathy environment plays in their search to offer a heathy community. As such, they have embedded environmental sustainability in all their operations so as to minimize any environmental impacts (Longcor, Masturzo, & Matty, 2011). They have mandated the Natural Resources Reduction Governance Group (NRRGG) to oversee allprojectsinvolvingnaturalresourcesandaudits.Theyensurethatthattheproduct- environmentalstewardshipismaintained,thegreenhousegasisreduced,andwasteis minimized. They educate their customers on the importance of proper disposal of medicines and
STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT6 also encourage recycling. (Mahapatra, 2015). The human resource department has mandated the Bioethics Advisory Group (BAG) to watch over all the bioethical issues of the organization. This involves ensuring the animal welfare policies are followed during the experimental studies. Through implementation of the HR strategies to different departments and groups, it allows the operations of the company to run smoothly without interference from one another (Morganet al., 2018). 4. Contemporary HR challenges facing the AstraZeneca company Since AstraZeneca is an international company, the human resource team is faced with several challenges especially in managing a diverse workforce and stakeholders of different cultural background. Such groups have different values, standards, beliefs, and norms. Therefore, making them to agree in same values and norms of the company is difficult. As such, the implementation of HR strategy of inclusion and diversity is very challenging (Remneland & Styhre, 2018). However, the AstraZeneca seeks to create a culture that embeds inclusion to all sectors of the company. To overcome this challenge, the company has instilled an inclusive, diversity, and ethical program that teaches the significance of accepting and respecting each other despite of their origin. In addition to diversity training program, the company can implement a system of accountability through which employee’s standards of behavior will be monitored (Mahapatra, 2015). In line with environmental sustainability strategies, the AstraZeneca has faced a lot of challengesinregardtogreenhousegasreduction.ManyoftheirsitesinSwedenhave experienced problems in facility cooling capacity due to prolonged hot periods. The company aims to replace all the power consumption with certified renewable energy by 2020 in Europe and United States and 2025 globally. In terms of other environmental issues, the company poses
STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT7 a threat to the marine life especially due to discharge of waste and drugs to the rivers (Snell & Yemen, 2017). The company ought to find means in which the waste is not directed into the rivers or they should treat them before release into the environment. Due to ever increasing and changing pace in scientific developments and technological advancement, the AstraZeneca company ought to invest more in technology so that they can remain at the top of the scientific world. Conclusion Human resource strategies are crucial for proper management and smooth operations of an organization. Nevertheless, most of the times, HR strategies are not aligned with the broader corporate strategy of the organization. Due to such gaps, it becomes hard for the company to achieve the set goals and objectives since the HR strategies does not fit into the general corporate strategy of the company. Therefore, it is important for HM strategies to be aligned and executed in line with the company’s corporate strategy. Implementation of strategies such as diversity and inclusion, environmental protection, ethics and transparency strategies has seen AstraZeneca company achieve greater success in health sector. Despite ethnic and environmental challenges faced by the company, they have managed to overcome them through integration of HR strategies into the broader corporate strategy.
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