Evaluating HR Practices and Contributions to Organizational Success

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of HR practices and their contribution to organizational success, using AstraZeneca plc as a case study. It begins with an overview of the company, its organizational structure (including network, matrix, and horizontal structures), and an evaluation of its business design. The report then examines the importance of organizational design, highlighting the impact of people, strategy, regulations, and operations. It further explores two key approaches representing HR contributions: the feedback approach and the performance appraisal approach. The analysis extends to emerging HR development trends, such as continuous feedback and performance management, and the impact of HR practices on employee retention and motivation. Finally, the report discusses various techniques to enhance employee skills and knowledge, such as incentive methods, building trust, and setting small goals. Overall, the report underscores the critical role of HR in achieving business goals and fostering organizational growth.

Value and
Contribution to
Organizational
Success

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
PART1.............................................................................................................................................1
1. Overview of organization........................................................................................................1
2. Organizational structure...........................................................................................................1
3. Evaluate the design of business and how it is related with organizational structure...............4
4. Two approaches which represent the contribution of HR functions........................................5
5. Analyse emerging HR development and approaches which adopt for HR practices..............6
6. Recommendation.....................................................................................................................6
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
Covered in Poster.........................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Value or contribution to organizational success will be achieved through adopting various
HR practices which helps the business to increase their value as well as contribution for the
further growth in the market. Human resources management help the organization yo enhance
their business functions in order to achieve high efficiency and effectiveness (Antony and et.al.,
2012). For the better understanding of this concept report select AstraZeneca plc. It is an
multinational pharmaceutical company founded in 1999 in Cambridge, UK. CEO of the
company is Pascal Soriot and another important person is Leif Johansson.
This report covered various topics such as evaluate the importance of organization design
theory in context of business structure which required to fulfil operational requirement. Analyse
different approaches & techniques to make their human resources skilled to achieve business
goals & objectives. In addition, include contemporary knowledge and research regarding HR
development. Along with this, evaluate organizational design and adopt changes.
MAIN BODY
PART1
1. Overview of organization
AstraZeneca plc is pharmaceutical global organization which situated in 1999 and it
move their headquarter in Cambridge, UK. Company deals in various disease problems such as
infection, neuroscience, respiratory, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal.
After its merger it has been world's largest pharmaceutical company. AstraZeneca plc primary
listed on London stock exchange and secondary in New York Stock Exchange. This organization
serve their services at global level and fulfil the needs of customer and achieve their goals &
objectives.
2. Organizational structure
It is a system that provide outline of various organizational activities in order to complete
in effective manner so they can achieve their goals. These activities includes different rules,
regulation and standards which required to perform task in order to achieve objectives. There are
various types of organization structure which can adopt by the AstraZeneca plc and it is
discussed below:
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Network structure: This structure include more than one product or organization
combined and distributed in the market to satisfy customers. These types of business can be
partnership or hire others to handle functions such as marketing, selling etc. For example:
Organization outsource the product from different countries and than sell to the customers
(Bailey, 2012). In the context of AstraZeneca plc, management can adopt this organizational
structure in order to develop network from other countries. Along with this, build network in the
organization through connecting all the departmental functions. So manager have to develop
effective strategy so all functions are interconnected with each other. In this structure, manager is
connected with every activity of the organization which provide efficient structure to perform
their task and achieve goals & objectives.
Illustration 1: Network Structure
Matrix structure: It is also called companies structure which represent relationship in
grid or matrix form. Basically, every employee have dual responsibility because they have to
report their project head as well as their department head. Here structure are prepared as per the
similar interest or skills. AstraZeneca plc can also follow this organization structure for better
and accurate results in their task. It will reduce the risk of conflict among the departments.
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Illustration 2: Matrix Structure
Horizontal structure: In this organization structure, business follow systematic structure
for decision making which maximize productivity as well as profitability. Every member has to
report their immediate subordinate and their seniors also have to follow the same (Darcy and
et.al., 2014). Manager of AstraZeneca plc can adopt this structure in order to increase operational
efficacy because simple and strait structure will increase efficiency as well as effectiveness.
Below mention chart will represent the horizontal structure of the company.
Illustration 3: Horizontal Structure
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From the above mention organizational structure, AstraZeneca plc adopt horizontal
structure where top management take report from different department manager. Every manager
such as marketing, finance, HR or operations all are manage their staff members who are
working under them. Divisional manager need to ensure that, all the activities are performed in
well manner which increase employees efficiency as well as effectiveness and it further helps in
increasing productivity and profit margin. Department manager take regular review and report
directly CEO and same as CEO of the company reported top management. So further decision
making process and strategy developed by them and communicate to their subordinates such as
line manager and then they coordinate with employees.
3. Evaluate the design of business and how it is related with organizational structure
Organizational design is an step by step methodology which provide clear instruction
regrading work to maintain regular work flow, structure and system. Manager of the company
have to develop effective strategy in order to achieve goals and implement various changes for
the successful outcomes. Organizational design & structure improver the communication in the
workplace which further increase proactivity as well as profit margin and motivate others to
generate innovative idea (Kogg and Mont, 2012). This model help AstraZeneca plc to increase
internal efficiency through effective structure which reduce the risk of confusion by using
horizontal structure. This structure basically focuses on various strategy, individual, regulations
and operational functions.
People: In the context of AstraZeneca plc, manager develop proper strategy in order to
implement organizational design. It helps the business to develop effective relation of managers
with top level management.
Strategy: In AstraZeneca plc, top management and manager of each division build
various strategy in order to achieve their business goals & objectives. It further helps in
increasing employees efficiency, productivity and profitability as well.
Regulations: Design or structure of AstraZeneca plc will be influenced by different laws
and regulation which is required to follow for effective outcomes. Company globally deals, so
they have to follow import or export related standards & laws.
Operations: Top management will easily communicate with lower staff members by
following proper structure. It helps in maintaining effective flow of information to complete their
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operational function and achieve successful results. For all this, AstraZeneca plc have to follow
organizational design & proper structure in order to achieve business objectives and goals.
Organizational design followed by AstraZeneca plc in order to increase efficiency as well
as effectiveness. Along with this, horizontal structure helps in proving equal or regular flow of
information which reduce the risk of confusion and it further harm the organization in terms of
loss (Millan and et.al., 2014).
Importance of organizational design:
 It provide ability to deal with contingency which can affect the business.
 Organizational design provide competitive advantage.
 It is beneficial when any business have diversity in the workplace.
 Influence the organizational ability which increase the efficiency and innovative
capability (Nilsson and Ellström, 2012).
It has been critically evaluated that organizational design is important for every business
is makes every project successful in order to achieve companies goals & objectives.
Organizational structure, design and various theories helps in improving communication,
productivity and promote innovation. Due to poor organizational design such as unskilled
people, structure, operational activities affect the productivity as well as productivity of the
business. For example: In AstraZeneca due to poor organizational design company heavily
affected such as its production because company have unskilled human resources they are not
able to perform and achieve business goals & objectives. So it is important for the manager of
AstraZeneca that they have analyse the importance or organizational structure & design and then
implemented for effective performance.
4. Two approaches which represent the contribution of HR functions
Human resource manager is liable for carrying out crucial functions within business
organisation. They includes recruiting appropriate person for specific job role, keeping records,
comply with labour laws compensation as well as render benefits to employees that will aid them
to carry out their business operations. The HR of AstraZeneca plc needs to hire talented as well
as skilled person so that they can adapt to their working structure, technologies used by them as
well as furnish new services. Organisation has opted for use of two different approaches that will
assist them to make sure organisational design for carrying out their operations. They are
illustrated below:
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Feedback approach: This approach can be used by top management or executives to
acknowledge that HR department is carrying out their operations in an appropriate way. The
employees as well as employer can give feedback with respect to functions carried out by HR
and their performance that will assist AstraZeneca plc to formulate effectual business decisions.
Suppose, employees are not satisfied then management needs top alter HR policies for welfare of
entire organisation. Feedbacks will assist them to improvise their entire operations which are
being carried out within AstraZeneca plc (pharmaceutical organisation).
Performance appraisal approach: It is an impelling approach which is used by
management for attracting employees to appraise the performance of employees. The
management of AstraZeneca plc measures the performance of employees as well as HR and
gives reward accordingly (Rohrbeck and Schwarz, 2013). This will boost up their morale and
they will be encouraged to work harder as their needs will be fulfilled.
Along with this, HR functions contributes within design of AstraZeneca plc like
appraisal can be given to HR after evaluation of their performance as it will assist them to retain
their HR for longer duration of time. This will lead to enhancement within their productivity.
Feedback approach will also provide them with an effective way for improvisation of operations
of entire organisation.
5. Analyse emerging HR development and approaches which adopt for HR practices
Emerging HR developments denotes gradual changes as per environmental alterations. It
comprises of diverse kinds of HR rising trends such as:
Review culture and continuous feedback: The leader as well as manager of
AstraZeneca plc attains feedback from employees and improvise the functions of department by
the improvisation within enhancement of profitability. Feedbacks can be attained at any moment
of time (Roome and Louche, 2016).
Speeding up of performance management: Organisation can opt for this trend as it will
aid them to render opportunities to employees for exploring creativity as well as knowledge. By
this, AstraZeneca plc can enhance their development and growth.
HR practices creates a strong impact on organisation as well as it comprises of diverse
HR practices like furnishing security to employees along with fair treatment to employees
depending upon their performance. This will aid them to retain their employees as well as
encourage them so that overall productivity can be enhanced. It has been found that recruitment
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as well as selection approach is carried out by HR practices. For an example, by rendering
security practices to employees they will feel safe. Along with this, training will be provided to
them.
Different approaches and techniques to motivate their human resources in order to enhance their
skills, knowledge, ability or performances
There are various techniques which is discussed below in context of AstraZeneca
company which further helps in achieving business goals & objectives through increasing their
knowledge skills etc.
 Incentive methods: It helps the manager of AstraZeneca to motivate their employees
through feedback system which improve the performance. So manager need to ensure
that they set individual goals to achieve business objectives and motivate employees.
 Build trust: Employer have to ensure that their employees trust them and share their
views and opinions which further helpful in building strategies and goals. Develop trust
to make their job possible and not disappointed.
 Set small goals: In order to achieve long term goals manager of AstraZeneca have to
show their concern regarding short term goals which make employee efficient or
effective regarding their performance.
Above mention approaches and techniques help the organization to attract their human
resources and it will improve their performance and productivity as well. Along with this, it will
develop dedicated workforce.
6. Recommendation
 In the organization, HR have to develop strategy regarding equal pay because unequal
pay will discourage employees. Along with this change the rewarding system to motivate
employees.
 HR manager of AstraZeneca plc have to recruit skilled people as per job role because it
will save further training & development cost.
 Organization need to ensure that, research & development will continue to identify best
possible opportunity which provide market growth.
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PART 2
Covered in Poster
8

9