Foundations of HRM: Essay on Workplace Environment Changes

This essay examines a significant shift in the current business environment: the redefining of organizational structures, specifically the transition from traditional to matrix structures, driven by factors like digitalization and technological advancements. The essay explores how this change impacts human resource practices, including talent sourcing, succession management, and the role of the HR department in fostering innovation and ethical behavior. Using Zappos as a case study, the analysis highlights the influence of these structural changes on ethical frameworks, employee roles, and the importance of maintaining ethical guidelines within the evolving workplace. The essay concludes by emphasizing the interconnectedness of workplace changes, HRM practices, and ethical considerations.

RUNNING HEAD: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
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Human Resource Management
Essay
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Human Resource Management 1
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Change in Current workplace environment.................................................................................................2
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................3
References...................................................................................................................................................4

Human Resource Management 2
Introduction
The changes that are taking place in the current business environment are mainly related to the redefining
organization structures, workforce reduction in order to improve efficiency of the workers. The concept
of redefining organization structure is related to the change in the structure of the organization from tall to
matrix structure. Further, due to that human resource practices of the organization changed and “HR had
undergone dynamic shifts in its functions and role. Change in organization structures also affected the
ethical framework in the organizations such as changing hierarchy leads to changing duties of employees,
ethical guidelines and also change in code of ethics (Noe et.al, 2017).
Change in Current workplace environment
Many organizations nowadays are changing their structure in order to improve performance.
Organizational structure is related to designing and setting the information flows and reporting
relationship between superior and subordinates or employee and employer. In this competitive
environment it becomes important for the organizations to change its structure to adapt the changes as per
the industry and marketplace. The complex organizational structures lead to inefficiency in the operations
(Hunter, 2015). Further, the reason behind this change is the changing technology and digitalization. The
organization structure in this digital era is changing to make the workplace environment effective and
smooth. Most of the companies are using matrix structure in order to meet the changing environment
requirement as matrix structure supports dual reporting relationship that ensure the smooth functioning
and efficiency of operations in the organization (Stewart and Brown, 2019).
For instance, Zappos flatten its organization structure because of introduction of digital tools in the
organization; the company believes that digital tool will bring transparent and more ethical environment
for the workers. Due to that role of human resource department has changed in the organization and they
have to ensure that the employees don’t resist change and accept this in the positive way. Further, HR
practices of the company more focused towards promoting innovation, hiring the people who are
technology savy and communicating and establishing the relationship authority and responsibility (Helfat
and Martin, 2015). These changes in the organization structure of the company provided various
opportunities to employees and also changed the human resource practices such as sourcing of talent with
inclusion of technology, AI based succession management and HR analytics platform. The company also
changes its ethical framework in order to promote ethical behavior in redefined organization structure.

Human Resource Management 3
This is because the structure is an important aspect of the company and this change impact the working of
organization and performance of the employees and reporting relationship (Burke, 2017).
Ethical framework in the organization guides individual to the right path and decisions. Due to change in
structures, ethical framework of the companies also gets affected. Ethical values changes as per the
change in organization structure. At most it is the responsibility of the employees to report ethically to the
supervisor follow new code of ethics and ensure ethical decisions making even after getting more power
and authority. The changing organization structure affects employees, role of human resource department
and ethical framework of the organizations (Dempsey, 2017).
Organization structure that is simple might lead to more ethical behavior. Maintaining connection and
relationship between top and middle level become easy and employees can easily communicate with their
superior about any ethical issue or dilemma. In fact, change in organization structure can enhance the
ethical behavior of employees. Bottom line is mainly affected by the change in structure and unethical
behavior is mainly promoted because of informal structure. So with the changing structures employees
working environment become changed and it impact on ethical behavior, ethical values and belied and on
ethical framework (Bailey et.al, 2018).
Conclusion
It is concluded from the essay that the change that take place in the working environment in current
scenario is redefining organization structure. Most of the companies are shifting and adopting the matrix
organization structure because of stiff competition and digitalization or technology advancement.
Structure plays an important role in organization and due to that change in organization structure impact
on the human resource practices and ethical framework of the organization. This is better understood with
the case of Zappos as company changed its organization structure and due to that role and responsibilities
of HR has increased and ethical framework of the company improved. So, it is analyzed that any change
in working environment has greater impact on the ethical framework and human resource practices.

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References
Bailey, C., Mankin, D., Kelliher, C. and Garavan, T., 2018. Strategic human resource management.
Oxford University Press.
Burke, W.W., 2017. Organization change: Theory and practice. Sage Publications.
Helfat, C.E. and Martin, J.A., 2015. Dynamic managerial capabilities: Review and assessment of
managerial impact on strategic change. Journal of management, 41(5), pp.1281-1312.
Hunter, S.D., 2015. Combining theoretical perspectives on the organizational structure-performance
relationship. Journal of Organization Design, 4(2), pp.24-37.
Noe, R.A., Hollenbeck, J.R., Gerhart, B. and Wright, P.M., 2017. Human resource management: Gaining
a competitive advantage. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Stewart, G.L. and Brown, K.G., 2019. Human resource management. Wiley.