The state, public policy and the renewal of HRM

Abstract

The development of HRM and its social and economic consequences are the subject of a wide array of processes and inputs. The manner in which the management and regulation of the employment relation evolves is influenced as much by external factors as it is internal ones specific to the organization. The role of law, the state as a public sector employer, economic policy, and social and welfare rights are a central feature as to how people are managed and developed. However, there are other features to this state and public policy role, not least in a context where there is a new onslaught on the role of the state in the wake of the crisis in financial institutions and the burden they have placed on the public sector and citizens. The role of the state in developing frameworks for new management practices has become increasingly important: these have come in the form of supporting networks, establishing standards and using targets and objectives. While concerns are expressed with the effectiveness and sustainability of such initiatives the reality is that we need to engage more fully with the state as a broad ensemble of traditional and new institutional practices if we are to fully understand the politics and realities of understanding HRM.

Keywords:

• HRM
• networking
• organisational change
• regulation
• the state