Continuity and change: the role of the HR function in the modern public sector
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Truss, C. (2009), "Continuity and change: the role of the HR function in the modern public sector", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 17 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2009.04417cad.008
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:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Continuity and change: the role of the HR function in the modern public sector
Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 17, Issue 3
Truss C.Public Administration (UK), 2008, Vol. 86 No. 4, Start page: 1071, No. of pages: 16
Purpose - Investigates if there have been any significant changes made to the role of human resource management in the UK public sector under the New Public Management. Looks, in particular, at whether its role has become more strategic. Design/methodology/approach - Studies the human resource function in six public sector organizations - two local authorities, two police authorities and two NHS acute trusts, drawing on 134 interviews with senior and middle line managers, senior human resource managers, senior managers, trade union officials and, in the case of the local authorities, local councillors. Distinguishes between strategic and administrative human resource functions and assesses the extent to which the human resource functions in the case study organizations carried out these roles. Findings - Reports that the human resources function in all six organizations had evolved over the previous ten years and had grown in complexity and contribution. However finds that the traditional human resource roles continued to be carried out alongside the new strategic role, noting that this caused role ambiguity and conflicting expectations. Points to the differences that were found within and across the sectors, and suggests that this confirms the influence that the organizational context has on the human resource function. Research limitations/ implications - Describes the research methods and discusses the limitations. Originality/value - Assesses the extent of change within human resource management in the UK public sector.ISSN: 0033-3298Reference: 38AB024
Keywords: Business strategy, Human resource management, Public sector organizations, United Kingdom