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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between strategic human resource management (SHRM) and performance in service sectors firms in India. Also, it has tried to explore whether the three main approaches in the area of SHRM – universalistic, contingency and configurational approaches hold true in an Indian setting.

Data were collected from 25 organizations, using two sets of questionnaires. Set 1 comprised measures of business strategy (n=98) and key informant approach was used to collect the data. Set 2 had measures of SHRM which consisted of two sections – human resource management (HRM) system orientation and HRM capabilities and organizational effectiveness (n=750). Performance was measured in terms of organizational effectiveness. Regression analysis was carried out at two levels: industry level and overall level.

Results indicated that there is positive relationship between SHRM and effectiveness, business strategy has an impact on the relationship between SHRM and effectiveness and universalistic theory of SHRM does not work in the Indian service sector.

The results of this study revealed that transport and IT‐enabled industries require more strategic HR capability while finance requires more technical HR capability. The SHRM policies need to be dynamic and contingent on the business strategy to attain maximum impact on effectiveness.

This study contributes to the sparse literature on the role of SHRM in the service sector industry where dependence on human resources is more critical as compared to other sectors.

In order to reduce the high failure rate of enterprise resource planning system (ERP) projects in Indian retail, project managers need to analyze and understand the impact of risk factor on ERP implementation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key risk factors solely or primarily for the Indian retail sector. Furthermore, this study also analyzes the impact of risk factors in ERP implementation using the structural equation model (SEM) approach. “User risk,” “project management risk,” “technological risk,” “team risk,” “organizational risk,” and “project performance risk” are the examined factors.

A theoretical model is created that explains the risk factors which may impact the success of ERP implementation. Hypotheses were also developed to evaluate the interrelationship between risk factors and success of ERP implementation. Empirical data are collected through survey questionnaire from practitioners such as project sponsors, project managers, implementation consultants, and team members who are involved in ERP implementation in the retail sector to test the theoretical model.

Using the SEM, it is found that 40 percent of the variations in ERP implementation success can be explained with the help of the model suggested in the research study. The results of the study has empirically verified that “user risk,” “project management risk,” “technological risk,” “team risk,” “organizational risk,” and “project performance risk” factors are positively impacting ERP implementation success. All six hypotheses were supported by the results of the study.

The findings from this paper can provide greater understanding of ERP implementations. Researchers, practicing managers, and those seeking to implement ERP in retail organization can also use the findings of this study as a vehicle for improving ERP implementation success in the retail sector.

The study integrates the impact of risk factor on ERP implementation. Very few studies have been performed to investigate and understand this issue. Therefore, the research can make a useful contribution.