Is HR Really Becoming More Strategic? A New Survey Says Yes!
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Are businesses coming to recognize the strategic importance of the HR function? A new research report indicates that that answer to that question is a resounding yes! That’s good news for the HR profession and the highly qualified individuals who work in the field.

Strategic HR? Survey Says “Yes”

The 2014/2015 Human Resource Management Policies and Practices in the United States research report released in September of 2015 indicates that the role of HR is definitely continuing to become more strategic in nature.

Based on a survey conducted by Cranfield Network on International Human Resource Management (CRANET) in conjunction with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Center for International HR Studies at Penn State (CIHRS), this report was compiled based on responses from nearly 700 senior-level HR professionals in companies with at least 200 employees.

Key Findings Related to Strategic HR

Key findings related to the strategic impact of HR in the 2014/2015 survey include:

Executive leadership presence: 70% of the companies represented in the study indicated an HR presence on their board of directors or top executive team. In 2004, only 41% of respondents indicated this to be the case, so there has definitely been a major change in HR presence at this level.

Written HR strategy: 66% of the businesses represented in the study report that their organizations have an official strategy for HR Management that is in writing. The fact that such a strategy is increasingly being reduced to writing is a key sign of the importance that is being placed on HR as a key strategic function in modern organizations.

Strategy development consultation: Over 50% of those who responded to the survey indicate that they are consulted “at the outset” when new business strategies are being developed, rather than being brought into the loop only after such decisions have been finalized.

Additional Survey Findings

This research report isn’t just limited to strategic impact. It also covers additional aspects related to the current state of the HR profession, including technology, talent management and more. You can view the full research report at SHRM.org or see a summary of key findings in the SHRM Press Room.