First, it fairly considers both U.S. and European perspectives on SHRM, which differ in important ways. Most researchers in the United States adopt an implicitly managerialist approach, focusing on how HR can benefit shareholders, while researchers in Europe emphasize
the importance of balancing the interests of multiple stakeholders such as employees, unions, governments, and society. The European view tends to emphasize the importance of context; the U.S. view, “best practice.” Boxall and Purcell do an outstanding job of accurately representing these different viewpoints, particularly in how they affect research and practice. When pressed, it seems clear that they, not surprisingly, adhere to a more European view, but their presentation is both fair and balanced.
Chapter 1 makes a strong case for how HRM can affect business performance, and a recurring theme throughout the book is that properly managed human resources will benefit shareholders.
The authors do not create an artificial either/or distinction, but simply focus readers on the fact that increased business performance is only one positive outcome from the effective management of people