The term “human resources management (HRM)” is now being heard and widely used increasingly around major corporations but it is very loosely defined. Although this term is now very much in fashion and it has been used synonymously with personnel administration, industrial relations and the like, a real definition of the term remains however elusive. If the concept of human resource management is to have any value, it should be defined, because firstly it implies management practice and secondly it also classifies management actions. This article, therefore, attempts to clarify a definition of human resource management. The similarities and differences between HRM and personnel management will be explored. The second half of the article, deals with roles and status of the field. What roles should HRM play in the modern organization?