Key issues in implementing business partnering
HR’s role
Lack of clarity about what HR’s role actually is or the absence of a consistent business strategy within
which HR can work.
HR is marginalised from real decision making (‘All this rubbish about strategy is simple selfdelusion...personnel people are implementers’), though this can often be down to their own behaviour (‘I
have spent eight years in the Boardroom and personnel listens’.)
The impact of the HRBP may vary. Recent research (Alejandro Sioli and Arthur Yeung) shows that the
role has greater impact when the organisation is changing than when it’s stable
Line managers, due to their own views and experience, may not accept HR as a business partner, in some
cases feeling they know more than HR does about managing people.
Inherent conflicts in the model:
The performance of one role comes into con fl ict with that of others leading to competing demands and
potential role over-load e.g. CofE:HRBP.
The divergent expectations or incompatible performance criteria in performing a single role e.g., being
strategic whilst responding to line manager’s tactical issues. The danger is by focusing on the strategic the
HRBP is alienated from managers and employees if she disappears from the ‘shop floor’
HRBP role
Many HRBPs simply cannot make the transition from their historical role:
• They lack the skills – doing admin requires different skills to managing change
• They enjoyed or were comfortable with their old role – preferring the certainty of admin to the
complexity of managing change
• They don’t understand the new role
The way the role is constructed can constrain the strategic elements: the need to deliver short-term
business results, a lack of time and training, a lack of incentive
Key issues in implementing business partnering
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