PERCEPTIONS ON STRATEGIC ORIENTATION OF HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Senior managers’ perspectives on the strategic orientation of the HR professionals in the Sri Lankan corporate sector was the focus of this study. Strategic orientation was considered as thinking and action of a person, reflecting the long term plans of the organisation he/she works for. The objectives of the study were to investigate the relationship between the perception of senior managers and the HR professionals on the strategic orientation of HR Professionals and to identify the patterns and trends emerging in relation to such perceptions. The research was carried out on a sample of 46 senior managers selected using a convenient sampling technique.  A structured questionnaire consisting of two parts, one to be filled by the senior managers and the other to be filled by their respective Head of HR was administered. Validity and reliability of the structured questionnaire were  established. Based on the analysis of data, a typology involving senior manager’s perception and the HR professional’s perception was formulated, with appropriate labelling of four quadrants. Two cases were selected representing, both perceptions being “high”, and both perceptions being “low”, for a qualitative investigation. Accordingly, two organizations were selected for in-depth interviews with the Head of HR, CEO and other selected managers. Based on the qualitative findings, patterns emerging in relation to the strategic orientation of HR professionals were discussed in detail with recommendations for the enhancement of the strategic orientation of HR professionals.

Keywords: HR Professionals, Perception Typology, Strategic Orientation, Senior Managers

For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk