<p>With the intention to investigate the role of HR practices and the Perceived Organization Support (POS) in the process of key employee retention, this study developed a model that was empirically explored through the case studies of Secoroc and ABBCR in order to have such process examined in the managerial context of Swedish organizations. Results indicate that in these companies the employees' perceptions of support from the selected HR practices contribute to the development of POS and job satisfaction. The practices of growth opportunity and challenging work were indicated to be more significant for the retention of key employees in these companies. Interestingly, pay and the relationship between R&D managers and employees indicated to be of also crucial relevance in the process of retaining key employees. Furthermore, there are indications that the Swedish management style signalled to be a facilitator element for the efficiency of such practices in generating job satisfaction for retaining employees. However, the surfaced data from this study indicated that employees of these companies are affectively committed to their managers and to their work rather than to the organization as a whole.</p>

Bakgrund: Projektifiering innebär att företag går från en stark linjeorganisation mot att betona projektdimensionen. Denna förändring skapar nya förutsättningar för medarbetare och torde även ha samband med företagets syn på sin personal som strategisk resurs. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga och analysera de förändringar som sker inom Human Resource Management i samband med företags projektifiering. Genomförande: Det empiriska materialet består huvudsakligen av intervjuer med nyckelpersoner på Posten och Saab Aerospace. Resultat: HR-funktionen har en viktig roll i projektifieringsprocessen. Två sätt att organisera HR-funktionen har identifierats, vilka påverkar möjligheten att anta denna roll. HR-relaterade problem får olika proportioner beroende på hur företag väljer att organisera projektverksamheten.

Background: It is important to develop and execute human resource practices that generate employee competencies and behaviours the company needs to achieve its strategic goals. SHRM is about how to align HR strategies with corporate strategies, and implemented in a correct way SHRM can be an efficient tool to use for enhancing organisational performance. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to evaluate the alignment between EWES Stålfjäder AB´s corporate strategies and its HR strategies. Method: To study this we believe it was accurate to use a qualitative method approach. The empirical study consists of semi-structured interviews as well as written documents. Analysis: The structure of the analysis follows the theoretical framework. We have used the model developed by Dessler (2008, p. 95), “How to Align HR Strategy and Actions with Business Strategy”. Conclusions: We found that EWES Stålfjäder AB need to clarify their corporate strategies throughout the whole organisation. This will help them to identify and implement HR strategies that are in line with them. Working in this manner, we believe it will help EWES to conceptualize and execute accurate changes the organisation needs to accomplish their corporate strategies. Furthermore, we found that most of EWES’ HR practices become more like add-ons than strategic activities that are aligned with their corporate strategies.

At the time of writing, the business world is currently recovering from a recession that struck globally in the late 2008. The financial crisis brought many consequences, not least in the labor market. In meantime, media is reporting of the increasing trends of companies outsourcing their employment needs, by using staffing companies. Could it be that there is a correlation between the recession and the companies’ choices to do so? By revising literature on the topic we have found that the companies need for flexibility seem to be their main reason for using staffing companies. We have also come to review the first reports on the current increase of staffing company use in the US claimed to be caused by the current recession. Regarding the recession, we have come to find that it does have a structural impact on the labor market according to literature. An impact, that many claims is not temporary, but is here to stay. We have departed from retroduction with a touch of abduction when investigating our research problem. In practice, we have conducted a study based on surveys where we have asked 37 people in managerial positions at the top 100 largest employers in Sweden about their views on the recession and their attitudes towards the staffing industry. In addition, we have conducted an interview with a manager from a staffing company in Sweden to get another view on the use of staffing companies. The findings of this study include; even though several references in this paper forecast rapid growth during times of expansion for the staffing companies, this is not reflected within the responses in our sample. The companies perceive the situation of temporary staff as being better than what some theory suggests. There is reason to suggest that large companies that use staffing companies are moving towards a permanent need of temporary labor, and the respondent of such companies generally perceive staffing companies as a good option for mitigating labor-associated risks. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions based on our findings. We have opted to give the reader some insight as to how the companies perceive the staffing industry, and how a manager of a staffing company perceives its current state. We would like to encourage further research to use the questions and suggestions raised in our paper to conduct tests in the area of temporary staffing from a corporate perspective to nourish the debate in the society with a scientific point of view.

The work-life balance is currently in vogue among governments, organizations as well as researchers. Higher managers in organizations all over the world are exposed to significant pressures in their jobs, which further influence the balance between their work and private lives, job satisfaction and overall well-being. In this thesis, we apply a different perspective on the topic of work-life balance than most of the previous scientific research. We have focused on the governmental, organizational and individual factors that affect the work-life balance of higher managers and the consequent influence on their job satisfaction and overall well-being. The objective of this study is to contribute to the work-life balance research by exploring the fit between companies’ human resource practices and higher managers’ actual perceptions and needs. In order to gain different perspectives, our empirical research consists of a series of interviews with both HR managers and members of higher management. The key findings in terms of the factors influencing higher managers are reported. They suggest that the individuals are influenced by several aspects. The responsibility for personal work-life balance does not only lie on individuals themselves, but the organizations and governments play an important role in treating this issue as well.

ABSTRACT Drawing on the upper-echelons (UE) theory and strategic human resources management (SHRM) framework, this study aims to study the effects of top management team (TMT) characteristics on business strategy, strategic HR system relationship, and TMT behavioral integration as a moderating variable among the relationships. This research used both a survey and company data of 122 publicly listed firms in Taiwan to tested an integrated theoretical model relating to TMT characteristics (i.e., TMT demographic heterogeneity and TMT perception towards HR value), business strategies (i.e., differentiation strategy), strategic HR system (i.e., high performance work system ¡VHPWS) and TMT behavioral integration. The findings of this study included: (1) the direct positive relationship between the differentiation strategy and HPWS; (2) the significant relationship between the TMT demographic heterogeneity (i.e. TMT functionality heterogeneity and TMT educational background heterogeneity) and TMT perception towards HR value, and differentiation strategy; (3) the significant relationships between TMT perception towards HR value and differentiation strategy as well as its relationship with HPWS; and (4) a full moderation effect of TMT behavioral integration in the relationship between TMT perception towards HR value and HPWS. This study demonstrates significant associations between TMT, business strategy and HPWS. Reported results support some of the previously established relationships. Implications for future research are discussed.

La direzione Risorse Umane, data la confermata centralità delle persone per il raggiungimento degli obiettivi di business, si trova a rispondere a istanze di creazione efficiente di valore, le quali hanno portato a intraprendere un percorso verso un modello organizzativo orientato alla business partnership, comune anche altre funzioni di staff. Ad oggi tuttavia nessuno studio indaga gli effetti relativi all’implementazione del modello emergente in chiave olistica. Il presente contributo vuole far fronte a queste carenze, indagando longitudinalmente sia l’efficienza sia l’efficacia della funzione così come percepite sia dagli stessi dipendenti HR sia da parte dei clienti interni. Ciò diviene particolarmente interessante nel momento in cui sempre più organizzazioni e funzioni aziendali si avvicinano al modello emergente. Applicando le più recenti indicazioni di progettazione di ricerca sul tema vengono pertanto analizzate in maniera longitudinale le unità HR di 42 paesi di un’azienda multinazionale di servizi finanziari, prima, durante e dopo l’implementazione del nuovo modello organizzativo. Dallo studio emerge che l’adozione della nuova struttura, permette di ridurre i costi e di aumentare le attività a valore aggiunto, ma allo stesso tempo fa affiorare alcune criticità sulle tematiche di sviluppo interno con particolare riferimento alla mobilità. Si evince tuttavia che questa non risulta essere associata all’implementazione della nuova struttura. Mediante l’utilizzo di diverse tecniche e applicando il modello ad una realtà concreta, sono esaminate le soluzioni adottate con l’obiettivo di contribuire a comprendere empiricamente come la Direzione HR possa implementare al meglio il nuovo modello, discutendo le implicazioni per la teoria e la pratica aziendale. / Given the emerging importance of people as a contributor to business success, HR function has reorganized itself to deliver more value in efficient way. the business partner model is not unique to HR as all staff functions are trying to find ways to deliver more value to either top-line growth and to bottom-line profitability. However, currently are missing studies that shows impact of the emerging blueprint in an holistic way. With a longitudinal study we analyse the efficiency and effectiveness of the new model on the wider organization and on HR people and this is particularly interesting in moment where several organisation and functions are focusing attention on this blueprint. Using the most recent suggestions on research design are analysed longitudinally HR unit of 42 countries of multinational financial services firm, before, during and after the HR transformation. Outcomes shows that new blueprint implementation is linked to cost reduction and increase the delivery of value, but some issues pop up in terms of perception of internal mobility, that actually is not linked to the implementation of the new model. Using a multi methodology, model is tested in order to understand impact of the new blueprint and its implication for theory and practitioners.

Aim: service quality is a means to improving customer satisfaction and building up an excellent and profitable company. The actual activities of delivering service in Swedbank AB Gävle City are examined in order to assess how to deliver quality service. Method: conduct the research in a qualitative method, mainly with interviews and questionnaires. Both primary and secondary data was collected to support the subject. Result&amp;Condusions: Advanced human resources strategy and reasonable solutions to meet customer needs are two superior aspects in the process of service delivery. Suggestions for future research: customer perspective and quantified data from employees should be contained. Contribution of the thesis: an in-depth understanding of the process of quality service delivery, combined with relevant academic knowledge. Other banks and service companies can learn from the analysis results. Students and future researchers also gain new knowledge about service quality in the banking area.

The Bolivian Ornate Tinamou, Nothoprocta ornata, lives higher than 3300 m above sea level and must constantly deal with a restricted availability of atmospheric oxygen, i.e., chronic hypoxia. Interestingly enough, the Ornate Tinamou has a small heart to body ratio, which implies a reduced ability in transporting oxygenated blood to the tissues. In order to increase knowledge about the cardiorespiratory response of the Ornate Tinamou, heart rate (HR) and ventilation frequency (VR) were monitored during resting at 25 °C. The values were compared with those obtained in conditions known to elevate metabolism, i.e., lowered temperature and graded exercise. This was later compared with domestic chickens, Gallus gallus. Results showed a significant increase in HR at 4 °C, 305 ±42 bpm in the Ornate Tinamou when compared with HR at 25°C, 241± 48 bpm (330 ±42bpm and 239 ±32bpm in chicken). A significant increase in VR was only observed in chicken. As expected, with a progressive increase in running speed, a significant increase in HR in both species was observed. At 1,5 km h-1, HR in the Ornate Tinamou was 327 ±5,6 bpm and 342 ±8,5 in chicken. At 3,0 km h -1 HR was 383 ±15 bpm and 404 ±7,9, respectively. However, HR was not significantly higher in the Ornate Tinamou than in chicken, indicating that there must be other physiological adaptations involved in the sufficient oxygen delivery to tissues, e.g. a high blood oxygen affinity or a preference for anaerobic metabolism due to living in a chronic hypoxic environment.

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur HR-avdelningen arbetar under en sammanslagnings-/uppköpsprocess ett företag går igenom. Detta undersöktes med hjälp av kvalitativa intervjuer med sex personer som arbetade med HR-frågor på sex olika företag. I intervjuerna användes en intervjuguide med fyra frågeområden vilka utarbetats i en förstudie. Intervjuutskrifterna tolkades utifrån en tematisk analysmetod. I resultatet framgår att det HR-avdelningen arbetar med under en sammanslagnings-/uppköpsprocess är informationsinsamling avseende personalfrågor, ta fram underlag för fackliga och individuella förhandlingar om avtal samt samarbetar med chefer i att ta fram ett introduktionsprogram och genomföra detta. HR-avdelningen är också delaktig i att sprida information under hela processens gång. Resultatet har kunnat kopplas med god överensstämmelse till tidigare forskning inom området. Studien anses användbar då sammanslagningar och uppköp blir allt vanligare i arbetslivet och således påverkar ett allt större antal individer. Det är viktigt ur ett mänskligt perspektiv att företag, och i de ligger också en HR-avdelning, har strategier för att hantera dessa processer.