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&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.

The relationship between employer and employee is, from a judicial point of view, governed primarily by economic and employment contracts. However, a significant part of the dynamic is also dictated by tacit expectations and promises (so called psychological contracts). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and psychological contract violation. Primary hypothesis assumed that there was a correlation between higher perceived organizational support and a reduction of feelings of violation from psychological contract breach. It was also assumed that employment time, sex and past breach experiences correlated with feelings of violation. Surveys were used to gather empirical data. Respondents consisted of 62 municipal employees, mainly in the education sector. Results showed a moderate relationship between POS and feelings of violation. No other significant correlations were found. This paper therefore argues for the importance of promoting good organizational support to its employees, which ultimately also improves organizational well-being and efficiency. Keywords: Work, organizational, psychology, human resource management, HR, psychological contract, organizational support, emotions, affects.

Antalet äldre i Sverige har ökat och det tillsammans med omorganisationer inom sjukvården har skapat ett större tryck på äldreomsorgen. Hemtjänsten är en stor del utav äldreomsorgen och eftersom många äldre vill bo kvar hemma, fastän de inte klarar sig självständigt, har hemtjänsten fått stor betydelse. För att klara av det ökade trycket ersätter många hemtjänstgrupper den manuella planeringen med en IT-baserad planering. Lapscare är ett IT-baserat planeringssystem som införts i Varbergs kommun för att ta fram den optimala planeringen för hemtjänstinsatser. Studiens syfte är att belysa hur de Lapscareansvariga i den offentliga hemtjänsten uppfattar att Lapscare fungerar. För att kunna genomföra studien utfördes kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer med de två Lapscareansvariga i fem hemtjänstgrupper. Vi har använt oss av en kombination av New Public Management, Human Resource och omsorgsrationalitet för att analysera det empiriska materialet. Vi fann att de Lapscareansvariga har både positiva och negativa åsikter om Lapscare. De anser att planeringen är enklare och smidigare men de upplever sig även kontrollerade på så sätt att cheferna lättare kan se hur effektivt de använder sin arbetsdag.

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.

Studien ämnar till att skapa en profil för tre olika empirinära perspektiv, vilka alla spelar en roll före, under och efter en nedskärningsprocess. Dessa tre perspektiv är: ledningsperspektivet, perspektivet för kvarvarande anställda och uppsagda arbetare. Författaren lägger tyngd på den tidigare vetenskapliga forskningen som får agera likt en mall för hur en optimal hantering ska ske under en nedskärningsprocess. Syftet med studien är att detektera bristande överrensstämmelser mellan perspektiven som förhindrar att hanteringen blir optimal för alla parter, samt kunna se om teorin används i det praktiska utövandet.Ledarskapsperspektivet är representerat i två underkategorier: sekundärintervjuer och expertintervjuer. I sekundärintervjuerna så presenteras svar från auktoriteter inom området som förmedlar den erfarenhetsbaserade kunskapen; medan i expertintervjuerna presenteras svar från fyra olika, representerade, företag inom olika branscher i Borlänge. Perspektivet för kvarvarande anställda representeras av en enkätundersökning och en djupare intervju med en kvarvarande anställd. Det tredje empirinära perspektivet, för uppsagda arbetare, representeras av en enkätundersökning och en djupare intervju med en uppsagd arbetare.I resultatet så visar det sig att författaren har kunnat detektera bristande överrensstämmelser på flera punkter, främst inom den uppfattade kommunikationen, mellan perspektiven. Detta tolkas som att de framlagda teorierna inte följs av praktiken och därför råder det ingen optimal situation för något av de representerade perspektiven.

Abstract This research attempted to explain the relationship among HR investment, organizational human capital and firm performance. A positive link between a firm¡¦s HR investment and its performance through the mediating effect of overall human capital was proposed. Alternative hypotheses were presented to test the effect of different HR investment portfolios on various human capital dimensions, as well as the link between these human capital dimensions and firm performance outcomes. A review on the concept of human capital revealed several problems in the research of human capital at organizational level. Four new latent constructs (quantity of human capital, human capital-organization fit, complementarity of human capital, and specificity of human capital) were extracted from the literature to form a new paradigm in the measurement of organizational level human capital. This new paradigm represented a resource-based perspective. Data were collected from top executives of 105 companies located in the US and in Taiwan in the knowledge-intensive industry segments such as professional service, financial service, R&D, and hi-tech manufacturing, etc. Survey questionnaires were used as data collection instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis using LISREL was performed to test validity and reliability of new measurement scales. Hierarchical regression statistics were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that HR investment had significant positive impact on firm performance and was significantly related to higher level of human capital in a firm as measured by the quantity of human capital, human capital-organization fit, complementarity of human capital, and specificity of human capital. Further, the mediating effect of firm-level human capital between HR investment and firm performance was substantiated. This study also tested a more complex model linking two HR investment portfolios to four dimensions of human capital and firm performance outcomes. The findings showed that higher level of acquisition investment was linked to higher level of human capital-organization fit, complementarity of human capital, and specificity of human capital. More significantly, a higher level of development investment was linked to higher levels of all four dimensions of human capital. In addition, each individual dimension of human capital, except the quantity of it, was found to positively predict firm performance outcomes.