Useful Research (Susan Albers Mohrman, Edward E. Lawler III, and Associates (Berrett-Koehler, 2011)) is designed to discuss the legitimacy and importance of conducting useful research to benefit both theory and practice in the field of organizational and management research.
Research and Insights Archive
Research and Insights from the Center for Effective Organizations
Available Content
HR: Time for a Reset
Edward E. Lawler III (CEO) explains that in many cases HR ends up doing a considerable amount of HR administrative work in order to take the “burden” off line managers. It may mean that HR is no longer a BPU (business prevention unit) and that it has a seat at the table.
HR Function of the Future, 12/9/2010
John Boudreau spoke on the HR Function of the Future: How Strategic Partnership with Impact Reshapes the HR Profession on December 9, 2010.
Building a Collaboration Capability for Sustainability: How Gap Inc. is Creating and Leveraging a Strategic Asset
Christopher G. Worley (CEO), Ann E. Feyerherm (Pepperdine University), and Darryl Knudsen (Gap Inc.) share how organizations are being challenged to find socially acceptable and ecologically proactive solutions while fulfilling economic expectations.
Impact of Recession: What Has Happened to HR?
Edward E. Lawler III (CEO), Jay Jamrog (i4cp, Inc.), and John Boudreau (CEO) ask the question “What has been the effect of the recession on HR?” There is a lot of speculation about how it has affected the function, but little data exist on what has happened. Let’s look at two scenarios about might have happened and then look at some data that show which one seems to have occurred most frequently.
Rethinking Retention Strategies: Work-Life Versus Deferred Compensation in a Total Rewards Strategy
This paper by Alec R. Levenson (CEO), Michael J. Fenlon (PwC), and George Benson (University of Texas) explains a rethinking of the meaning of total rewards that led to changes that produced lasting reductions in turnover and direct bottom-line benefits.
Can HR Evolve Faster? What’s in Its Way? – and How to Remove It, 4/19/2010
John Boudreau discussed his view on the evolution of the HR profession, drawing on Center research, his recent work with leading HR executives and CHRO’s, and the ideas in his forthcoming book, Retooling HR.
Achieving Excellence in Human Resources Management: An Assessment of Human Resource Functions
Like CEO’s previous research, this project measures whether the HR function is changing and on gauging its effectiveness. Edward E. Lawler III and John W. Boudreau pay particular attention to whether HR is changing to become an effective strategic partner. They also analyze how organizations can more effectively manage their human capital.
What Makes HR a Strategic Partner?
Edward E. Lawler III (CEO) and John W. Boudreau (CEO) share that for several decades, the HR function in corporations has been encouraged to become a strategic partner. Data from a longitudinal study of large corporations suggest that HR is not now a strategic partner and that little or no movement toward it becoming one has occurred.
Extreme Strategizing
Theresa Welbourne discusses how this month (September, 2008) business leaders, government officials, students, and many workers at every level in the organization were shocked by the massive losses in the financial industry being documented in the press.
Relational Capital: Strategic Advantage for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Negotiation and Collaboration
Theresa M. Welbourne (CEO) and Manuela Pardo del Val (Universitat de València) explain that collaborative entrepreneurship research suggests that organizations will soon pursue more collaborative relationships throughout a worldwide network of firms, driving a strategy of continuous innovation, specially small-and medium-size firms (SMEs).
Designing Organizations for Growth: The Human Resource Contribution
Susan A. Mohrman (CEO) states that HR is staring at an incredible opportunity to increase its impact on organizational performance and become a true strategic partner by contributing to the organization and work design challenges that enable growth.