HR Professionals in the Changed Business Scenario: Roles, Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

The changed global economic scenario has resulted in a paradigm shift in the role set of the human resource (HR) professionals. They no longer play advisory and supportive roles; rather, they tend to participate in the strategic decision-making process. But, the changes taking place in the global business environment often are not accompanied by the complementary changes in the HR management practices of the developing countries in Asia. Further, the current global recession has pushed many companies to quickly adjust their HR policies and practices for competitive advantage. It ultimately demands a complete transformed role for the HR professionals. The main purpose of the paper is to study the changing role, emerging opportunities and challenges for the HR professionals in recession. It would also study its effect on the HR policies and practices of the Asian countries. Apart from collecting data from both the primary and secondary sources, views and opinions of working executives of various companies have been extracted from phone calls, internet sites and conference proceedings regarding their actual role set. The HR is still focused on transactional activities and operating efficiencies than on high-level strategic issues. Recession has also affected the functional areas of the HR professionals to a great extent. Recession is perceived as an opportunity for the HR professionals than as a challenge. By exploring challenges and opportunities, the authors suggest new responsibilities for the HR professionals in recession. The study would help them to quickly adapt themselves to the difficult times.