APPLICATION OF THE STRATEGIC PARTNER ROLE OF HR IN MAURITIAN ORGANISATIONS

Abstract

Strategic Human Resource management is recognised as one area through which companies may sustain competitive advantage. The goal of this research is to gain an insight into the extent to which Human Resource (HR) acts as a strategic partner in Mauritian leading organisations. This study, which used a type of thematic analysis, reveals that though HR acts as a strategic partner in two of the seven firms surveyed, the lack of understanding of the strategic partner role concept, the lack of business knowledge of HR professionals, the negative perception of HR, and the interference of politicians are amongst the main factors hindering the integration of HR as a strategic partner. Initiatives to promote HR to such position include the introduction of metrics to measure the effectiveness of HR, actions to win the trust and support of leaders, repositioning of HR within organisations and the staffing of the HR department with high calibre professionals