Hard and Soft HR Management Approaches

• What are the two distinct HRM strategies?


  Hard and soft HRM strategies
• What leadership style is associated with hard HRM strategy?

  Authoritarian or autocratic style
• What type of organizational structure does hard HRM strategy typically involve?

  Centralized organizational structure
• What does hard HRM strategy involve in terms of workforce management?

  Workforce planning and predicting labor turnover
• How are workers viewed in a hard HRM strategy?

  As components of the business
• What is a key characteristic of soft HRM strategy?

  Focus on motivational issues
• What leadership style is associated with soft HRM strategy?

  Democratic leadership style
• What does soft HRM strategy allow employees to do?

  Make their own decisions
• What is a potential downside of soft HRM strategy?

  Requires training costs
• What is the aim of hard HRM strategy regarding employees?

  Utilize employees as efficiently as possible
• How does hard HRM strategy view employees?

  As a resource like raw materials
• What is a benefit of hard HRM strategy?

  More efficient employee management
• What factors influence whether a company adopts hard or soft HRM strategies?

  History, culture, and management attitudes
• How do educated and skilled employees typically react to HRM approaches?

  Favorably to soft HRM approach
• What are the overall benefits of effective HRM strategies?

  1. Motivated and committed staff
  2. Increased idea contribution
  3. Loyal staff
  4. Lower labor turnover
  5. High staff retention
  6. Less absenteeism
  7. Increased productivity