Support for an HR approach in Australia: the perspective of senior HR managers

Results from a national survey of membership of the professional body the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) provide clear support that senior HR managers have internalized key features of an HR approach and have largely moved away from the personnel mindset. Results also indicate that recent HR policy initiatives have focused on recruitment and selection, train ing and development and performance appraisal. These policy areas are com plementary, central to strategic HRM and reflect an attempt to develop key HR capabilities. Further HR policy areas that are discussed at the senior manage ment committee level reinforce policy initiatives being taken by HR managers. There is also adequate opportunity for this group of senior HR managers to communicate their ideas directly with the CEO. These findings raise important questions about how this perceived move towards an HR approach will be received and supported elsewhere in the organization. Sector and ownersbip were also taken into account. HR managers in the private sector were more willing to embrace a business focus and greater emphasis is given to training by overseas-owned firms.