Indian Journal of Industrial Relations: Economics & Social Dev.

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Workforce Reduction & HR Competencies: An Exploratory Study


Affiliations
1 Delhi University, India
2 Department of Psychology, Delhi University, India
     

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This study explores the competencies expected of HR professionals while handling the survivors in a downsizing scenario and also describes how managerial competencies could change in importance during periods of significant organizational transition. For the purpose of the study a competency enquiry list was generated through interaction with senior industry professionals, both HR and non- HR. The list comprising 10 competencies was administered to 34 top level managers belonging to 4 organizations (where workforce reduction had happened in the recent past) in the manufacturing sector in Delhi and NCR. The results of the study suggest that in a downsizing scenario the five most important competencies expected to be possessed by HR professionals are business acumen, interpersonal understanding, credibility, communication and ability to realign HR policies and practices.
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  • Workforce Reduction & HR Competencies: An Exploratory Study

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Authors

Sushmita Biswal Waraich
Delhi University, India
Gopa Bhardwaj
Department of Psychology, Delhi University, India

Abstract


This study explores the competencies expected of HR professionals while handling the survivors in a downsizing scenario and also describes how managerial competencies could change in importance during periods of significant organizational transition. For the purpose of the study a competency enquiry list was generated through interaction with senior industry professionals, both HR and non- HR. The list comprising 10 competencies was administered to 34 top level managers belonging to 4 organizations (where workforce reduction had happened in the recent past) in the manufacturing sector in Delhi and NCR. The results of the study suggest that in a downsizing scenario the five most important competencies expected to be possessed by HR professionals are business acumen, interpersonal understanding, credibility, communication and ability to realign HR policies and practices.

References