MGMT 473 How HR Responds To Technology Most organizations try to remain relevant in their industry by adopting new methods

and processes that are being invented to make the business processes more efficient and profitable. The introduction of a more automated process speeds up the daily business activities and thus the companies are able to deliver their products and services in a much more timely manner with the least possibility for any inaccuracy. Thus the companies that have sufficient resources continue to update themselves to retain their competitive position in todays dynamic markets. This essay looks at the different aspects of the introduction of new technology into the organizations and the role of the human resources management in the adoption of the new system and planning for the growth of the employees. The new technology in any organization would have several long-term effects. These effects are not necessarily positive but may also be adverse. The positive effects of the introduction of technology include the levels of accuracy and speed with which the activities are undertaken by the businesses. Due to automation and introduction of information technology into the entire system, the companies have an access to a huge amount of information. The production uality is also better, because the processes become standardized. !f a company manufacturers their product in different location " whether domestic or international "this would provide a uniform production pattern to the company. #lubbed with the adoption of the new technology is the problem that automation brings in. the work that was previously done by a number of people is done by the machine which results in the reduction in the re uirement of workforce. This would pose a threat to the employees and the human resources department has a ma$or role to play here. #hanges in any organization are never very smooth. There would be several resistances from the

employees from different departments. &eople have the tendency to resist new systems and processes because people simply do not like change. Thus it is mandatory on part of the companies to train their employees with the necessary skills. The human resources department has to arrange for regular training and development programs to eliminate this fear out of the employees. 'uman (esources have both an institutional role and a strategic role in enable this change process take place. The redefining of the mindsets of the employees is re uired. The new technology needs to be implemented across the hierarchies so that the employees in the lower tiers of the organization structure do not have the conception that it has been burdened on them solely )*reenberg +,-. #ounseling process of the employees should be done so that they come out of the feeling of insecurity. .n atmosphere of integration and harmony has to be maintained so that the employees accept the change. #ompetence and skills of employees help an organization to ensure effective business performance. !t is important for the organizations to improve human resource management activities as this department of the organizations has ma$or role to play in the planning for the growth of an organization. /or e0ample, a multinational organization always tries to e0pand its business operations in global market place in order to develop a potential customer base. Moreover, effective global e0pansion strategy helps an organization to increase its profitability. !n global market place, the organization has to consider workplace diversity due to different cultural and religious background of the employees. This diversity strategy helps organizations to generate different innovative ideas which re uired for the development of business strategies. 1ffective human resource management helps an organization to avoid the challenge of workplace conflict. !t is important for the business organization to consider workplace

conflict as a ma$or threat for business. 1ffective diversity programs and training for employees help the employees to perform collaboratively. This conflict free work environment motivates the management of the organization to develop future growth strategies for an organization. 'uman resource department of an organization manages several key aspects, such as budget control, conflict resolution, employee satisfaction, performance management and cost saving. 1ffective management of these elements can be considered by human resource development that can help the management of the organization to develop several growth strategies for the organization. 3everal leading organizations around the globe are trying to implement the advantages that have developed due to advanced technology and globalization. 1ffective implementation of advanced technology helps an organization in several ways in this present era of globalization. *lobalization encourages several multinational organizations to e0pand its business operation in global market place. 3everal organizations are trying to implement advanced technology in order to meet market demand in this competitive global business environment )'olbeche %4-. .doption of technology in business can help an organization to reduce its operating cost and time. !n addition to this, online business strategies help organizations to satisfy the needs of customers. !n this modern era of advanced technology, consumers are demanding for the facilities like online consumption process. /or e0ample, Tesco &lc, one of the leading retail chains around the globe implemented online business strategy to satisfy the basic needs of customers. 5n the other hand, online business strategy helps an organization to reduce its business operation cost and time. !t is the role of human resource department of the organization to take care employee satisfaction, budget control and training programs to adopt advanced technology in business process. !n an e0ample from my professional career, 6-1leven !nc adopted a new method of ordering product from the store. !n the past, stores used to place orders for items to stock +

their shelves by calling vendors directly or a sales rep would come by to take a weekly order. !n the last year 6-1leven upgraded their internal network by adopting a new ordering system that would automate the process. 3tores would go from calling and meeting with a sales rep, to placing the order through their store computer. 'uman (esources played a significant role in ensuring the changeover would occur as seamlessly as possible. .lthough the launch occurred a year ago, the 'uman (esources team planned for everything a year before the launch. '( created a list of what they would need to make a successful launch. They decided that bringing on additional help to help train classes would be necessary. They also needed venues to conduct sessions. 7ith all the costs estimated, they created a budget that was sent up to head uarters. 5nce the budget was approved they hired and trained 28 new trainers to be sent off to particular zones to be able to lead these classes. 3i0 months prior to the launch, training sessions were held all over the 9nited 3tates. .s most of the franchise community is in their late :;s and 8;s, getting their buy-in into the program was critical and it would put their mind in ease knowing that they understand the new software coming. During the training sessions, trainees were able to navigate around the system freely to get familiar with all the tools and were even able to conduct mock orders. !t is clear from above discussion that several organizations are trying to implement advanced technology in business process in order to achieve competitive advantages. *lobalization and advanced technology helps several multinational organizations to develop different strategies in international market according to the cultural background of employees and customers. !t is the responsibility of the human resource department of the organizations to prepare budget and organize training programs to develop new growth strategies. 7ithout

effective planning and control of human resource department, an organization cannot get success through developed strategies. !t can hamper business output and productivity.

7orks #ited *reenberg, <erald. Managing Behavior in organizations. 9pper 3addle (iver, =<> &rentice 'all. %,,4. &rint. 'olbeche, ?inda. Aligning Human Resources and Business Strategy. ?ondon> (outledge. 2;%+. &rint.