Applying the criteria of Ulrich and Brockbank for the assessment of the role of human resources as a strategic business partner in a mining company

Abstract

The aim of this study was to apply the 14 criteria of Ulrich and Brockbank for the assessment of the movement of a human-resource function from its current development phase to a strategic business-partner role. A qualitative method, based on casing, was adopted as the research strategy. Data were collected from members of the human-resource forum of an organisation through a semi-structured focus group, individual interviews and solicited document reviews. The collected data were analysed through open coding or thematic analyses. Findings indicated that the organisation’s human-resource function was moving from operational human-resource service provision to a more strategic focus.

Keywords

• human-resource management
• strategic human-resource management
• strategic business partner
• Ulrich’s and Brockbank’s criteria
• qualitative evaluation