Achieving Strategic Excellence

This is the Center for Effective Organizations’s (CEO) fourth national study of the human resources (HR) function in large corporations. It is the only long-term national study of this important function. Like the previous studies, it focuses on measuring whether the HR function is changing and on gauging its effectiveness. The study focuses particularly on whether the HR function is changing to become an effective strategic partner. It also analyzes how organizations can more effectively manage their human capital. The present study compares data from earlier studies to data collected in 2004. The results show some important changes and indicate what HR needs to do to be effective. Practices are identified that enable HR functions to be high value-added strategic partners. Edward E. Lawler III is Distinguished Professor of Business and Director of the Center for Effective Organizations in the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. His most recent books include Creating a Strategic Human Resources Organization (Stanford University Press, 2003), and Human Resources Business Process Outsourcing (2004). John W. Boudreau is Professor of Management and Organization and Research Director of the Center for Effective Organizations, at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California. Susan Albers Mohrman is Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Effective Organizations at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.

"Achieving Strategic Excellence offers a unique and practical perspective based on solid research on how HR impacts business success. The inclusion of data from senior line managers adds a dose of reality to how the HR function has actually changed. This important work is a must-read for HR professionals as well as business leaders seeking to maximize human capital."—Daryl D. David, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Washington Mutual, Inc.