Strategic Human Resource Management: A Conceptual Approach.

In this paper conceptual issues associated with strategic human resource

management are addressed. The rapidly expanding intemationai interest in

strategic human resource management is first highlighted. The article then

explores some of the broader issues around the debate on SHRM that can

inform thinking at a macro level. Firstly, the progress made towards

understanding the meaning of SHRM is analysed, then a brief overview of

the major models of SHRM to date is presented. This overview is used to

highlight the key variables and interrelationships that need to be included

in a model of SHRM, and a more detailed critical analysis of the contribution

of the literature in each of these areas follows. A summary of the most

important research questions arising out of the literature is followed by a

model of the SHRM process, which attempts to remedy the major weaknesses

in existing models of SHRM. The ways in which this model may be

used as a basis for empirical research are then noted.