Incorporating the 8 Box HR Model in normal HR practices

What is an HR Model?

“It is a precise description how to aim for the high performance, high productivity Human Resources Function in the organization” (HRM Handbook, 2022).

Generally, it is not an implementation plan, but managers and employees can navigate through it prior to make decisions and also allows a quick check at the department where the decision has to make.

The HR Model is NOT the competency model of Human Resources. Because in competency models it describes the required sets of skills and competencies in the organization and Human Resources.

The competency model must be LINKED with the HR Model, but it should NOT drive it.

But there should always exist an explicit connection between the HR Strategy and the HR Model.

“The strategy is a vision of Human Resources in the future, and the model is describing a generic plan how to get there and helps to split initiatives into smaller manageable pieces and set priorities” (HRM Handbook, 2022).

HRM Models

• Harvard HRM Model
• The ASTD Competency HRM Model
• The 8 Box HRM Model
• The Ulrich HRM Model
• The HR Value Chain Advanced

Figure : Box 8 Model by Paul Biselie. Source: https://www.slidesalad.com/product/best-human-resources-models-practices-google-slides-templates/ 

The 8-box model was introduced by Paul Boselie. It projects the differences of external and internal factors that influence the effectiveness of what we do in Human Resource (peopleHum, 2022).

As the external forces that influence how we do HR, the model shows 04 contexts.  

1. External general market context
2. External population market context
3. External general institutional context
4. External population institutional context

Let us take an example to get an idea about this model.

If there are no adequate skills in the market, this influences how we do our sourcing, recruiting, and hiring, compared to when there’s an abundance of qualified workers.

The institutional context also changes as legislation impacts the way we work day-to-day with HR while trade unions and work councils limit what HR can do.

With this, the core process in the middle (human resource strategy & practice) starts with the configuration. The company’s history, culture and the technology used are all factors that influence how we communicate in HR, what we want to achieve, and how effective we are in our HR policies. All of these factors influence our HR strategy.

The HR strategy consists of six parts:

• Intended HR practices : The intention we have with our recruitment, training, and other practices matters.
• Actual HR practices : This is what we actually practice in the company
• Perceived HR practices : This is how the employee perceives what’s going on in the organization.
• HR outcomes : The perceived HR practices lead to certain HR outcomes. HR outcomes lead to critical HR goals which in turn leads to ultimate business goals.

Advantages of 8 Box Model (Thakur, 2022)

• The model showcases the points to think of when training and recruiting. 
• HR model clearly describe the intentions of the HR department.
• The model creates a strong bond between the general manager and HR department. 
• The model helps to achieve the company’s HR goals.

Disadvantages of 8 Box Model (Thakur, 2022)

• The cost of running different operations is pretty high in large enterprises making it inconvenient for small companies.
• There is a chance that employee’s reactions might not offer enough reliability.

Taking into consideration of all the pros and cons of the 8 Box Model, Incorporating it in decision making will smoothen the company towards achieving the goals. 

References

HRM Handbook, (2022). HR Model. HRM Handbook. [Online] Available at: https://hrmhandbook.com/hro/model/ [Accessed on 20^th of August, 2022]

peopleHum, (2022). The 8-box  model by Paul Boselie. peopleHum. [online]. Available at: https://www.peoplehum.com/glossary/the-8-box-model-by-paul-boselie  [Accessed on 20^th August, 2022] 

Thakur, S. (2022).  HRM Models- Definition, Types with Advantages and Disadvantages. Huge reference manual. [Online] Available at: https://101hrm.com/hrm-models/ [Accessed on 20^th August, 2022].