CAN WE DO WITHOUT HR? The Orion Partners 2022 Research Programme

CAN WE DO WITHOUT HR?

The Orion Partners 2022 Research Programme

It is nearly 25 years since David Ulrich’s book ‘Human Resource Champions’, was first published and led to a generation of transformational activity in HR to implement the so-called ‘Ulrich model’.

But despite the significance and influence of Ulrich’s ideas, many organisations have questioned whether HR can ever benefit from the model given the scale of transformation required.  Others criticise the Ulrich model for its ‘one size fits all’ all approach or have seen the benefits watered down by poor adoption in the business.

The difficulties of initiating change in HR means many organisations are still failing to deliver their potential to the business even after a generation of trying.  Some leaders have even questioned the value of having an HR function at all.

Duncan Bannatyne, entrepreneur, former star of ‘Dragon’s Den’ and CEO of the Bannatyne Health Group has been vocal in saying that HR is just a support function and has no business being on the board.  Meanwhile, Greg Jackson, CEO of green energy group, Octopus has gone as far as declaring that he does not need an HR function to support his 1200 strong organisation.

So, what does the future of HR look like? Are the principles of David Ulrich’s research still valid or is it time for a radical rethink about the way HR operates.

For our 2022 research project, Orion have set out to answer four questions:

• Are traditional approaches to HR still valid or do organisations need to rethink what HR means?
• Do HR spend too much of their time trying to be strategic and not enough getting the basics right?
• Are large scale transformation programmes a luxury that organisations can’t afford?
• With the availability of technologies like artificial intelligence, are the days of the HR specialist numbered?
• Can we envisage a future without an HR function?

This is the chance for you to have your say about the way that you believe HR should be reshaped to meet future demands.  Our research questionnaire is open to any who work in HR or who have strong views about the way HR services should be organised.  The questionnaire can be found here – it asks 20 questions about your organisation, your HR function and the shape of things to come.  It takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Results of the survey will be published in the summer, together with the results of more in-depth interviews with HR and Business leaders on this topic.  We hope you will take the opportunity to join us in what promises to be a stimulating debate!