Strategic Human Resource Management

Section Six

equipment may be influenced, to some extent, by companies’
awareness of forecasted labor shortages through their
environmental scanning activities. At least in some small
portion, forecasted labor shortages may not materialize
because companies do human resource planning and take
appropriate actions.

This speculative explanation is also consistent with a
general description of an effective human resource
management function. James Walker has explained this as
follows:

One company suggested that the most effective

function is the one that ensures that there are no

pressing human resource issues to concern

management. The most proactive, strategic

approach to managing resources anticipates and

addresses emerging issues before the “pain” is

felt. Because conditions continually change,

however, there are always issues to be

addressed. Through human resource planning,

the function may bring these issues to

management’s attention and create a sense of

urgency for action.^37