A Strategic HRM and Project Management in an Abu Dhabi Governmental Organization – UAE

There is little consensus on an explicit definition of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) as well as Project Management (PM), which complicates measuring and understanding the relationship between both concepts. This dissertation research study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of SHRM based on the current academic understanding of the concept in relation to various fields including organizational strategy, organizational performance, employment modes, leadership styles, and particularly the discipline of Project Management. It includes a critical review that compares and contrasts previous studies. The dissertation explores SHRM and PM practices in a governmental Organization in Abu Dhabi – Organization ABC, which is mainly derived from documentary sources and organizational policies and procedures, providing a chronological order of different events relating to the research subjects and their influence on the development of SHRM in Organization ABC. The case study research concentrates on employees’ interviews feedback and accounts in 3 main fields; HRM, Strategy Management and Project Management, as well as the researcher's participant observation as an employee of the organization for more than 3 years. These techniques are justified based on their relevance and appropriateness to the case study to gain an optimal insight into the research problem. This study results found that HRM in Organization ABC is functional and is moving towards a strategic orientation. Barriers to this process are various including a lack of: stability, clear policies, authority, proper communication and expertise. Organization ABC maintains a great deal of potential and ability to develop in SHRM given current circumstances, policies and procedures. Also, employees in the organization demonstrated support and acknowledged the need for SHRM. In order to construct an efficient and effective Strategic HRM in the organization ABC, it is critical to obtain higher management commitment to the project and build ownership of the process across the organization through raising strategic awareness and understanding. The research also proposes implementing a proper change management process that requires the collaboration of all concerned, especially the HR and Strategy Management sections, while considering the national and organizational culture. Furthermore, it is recommended that appropriate competence and behavior strategies should be applied and corporate governance to ensure ethical practice of the process. It is concluded that Developing SHRM will improve PM in Organization ABC which will increase the organization’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives; hence increasing corporate performance. HRM is Organization ABC plays a major role in project success, particularly in the planning and execution stages of projects. An increased awareness of PM is required in Organization ABC in order to apply appropriate employment modes, HR configuration and relevant leadership styles to projects, which are based on the nature of the activity, human capital value and uniqueness. Finally, the dissertation gives recommendations for future research to enhance the understanding of SHRM and its implications for Project Management.