In Search of Meaning and Content of Strategic Human Resource Management for Teaching and Learning Purpose

Though Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) has become a specialized course in the education of Human Resource Management (HRM), a serious consideration of the current body of knowledge of SHRM reveals a theoretical gap that exists in ascertaining meaning and content of SHRM for teaching and learning purpose, particularly in Sri Lankan context, perhaps in Asian context. This non-traditional but systematic research paper was written to accomplish three objectives: (1) to present definitions of SHRM given by authors of authoritative generalized and specialized textbooks and make a brief descriptive analysis about the definitions explored; (2) to identify and mention various dimensions or aspects of SHRM; and (3) to introduce an adequate and relevant content of SHRM which is useful for teaching and learning purpose particularly in developing country context. The desk research strategy was the strategy adopted for this study and one non-scientific method called authority was applied to carry out the study. 14 textbooks on General HRM having a separate chapter on SHRM and 8 specialized textbooks on SHRM were utilized for the study. An analysis of the contents of writing in defining and logical judgement of the author were executed. 22 contents of defining of SHRM were identified and presented. The analysis of the definitions yielded a list of 18 specific dimensions or characteristics of SHRM suggesting 18 ways of viewing HRM strategically. As topics to be included in a typical syllabus of a course titled SHRM, 15 general items were identified and mentioned.