HRM students are searching for a concise good book that can guide them how to use Analytics to enhance strategic decision making as the analytics has moved from its traditional Human Resource Management (HRM) function to Human Capital Management (HCM).
Although there are many books on Analytics, most of them discuss the traditional role of analytics. The recently published book titled ‘HR Analytics’ by SAGE publishing takes a different and fresh approach and reflects on the HCM role of Analytics and predictive decision making in present day organizations.
‘HR Analytics’ is authored by Dr. Dipak Kumar Bhattacharyya, professor at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar and also a visiting faculty at XLRI Jamshedpur. Prof Bhattacharyya, a PhD in Management from University of Calcutta, has extensive consultancy experience in HR, quality Management, HR Planning, Compensation design, Organizational Development and Restructuring Areas.
The book ‘HR Analytics’ aims to help the students, HR professionals and analysts with the insights to make better informed decisions. The book goes beyond conventional HR study and discusses the modern day advances and application of Big Data in making HR decisions.
Accordingly, while reading this book, one can know the theories, applications and practices in present day decision making and can also learn the basics of HR Analytics from the non-technical way of presentation. The book is written in simple language both for academia and practitioners and covers all the aspects of ‘HR Analytics’.
‘HR Analytics’ is divided into eight chapters covering key areas of HR Analytics especially HRM Functions; HR Decision Making & Analytics; Introducing and discussing in detail the HR Analytics; HR Business Processes; Forecasting and Measuring HR Value Propositions with HR Analytics; HR Analytics and Data; HR Analytics and Predictive Modelling and HR Analytics for Future.
One of the highlights of the book is its focus on corporate practices. Each chapter of the book has 8-10 sub sections comprehensively elaborated and discussed in simple language on all the relevant aspects. Each chapter opens with a case study and ends with another case study. The industry insights and caselets as an integral part of all the chapters of the book provide real life learning. A section ‘Practitioners Speak’ is embedded with a topical issue in each of the eight chapters. The book also contains notes on Corporate Practices. The language is clear and brings home the message well.
In the first part of the book, the author discusses the basics of HRM Functions and their process. The chapter opens with the HR case study of Wipro which got a good voluntary response from its employees due to its well managed HR policy even during the economic slowdown.
Second chapter introduces HR Decision making, Analytics based HR Decision Making among others. The chapter discusses in detail but to the point on all the aspects of HR Decision Making and closes with HR Analytics and Changing Role of HR Managers. The case study on HR Analytics for a Hospitality Chain in the end of the chapter explains well how HR Analytics could help the company in aligning leadership behaviour.
While Chapter three introduces and discusses HR Analytics, it processes and predictive modelling, the fourth Chapter focuses on HR business processes, HR Analytics as a tool for HR decision making. The Case Study on Lessons from Walmart at the end of fourth chapter is a good example on strategic HR Analytics used at Walmart.
Chapter five is on forecasting and measuring value propositions with HR Analytics. The Case studies through all these chapters give real life experiences. Chapter six and seven are rich on discussing HR Data and Analytics, big data for Human Resources, Predictive modelling, practical processes of using predictive analytics for HR decisions. Chapter eight, the last chapter of the book elaborates on HR Analytics for future and empowerment of human resources with HR Analytics.
The examples, cases in the chapters are well discussed to give a clear view to the reader on HR Analytics and how the decision was taken. The Case study of SAS on HR Analytics implementation in chapter eight of the book on sourcing the right talent and talent retention is a good example.
At the close of each chapter the learning is summarised followed by questions to assess the section understanding followed by suggested references to broaden the vision. In the end, the book has rich glossary that covers all the good reading on these topics.
Given the importance of leveraging big data in every corporate function, the balanced discussion of HR Analytics from both theoretical and practical perspectives, and simplicity of language, this book is highly recommended for MBA students and practitioners alike.
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