This year's FHRD Annual Conference has yet again been a stimulating, insightful learning experience. It brought to light a very important theme, one that has been the subject of various debates around the globe: HRM and Total Quality practices.
This link between HRM and TQ practices was extensively explored both from a conceptual and a practical perspective by the two keynote speakers: Akis Nicolaides, lecturer from the Mediterranean Institute of Management, Cyprus; and Gene Gretchen, managing director, STMicroelectronics Malta.
The core message of the conference was that HRM and TQ practices are not buzz words, but rather two important, interrelated functions that aim for the same goals: profitability, productivity, customer orientation and a motivated workforce.
As an HR practitioner from the tourism sector, I strongly believe that the role of HRM in TQ practices is vital not only in the manufacturing sector but also in the services sector. The successful delivery of a high quality service relies heavily on the effectiveness of HRM functions: employee involvement, recruitment and selection, appraisal, training and reward systems, to mention a few.
Mr Gretchen stressed that the success of STMicroelectronics is based on high quality, and internal and external customer satisfaction. The link between quality and HRM has been taken on as one of the core values of the organisation; "training and involvement of all employees in the continuous improvement of our processes, services and competitiveness".
The concept and link are very clear on paper but the way we go about implementing it is the most important. Mr Nicolaides presented a model that emphasised the role of Strategic planning and leadership, and management in the delivery of internal and external customer satisfaction through quality planning, employee involvement, measurement and benchmarking, and continuous improvement.
Mr Nicolaides then showed how this was implemented at the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority. Mr Gretchen followed on with some practical examples from STMicroelectronics Malta.
I believe that this model should be taken up by all organisations since it presents a practical approach of how TQ practices and HRM can work together for an organisation's success, be it manufacturing or service oriented.
The FHRD Annual Conference brought a wealth of benefits both to me as an HR practitioner as part of my continuous professional development and for my organisation.