LeBrasseur, Rolland (1995) Skills supply strategy in large high technology organisations. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis pursued three objectives: (1) to identify policies and practices which are
related to the retention of professionals and managers with critical skills; (2) to
document why and how these policies and practices have changed in relation to the
business strategy; and (3) to assess whether the organisation's skill supply patterns
constitute a strategy, that is, explicit, consistent and coordinated efforts supporting
the business strategy. Guided by a contextual theoretical framework and
methodology, the researcher undertook a pilot stuay of two Canadian high technology
firms, and followed with three case studies of large UK-based high technology
organisations with an R&D Division.
The findings indicated the importance of hard benefits (compensation) as a necessary
condition for recruitment and retention, and the complementary impact of twelve soft
benefits (job characteristics and other factors tied to the work, organisational and
social environments) with special relevance for retention. Lifetime employment as a
policy and as the dominant skills supply pattern proved to be resistant to change.
The HRM context (comprising the history of the organisation, managerial and
professional cultures, the personnel function, and workforce planning) was found to
inhibit skill initiatives, but certain features became less negative over time. In
particular, the cumulative effect of recruitment of new skills over several years
altered the internal labour market such that many employees supported new ways of
doing business.
Skills were found to be solidly embedded in the work and social organisation, and
high levels of energy were required to modify the organisation-wide skillbase. Both
single lever and multiple lever SKISSs were identified. b1iddle managers proved to be
potential key actors in obtaining skill advantages for the entire R&D Division. Top
management paid attention to skill issues under extreme circumstances such as a
shift from the public to private sector, and a change of mission. The thesis leads to a
number of policy recommendations and avenues for future research.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Business planning, Employee retention, Core competencies, High technology industries -- Canada -- Case studies, High technology industries -- Great Britain -- Case studies
Official Date:	January 1995
Dates:	Date Event January 1995 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	xi, 373 leaves
Language:	eng
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/4213

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