5 The concept of human resource management In the first section of this chapter human reso rce management(HRM)is defined in general and as a system.Its aims and characteristics are described in later sections of the chapter. HRM DEFINED Human resource management is defined as a strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization's most valued assets-the Boxall et al(2007)describe HRM as'the management of work and people towards desired ends'.John Storey (1989)believes that HRM can be regarded as a'set of interrelated policies with an ideological and philo- sophical underpinning'.He suggests four aspects that constitute the mean- ingful version of HRM:1)a particular constellation of beliefs and assumptions;2)a strategic thrust informing decisions about people management;3)the central involvement of line managers;and 4)reliance upon a set of'levers'to shape the employment relationship.HRMis further defined by the two models of HRM developed by what might be described as its founding fathers. 1 The concept of human resource management In the first section of this chapter human resource management (HRM) is defined in general and as a system. Its aims and characteristics are described in later sections of the chapter. HRM DEFINED Human resource management is defined as a strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization’s most valued assets – the people working there, who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of its objectives. Boxall et al (2007) describe HRM as ‘the management of work and people towards desired ends’. John Storey (1989) believes that HRM can be regarded as a ‘set of interrelated policies with an ideological and philo￾sophical underpinning’. He suggests four aspects that constitute the mean￾ingful version of HRM: 1) a particular constellation of beliefs and assumptions; 2) a strategic thrust informing decisions about people management; 3) the central involvement of line managers; and 4) reliance upon a set of ‘levers’ to shape the employment relationship. HRM is further defined by the two models of HRM developed by what might be described as its founding fathers. 5