Contents Introduction PART 1 THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF STRATEGIC HRM 1 The concept of human resource management HRM defined 5;Human resource systems 8;Aims of HRM 9; Characteristics of HRM 12;Reservations about HRM 17 2 The concept of strategy 21 Strategy defined 22;The concept of strategy 23;The formulation of strategy 28 3 The concept of strategic human resource management 33 Strategic HRM defined 33;Basis of strategic HRM 34; Principles of strategic HRM35;Aims of strategic HRM35; Concepts of strategic HRM 37;Perspectives on strategic HRM39 The best-practice approach 40;The best-fit approach 42; Bundling 46;The reality of strategic HRM 48;Practical implications of strategic HRM theory 49 Contents Introduction PART 1 THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF STRATEGIC HRM 1 The concept of human resource management 5 HRM defined 5; Human resource systems 8; Aims of HRM 9; Characteristics of HRM 12; Reservations about HRM 17 2 The concept of strategy 21 Strategy defined 22; The concept of strategy 23; The formulation of strategy 28 3 The concept of strategic human resource management 33 Strategic HRM defined 33; Basis of strategic HRM 34; Principles of strategic HRM 35; Aims of strategic HRM 35; Concepts of strategic HRM 37; Perspectives on strategic HRM 39; The best-practice approach 40; The best-fit approach 42; Bundling 46; The reality of strategic HRM 48; Practical implications of strategic HRM theory 49 v