Is the contraction of demand an excuse for the laissez-faire human resource practices at professional services companies?
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Is the contraction of demand an excuse for the laissez-faire human resource practices at professional services companies?Author(s)
Date
2011Citation
Calvo, N. (2011). Is the contraction of demand an excuse for the laissez-faire human resource practices at professional services companies? System Dynamics Review, 27(3), 294-312. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.461
Abstract
[Abstract]: Companies based on selling knowledge identify their employees as critical capital, the basis
for their competitive edge. However, in periods of contraction in the demand for projects,
such companies require an instrument allowing them to assess the desirability of policies to
retain such professionals on their workforce or otherwise. To this end, a dynamic simulation
model was employed to study possible short-term and long-term repercussions of a
contraction in demand on the number of professionals required by such a firm, and to evaluate
policies which could mitigate the effects of a change in sector demand. The results of the
analysis allowed us to demonstrate that a relatively lower investment in training could reduce
the company's capacity for future growth. We also showed that lengthening the lead times
before changing the firm´s objectives, following a change in demand, improved the match
between the number of professionals and the demand for them, thereby improving the
organization’s competitiveness.
Keywords
Human resources planning
Professional services
Training & development
Business dynamics
Consulting
Strategic planning systems
Professional firms
Professional services
Training & development
Business dynamics
Consulting
Strategic planning systems
Professional firms
Editor version
ISSN
1099-1727