Towards achieving organisational competitiveness: the role of human resource management in state-owned enterprises

Abstract

This study examined the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in achieving organisational competitiveness in a selected South African State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) in Gauteng province.A qualitative research approach wasused with data obtained usingstructured interviewsfrom the company’s human resource practitioners and departmental heads. Purposive non-probability sampling was applied in recruiting 24 participants and data was analysed usingthematic analysis. The study revealed that, HRMdepartment provided opportunities for employees to upskill themselves through short courses and university degrees such as honours, masters and PhDs. However, employees reported that their remuneration packages are not commensurate with their skill sets and capabilities leading to low morale. It was therefore recommended for the organisation to conduct an industrial survey to decipher the going remuneration rates in order to offer competitive packages to their employees.