Interview with Bruce Rohde, CEO of ConAgra, Inc.: HR as major source of competitive advantage

Article Abstract:

The major challenge facing newly appointed ConAgra CEO Bruce Rohde is to increase the growth rate of the food conglomerate, the world's third largest food company. Rohde draws upon the achievements of the company's previous CEOs, such as Mike Harper who spearheaded the effort to acquire smaller entrepreneurial companies and Phil Fletcher who merged the strengths of ConAgra's separate entities to increase overall productivity. With growth as the company's focus, Rohde sees a greater role for the human resources (HR) function in improving competence in several areas, including employee selection, incentives, performance management, leadership skill development and succession planning. He also believes that HR can play a significant part in promoting flexibility, which is increasingly becoming critical as revolutionary changes are predicted for the food industry.

Food & Kindred Products, Food Manufacturing, FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS, Food industry, Interview, ConAgra Inc., CAG, Rohde, Bruce

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Human resources at Mercantile Bancorporation, Inc.: a critical analysis

Article Abstract:

Mercantile Bancorporation Inc's human resource (HR) department re-examined its practices to determine the impact of HR on business results after the publication of Thomas Stewart's article in 'Fortune' magazine that characterized HR departments as bureaucratic and a hindrance to business processes. An analysis was carried out based on the assumption that the HR was uniquely positioned to influence change and affect organization function. A list of interrelated practices associated with people management and sustaining competitive advantage was considered in the re-examining process. These practices relate to information sharing, participation and empowerment, self manage teams and wage compression. Moreover, an HR functioning model was developed that can be utilized to plan future initiatives.

Banking Institutions, Depository Credit Intermediation, DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS, Banking industry, Banks (Finance), Mercantile Bancorporation Inc. (Hammond, Indiana), MTL

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Redesigning the human resources function at Lafarge

Article Abstract:

A detailed process of redesigning and implementing the human resources (HR) function at Lafarge is described. Maintaining the change momentum, fast and effective integration of acquired companies, transfer of best practices and attracting and retaining a diverse workforce through their internationalization program are the key challenges that Lafarge will be facing in the future.

United States, Management techniques

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