The main objective of strategic human resources management (SHRM) can be specified as “to ensure that human resource management is fully integrated into strategic planning, that HRM policies cohere both across policy areas and across hierarchies and that HRM policies are accepted and used by line managers as part of their every day work” (Regis, 2009, p.6).
Generally, the main approaches to SHRM are divided into three main categories: universalistic, contingency, and configurational. Universalistic or ‘best practice’ approach to HRM relates to the viewpoint that there is a set of best HRM practices and their adoption is going to generate positive results regardless of the circ*mstances associated with organisations.
Universalistic approach states that ‘best practices’ in relation to a wide range of HR issues such as employee recruitment and selection, training and development, employee motivation is equally applicable to each organisation regardless of the nature of unique aspects organisations might have.
Contingency or ‘best fit’ approach on the other hand, disagrees with the presence of universal prescriptions to HR issues and stresses the need for integration between HR policies and a wide range of other organisational policies.
Configurational approach to SHRM “stresses the need for practices that are contingent with organisational circ*mstances, but in addition emphasizes the need for horizontal or internal fit” (Sparrow et al., 2004, p.158). To put is simply, configurational approach recognises the validity of ‘best practices’, but at the same time, accepts the importance of adjustment of HR policies with the overall organisational strategy.
Alternatively, approaches to SHRM can be divided into four categories: strategy-focused, decision-focused, content-focused, and implementation-focused.
References
Regis, R. (2009) “Strategic Human Resource Management & Development” Excel Books
Sparrow, P.R, Brewster, C. & Harris, H. (2004) “Globalising Human Resource Management” Routledge
FAQs
The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams have 134 questions, and 110 of them are used to calculate your score. After you take the test, you will have a raw score of 0-110 correctly selected keys; but the score we report to you is on a scale of 120-200, with "passing" set at 200—this is known as your scaled score.
How hard is it to pass the SHRM exam? ›
The SHRM-CP exam is considered to be a moderately difficult exam that requires a lot of studying and preparation in order to pass.
How many hours should you study for the SHRM-CP exam? ›
While your study efforts will be dependent on your knowledge of the content, we generally recommend that you study a minimum of 60 hours to adequately prepare for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam. Your time could be reduced if you feel comfortable with a particular area.
What is the best way to prepare for SHRM exam? ›
How to Prepare for and Take the SHRM Certification Exam
- Make the time commitment. ...
- Answer practice questions. ...
- Read the explanations of answers. ...
- Read the guidebook. ...
- Don't take shortcuts. ...
- Use flashcards. ...
- Learn through stories. ...
- Join discussions and study groups.
Exam Statistics
| EXAM PERIOD | SHRM-CP PASS RATE | SHRM-SCP PASS RATE |
|---|
| May - July 2023 | 71% | 54% |
| Dec. 2022 - Feb. 2023 | 68% | 48% |
| May - July 2022 | 65% | 46% |
| Dec. 2021 - Feb. 2022 | 64% | 44% |
1 more rowThese rates are in line or even higher than the overall pass rate of 67 percent found across all SHRM-CP examinees in this 2021 testing window. Surprisingly, experienced HR professionals with 16 or more years in the field who took this exam had only about a 60 percent pass rate.
What happens if I don't pass the SHRM-CP exam? ›
HR professionals who do not pass the exam can retake the exam whenever they are ready to re-test.
How do I know if I passed the SHRM exam? ›
Candidates will receive an unofficial pass/did not pass decision upon exam completion; it appears on the final screen before you click "end test." You will also receive an email that shows the message that appeared on-screen.
Does SHRM certification increase salary? ›
Those who earn the SHRM Certification report earning salaries 14% to 15% higher than peers who have not earned the SHRM Certification.
Can you self study for SHRM certification? ›
The SHRM Learning System is the preferred resource for SHRM certification exam prep, whether you prefer to learn through self-study or under the guidance of an instructor.
The SHRM CP test consists of 134 multiple-choice questions. To pass the SHRM CP exam, you will need to earn a score of 200 points or more. Guessing is not penalized.
Is a SHRM certification worth it? ›
Not only will a certification help you stand out from other candidates, but research shows that HR professionals who earn the SHRM Certification report higher salaries — 14 percent to 15 percent higher than their peers without a certification.
Is the SHRM test easy? ›
You can flag the questions you are unsure about, but the last thing you want is to have 30 minutes left in the exam and need to go back through and answer 100 questions. Relax! The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are not easy.
What kind of questions are on the SHRM exam? ›
There are two types of knowledge-based questions: HR-specific and foundational. The HR-specific questions are related to topics found in 14 HR functional areas, while the foundational questions involve concepts from 9 behavioral competencies.
How do I keep up with SHRM certification? ›
SHRM certification credential-holders maintain their credential by engaging in professional development activities that relate to the behavioral competencies and HR knowledge areas identified in the SHRM BASK.
What is the passing score for the SPHR exam? ›
The SPHR exam is scored using the modified-Angoff method, which takes your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) and converts it to a scaled score on a scale of 100-700. The passing score for this exam is 500.
What is the pass rate for the GPHR exam? ›
The pass rate for the GPHR exam is 56%. What do I need to do to recertify with GPHR? Your GPHR certification is valid for three years after testing. To maintain your GPHR credential, you must earn 45 HR and 15 Global recertification credits (60 total) over a three-year time span or retake the exam.
