Human resource management at the negotiating table: Vocabularies of motive and the NHS hospital service

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to examine the role of various management functionsrnwithin the complex multi-layered and multi-faceted history and structure that is the National HealthrnService (NHS) hospital service and explore the legitimacy of the role of human resource managementrn(HRM).rnDesign/methodology/approach - Semi-structured interviews with senior medical professionalsrnand HR managers of one particular Hospital Trust are presented within a conceptual framework basedrnupon an interpretivist notion of "vocabularies of motive".rnFindings - Qualitative research at an executive level demonstrates vocabularies of motives in action,rnwhere it appears that the role and status of HRM is potentially more dominant and influential than hasrnpreviously been suggested.rnResearch limitations/implications - Data are limited to a small group of senior managers andrnmedical professionals and, therefore, does not represent generalisable knowledge. It does, however,rnoffer insights from actors employed in senior roles in one particular hospital trust employing arnconceptual framework that may have relevance for other studies concerned with the role of HRM andrnthe dynamics of organisational change.rnPractical implications - The paper offers insights into the complexities of change in a complexrnbureaucracy such as the NHS hospital service. It suggests that government policy and managementrnpractice can benefit from an understanding of the various vocabularies of motive at play and howrnthese may effect the successful interpretation of policy into practice.rnOriginality/value - The paper offers original data and a useful conceptual framework which offersrnthe potential for a more nuanced understanding of the implementation and interpretation ofrngovernment policy in the NHS hospital service.