Powertech India: Redesigning Workforce Composition

In February 2013, the vice-president of human resources at PowerTech India Private Limited (PowerTech India), was in his office at the company’s Gurgaon headquarters studying the organizational chart of his firm with interest. In his seven-year tenure with the company, he had watched the organization grow considerably. What he loved most about his job was the company’s commitment to follow best practices in human resources management and the people-oriented approach that made the work a creative, feel-good, and dynamic process. In this highly competitive power sector, expansion had been the catchphrase of the organization as it strove to carve a niche for itself; now retention of talent was more crucial than ever. But after meeting with PowerTech India’s managing director, the vice-president wondered if the expected turbulent times required a reconsideration of the company’s key human resource policies, which had become a hallmark of the organization. Redesigning the workforce at PowerTech India would be a delicate balancing act.

This case is suitable for graduate programs in courses such as strategic human resource management, human resources planning, and people analytics, covering topics including workforce design and performance appraisals. After completion of this case, students will be able to<br><ul><li>demonstrate the process of workforce design and identify its determinants;</li><li>discuss the interaction between organizational strategy and HR management; and</li><li>compare workforce design considerations in a static environment with those of a dynamic environment.</li></ul>

• workforce design, strategic HRM, performance appraisal