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Human Resource Department Power and Influence Through Symbolic Action

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Human Relations

Abstract

The present study integrates theory and researchon power, politics, and social constructionism toinvestigate how human resource (HR) departments inorganizations gain influence. Survey results from 242 organizations demonstrated that symbolicactions are stronger predictors of HR department powerthan unionization, HR performance, and top managementattitudes. Implications of the results are discussed as are directions for futureresearch.

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Galang, M.C., Ferris, G.R. Human Resource Department Power and Influence Through Symbolic Action. Human Relations 50, 1403–1426 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016911329530

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