Estimating Program Impacts on Human Resources

Abstract

This paper proposes a theoretical framework for a human resources impact statement to fill a gap in the existing consideration given to human resources. At the macro-level, government considers human resource effects in attempting to integrate full employment goals with major economic policies. At the organization level, human resource effects are considered in developing manpower plans to meet specific operating requirements. The human resource impact statement (HRIS) would provide organization decision makers with organizationally relevant information to structure and direct consideration of human resource effects when choosing among alternative methods for implementing programs and policies.

The HRIS framework proposes two principal dimensions — EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES and DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. These dimensions would be examined through four facets of impacts — PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, STABILIZATION, and GROWTH.

Policy guidance developed within this theoretical framework would enable managers to consider appropriate human resource effects, rather than evaluating only budgetary or other effects, in choosing among implementation alternatives. Desired human resource impacts are then more directly achieved with the consequent reduction of present problems involved in attempting to mitigate effects of decisions made on other bases.