SUN TZU’s STRATEGIES AND THEIR RELEVENCE TO

STRATEGIC PROACTIVE HRM

INTRODUCTION

SEQUENCE

PART I - BACK GROUNDPART II - DEFINITIONSPART III - RELEVENCEPART IV - RECOMMENDATIONS

AND CONCLUSION

PART-IBACK GROUND

Sun Tzu is regarded as the father of Military Strategy. His strategic thoughts and concepts were transcribed by Cao Cao, a famous war lord, in a book “The Art of War”. Cao Cao cited Sun Tzu concepts as the source of his success in consolidating China into one country . He gave thirteen principles of war which are still valid and relevant and form a base for modern war strategies.

SUN TZU (544-496 BC)

Chanakya, who manipulated to bring Chandragupta to the throne of Mauryan Empire, was a master strategist. Through his calculated and crafty moves and superior strategy, he pitched adversaries against each other and paved the way for bringing Chandragupta in power. Two books are known to be written by Chanakya are Arthashastra and Chanakya Niti Shastra

CHANAKYA (370-283 BC)

Clausewitz, a professional soldier and theorist, is regarded as the father of modern military strategy. Through his experience and in depth study of the campaigns of Fredrick the Great and Napoleon, he carried out systematic and philosophical analyses of warfare, which came up in the shape of his famous book “On War”. According to him “War is the continuation of Policy by other means’’

CARL VON CLAUSEWITZ (1780-1831)

Fayol is considered as the father of modern strategic management. In 1916, through his experience of administration and management, he wrote his classic book “General and Industrial Management”. In his book he gave his management theory which is commonly known as Fayolism. He argues that efficient management has five primary functions: planning, organising, commanding, coord and controlling and gave fourteen principles of management.

HENRY FAYOL (1841-1925)

Taylor is considered as the father of scientific management and in 1916 he published his famous book “Principles of Scientific Management”. A mech engineer by profession, he wanted to improve the industry efficiency. His scientific management consisted of four principles that focussed on scientific study of tasking, selection and training of employees, supervision of workers and equal distribution of work. He is considered as the first person who systematically observed and studied the mechanics of working in industries.

FREDERICK WINSLOW TAYLOR (1856-1915)

Druker is considered as the founder of modern management and pioneer of the discipline of management education. In 1943, he was assigned by Donaldson Brown to carry out the “Political Audit” of General Motors (GM). This two years social-Scientific analysis resulted in the shape of his famous book, “Concept of the Corporation”, which brought him fame. He taught management as a liberal art with interdisciplinary lessons from history, sociology, culture, psychology, philosophy, and religion. His 39 books are translated into 36 languages.

PETER DRUKER (1909-2005)

PART-IIDEFINITIONS

MILITARY STRATEGY

“Strategy is the utilization during both peace and war, of all of the nation's forces, through large-scale, long- range planning and development, to ensure security and victory"

(Random House Dictionary)

"Strategy is the art of distributing and applying military means, such as armed forces and supplies, to fulfil the ends of policy”  (Field Marshal Montgomery)

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

“The determination of the basic long-term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals"

Chandler (1962)

“A system of finding, formulating and developing a doctrine that will ensure long term success if followed faithfully”

Dr. Vladimir Kvint (2009)

STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

“HRM practice as the decisions and actions, which concern the management of employees at all levels in the business and is related to the implementation of strategies directed towards sustaining competitive advantage. Miller (1987)

“SHRM centres on how organizations can improve their competitive performance by considering and utilizing their human resource more effectively”

Ian Clark

PART-IIIRELEVENCE

SUN TZU

“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame”

Communication. Communication being a key element of modern day business plays a pivotal role in conceiving, organising, sharing and implementing innovative ideas. The organisational hierarchy, chain of management, channels of downward and upward communication etc. are very important in timely passage of information and ideas, as a delayed information may be of no use. The management must encourage and ensure freedom of expression by subordinates. Senior management must also pass on timely and accurate information to subordinates for prompt action.

SUN TZU

“Next is the Commander. He must be smart, caring, trust worthy, brave, and strict”

Leadership. Competent and proactive leadership with farsightedness and strategic vision are the basic ingredients of dynamic leadership. A leader who has the capability to integrate all the resources in one direction i.e. attainment of the firm strategic goals. The leader must be smart and has the potential to read the environment and explore opportunities for the firm to excel. He should be trust worthy and reliable, not to be feared but respected.

SUN TZU

“A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him,

and expect results”

Staffing. Hiring of the right person for the right job is the essence of good staffing. Finding and hiring the best person is very important in strategic environment of the business world. Company foundations are built by hiring the most appropriate person for the job. Staffing the organisation is a critical task which plays a key role in the long run. In reality, building the company and helping it systems to develop and grow depends on suitable hiring of qualified staff with requisite specialities of the field.

SUN TZU

“Without constant practice, the officers will be nervous and undecided when mustering for battle; without constant

practice, the general will be wavering and irresolute when crisis is at hand”

Training and Development. After staffing, comes the crucial stage of training and development. Every job needs particular skills and practices which needs to be taught to new intake or newly promoted and internally adjusted staff. Firms with no training and development program faces setbacks as competent and energetic employees leave the organisation for better opportunities. Moreover their existing staff cannot cope with the changing and demanding environment

SUN TZU

“For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards”

Measurements and Rewards. Measurement of performance and administering requisite reward is very important in increasing the competitive spirit and morale of the subordinates. Firm’s policies and practices must encourage the subordinates to take positive initiatives and discharge their duty with full confidence. The rewards for good performance must be publicised and presented in public to encourage others to follow. Similarly team work must also be acknowledged and rewarded.

PART-IVRECOMMENDATIONS

ANDCONCLUSION

1. Military strategies in general and Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” in particular be taught to the students of business management.

2. Research students of business management be encouraged to explore military history and draw relevant lessons pertinent to strategic management.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

The relevance has proven the alignment of military strategy with that of business arena. Henceforth, in order to define cost benefit business strategies, it is better to explore the war proven military strategies and take the desired lessons as the said presentation is proving their applicability in the business.

CONCLUSION

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