Throughout the book, the authors emphasize how organizations excel when they have consistent human resource practices that align with their strategic direction. First, they establish a strategic framework that illustrates how different approaches to human resource management fit with basic competitive strategies. Then, they integrate this perspective into the discussion of traditional human resource practices, such as work design, staffing, performance management, compensation, and labor relations.

Human Resource Management: Linking Strategy to Practice clearly illustrates how these specific human resource practices help increase organizational effectiveness.