HR Strategy Evaluation: Case Study of Nucor Corporation

Executive Summary:

Human resource management in the alignment of business strategy is essential to achieve firm’s goals and objectives. Nucor is a US based steel manufacturer and known to its innovation with low cost and high productivity. Nucor’s success is explained through its effective HR strategies of lean management structure, teamwork, less formalization, recruiting and reward. All sixteen operating facilities of Nucor work independently with only four management levels that help to achieve its business strategy of low cost and innovation. Rewards are paid based on employee productivity. However, at Nucor productivity targets are achievable and less than industry averages. Moreover, rewards are also awarded onto team performances that ranges from 8 members to 20 members. This stimulate team member to assist each other to achieve such goals. There is no job description and no performance appraisal as Coblin HR manager thinks that it is wastage of time. He also attributed absence of job description to the changing nature of work at Nucor. At Nucor employees are selected primarily on the basis of ability to work with coworkers with less supervision. In short Nucor HR strategies of lean management, decentralization, rewards and less formalization assist to achieve its business strategies of low cost, innovation, productivity and high performances. However, criticisms are also made to some of Coblin’s strategies. It is suggested that job description is important during selection process and can be used as evidence. High empowerment can lead to some illegal action from plant manager and Nucor just could take further steps. At last no performance appraisal strategy is also criticized as it identifies the capabilities needed for greater responsibilities. In short current study provides the opportunity to