RA3001: Human Resources as a Strategic Partner: Explain the role of the human resources function as a strategic business partner

in organizations

Written Response Submission Form

Your Name: First and last

Your E-Mail Address: Your email here

Instructions
Write your responses where it reads “Enter your response here.” Write as much as needed to satisfy the requirements indicated.
Each item contains the Rubric, which will be used to evaluate your responses.

©2019 Walden University 1

Item 1

Describe at least one HR function that is the same in a traditional sense as it is in a contemporary sense. In other words, what is an
HR aspect that has experienced little change over the years? Explain how at least one HR function has evolved from a traditional
sense into a contemporary sense. Your response should be 150–225 words (2–3 paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one
scholarly source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 1: Human Resources Functions in Organizations—Then and Now
Describe at least one HR
function that is the same in a
traditional sense as it is in a
contemporary sense.
LO1.1.1: Describe traditional
and contemporary human
resources functions
0 1
Not Present Needs Improvement
Response is missing. Description of at least one HR
function that is the same in a
traditional sense as it is in a
contemporary sense is vague,
inaccurate, and/or incomplete.
2
Meets Expectations
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
description of at least one HR
function that is the same in a
traditional sense as it is in a
contemporary sense.

Explain how at least one HR
function has evolved from a
traditional sense into a
contemporary sense.
LO1.2.1: Identify the evolution
of human resources functions
Response is missing.
Explanation of how at least
one HR function has evolved
from a traditional sense into a
contemporary sense is vague,
inaccurate, and/or incomplete.
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
explanation of how at least
one HR function has evolved
from a traditional sense into a
contemporary sense.

©2019 Walden University 2

Module 1: Human Resources Functions in Organizations—Then and Now
0 1 2
Not Present Needs Improvement Meets Expectations
required in 21st century
organizations

©2019 Walden University 3

Item 2

Describe three skills that an HR professional should have to succeed in a contemporary HR role. Additionally, provide examples of
how each skill can be demonstrated in an organization. Your response should be 225–375 words (3–5 paragraphs). Be sure to
reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 1: Human Resources Functions in Organizations—Then and Now
Describe three skills that an
HR professional should have
to succeed in a contemporary
HR role and provide examples
of how each skill can be
demonstrated in an
organization.
LO1.3.1: Identify skills the
human resources professional
must have in the changing
employment landscape
.
0 1
Not Present Needs Improvement
Response is not present. Description of at least three
skills that an HR professional
should have to succeed in a
contemporary HR role
including examples of how
each skill can be demonstrated
in an organization is vague,
inaccurate, and/or incomplete.
2
Meets Expectations
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
description of at least three
skills that an HR professional
should have to succeed in a
contemporary human
resources role including
examples of how each skill can
be demonstrated in an
organization.

©2019 Walden University 4

For Items 3–7, refer to the “Case 2-1 Strategy-Driven HR Management: Netflix, A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Delivering
Entertainment” PDF (located in the Assessment Instructions page).

Item 3

How does Netflix’s monitoring of its employees’ performance reflect the evolution of HR to 21st-century practices? In your answer,
describe more traditional performance management practices as well as the contemporary ones Netflix uses. Your response should
be 75–150 words (1–2 paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.
.

Rubric
Module 1: Human Resources Functions in Organizations—Then and Now
Describe how Netflix’s
monitoring of its employees’
performance reflects the
evolution of HR to 21st-
century practices.
LO1.1.2: Describe traditional
and contemporary human
resources functions
0 1
Not Present Needs Improvement
Response is missing. Description of how Netflix’s
monitoring of its employees’
performance reflects the
evolution of HR to 21st-
century practices is vague,
inaccurate, and/or incomplete.
2
Meets Expectations
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
description of how Netflix’s
monitoring of its employees’
performance reflects the
evolution of HR to 21st-
century practices.

Describe more traditional
performance management
practices as well as the
contemporary ones Netflix
uses.
Response is missing.
Description of more traditional
performance management
practices as well as the
contemporary ones Netflix
uses is vague, inaccurate,
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
description of more traditional
performance management
practices as well as the

©2019 Walden University 5

Module 1: Human Resources Functions in Organizations—Then and Now
0 1 2
Not Present Needs Improvement Meets Expectations
and/or incomplete. contemporary ones Netflix
LO1.2.2: Identify the evolution uses.
of human resources functions
required in 21st-century
organizations
….

©2019 Walden University 6

Item 4

Based on the HR strategy presented in the Netflix case, what skills would an HR professional need to implement this strategy
effectively? In your answer, be sure to address all four steps of the Netflix HR strategy. Your response should be 150–225 words (2–3
paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 1: Human Resources Functions in Organizations—Then and Now
Describe what skills an HR
professional would need to
implement this strategy
effectively and address all
four steps of the Netflix HR
strategy in your answer.
LO1.3.2: Identify skills the
human resources professional
must have in the changing
employment landscape
.
0 1
Not Present Needs Improvement
Response is not present. Description of what skills an
HR professional would need to
implement this strategy
effectively including all four
steps of the Netflix HR strategy
is vague, inaccurate, and/or
incomplete.
2
Meets Expectations
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
description of what skills an HR
professional would need to
implement this strategy
effectively including all four
steps of the Netflix HR
strategy.

©2019 Walden University 7

Item 5

In what ways does HR add value to an organization? How might this value contribute to the organization sustaining its competitive
advantage? Use specific examples from the Netflix case study and one or more references to another organization to support your
answer. Your response should be 75–150 words (1–2 paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your
answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 2: Why Should Human Resources Have a Seat at the Table?
0 1 2
Not Present Needs Improvement Meets Expectations
Explain ways in which HR adds Response is not present. Explanation of ways in which Response provides a clear,
value to an organization. HR adds value to an accurate, and complete
organization is vague, explanation of ways in which
LO2.1.1: Explain the value inaccurate, and/or incomplete. HR adds value to an
human resources departments organization.
provide to organizations

Explain how the value added
by HR contributes to the
organization sustaining its
competitive advantage.
LO2.1.2: Explain the value
human resources departments
provide to organizations
.
Response is not present.
Explanation of how the value
added by HR contributes to the
organization sustaining its
competitive advantage is
vague, inaccurate, and/or
incomplete.
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
explanation of how the value
added by HR contributes to the
organization sustaining its
competitive advantage.

©2019 Walden University 8

Item 6

“Where we want to be, how to get there, and where are we now” are key points of a successful company’s strategy. How do the
company’s HR policies support the firm’s strategy, and what value does this create? Your response should be 150 words (2
paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 2: Why Should Human Resources Have a Seat at the Table?
Explain how the company’s
HR policies support the firm’s
strategy and create value.
LO2.1.3: Explain the value
human resources departments
provide to organizations
0 1
Not Present Needs Improvement
Response is not present. Explanation of how the
company’s HR policies support
the firm’s strategies and create
value is vague, inaccurate,
and/or incomplete.
2
Meets Expectations
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
explanation of how the
company’s HR policies support
the firm’s strategies and create
value.

Describe how the company’s Response is not present. Description of how the Response provides a clear,
HR policies support the firm’s company’s HR policies support accurate, and complete
strategy. the firm’s strategy is vague, description of how the
inaccurate, and/or incomplete. company’s HR policies support
LO3.2: Describe actions human the firm’s strategy.
resources departments must
take to align with an
organization’s operational
strategy

©2019 Walden University 9

.

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Item 7

What is Netflix’s competitive strategy? What role did HR play in developing key components of Netflix’s competitive strategy? Your
response should be 150 words (2 paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 3: Aligning Human Resources With an Organization’s Strategy
Explain Netflix’s competitive
strategy and the role HR
played in developing key
components of Netflix’s
competitive strategy.
LO3.1: Identify the role of
human resources in
developing key components of
an organization’s strategy
.
0 1
Not Present Needs Improvement
Response is not present. Explanation of Netflix’s
competitive strategy and the
role HR played in developing
key components of Netflix’s
competitive strategy is vague,
inaccurate, and/or incomplete.
2
Meets Expectations
Response provides a clear,
accurate, and complete
explanation of Netflix’s
competitive strategy and the
role HR played in developing
key components of Netflix’s
competitive strategy.

©2019 Walden University 11

Item 8

Make a business case for why the HR department should have an equal share of the responsibility for decision making as the rest of
organizational leadership. Your response should be 150–225 words (2–3 paragraphs). Be sure to reference at least one scholarly
source to support your answer.

Your Response
Enter your response here.

Rubric
Module 2: Why Should Human Resources Have a Seat at the Table?
0 1 2
Not Present Needs Improvement Meets Expectations
Describe why the HR Response is not present. Description of why the HR Response provides a clear,
department should have an department should have an accurate, and complete
equal share of the equal share of the description of why the HR
responsibility for decision responsibility for decision department should have an
making as the rest of the making as the rest of the equal share of the
organizational leadership. organizational leadership is responsibility for decision
vague, inaccurate, and/or making as the rest of the
LO2.2: Describe the business incomplete. organizational leadership.
case for human resources
departments to hold equal
weight with organizational
leadership
.

©2019 Walden University 12

 References

Provide a citation for each resource you used to write your response to this Assessment. A sample citation is provided below:

Lussier, R. N., & Hendon, J. R. (2017). Fundamentals of human resource management: Functions, applications, skill development (2nd

ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

©2019 Walden University 13

Professional Skills Assessment

In this Competency Assessment, you will be assessed on the following Professional Skills: Written Communication, Information
Literacy, and Inquiry & Analysis. These skills count toward your achievement of the Competency and the Professional Skills.

0 1 2
Professional Skills Assessment
Not Present Needs Improvement Meets Expectations
Written Communication: Write with clarity, coherence, and purpose.
LO1: Construct complete and Sentences are incoherent and Sentences are incomplete Sentence structure effectively
correct sentences (AWE 2; impede reader’s access to and/or include fragments and conveys meaning to the
Sentence Level Skills) ideas. run-on sentences, limiting reader.
reader’s access to ideas.
LO2: Demonstrate the effective Multiple inaccuracies in Some inaccuracies in Use of grammar and
use of grammar and mechanics grammar and mechanics grammar and mechanics limit mechanics is straightforward
(AWE 2; Sentence Level Skills) impede reader’s access to reader’s access to ideas. and effectively conveys
ideas. meaning to reader.
LO3: Create cohesive Paragraphs, or lack of Construction of main idea Main idea and/or supporting
paragraphs with a clear central paragraphs, impede reader’s and/or supporting paragraphs paragraphs effectively convey
idea (AWE 2; Paragraph Level access to ideas. limits reader’s access to meaning to reader.
Skills) ideas.
LO4: Use supporting material to Supporting materials are not Supporting material is used Supporting material is used to
support a claim (AWE 2; Use of present. inconsistently or enhance meaning. Writing is
Evidence) inappropriately. appropriately paraphrased
and uses direct quotes as
applicable.
LO5: Demonstrate appropriate Ideas are disorganized with Ideas are loosely organized Ideas are organized with
essay level writing skills, no/poor transitions. with unclear paragraphing cohesive transitions.
providing transitions between and transitions.
an introduction, body, and
conclusion (AWE 2; Essay Level
Skills)

©2019 Walden University 14

 0 1 2
Professional Skills Assessment
Not Present Needs Improvement Meets Expectations
LO6: Identify sources (AWE 2; Sources are missing. Writing inconsistently Writing clearly identifies the
Credit to source) identifies or misrepresents source of nonoriginal
sources. material and/or ideas.
Information Literacy: Apply strategies to evaluate information in order to effectively analyze issues and make decisions.
LO1: Identify and locate credible No sources or noncredible Sources Sources are mostly credible,
sources.  sources are present.  are inconsistently credible, appropriate, and relevant to
appropriate, and relevant to the topic and/or assessment. 
the topic and/or assessment. 
LO2: Analyze information Analysis is not present.  Analysis superficially applies Analysis thoroughly
sources.  aspects of sources that are and clearly applies aspects of
most relevant to the topic sources that are most
and/or assessment and/or relevant to the topic and/or
analysis is unclear.  assessment.  
Inquiry & Analysis: Apply strategies to identify, frame, and evaluate problems.
LO1: Identify a problem or No problem or question is The problem or question is The problem or question is
question in a selected area of presented. vague or inappropriate to the clearly stated in a form
study selected field of study. appropriate to the selected
field of study.
LO2: Use a logical organizing Elements or parts of the Elements or parts of the Elements or parts of the
principle to identify the key problem or question are not problem or question are problem or question are
parts or elements of a problem presented. presented in a disorganized presented in an organized
or question in a selected field of manner. manner.
study

Mastery Rubric

In order to achieve mastery of this Competency, you must achieve a “2” on every rubric row in addition to meeting the additional
expectation indicated in the Mastery Rubric.

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 Mastery Rubric No Yes
Exceeds Expectations: In-Depth Analysis: Explores issues/objects/works through the collection and analysis of evidence that
result in informed conclusions/judgments.
LO1: Analyze multiple relevant Responses to the items do not consistently Responses to the items consistently integrates
sources and examples to integrate information from relevant sources information from relevant sources and
illustrate supply chain and and examples to explain the role of the human examples to explain the role of the human
operations management resources function as a strategic business resources function as a strategic business
concepts and practices in partner in organizations. partner in organizations.
organizations

©2019 Walden University 16