Starbucks' Human Resource Management Policies and the Growth Challenge![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
ICMR HOME | Case Studies Collection Please note: This case study was compiled from published sources, and is intended to be used as a basis for class discussion. It is not intended to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation. Nor is it a primary information source. |
||||
"The relationship we have with our people and the culture of our company is our most sustainable competitive advantage." -Howard Schultz, chairman and chief global strategist of Starbucks, in 2002.1 "My biggest fear isn't the competition, although I respect it. It's having a robust pipeline of people to open and manage the stores who will also be able to take their next steps with the company." -Jim Donald, president, Starbucks North America in 2005.2 Introduction
In this scenario, Starbucks stood out for its employee-friendly policies and supportive work culture. The company was especially noted for the extension of its benefits program to part-time workers - something that not many other companies offered. As a result, Starbucks employees were among the most productive in the industry and the company had a relatively low employee turnover.
However, by the early 2000s, three possible problems had to be considered - would the company be able to support its staff with the same level of benefits in the future, given the large increase in the number of employees; would the company be able to retain employees if it made any move to lower its human resource costs by cutting down on benefits; and would Starbucks be able to maintain its small company culture, an important element in its past growth. Starbucks' Human Resource Management Policies and the Growth Challenge - Next Page>>
1] "The Culture Connection," www.apm.com, June 2002. |
Case Studies Links:-
Case Studies,
Short Case Studies,
Simplified Case Studies.
Other Case Studies:-
Multimedia Case Studies,
Cases in Other Languages.
Business Reports Link:-
Business Reports.
Books:-
Textbooks,
Workbooks,
Case Study Volumes.