Harvard Business School Publishing has listed an educative case-study based on Amara Raja Group’s HRM practices, titled – “The Amara Raja Group (A): Building HRM Capabilities”. Impressed by the effectiveness of the Amara Raja HR Organization structure and the culture, the case study was developed by Professor Biju Varkkey, IIM Ahmedabad and PhD Student of IIM Trichy, Farheen Fathima. Professor Biju Varkkey initiated a deep dive study with the support of Jaikrishna. B, President (Group HR) and the HR team, into how the HR design model works and the factors behind the success. The case study also discusses the strengths and areas of improvement of the functioning of HR within Amara Raja.
Prof. Biju Varkkey went on to develop a case study on the success of HRM Practices of the Group, published it in 2018 and it became a case study to be used in the prestigious institution IIM, Ahmedabad. Looking at the value of the case in imparting insightful learning to students and practising managers, IIMA selected this case to be recommended to Harvard Business School Publishing, which is the global platform of Harvard Business School to promote learning. Listing in HBSP provides a global reach to the case, and educators across the globe can adopt the case in various courses.
Commenting on the publication of the case study at a global level, Jayadev Galla, Vice Chairman, Amara Raja Group said “We have always believed that we are an organization that has excelled at getting ordinary people do extraordinary things. Our strong philosophy of non-migratory employment, which was the Vision of our Founder Chairman Dr. Ramachandra N Galla, our commitment to skilling our predominantly rural workforce and setting up systems and processes that enable them to perform at world class levels have been the hall mark of this organization. We are proud that our model of generating non-migratory employment and at the same time our people processes, in creating a world class organization has been made to a case study by one of India’s top Management Institute IIM-Ahmedabad and now being listed by HBSP is humbling”
Jaikrishna B, President, Group HR & Corporate Communications said, “The Journey of the transformation of HR for us pivots on the unflinching leadership commitment and the highly receptive people of our organization. The systematic building of capabilities of our HR team and the Line Leaders to put people at the center and drive performance has made this organization a highly people driven one. I’m personally so pleased and happy to learn that the Amara Raja case study developed by Prof Biju Varkkey and Ms. Farheen Fathima, is now listed by Harvard Business Publishing Education and that it has become a global learning document for many students and educators across the world.”
Prof. Biju Varkkey, IIM Ahmedabad said, “I was impressed by the simple down to earth approach at the highest levels of leadership, who at the same time were highly committed to produce world class products, using world class technology. The people-connect of the Founder Chairman was unmatchable. The leadership of Jayadev Galla as Vice Chairman of the Group, making people as one of the strategic asset and the commitment of the top leadership in making Amara Raja, a people oriented organization is outstanding. I was also able to see the same heightened energy and enthusiasm in the next generation of promoter family members Mr. Harshavardhana Gourineni and Mr Vikramadithya Gourineni with whom I interacted recently. The leadership and commitment of JK (Mr. Jaikrishna) as Group HR Head and the HR leaders across businesses on ‘People and Culture Building’ was inspiring. I deeply appreciate the openness of the teams to receive feedback and the urge to make it better for the future, without which, we couldn’t have made this study with constructive criticism for learning purposes.”
Amara Raja Group was one of the earliest adopters (2007) of the famous Dave Ulrich’s model of HR Organization Structure with HR Business Partners, Centers of Expertise and Shared Services. The group has made significant time and effort to make this model successful and was one of the key factors in the exponential growth of the Group. The culture of the organization “The Amara Raja Way®” that was evolved and institutionalized over the years was another major force in making the Group as a people driven growth organization. The People Practices and Processes that has evolved well through the years and that is amenable to the infusion of latest developments will augur well for the future of Amara Raja. The organization itself is currently at juncture of generational change and is well poised for transformation with people at the center.
