Combining human resource and stakeholder management perspectives: An exploration of collaborative learning opportunities in the banking industry

This paper explores how collaborative learning activities involving HR and external stakeholders have the potential to lead to knowledge sharing, stakeholder understanding and value creation. The increasing uncertainty and multiplicity of competitive pressures and stakeholder demands (Harrison, St. John, 1996) require organizations, and in particular HR, to take on a more strategic role aimed to build new capability and support the overarching business strategy (Ulrich, Beatty 2001). This study draws on Strategic Human Resource Management, Strategic Human Resource Development and Stakeholder Management studies and, on this basis, investigates the case of an Italian bank to understand the nature and characteristics of collaborative learning activities towards external stakeholders. The investigation supports the proposition that HR development and corporate learning in a stakeholder-oriented perspective can play a strategic role in supporting business strategy, providing organizations the resources to meet internal and external needs (Wilson, 2005) and interconnect with their value network.