Human Resource Costs and Business Strategy: Striving for Competitive Advantage in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Abstract

Control over staffing levels and costs is a critical component in the competitive positioning and resultant profitability of many industries. Ideal staff size in a rapidly changing business environment is a major concern to most managers. Staff levels are a function of many variables, including the strategic thrust of the organization. Simply reviewing current business plans to determine optimal staffing levels is not sufficient. It is also important to track historical data that reflect the effects of different strategies and economic situations on staff size, or make comparisons with competitor staffing levels against their strategies.