Training & Development and Succession Planning at Atlas Honda Limited (AHL)

Abstract

The growth and development in management sciences and proliferation of knowledge through means of internet and greater exposure to best International management practices, has greatly affected the business environment in Pakistan. The process has been further expedited with the greater number of MNCs’ operations in Pakistan and beginning of WTO regime. The major beneficiary has been human resources. There is a greater urge for improving Human Resource Management practices. That is why we find that more and more organizations are improving their HR practices to enhance their productivity and effectiveness of their newfound capital -THE HUMAN RESOURCES. The need to focus on Human Resource Management has also been necessitated by new standards of higher quality and better customer management. The increasing trend of globalization has now forced organizations to look beyond national boundaries. This paradigm shift in the business scenario demand more dynamic work force, capable of facing, handling and managing complex and rapidly changing environment to its advantage. This whole situation puts added pressure on managers to not only manages the human resources better but also to prepare them for current and future challenges. Thus we find that within HRM, HRD has become a major area of emphasis. Atlas Honda Limited (AHL) is a joint venture between Honda of Japan and Atlas Group of Companies Pakistan. It is also the oldest motor cycle manufacturing plant in Pakistan, beginning in 1962. Its motorcycle market share is 54 % share market. The founder of Atlas Group Mr. Yousaf Hussain Shirazi is reputed for his better business practices, financial, managerial and corporate. I have made an endeavor to study, evaluate and analyze the HR practices at AHL with special emphasis on training & development and succession planning. The company has a well laid out and effective Human Resource Management process. The procedures / practices are transparent and based on merit. Thus offer clear gun sight to each employee. From the HR perspective the organization can be safely placed in the top companies of Pakistan. Although there was certain limitations of information yet based on information provided by the company I have tried to give certain recommendations which might be of some advantage to the organization.