On becoming a strategic partner: The role of human resources in gaining competitive advantage

1998/01/01 by Jay B. Barney, Patrick M. Wright · 8 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · #Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences #Innovation and Knowledge Management #Intellectual Capital and Performance Analysis

paper · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-050x(199821)37:1<31::aid-hrm4>3.0.co;2-w

openalex publication_date 1998/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Although managers cite human resources as a firm's most important asset, many organizational decisions do not reflect this belief. This article uses the value, rareness, imitability, and organization (VRIO) framework to examine the role that the human resource (HR) function plays in developing a sustainable competitive advantage. Why some popularly cited sources of sustainable competitive advantage are not, and what aspects of a firm's human resources can provide a source of sustainable competitive advantage are discussed. The role of the HR executive as a strategic partner in developing and maintaining competitive advantage within the firm is also examined. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Citations

• Business Unit Strategy, Managerial Characteristics, and Business Unit Effectiveness at Strategy Implementation.
• Human Resource Bundles and Manufacturing Performance: Organizational Logic and Flexible Production Systems in the World Auto Industry

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