After all, what's human resources for? a study in peripheral economics

The purpose of this article is to present results of a research aimed at investigating the roles and competencies required of Human Resources (HR) professionals in the reality of a peripheral economy country (Brazil). For such, a theoretical review was conducted, exploring the relationships between domestic and international studies into the HR function and the “competence” construct. In methodological terms, the research can be characterized as a case study, qualitative in nature, involving 32 interviews with presidents and directors of companies, as well as with Brazilian specialists in the area of people management. Findings unveiled unanimous understandings concerning the prevalence of people management models centered upon the “operating dimension”, signaling discrepancies between the “Strategic HR” discourse and organizational practices. As far as its role is concerned, it behooves HR to (re)think itself as a function veered towards the promotion of more humane organizations