HR & Competitive Advantage
Competitive advantage doesn’t just come from technology or capital—it comes from people. This section shows how HR, when positioned strategically, can shape capabilities and cultures that are impossible to copy.
HR has long fought to be seen as more than a support function. But today, with talent as the scarcest resource and culture as a key differentiator, HR is uniquely positioned to drive sustainable competitive advantage.
This section explores how.
You’ll learn how to:
- Identify which HR capabilities create real differentiation using the VRIO model,
- Translate people strategy into measurable business value,
- Align HR to different business models and environments,
- Use culture, talent, innovation, and execution to outpace competitors.
We also examine common failures and myths in strategic HR—so you can avoid the traps and build something that works.
Each page in this section connects theory with practice, helping HR leaders and business stakeholders apply strategic thinking to people, performance, and long-term value creation.