Evaluating Human Capital

Book excerpt: Nowadays most organisations understand and accept that people are the key drivers of value in their organisation. With company accounts recording the costs associated with people, not the benefits that they bring, this text explores the experiences of 10 case study organisations that are making real and deliberate efforts to understand the contributions of their employees, and how that contributes to the success of the business. This text also reviews the extensive body of literature on the subject and explores case study organisations, which include such companies as Marks & Spencer, Tesco, BT and BAE Systems. The text concludes that human capital cannot be the subject of a one-size-fits-all measurement tool, but that it is possible for organisations to measure and manage human capital using methodology designed to suit their own needs and goals.