APQC is finalizing its human capital management (HCM) best practices research agenda for 2012. Take our brief survey to tell us which study topics interest you:  http://www.apqc.org/hcmvoc12.

Topics already under consideration include:

Building a Flexible Work Force—This study would examine how best-practice organizations use different employee arrangements (part time, contract, outsourced, etc.) to modify staffing as business conditions change.

Creating an Innovative Work Force—This study would look at how each HR process (hiring, training, rewarding, etc.) can foster a creative and innovative work force.

Managing a Global Work Force—This study would explore best practices for managing emerging market talent, balancing global and local HR needs, coordinating distributed work forces, and capitalizing on diversity.

Optimally Structuring and Delivering HR—This study would consider how best-practice organizations structure their HR functions in terms of roles and responsibilities, centralization versus decentralization, use of shared services centers, and measurement and reporting.

Learn more about these HR issues from the following APQC articles:

What CEOs Are Saying: An Update for HR

Talent Shortages: What Can Be Done? (APQC member exclusive)