HR Professionals and experts in China see greater role for sophisticated HR strategies, and an opportunity to utilize technology to address future challenges.

Beijing, June 14, 2017 – In a rapidly changing social and technological environment, a company's human resources department is an increasingly strategic function that can differentiate successful firms from struggling ones, attendees at the 18th Human Resources Conference of the American Chamber of Commerce in China heard today. As one of AmCham China's largest professional gatherings, the conference attracted 200 HR professionals to discuss how every facet of the human resources function has been affected by the breakneck pace of technology-enabled change, from talent acquisition and retention to human capital management and development.

In front of a sold-out audience, keynote speaker Professor Anil K. Gupta argued that human resources will become even more important in the future. "This new era demands business leaders who are technologically savvy, agile entrepreneurial, and well-informed about global developments," he said. "It's clear that the HR function is becoming ever-more important, ever-more strategic."

Michael Dingman Chair in Strategy, Globalization & Entrepreneurship, Smith School of Business, The University of Maryland, Prof Gupta keynote speech: Reinventing the Corporateion in an Era of Global Flux

 

Gupta, the Michael D. Dingman Chair in Strategy, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, also said changing political sentiments, technological revolution, and emerging markets would influence the ability of firms to attract high-quality talent.

Also presenting to the conference was Stephen Shih, a partner in Bain & Company's Beijing office, who contextualized the challenges of HR professionals working in China with reporting on a recent study conducted by Bain in conjunction with LinkedIn. Their analysis of more than 25,000 LinkedIn profiles of professionals in China helped attendees better understand the rapid changes and fierce competition within the domestic labor market.

Despite these challenges, other speakers focused on the opportunities for success that exist in China. These opportunities were the subject of panel discussions and break-out sessions on topics such as attracting millennial talent back to China and digital innovations in human resources. Speakers included the HR heads for numerous AmCham China members, including Pfizer, GM, Bayer, Schneider Electric and Microsoft, as well as experts from companies such as LinkedIn, IBM and Aon Hewitt.

Executive debate between Prof. John Yang, Co-Dean, BiMBA at National School of Development, Peking University, Professor of Management, National School of Development, Peking University (NSD) and Mr. Xin Guo, President & CEO, Career International

 

"This has been one of the largest and most successful HR conferences AmCham China has ever held," said Alan Beebe, President of AmCham China. "Firms of every size are trying to be more strategic with their human resources operations, and the stakes couldn't be higher. However, while we look at the increasing importance of technology, let's also beware of the dehumanizing aspect of technology, as after all, human capital is a people business. What takes all of us, as leaders, mentors, people managers, and who guide the process of identifying, developing and working with human talents, to ensure technology does the great things that not only is it capable of doing but also what we want it to do, embodies our history, core values, corporate cultures and social norms, and above all, humanity, is the key question we ought to answer."

AmCham China would like to thank the sponsors of the 2017 Human Resources Conference, including:

  • Management Development Services Ltd
  • Yew Chung International School of Beijing
  • Beijing United Family Hospital
  • Cigna & CMB Life Insurance
  • China Way International Moving & Warehousing
  • ETS Assessments(Beijing) LTD
  • Taikang Pension
  • TEDA (Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area)
  • HNA Tourism Group Co., LTD

 

and promotional partners including:

  • Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
  • FESCO
  • BiMBA, National School of Development, Peking University
  • Penn Wharton China Center
  • Asia Briefing
  • Universal Ideas

 

About AmCham China

The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose membership comprises more than 3,300 individuals from 900 companies operating across China. The chamber's nationwide mission is to help American companies succeed in China through advocacy, information, networking and business support services. AmCham China is the only officially recognized chamber of commerce representing American business in mainland China. With offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang and Wuhan, AmCham China has more than 50 working groups, and holds more than 250 events each year. Visit: www.amchamchina.org

For more information, please contact:

Agnes Wang

Tel: (8610) 8519-0835

Email: awang@amchamchina.org