More than seven in 10 HR directors think HR will be viewed as a more strategic resource next year, a new survey has found.

The survey, from strategy forum the Strategic HR Network, also shows that 73% of HR directors believe HR budgets will be cut next year, while 56% said their organisation’s HR strategy ‘has not changed’ as a result of the current economic slowdown.

The most important business issue, for 36% of HR directors in the last quarter has been strategic planning for 2009 and 40% say talent management will be the most important issue next year.

Jeremy Burgess, director of the Strategic HR Network, said: “In today’s marketplace, the human resources function is clearly very important for any organisation. The results from the Strategic HR Network survey display a fascinating insight into the thoughts of HR directors and show that although 70% believe HR will be seen as a more strategic resource in 2009, 73% believe HR budgets will be reduced.”

The Strategic HR Network will debate the strategic value of human resources at its fourth annual congress, ‘Delivering Strategic Value in a Recession’, on 10-11 March 2009. The congress features Dave Ulrich, professor of business at the University of Michigan, as well as and HR directors from British Airways, BT, Vodafone and the Department for Health.

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