In spite of research showing that organisations with HR departments tend to perform better, many senior executives remain ignorant of the need for a strategic view of HR, according to People Mean Business, the CIPD's flagship research project.

Some of the project's latest finding were released on Thursday at the CIPD conference by Professors David Guest and John Purcell. Generally the research was very positive for the profession, emphasising the clear benefits from effective HR strategy, but the speakers also stated that many respondents in the research failed to recognise the avilability of existing guidelines and methods in the field.

The seminar also drew on other experiences of effective people management. Ruth Spellman, chief executive of Investors in People, noted that too many employees lacked the opportunity to learn at work.

Professor Guest summed up the research as identifying the scope for HR professionals to use the evidence to practical effect, helping senior colleagues "with the 'hows' of people management."