Learning Outcomes On completion of this study unit you will be able to: • Understand key contemporary business issues affecting the HR function within private, public and third sector organisations • Understand the main external contextual factors impacting on organisations and the HR function • Understand the role of HR in the managing of contemporary business issues and external contexts • Understand how organisational and HR strategies and practices are shaped and developed • Know how to identify and respond to short-term changes in the business and external contexts.