Conducted by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The results are in and the message is clear: people issues clearly dominate the strategic agendas of companies across the globe. Faced with increased competition, advances in technology, and a relentless focus on innovation, senior business executives and HR leaders agree that people are vital to all aspects of their company's performance. But while people issues have moved to the forefront of business agendas worldwide, the important question is: Has HR been taken by surprise by changing demographics and a growing need for accurate employee data and strategic HR capability to tackle business leaders priorities?

"Aligned at the Top," a new global study conducted by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) and the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), revealed that while senior business executives and HR leaders view people issues as strategic business issues, there is also an increasing tension between the needs of the company and HR's ability to deliver. The study, which surveyed 531 senior business executives and HR leaders representing every major industry and region, suggests that most HR functions are still transforming themselves — or thinking of transforming themselves — from administrator to strategist, and many have yet to develop the capacity and capabilities required to tackle their company's current and future strategic challenges.

The survey below contains the complete research findings and suggests some key strategies to help companies get more value from people and HR.

 Read Aligned at the Top