Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Kumar, Arun; Aranha, Rekha; Saldanha, Avil; Sivathanu, Brijesh Title A name given to the resource The talent compass: guiding workforce realignment at Vertex Engineering Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2026 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies;Volume;16;Issue;1;pp.1-7 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-04-2025-0240" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-04-2025-0240</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031952389?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031952389?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Kumar A., School of Business and Management, Christ University, Bengaluru, India; Aranha R., School of Business and Management, Christ University, Bengaluru, India; Saldanha A., Department of Marketing, St. Josephs Institute of Management, Bangalore, India; Sivathanu B., School of Business and Management, Christ University, Bengaluru, India Description An account of the resource Learning outcomes After discussing this case, students will be able to apply the Competency Mapping framework to design redeployment and reskilling strategies for displaced employees; analyze workforce realignment challenges through the lens of Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) models; evaluate HRs strategic role in balancing financial constraints with talent retention using evidence-based reasoning; assess the risks and outcomes of alternative workforce planning models and propose suitable HR interventions; and design an integrated competency assessment and performance evaluation framework to prepare the organization for future transitions. Case overview/synopsis In early 2023, Suresh Nair, Deputy General Manager of Human Resources at Vertex Engineering, a medium-sized firm in Indias construction equipment sector, faced a major workforce challenge. The company decided to sell its Core Manufacturing Plant, whose capacity utilization had fallen from 85% in 2010 to 50% in 2023. Out of 500 affected employees, 250 were transferred to the acquiring company, while the remaining 250 required redeployment, reskilling or release. This case study explores how Vertex can strategically realign its workforce through the application of Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) and Competency Mapping frameworks. It emphasizes the HR functions evolving role from administrative redeployment to strategic capability building within an environment of technological change, cost pressure and labor volatility. The protagonist, Suresh Nair, must navigate conflicting priorities between cost reduction advocated by the CFO and the COOs emphasis on talent retention as a long-term competitive asset. Complexity academic level Graduate and under-graduate level Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 6: Human Resource Management. 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited Subject The topic of the resource Employee behaviour; Strategy; Workforce planning Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Emerald Publishing Relation A related resource ISSN: 20450621; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online