NTPC - a preferred employer: case study

Purpose - Contrary to the expectations, most of the corporate entities fail to provide the much sought after results for development and engagement of their employees. However, since National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is a preferred employer, the authors conducted an in-depth study. The main objective of the research was to study and identify the unique HR practices of NTPC towards training, development and performance management that make it a preferred employer.Design methodology approach - The study was conducted in two phases with a focus on the employees at Power Management Institute (PMI) of NTPC at Noida, UP. In the first phase, an in-depth study of the company's literature was undertaken. For this, human resource (HR) related literature and manuals were studied and analysed. In the second phase, informal structured interviews and focus interviews were conducted with 50 middle level employees and 20 senior level executives across functions, out of a total of 150 employees, in order to achieve the above mentioned purpose of the study.Findings - The company aims at becoming a learning organization and offers many unique features to its employees such as sponsoring a Masters in Technology (M.Tech.) degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi amongst others, making it an employer of choice.Practical implications - Retention and attraction is one of the biggest challenges facing the corporate world today. The study of NTPC's HR practices will facilitate understanding of strategies that supplement engagement and development.Originality value - It would help corporate entities and professionals who are charged with the responsibility to engage and develop employees.