Transformational HR Practices in Employer Branding For Strategic Business Growth in SME of India

The distinction between organizational brand and employer brand has diminished, with employer branding now integral to enhancing an organization's visibility and reputation. Effective employer branding attracts and retains high-quality talent, influencing work culture, employee commitment, and loyalty. While employer branding and the resulting Employee Value Proposition have traditionally differentiated large organizations, they are increasingly critical for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This article examines the impact of employer branding on strategic business growth as a transformational human resources practice within SMEs. Transformational HR practices contribute to inclusive, sustainable business growth. Employer branding ensures long term business impact as it enhances retention , attracts talent and builds a more inclusive society and work environment. Detailed digital application-based survey was conducted on 350 plus SME in NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur to collect primary data. The data was analysed with SPSS based statistical tools. The study reaches a conclusion that employer branding plays a crucial role in strategic business growth of SME in India. The study also brings to focus the moderating effect of employer branding with transformational HR and best practice adoption. Notably, a gap exists in the literature regarding specific employer branding strategies and their implications for SMEs, and this research is the first of its nature to examine this aspect in SME in India. The study uses a mixed approach contributing to the research area in both quantitative and qualitative terms. The findings in the study addresses this gap by providing insights into the unique challenges faced by SMEs and demonstrating how tailored employer branding strategies can drive sustainable business growth.