Strategic Human Resource Management

Order Description

Assignment
Your task is to write a report about a major human resource management (HRM) issue affecting your organisation or an organisation you know well.
The HRM issue you choose to write about should be one of the main issues discussed in the subject. Hence, choose from the following: job analysis and design, recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, pay structure and benefits.
Write a report and make sure to include:
? A brief description of the organisation and the HRM issue.
? An analysis of the HRM issue. Describe the issue in detail. Explain why the issue needs improving in the organisation; make a case for change. You could include in your analysis a comparison of practice in your own organisation with industry best practice or with practice in another organisation.
? A set of recommendations to enable improvement or change. Explain what could be done to bring about improvement. These recommendations should follow logically from the analysis above; they should not be an unconnected after-thought.
It is important to demonstrate your knowledge about the HRM issue and to clearly reference your sources. Read about your issue in journal articles (using AIB Online Library), books (including the textbook), industry reports, business literature, etc. Remember to note down your sources and reference your sources in the report.
In order to do well you need to structure your discussion appropriately, use good references, and clearly link recommendations to the description and analysis presented earlier in the report.
Important assignment instructions
? The required word length for this assignment is 2500 words (plus or minus 10%).
? In terms of structure, presentation and style you are normally required to use:
– AIB standard report format; and
– AIB preferred Microsoft Word settings; and
– Harvard style referencing (which includes in-text citations plus a reference list). These requirements are detailed in the AIB Style Guide.
? Reference lists for AIB assignments / projects normally contain the following number of relevant references from different sources: 6-12 (for MBA assignments).
? All references must be from credible sources such as books, industry related journals, magazines, company documents and recent academic articles.
? Your grade will be adversely affected if your assignment contains no/poor citations and/or reference list and also if your assignment word length is beyond the allowed tolerance level (see Assessment Policy available on AIB website).

Strategic Human Resource Management

Assignment title    UNDERSTANDING THE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN AN ORGANISATION

This assignment provides the student with an understanding of how the effective strategic management of human resources supports the achievement of organisational purposes and provides the skills to apply this understanding in an organisational context.
Scenario

You are employed in a business consultancy firm as a Junior Consultant. The Senior Consultant asked you to help in formulating a strategic human resource plan for the small sized computer and business training institute that the client is trying to put up.

You are required to submit a report with your recommendation to the Senior Consultant. The report that you will be submitting must contain the following:

Minimum length required for each section is indicated

Task 1:
•    Explain the importance of Strategic Human Resource Management to the institute’s success. Highlight the need for medium and long term planning. (150 words) AC 1.1

•    Assess the purpose of Strategic Human Resource Management activities in an institute. AC 1.2 and
evaluate how human resource management contributes to the institute’s objectives by aligning
with corporate strategy. (150 words) AC 1.3

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 1
Task 2:

•    Analyse the business factors including the institute’s internal requirements and external environmental factors that would influence human resource planning. (150 words)  AC 2.1

•    Assess how can the institute prepare for a rise in student enrolments in the summer months of July and August?  (80 words) AC 2.2

•    Develop a human resource plan for the institute using SMART targets. No recommended length. A sample template is provided below: AC 2.3

HR Plan Template
Employees Required in Summer July/August
Type of Work    Duration    # of people    Total hours

•    Critically evaluate how a human resources plan can contribute to meeting the institute’s objectives. (80 words) AC 2.4

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 2

Task 3:

•    Explain with examples the purpose of human resource management policies in the Institute and analyse the impact of complying with regulatory requirements on human resource management policies.  (150 words) AC 3.1 & 3.2

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 3
Task 4:

•    Analyse the impact of an institute’s structure and culture on the management of human resources. (150 words) AC 4.1 & 4.2

•    Examine how the effectiveness of human resource strategies is monitored in an institute? Identify performance indicators that can be used in monitoring the efficacy of human resource strategies in achieving organisational goals. (150 words) AC 4.3

•    Al Mahra Computer and Business Training Centre has a rigid and formal organisational structure. The cultural climate is cold. There is high turnover of staff. Make justified recommendations to improve human resource management in Al Mahra. (80 words) AC 4.4

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 4

Assessment

For AC1.1, learners need to explain the importance of strategic human resource management and the need for adopting both a medium- and long-term perspective in respect of human resource management.

For AC 1.2 and 1.3, learners need to assess the purpose of strategic human resources management and evaluate how it contributes to organisational objectives. The link between corporate strategy and human resource management strategy needs to be made clear to show their interrelationship and how the human resource management strategy supports and contributes to organisational purposes. For AC 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, a review or case study can be used to examine the importance of strategic human resource management and its role in supporting wider organisational objectives.

For AC2.1, learners need to analyse the business factors that dictate the need to plan human resources by looking internally at the organisation’s requirements, as well as considering the influence of external environmental factors.

For AC2.2, learners need to assess the human resource requirements for a specific organisation in a specific situation. Learners can use their own organisation if appropriate.

For AC 2.3 and 2.4, learners need to develop a human resources plan building on the results of the work completed for AC2.2. The plan needs to be formulated using SMART (specific, achievable, measurable, realistic, and time-based) targets. The plan needs to be critically evaluated to show how it can contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives. For AC 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, evidence needs to be a structured human resources plan.

For AC 3.1 and 3.2, learners need to explain the purpose of human resource management policies in organisations, showing how they comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Organisational policies should be accessible and the implications and impact of the policies on managing the human resource need to drawn out through analysis. The assignment used for AC 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 could be extended to cover AC 3.1 and 3.2.

For AC 4.1 and 4.2, learners need to analyse the impact of organisational structure and culture on human resource management. Structure and culture need to be defined.

For AC4.3, learners need to examine the monitoring of human resource management in relation to contributing to organisational goals. Learners need to identify performance indicators that might be used and how the effectiveness of human resource management can be judged against these indicators.

For AC4.4, learners need to use their work from AC4.3 to recommend improvements to human resource management, supported with justifications based on an analysis of a specific organisation in a specific situation. For AC 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, evidence can be in the form of a report that results from a review of the impact of structure and culture on human resource management, and from an examination of the effectiveness of human resource management, together with recommendations for improving it.

Textbooks

•    Armstrong M – Strategic Human resource Management: A Guide to Action, 4th Edition (Kogan Page, 2008) ISBN 0749453753

•    Holbeche L – Aligning Human Resources and Business Strategy, 2nd Edition (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008) ISBN 0750680172

•    Saunders M, Millmore M, Lewis P, Thornhill A and Morrow T – Strategic Human Resource Management: Contemporary Issues (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2007) ISBN 027368163X

•    Armstrong M — A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (Kogan Press, 2003) ISBN: 0749441054

•    Beardwell I and Holden L — Human Resource Management: A Contemporary Approach (Prentice Hall, 2003) ISBN: 0273679112

•    Belbin M — Team Roles at Work (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996) ISBN: 0750626755

•    Bratton J and Gold J — Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice (Palgrave- Macmillan, 2003) ISBN: 0333993268

•    Mullins L — Management and Organisational Behaviour (Prentice Hall, 2004) ISBN: 0273688766

Journals/newspapers

•    Management Today (Haymarket Business Media)

•    People Management (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)

•    Professional Manager (Chartered Management Institute)

•    The Economist (The Economist Newspaper Ltd) has articles on human resource

•    Related topics from time to time.

Websites

•    www.businesslink.gov.uk Business Link – information on human resource management policies

•    www.managementhelp.org Free management library with links to human resource management articles

•    www.acas.org.uk this site contains current ACAS leaflets and publications, advice, training and other employment information

•    www.bized.ac.uk learning materials and case studies

•    www.cipd.co.uk this site contains information about HR practices and current legislation relating to employment

•    www.managers.org.uk website for the Chartered Management Institute

•    www.peoplemanagement.co.uk current online magazine of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Strategic Human Resource Management

Assignment title    UNDERSTANDING THE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN AN ORGANISATION

This assignment provides the student with an understanding of how the effective strategic management of human resources supports the achievement of organisational purposes and provides the skills to apply this understanding in an organisational context.
Scenario

You are employed in a business consultancy firm as a Junior Consultant. The Senior Consultant asked you to help in formulating a strategic human resource plan for the small sized computer and business training institute that the client is trying to put up.

You are required to submit a report with your recommendation to the Senior Consultant. The report that you will be submitting must contain the following:

Minimum length required for each section is indicated

Task 1:
•    Explain the importance of Strategic Human Resource Management to the institute’s success. Highlight the need for medium and long term planning. (150 words) AC 1.1

•    Assess the purpose of Strategic Human Resource Management activities in an institute. AC 1.2 and
evaluate how human resource management contributes to the institute’s objectives by aligning
with corporate strategy. (150 words) AC 1.3

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 1
Task 2:

•    Analyse the business factors including the institute’s internal requirements and external environmental factors that would influence human resource planning. (150 words)  AC 2.1

•    Assess how can the institute prepare for a rise in student enrolments in the summer months of July and August?  (80 words) AC 2.2

•    Develop a human resource plan for the institute using SMART targets. No recommended length. A sample template is provided below: AC 2.3

HR Plan Template
Employees Required in Summer July/August
Type of Work    Duration    # of people    Total hours

•    Critically evaluate how a human resources plan can contribute to meeting the institute’s objectives. (80 words) AC 2.4

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 2

Task 3:

•    Explain with examples the purpose of human resource management policies in the Institute and analyse the impact of complying with regulatory requirements on human resource management policies.  (150 words) AC 3.1 & 3.2

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 3
Task 4:

•    Analyse the impact of an institute’s structure and culture on the management of human resources. (150 words) AC 4.1 & 4.2

•    Examine how the effectiveness of human resource strategies is monitored in an institute? Identify performance indicators that can be used in monitoring the efficacy of human resource strategies in achieving organisational goals. (150 words) AC 4.3

•    Al Mahra Computer and Business Training Centre has a rigid and formal organisational structure. The cultural climate is cold. There is high turnover of staff. Make justified recommendations to improve human resource management in Al Mahra. (80 words) AC 4.4

This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 4

Assessment

For AC1.1, learners need to explain the importance of strategic human resource management and the need for adopting both a medium- and long-term perspective in respect of human resource management.

For AC 1.2 and 1.3, learners need to assess the purpose of strategic human resources management and evaluate how it contributes to organisational objectives. The link between corporate strategy and human resource management strategy needs to be made clear to show their interrelationship and how the human resource management strategy supports and contributes to organisational purposes. For AC 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, a review or case study can be used to examine the importance of strategic human resource management and its role in supporting wider organisational objectives.

For AC2.1, learners need to analyse the business factors that dictate the need to plan human resources by looking internally at the organisation’s requirements, as well as considering the influence of external environmental factors.

For AC2.2, learners need to assess the human resource requirements for a specific organisation in a specific situation. Learners can use their own organisation if appropriate.

For AC 2.3 and 2.4, learners need to develop a human resources plan building on the results of the work completed for AC2.2. The plan needs to be formulated using SMART (specific, achievable, measurable, realistic, and time-based) targets. The plan needs to be critically evaluated to show how it can contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives. For AC 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, evidence needs to be a structured human resources plan.

For AC 3.1 and 3.2, learners need to explain the purpose of human resource management policies in organisations, showing how they comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Organisational policies should be accessible and the implications and impact of the policies on managing the human resource need to drawn out through analysis. The assignment used for AC 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 could be extended to cover AC 3.1 and 3.2.

For AC 4.1 and 4.2, learners need to analyse the impact of organisational structure and culture on human resource management. Structure and culture need to be defined.

For AC4.3, learners need to examine the monitoring of human resource management in relation to contributing to organisational goals. Learners need to identify performance indicators that might be used and how the effectiveness of human resource management can be judged against these indicators.

For AC4.4, learners need to use their work from AC4.3 to recommend improvements to human resource management, supported with justifications based on an analysis of a specific organisation in a specific situation. For AC 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, evidence can be in the form of a report that results from a review of the impact of structure and culture on human resource management, and from an examination of the effectiveness of human resource management, together with recommendations for improving it.

Textbooks

•    Armstrong M – Strategic Human resource Management: A Guide to Action, 4th Edition (Kogan Page, 2008) ISBN 0749453753

•    Holbeche L – Aligning Human Resources and Business Strategy, 2nd Edition (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008) ISBN 0750680172

•    Saunders M, Millmore M, Lewis P, Thornhill A and Morrow T – Strategic Human Resource Management: Contemporary Issues (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2007) ISBN 027368163X

•    Armstrong M — A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (Kogan Press, 2003) ISBN: 0749441054

•    Beardwell I and Holden L — Human Resource Management: A Contemporary Approach (Prentice Hall, 2003) ISBN: 0273679112

•    Belbin M — Team Roles at Work (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996) ISBN: 0750626755

•    Bratton J and Gold J — Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice (Palgrave- Macmillan, 2003) ISBN: 0333993268

•    Mullins L — Management and Organisational Behaviour (Prentice Hall, 2004) ISBN: 0273688766

Journals/newspapers

•    Management Today (Haymarket Business Media)

•    People Management (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)

•    Professional Manager (Chartered Management Institute)

•    The Economist (The Economist Newspaper Ltd) has articles on human resource

•    Related topics from time to time.

Websites

•    www.businesslink.gov.uk Business Link – information on human resource management policies

•    www.managementhelp.org Free management library with links to human resource management articles

•    www.acas.org.uk this site contains current ACAS leaflets and publications, advice, training and other employment information

•    www.bized.ac.uk learning materials and case studies

•    www.cipd.co.uk this site contains information about HR practices and current legislation relating to employment

•    www.managers.org.uk website for the Chartered Management Institute

•    www.peoplemanagement.co.uk current online magazine of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development