Unit #1 Overview:
This unit illustrates the integration of various HR topics into one cohesive strategy. Students will evaluate the 3 year strategy of Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (2004) and identify the
strengths and weaknesses of the strategy. This assignment will prepare students to conduct a more thorough analysis in the paper, HR Strategy Analysis, at the end of Unit 8.
Workplace conflict is inevitable within organizations. In this unit students will read the article from Health Care Executive entitled Is Workplace Conflict a Good Thing? They will answer the following questions:
Unit #1 Discussion questions (please keep in mind – write concisely. Complete each discussion question within 500 words):
DQ #1: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ireland’s HR strategy (see case)? What specifically should leaders do to improve future strategic plans? Be specific.
DQ #2: What can HR managers do to mitigate workplace conflict? What steps should be taken to convert tension into innovation?
Unit #2 Overview:
This unit focuses on an increasingly important HRM issue: Global Virtual Teams. Learners will review the article entitled Human Resources in Virtual Teams and explore the relationship between the ethical behavior of employees and the financial performance of the firm. Learners will review the research report entitled The Hidden Costs of Unethical Behavior and answer the following questions:
Unit #2 Discussion questions:
DQ #1: What can HR managers do to assure fairness in promotional opportunities for virtual team members? (incorporate the articles’ perspective “Human Resources and Virtual Teams”)
DQ #2: What role do managers have in shaping the ethical climate of an organization? Cite a statistic from the research report to support your conclusions.
Unit #3: Overview
In this unit students examine the differences between HRM in large and small organizations. Learners will review the article by Anderson (2003) entitled HRM in SME’s – first findings on structure and practices.
The issue of equal opportunity can be worth millions to organizations, yet according to researchers at Development Dimensions International (2009) many hiring managers are not aware of the potential legal ramifications of their questions. In this unit students will interpret research findings and understand the hiring issues HR managers must be familiar with.
Unit #3 Discussion questions:
DQ #1: Do you agree with the author that HRM within SME’s should be studied as a distinct discipline apart from
traditional HRM? Explain your rationale.
DQ #2: What are your thoughts on the research findings? What were you surprised by? What recommendations do you have for HR mangers?
Unit #4 Overview:
Students evaluate an article by Fleishman-Hillard entitled Nine Steps to an Effective Employee Communications Programme and identify practical steps HR managers can take to improve internal communications. Students will also explore the relationship between strategy and HRM. Students will submit their HRM Strategy Analysis paper at the conclusion of the unit. Students will compare and contrast the strategies of CityUniversityand University of Londonthroughout this unit to identify best practices.
Unit #4 Discussion questions:
DQ #1: Explain the concept of alignment. What can leaders do to assure alignment between the various levels of management within a firm?
DQ #1: Review the section of each strategy dealing with rewards and compensation. Are these organizations providing enough detail about compensation?
2. HRM in the Year 2025
Students apply critical thinking and demonstrate an understanding of global issues by identifying current trends that will have long-term ramifications for HR Executives. In a 500 word paper students will:
1. Identify 2 citations from HR experts and/or business futurists regarding the effect of globalization on multi-national corporations
2. Discuss how the practice of HR outsourcing is expected to evolve in the next 15-20 years
a. What countries in the developing world are best positioned to benefit from the trends identified?
b. Is the anticipated effect of outsourcing on HR functions within multi-national corporations positive or negative? Support your response with a minimum of 1 citation.
3. Executive Interview
Learners gain insight into effective HRM by interviewing a practicing executive or entrepreneur who is responsible for recruiting, training and compensating employees. This exercise introduces learners to the value of primary qualitative research. In this 500 word paper students will:
1. Rationalize why this HR professional was selected.
i. Identify successful techniques used by this individual.
ii. Compare the individual’s actions with HR theory.
i. Are his/her actions in alignment with scholarly theory?
iii. Discuss best practices that could be applied by other HR managers in other industries.
4. HRM Strategy Analysis
Students will read the HR strategies of two direct competitors: University of London and City University of London. Learners will compare the strategies and create a 1000 word paper. Learners should:
1. Discuss which university has the more effective strategy?
i. Provide example of effective HR planning.
ii. What are the strengths of each plan?
2. Discuss how CityUniversity’s program and effectiveness rankings can be low in comparison to competitors, yet have management rankings that are higher than competitors.
i. What factors might influence this paradox?
ii. What should HR leaders of each school do to improve their plans?
i. Provide research citations to support your suggestions.