The assignment question reflects the core themes addressed during the ABP HRM module. The aim of the assignment is to encourage students to combine theoretical and
practical aspects of HRM by referring to practical company case study examples when assessing the core theories and themes in the HRM literature.
SELECT ONE relevant case organisation with which you are familiar – one that you can access relevant HRM information about (for example, one you have worked for,
had an internship in, an organisation familiar to your family/friends, or one you have been able to find detailed information about on the internet, in books,
newspaper articles, etc).
READ the book chapter I have placed on blackboard by Sisson and Purcell (2010) entitled ‘Management: Caught between competing views of the organization’.
Based upon the Sisson and Purcell chapter, other recommended academic literature for the module (such as the core Beardwell and Claydon textbook, etc – see
recommended reading/references in course outline and seminar slides), your own wider reading material, and content of the module seminars, produce a 3000 word report
critically evaluating your case organisation’s HR strategies and policies. Pay particular attention to commenting analytically on the competing approaches to HRM
management might use (treating employees as a commodity cost to be controlled v treating them as a resource to be developed).
In completing the report, you are expected to address the following thematic issues:
• In the report, firstly, briefly summarize the organisation’s overall business strategy and goals and then,
• secondly, identify the organisation’s overall HR strategy and goals.
• Analyse the various components of HRM policy and practice in the organisation:
• talent management,
• recruitment and selection;
• training,
• learning,
• Human Resource Development; employment relations,
• employee participation and voice; pay, reward & performance management (these might be referred to by different labels).
• Examine to what extent the various components of HRM support and contribute towards achieving the organisation’s overall strategy (vertical integration).
Evaluate to what extent the various components of HRM are consistent and support each other in achieving the overall HR strategy (horizontal integration).
• Following Sisson and Purcell (2010), a key theme to be addressed is the degree to which HR management (and management generally) in your case organization
face competing organizational pressures: notably, i) developing employees as a valued resource and seeking their cooperation (training & development, employee
participation, profit sharing, etc) while ii) also having to control labour costs and performance (redundancies, cutting pay and benefits, closely monitoring employee
performance, contracting out work, work intensification, hiring and firing temporary staff, etc). What is the balance between such competing approaches? Is there
evidence on the extent of cooperation or conflict in the employment relationship between employers and employees/trade unions?
• Another theme to be discussed in your assignment is how organizational, sector/industry, national, and international contexts impact on HRM policies in your
case company.
• Provide some conclusions, and then briefly recommend areas for possible future improvement in HR management in your chosen organization.
Assignment guidelines:
• The report should be word-processed.
• Its length should be no more than 3,000 words (excluding appendices).
• It should be presented in a report format – please see structure below.
• It must include correct and appropriate referencing: particular attention should be paid to referencing the additional material you have read, providing
appropriate direct quotations and examples.
• Please ensure the assignment is carefully proof-read.
• No plagiarism! 100% plagiarism free
Report format:
– Title
– Summary
– Contents
– Introduction
– Methodology
– Main body with academic literature and findings
– Conclusions and possible HR policy recommendations
– References
– Appendices (if necessary)
Marking Scheme for ABP assignment (assessment criteria)
A ‘first class’ performance will include … A ‘failed’ performance will include…
70s+ 60s 50s 40s Fail
MANAGEMENT REPORT
Excellent report eg. well researched, presented & referenced Poor report eg. no research, inadequate /incorrect referencing, spelling/typing
mistakes
Appropriate review of relevant literature Superficial, descriptive & limited literature review
Presents ‘new’ material Merely re-presents lecture notes
Demonstrates clear grasp of HRM and HR practices in selected organisation Demonstrates little understanding of HRM generally and/or selected
organisation
Uses real examples, or experience, to relate theory to practice Makes no attempt to use any examples or draw on experience
