BUS208: HRM Course Syllabus

BUS208 HRM Course Overview

This course is designed to provide an introduction to human resource management (HRM) from a strategic perspective. Students will learn about the key functions and roles of HRM, including:

• Strategic management
• Job definition and analysis
• Human resource planning
• Selection and placement of the right person in the right job
• Training and development
• Performance management

Through this course, students will be able to understand and analyze the complex structure of HRM processes, and gain a solid foundation in the techniques and methods of HRM.

Course Objectives

• Understand the key functions and roles of HRM
• Learn about the techniques and methods of HRM
• Gain a solid foundation in strategic HRM
• Understand the complex structure of HRM processes
• Develop critical thinking and analysis skills

Homework

• The First Homework: Explore the role of humans as employees/workers in the Fordist mode of production and discuss the potential implications of this role, with reference to the movie 'Modern Times/Factory Scene'. Please upload your homework to turnitin.
• The Second Homework: Compose a critical summary of Ulrich's (1998) 'A New Mandate for Human Resources' article from the January 1998 issue of Harvard Business Review. After summarizing the article, please share your perspective on which role is the most significant: administrative expert, employee champion, change agent, or strategic partner. Please upload your homework to turnitin.
• The Third Homework: Conduct interviews with 10 individuals who you believe know you well, either from your friends or family members. Ask them two questions: 1) What are three strengths you think I possess? 2) Can you provide an example of each strength? Next, outline your short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. What position would you like to hold in which company 20 years from now? How can you leverage and develop your strengths to achieve your objectives? Your response should not exceed 700 characters. Lastly, complete the form provided at https://form.jotform.com/210971701906959

• The Fourth Homework: 1) Please watch the film 'Dead Poets Society.' Which character did you relate to the most or enjoy the most, and why? Reflect on the role of 'ideals' in your life. Would you consider yourself an idealist or a realist, and why? Lastly, share your ideal future, and if you had to choose one, what would be your personal motto? 2) Additionally, read Seneca's essay 'On the Shortness of Life' and write a critical review. Do you agree with Seneca's ideas or not?
• The Fifth Homework:

  Visit the following website: http://www.occupationalinfo.org/onet/

  Choose three job titles/occupations that you would like to work after graduation. Evaluate yourself on the following elements:

  • Knowledge: Do you have the necessary knowledge to do this job?
  • Skill: Do you have the necessary skills to do this job?

  After evaluating yourself, please fill in the following form: https://form.jotform.com/221181233660951

Homework Manuscript Format Requirements

• Only the following format is accepted: Word format for homework.
• The manuscript should have a title.
• The manuscript should be one page long, with a minimum of 400 words and a maximum of 600 words.
• The font size should be 12-point.
• The font style should be Times New Roman.
• The manuscript should be single-spaced.
• All margins should be 2.5 cm wide.
• A cover page is not allowed.
• Citations/Quotations (Turnitin similarity index) cannot exceed 30%.
• All manuscripts should be submitted on or before the due date.
• All manuscripts should be uploaded via Turnitin.
• Turnitin class ID: 38144095
• Password: bus208
• Email submissions will not be accepted.
• Your homework will contribute 20% to your midterm and final exam grade.

Week 1

Introduction

Week 2

Examining the role of humans in the production process within the frameworks of the Division of Labor principle, Scientific Management, and Human Relations.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the principle of division of labor and evaluate its impact on employee job satisfaction, productivity, and motivation.
• Explain the evolution of capitalism from Fordism to Post-Fordism, and assess how these systems have influenced the organization of work and employment relationships.

Reading

• Fisher C.D., Schoenfeldt, L.F. and Shaw, J.B. (2003) The Craft Sytstem, Scientific Management, Human Relations (pp.13-15) Human Resource Management 5th Edition, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Week 3

The trends shaping HRM

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and describe at least three current trends in human resource management, including their implications for organizations and employees.
• Evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of the identified trends for organizations and employees.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) The Trends Shaping Human Resource Management (pp.31-36) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 3.1: Macroeconomic Perspective - Fordism and Keynes

Video 3.2: Macroeconomic Perspective - Keynesian and Neo-liberal policies

Week 4

What is HRM and Why is it Important?

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the strategic importance of HRM and its role in achieving organizational goals.
• Define the key functions and processes of HRM, including staffing, training and development, and employee relations.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Managing Human Resources Today (Chapter 1) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 4.1: What is HRM?

Video 4.2: Line and Staff Functions of HRM

Week 5

The New HR Managers

Learning Objectives

• Explain the role and responsibilities of line managers and HR managers in human resources management, and analyze the benefits and challenges of their collaboration in achieving organizational goals.
• Evaluate the key competencies and traits required for effective human resource management in today's business environment.
• Compare and contrast the traditional personnel management approach with the modern human resource management approach.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) The New Human Resource Managers (pp.42-44) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.
• Ulrich, D. (1998) A New Mandate for Human Resources Harward Business Review, January 1998 Issue.

Video 5.1: HR Roles

Week 6

Strategic Management Process

Learning Objectives

• Describe the steps involved in the strategic planning process and provide examples of each step in practice.
• Define strategic human resource management and evaluate its practical implementation in organizations.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Human Resource Strategy and Performance (chapter 3) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 6.1: Strategic Management Process

Week 7

A Comprehensive Review

Week 8

Mid-Term Exam

Week 9

HR Planning Process

Learning Objectives

• Describe the steps involved in the HR planning process and provide examples of each step in practice.
• Define strategic human resource management and evaluate its practical implementation in organizations.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Human Resource Strategy and Performance (chapter 3) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 9.1: Strategic Management Process

Week 10

Job Anaylsis

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the importance of talent management in organizations, including its impact on employee engagement, and retention.
• Explain the process of job analysis and its methods, including interviews, questionnaires, and observations
• Analyze competency-based job analysis and its role in developing job descriptions and specifications.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Job Analysis and Talent Management Process (Chapter 4) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 10.1: Job Analysis

Week 11

People Resourcing

Learning Objectives

• Describe the recruitment and selection process, including its steps and importance in finding qualified candidates.
• Analyze the main techniques used in employment planning and forecasting, and discuss their role in the recruitment process.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of internal and outside sources of candidates.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Personnel Planning and Recruiting (Chapter 5) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.
• Armstrong, M. (2009) People resourcing strategy, Human resource planning (pp.479-513), Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice, 11th Edition, London: Kogan Page.

Video 11.1: Personnel Planning and Recruitment

Week 12

Training and Development

Learning Objectives

• Summarize the purpose and process of employee orientation.
• Describe the five steps in the training process and explain the importance of each step.
• Explain the process of conducting a needs assessment to identify training requirements and the factors to consider when determining whether a problem can be fixed with training.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Training and Developing Employees (Chapter 7) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 12.1: Personnel Planning and Recruitment

Week 13

Performance Management

Learning Objectives

• Define performance appraisal and its role in performance management.
• Evaluate different approaches to performance appraisal and their advantages and disadvantages.
• Identify common issues that can arise during the performance appraisal process and propose strategies to address them.

Reading

• Dessler, G. (2019) Performance Management and Appraisal (Chapter 8) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, Global Edition [5 ed.], USA: Pearson Education,Inc.

Video 13.1: Performance Management

Week 14

A Comprehensive Review