Trends in Human Resource Management Selected Topics from Chapter 2
Dec 22, 2015
Change in the Labor Force Labor Force
What constitutes the labor force? Internal labor force
The workers an organization already has External labor market
Individuals actively seeking employment
Hong Kong’s Aging Workforce In 2000, 29.7% of Hong Kong’s population
was aged 50 or above. By 2030 and 2050, this will have increased to
52.2% and 59.2% respectively. What are the challenges organizations face
with regard to the aging workforce?
Focus on Strategy
How can human resource management support and contribute to organizational strategy?
Strategic HRM Strategic HRM: linking the organization’s
strategy with human resource practices in order to improve business performance.
HRM professionals as strategic partners
Generic StrategiesLow Cost
AdvantageUnique Product
Advantage
Large part of the market
Low-Cost
Strategy
Differentiation Strategy
Small segment of a market
Focus Strategy
Low-Cost Strategy HR implications
Efficient production Explicit job descriptions Detailed work planning Emphasis on technical qualifications and skills Emphasis on job-specific training Emphasis on job-based pay Use of performance appraisal as a control device
Differentiation Strategy HR implications
Emphasis on innovation and flexibility Broad job classes Loose work planning External recruitment Team-based training Emphasis on individual-based pay Use of performance appraisal as a development
tool
Total Quality Management (TQM) A companywide effort to continuously
improve the ways people, machines, and systems accomplish work.
HRM has an important role: Creating an innovative environment in which
employees themselves improve quality Employees should receive training to upgrade
KSAOs.
Mergers and Acquisitions M&A = Consolidation? Between 50 and 80 percent of all mergers
and acquisitions fail. One of the reasons often cited: cultural
incompatibilities.
Reengineering Another important concept in the Ocean
Park Case Study.
Reengineering: A complete review of the organization’s critical work processes to make them more efficient and able to deliver higher quality.
International Expansion International expansion affects many HRM
functions Recruitment and selection (expatriates or host
country nationals?) Training and development (training employees to
work in new environment)
Downsizing Downsizing or “churning”? If you were told you were being downsized, what
would you want to know? If you weren’t being downsized but others were, what
would you want to know?
Outsourcing HR departments can help with the transition
to outsourcing. HR functions can also be outsourced, but
some easier than others.
Change in Employment Relationship The Psychological Contract
A description of what an employee expects to contribute in an employment relationship and what the employer will provide the employee in exchange for those contributions
Psychological contract in the 60’s and 70’s. Psychological contract now.
Exam Question Example 1
According to guest lecturer Dana Breitenstein, national cultures can be past-oriented, present-oriented, or future-oriented. What type of culture does Hong Kong have in this respect?
1. Past-oriented
2. Present-oriented
3. Future-oriented
4. Both past and future-oriented
Exam Question Example 2Which one of the following best exemplifies the process of self-selection?
1. An applicant posts his or her resume on an online job bulletin board.
2. While at a job fair, an applicant decides to interview with the ABC Company.
3. An applicant is asked to return for a second interview with the ABC Company.
4. An applicant takes an online "job fitness" test before deciding to apply to the ABC Company.