Aligning biz & HR = Better prod. & perform.

SHR017-2 The Strategic Context of Human Resource Management

Question:

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Group presentation (20 minutes) and Individual report (1,500 words) You will be required to research and critically evaluate the alignment of an organisation’s business and HR strategies and assess the impact this has on the level of productivity and performance. Presentations will be undertaken as a group, but each group member will also include an individual report of the presentation, to demonstrate their individual understanding. The presentation and individual report will both be worth 50% of this assessment grade.
The idea that ‘best practices’ in Human Resource Management can be identified and should be implemented has been influential. Those who advocate this idea often argue that all HR managers should look carefully at how HRM is practiced in the most successful and fastest growing global companies with a view to adopting the same approaches in their own organisations. The assumption is that there is a recipe of effective HRM that is used in these organisations, and which helps explain their success. It follows that its adoption in any organisation will enhance their chances of enjoying sustained competitive advantage over time.

i.Drawing on research and examples of organisational practice explain how far you agree with this way of thinking about HRM. Justify your answer. AND
ii.How far does an organisation you have researched or worked for take a ‘best practice approach’ to HRM? Illustrate your answer with examples.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF):

1. Analyse the internal and external context of an organisation using appropriate analytic tools and demonstrating an awareness of the impact of various contextual factors on the development of the role of HR, HR strategies and practices
2. Analyse the evolving role and objectives of the HR function in different contexts and its contribution to the change management agenda and business success.
3. Evaluate the vertical and horizontal alignment of HR strategies assessing the impact on organisational performance.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

To achieve a good grade in this assignment, you need to consider the following.

1. Avoid excessive description and provide a critical analysis of the “best practice” approach.
2. Your assignment should be succinct, relevant and well-structured.
3. Your assignment has more than one part to it so make sure you answer all the parts comprehensively.
4. Do not only rely on lecture notes for your assignments - go back to original sources. Evidence of wide reading will gain better marks.
5. Use references accurately.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

This assignment will give you an opportunity to review and critique academic research and organisational practice and examine the way different HR models can be applied to people management. It will also help you to better understand the relationship between people resourcing and development and organisational performance.

As this assignment also requires you to compare different models of HRM you will be able to practice weighing up alternative approaches based on your understanding of theory and practice and make suggestions accordingly. This will help you to develop both your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

will my assignment be marked?
Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria as set out below. You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.
		Pass – 40-49%	Pass – 50-59%	Commendation – 60-69%	Distinction– 70%+
	1	Displays a broadly satisfactory knowledge base which is coherent and of appropriate depth/ detail. Displays a fairly comprehensive awareness of current issues and some key theories (though with some omissions.	Displays a sound knowledge base which is coherent and of appropriate depth/ detail. Displays a comprehensive awareness of current issues and some key theories (though with a few omissions).	Displays a commendable, detailed and systematic knowledge base. Displays a critical awareness of current issues and ideas at the forefront of the area of study,	Displays a comprehensive, detailed and systematic knowledge base and understanding for specialized area of study. Displays a well-informed and highly critical awareness of current issues and ideas at the forefront of the area of study.
	2	Displays a broadly satisfactory confidence and flexibility in identifying and defining complex problems and the application of appropriate knowledge, tools or methods to their solution. Displays a broadly satisfactory ability to manage own learning, using a full range of resources, with minimum guidance. Selects and manage information, undertaking reasonably straight-forward research tasks adequately and with minimum guidance.	Displays sound confidence and flexibility in identifying and defining complex problems and the application of appropriate knowledge, tools or methods to their solution. Displays a firm ability to manage own learning, using a full range of resources, with minimum guidance. Displays a sound ability to manage information, undertaking required research tasks adequately and with minimum guidance.	Displays commendable confidence and flexibility in identifying and defining complex problems and the application of appropriate knowledge, tools or methods to their solution. Displays a good ability to manage own learning, using a full range of resources, with minimum guidance. Displays a strong ability to select and manage information, and undertake required research tasks	Provides sustained evidence of competence and confidence in identifying and defining complex problems and applying appropriate knowledge, tools or methods to provide innovative solutions. Displays an excellent ability to manage own learning, independently utilizing a confident grasp of research methodologies to select and manage information, and undertake required research tasks.
	3	Takes responsibility for own work and criticizes it in a manner that is broadly satisfactory. With respect to subject-specific skill, can act with an adequate degree of autonomy, under minimal supervision or direction and within agreed guidelines.	Displays firm evidence of an ability to operate with autonomy in fairly complex and unpredictable situations. Good evidence of an ability to take firm responsibility for own learning, with some capacity to challenge received opinion and form own judgments.	Displays good evidence of a strong ability to operate with autonomy in fairly complex and unpredictable professional situations. Provides consistent and strong evidence of a commendable ability to take firm responsibility for own learning and form own judgments.	Displays sustained evidence of an excellent ability to operate with autonomy, creativity and confidence in complex and unpredictable professional situations. Provides sustained and very strong evidence of distinguished ability to take firm responsibility for own learning, challenge received opinion and form own judgments.
	4	Engages adequately in analysis, in a professional manner. Produces and presents detailed and coherent report in a broadly satisfactory manner	Communicates competently and effectively engages professionally and well in analysis Reports practical procedures in a clear and concise manner. Presents work effectively.	Displays good, effective communication and presentation skills. Reports practical procedures in a commendable manner. Engages strongly and professionally in debate.	Outputs are communicated excellently in a format that is highly professional and fully appropriate to the discipline. Reports practical procedures in a distinguished manner.