Theoretical Analysis of Hiring and Motivational Issues: Solutions based on Academic Theory

You are a consultant to a company.The CEO has come to you as they have two issues: a. They cannot hire enough people from ethnic minorities; b. They would like to increase their employees’ motivation, without increasing their pay. The CEO asks you to propose two possible solutions, each based on academic theory.

(i) a theoretical analysis of the hiring and the motivational issues that might affect the company (source theories studied in the first 5 lectures);

ii) a solution to these issues based on your theoretical analysis;

(iii) a critical appraisal to the solution (pros and cons).

• Problem identification – your essay should identify and clearly describe two key issues that are afflicting recruitment and selection in your chosen company2 .

• Theoretical Analysis – your answer should draw on preferably one theory for each issue, relevant and correctly referenced theories, models or concepts covered in the module. Few theories used in depth, are better than more theories used superficially.

• Practical application – you need to ensure that you propose a solution to the issue, by applying your theories/processes/models to a real company of your choice.

• Theoretical Critique – you are expected to apply and critically review theories/models/concepts to business contexts. That means that each theory or model can be appraised with its pros and cons.

• Structure – a clear structure that provides the reader with a clear narrative route to a robust conclusion. • Presentation – grammatically correct, in an academic style. Please check spelling.

1. Understand how relevant motivation theories and other organisational behaviour principles can be applied to inform human resources practices that aim towards maximising employees’ performance and potential.

2. Critically evaluate the different human resources practices that can be implemented by organisations to utilise human capital resources, including recruitment and selection, performance management, human resource development etc.

3. Understand what organisations can do to address issues that may hinder the utilisation of human capital resources, such as workplace diversity, workplace conflicts, organisational change, etc.

4. Apply the theories, concepts and practices covered in the module to analyse the current business context.

• Identify and discuss the challenges in recruitment and retention experienced by your chosen example company and motivational issues in the company.

• Discusstwo HR/OB (Human Resources and or Organization Behaviour) processes that can be optimised to achieve the CEO’s objectives of improved recruitment and greater retention

• Discuss the steps that can be taken in the organization to implement these processes, and the plus and minuses that these have.

• You can pick from a number of theories and processes explored in the first four lectures, from HRM practices, views of Human Capital, Selection techniques, to Employer Branding and company culture, employee engagement and motivation/job design any other aspects we studied in week 1-5.

• A critical review of the impact that the chosen HR/OB processes and initiatives can have on the companies for employees and/or customers and/or managers. This can be done by theoretically exploring the pros and cons of these techniques, and highlight how these pros and cons will materialise in practice.

• Good answer might also touch upon, for example, a critical review of the leader/manager’s role in developing culture, human capital, retention and recruitment policies etc. Higher level students may find the critical review leads them to discuss the darker side of these processes.