problem 1: Identify main trends in business environment and describe how these trends have influenced the HRM practices.

problem 2: What are the most significant demographic, societal and workforce trends influencing HRM nowadays?

problem 3: Why is it significant for the HR manager to be strategic business partner? What other roles are HR managers expected to play in the knowledge economy.

problem 4: describe the impact of technology on the world of work. Has technology changed HRM? If it has, in what manner?

problem 5: What do you mean by the term virtual HR? What are the benefits and pitfalls of HR outsourcing? What are the criteria that firms can use for finding out which HR activities must or must not be outsourced?

problem 6: Suppose you are the general manager (HR) of a reputed multinational heavy engineering firm with operations in several countries. A number of senior and experienced employees of that firm are nearing retirement. Though there is a pool of young and talented employees, the firm is likely to experience a shortage of employees ready to suppose leadership roles after the retirement of senior employees. The near retiree gives a lot of value addition to the firm. In addition, the success of the firm is largely due to the respect and reputation that the senior employee of the firm enjoys in the industry globally. As a general manager (HR), influence the top management of the significance of age diversity in attaining competitive advantage and suggest age diversity initiative and activities which might be adopted by the firm.