Task

Assessment 3 gives you the opportunity to apply theory and research in a practical way by critically analysing the practice of strategic HRM in organisations. You have three options to choose from in this assessment task. Prepare a report that answers one of the following questions.

Option 1 Workplace-based project

Critically analyse one of the following practices in an organisation known to you using the outside/inside approach to strategic HRM. Focus on ONE segment of the organisation for ease of analysis.

a. Performance management (Topic 7), or

b. Knowledge management (Topic 8), or
c. The learning organisation (Topic 9).
Assumed knowledge of Topics 1-4.

Make recommendations for improvement. What HR professional capabilities might be relevant for the implementation of your recommendations? If it is appropriate, you may like to inform the organisation of the results of your work and discuss this with relevant people. If you decide to do this, feel free to include feedback on this in your report.
Option 2 Web-based critical analysis

Visit the cultural diversity pages of the Westpac web site and gain a thorough understanding of the way that this company has addressed the recruitment and selection of indigenous Australians through its Reconciliation Action Plan. Provide a critical assessment of the approach taken to recruitment and selection for this segment of Australian society using relevant theory and research. Make recommendations on ways to improve. What HR professional capabilities might might be relevant to your recommendations, and why?

Option 3 Case study on the learning organisation

Read the case study

Then, answer the following questions.

1. Is the learning organisation paradigm the correct approach to take in this situation? Justify your answer using relevant literature.
2. What changes should Thomas recommend in ONE of the following areas: performance appraisal policy or knowledge management policy? How would the outside/inside approach to strategic HRM be relevant?
3. What problems or issues relating to implementation, if any, does Thomas need to be aware of in making his recommendations?
4. What HR professional capabilities are relevant to your recommendations?
Support your arguments with reference to relevant academic and professional literature. No minimum number of references is specified for this task. Your selection of references should be made to adequately support the arguments that you're making.

Rationale

This assessment item gives you the opportunity to employ academic writing and information literacy skills to demonstrate the ability to produce robust, well-supported argument within the field of strategic human resource management; and to demonstrate your ability to synthesis and apply theoretical frameworks and scholarly research to critically analyse issues relating to the practice of strategic human resource management in organisations.