This assignment tests the following Learning Outcomes for the module:
1. Evaluate a range of strategic organisational HRM interventions aiming to create employee engagement and competitive advantage
2. Critically review and analyse the application of strategic HRM models, theories and approaches in practice
3. Critically evaluate a range of research methods and apply appropriate research techniques for the collection and analysis of data
4. Critically analyse findings in relation to theories and concepts to arrive at a set of evaluative conclusions and/or recommendations
The Assignment Task:
Read the case study on the fictional Hartley Electronics Ltd in Farnham D (2010) Human Resource Management in Context: Strategy, Insights and Solutions, 3rd ed., London CIPD, pp229-231. You are asked to take on the role of an external consultant and to write a report to the chief executive that:
1) identifies the main human resource problems facing the company and, more importantly,
2) provides a reasoned argument justifying whether the company should adopt a ‘best practice', ‘best-fit' or resource-based view of the firm model of HR strategy to achieve a long-term solution to these HR problems.
Your report should:
• Be no longer than 3000 words maximum (excluding reference list) and include an accurate word count.
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the three theoretical perspectives outlined above from relevant literature and how the perspectives can be applied to the case study.
• Conclude with a recommendation justifying a particular course of action which should follow logically from your preceding argument.
Your report should be addressed to the chief executive and written in a style that would enable him to understand the issues, what action needs to be taken and why.