Evaluate the effectiveness of the HR function in contemporary organisations for driving talent management strategies. You should consider the issues in at least two different organisational and country settings

HR5006 ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

 

Managing and Coordinating the HR function

Component 1 (70% weighting)

Report on the HR function in Contemporary Organisations (2,500 words)

Task

You will prepare an individually written report. The topic of the report is;

Evaluate the effectiveness of the HR function in contemporary organisations for driving talent management strategies. You should consider the issues in at least two different organisational and country settings.

Task information

You will submit an individually written report that evaluates how effective the HR function is in contemporary organisation for driving and supporting talent management strategies. In your report you should evaluate these issues in at least two different organisations and country settings. This means you should reference to two different countries and two different organisational types in each of those countries. You can evaluate more country and organisational types but be careful that are still able to go into significant depth of analysis if you explore more country and organisational settings.

You should reference the course material explored in the module including lecture materials and readings that you will explore on the module. However, you are also expected to conduct your own research to identify the issues relating to the nature of the HR function in different country and organisational settings. In this respect the country and organisational settings that you select will be based on your own research.

The structure of your report

Your report should be structured in the following way. Please note that the word count for each section has been provided as an approximation;

• A title page
• Executive summary (always written in the past tense and should summarize the main findings of the report)
• Contents page
• Introduction to the topic. This should include an outline of the nature of the HR function and how it has evolved in different countries to drive talent management. This section should include a definition of the HR function, it’s evolution and strategic focus and a definition of talent management and how HRM can drive competitive advantage (approx. 750 words)
• Discussion of issues relating to the effectiveness of the HR function in two different countries and organizational settings. This should include a critical evaluation of different people strategies used by organisations for achieving competitive advantage e.g. human resource planning, recruitment and selection, talent management strategies, diversity management, employer branding, employee engagement and performance management. This evaluation should be conducted through a critical lens to consider the effectiveness of the structure and delivery of HRM in different countries and organizational settings. You can present this section in two different chapters to reflect the different country settings (1500 words)
• Conclusions. In this section you should identify the key conclusions that can be drawn from your report and analysis relating to the effectiveness of the HR function in driving talent management strategies in different countries and organizational settings (approx 250 words)
• Reference List using Cite Them Right Harvard Conventions.
• Appendix (remember that important information should be summarised and included in the main body of your report)
• Your work should be presented in Arial or Times New Roman Font 12.

Marking criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts from this module (40%)
  • Application of academic concepts and models to the analysis of the country and organisational settings (35%)
  • Presentation including structure, language and grammar (15%)
  • Referencing in accordance with Cite Them Right (10%)

Learning outcome assessed

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the purpose and key objectives of the HR function in contemporary organisations.
2. Understand the relationship between organisational performance and effective HR management and development.

Knowledge

3. Have a strategic perspective on the purpose and key objectives of the HR function in contemporary organisations and talent planning strategies within both the UK labour market and in different country contexts for meeting current and future business needs.

Thinking skills

4. Critically evaluate the various people-resourcing strategies used by organisations for achieving competitive advantage. These may relate to human resource planning, recruitment and selection, talent management strategies, diversity management, employer branding, employee engagement and performance management.

Component 2 (30% weighting)

Presentation on Value Added HRM (15 minutes in a group of approx. 4-5)

Task

The evolution of the HR function to business partner has meant a decline in the employee champion role for HR. Explore ways through people resourcing strategies and wider HRM activities how the employee champion role can become the heart of the HR function.

Task information

In your groups you should prepare a 15-minute presentation that explores the impact of the Ulrich-inspired business partner model on how the HR function can support employee well-being and their needs. You should first conduct an analysis of the evolution to the business partner model and the impact on the employee champion role. Secondly you should explore HRM strategies and activities can rebuild the importance of the employee champion in the delivery of HR. You should evaluate the challenges and enablers to this.

Structure of your presentation

• Introduction – outline the key objectives and arguments you will be making in the presentation
• Main body – explore the evolution of the HR function and the impact of the business partner model. Evaluate the current position of the employee champion role and consider ways this can be enhanced through HRM activities. You should analyse the challenges and enablers to the HR function adopted the position of employee champion
• Conclusions – draw together the main conclusions of your presentation and potential future directions.
• Reference list
• You should draw on a range of module content and your own team research
• All content should be referenced in accordance with Cite Them Right
• All group member must present a section of the presentation
• Presentations will take place in the last two weeks of term.

Marking criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts from this module (35%)
  • Application of academic concepts and models to the analysis of developing the employee champion role (35%)
  • Quality of visuals used in the presentation to support the analysis, including structure and logical flow (20%)
  • Referencing in accordance with Cite Them Right (10%)

Learning outcome assessed

5. Discuss and challenge the ethical dimensions of people-resourcing strategies and practices, with reference to both traditional and critical perspectives.

Subject-based practical skills

     6.     Understanding the ethical approach in HRM

Skills for life and work (general skills)

     7.     Demonstrate enhanced interpersonal, communication, team working and presentation skills.

     8.     Begin to demonstrate ability in critical thinking.