Week 1
Select an organization. It could be one you are currently employed with, one you used to work for, or one you are familiar with the organization. Identify the organization by name or industry type (if you would rather not reveal the name in the discussion). Conduct research on your selected organization and determine the organization’s strategic management, planning, implementation, and monitoring process.
Describe how effective is their strategic management process.
Explain how well their strategic management process aligns with their results. How can you tell?
Identify and describe the factors that contribute to their overall effectiveness.
INFORMATION ON TOPICS
Students can choose a topic of interest in any HRM area covered in the course. Given the point of view taken in HRM591, the paper should reflect one of the course objectives or one of the course’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. One consideration is how the chosen topic has changed to meet the challenges presented by a technology-driven global economy. Research should trace the historical roots of the subject and how technology, globalization, and other strategic forces have shaped its changes. The paper length should be a minimum of eight to ten pages— not including title and reference page(s)—and comply with all formatting and APA style standards. In addition to the course objectives and knowledge, skills, and abilities provided, the following ideas are included.
The role of social media in organizations today and their use by human resources
The role of employee retention as a strategy to enhance performance and productivity
The role of total rewards in motivating staff performance
Employment law issues in the 21st century, primarily focusing on the new economy just now developing
The evolving role of staff performance from bureaucratic performance appraisal to comprehensive performance management
The role of labor and unions in the 21st century
Measuring HR through predictive analytics
Line/HR partnerships
Most of the best-known academic and popular journals will provide acceptable content. Primary among them are some of the following journals and publications.
People & Strategy(formerly Human Resource Planning)
Harvard Business Review
Human Resource Management
Academy of Management Journals(various titles included)
Journal of Labor Economics
Human Resource Management Review
Personnel Psychology
International Journal of Human Resource Management
Journal of Management
Sloan Management Review
California Management Review
Administrative Sciences Quarterly
This paper should reflect the collective efforts of the entire course content and the strategic evolution of HRM from a marginalized area of practice to one that assumes a position within management that is reflective of the potential role that effective workforce planning and development can play. Students’ research should defend why their chosen topics matter to senior management and the cost and benefit justifications required to support that position.
Part 2
Week 2: Proposal of Course Project is due. Draft of Outline is due (60 points).
A one-page proposal of your Course Project is due in Week 2. Include your main topic and any ancillary topics that you will include. Include three to four researched references that show your proposed topic has academic-based articles available. Include any assumptions you may have concerning your topic and possible expected outcomes or conclusions.
A one-page draft of your Course Project outline is due this week. At this point, your outline is necessarily high level with the expectation as you complete additional research that more detailed information may be included on an ongoing basis.
Part 3
Week 6: Draft of Course Project Paper (70 points)
Your Course Project Paper final draft is due in Week 8. Consult with your instructor for any guidance or additional information you may need. The paper demonstrates and explains the evolving role of a strategic human resource management topic that reflects one of the major topics of the course. Your draft should be three to four pages, not including title page nor reference page(s).
Continue evaluating what to include in your Course Project Presentation.
Part 4
Week 7: The Course Project Presentation is due this week (70 points).
The presentation briefly describes the paper’s purpose, provides a summary of the research and conclusions, and briefly discusses how the researched topic could benefit the organization and the people that serve the company. It should have at least eight to ten slides—not including title or reference slides—and audio is required.
Category
Points
%
Description
Documentation and Formatting
5
7%
It has proper references according to APA guidelines.
Organization and Cohesiveness
5
7%
It is presented in a cohesive manner that flows from stated assumptions.
Editing
5
7%
It is spell-checked for meaning as well as accuracy.
Content
55
72%
The presentation briefly described the paper’s purpose, provided a summary of the research and conclusions, and briefly discussed how the researched topic could benefit the organization and the people that serve the company. It should have at least eight to ten slides, not including title or reference slides. Audio quality is clear.
Total
100%
Part 5
Final project
Category
Points
%
Description
Documentation and Formatting
4
4%
It has proper references according to APA guidelines.
Organization and Cohesiveness
8
8%
It is written in a cohesive manner that flows from stated assumptions.
Content
76
76%
The paper demonstrates and explains the evolving role of a strategic human resource management topic that reflects one of the major topics of the course.
In addition to functional topics, including issues in staffing, employee learning, employee relations, performance management, total rewards, and HR information systems, this paper included topics that mirror the course’s primary objectives. The student worked with the instructor on the topic submission, and the instructor approved the subject matter.
The paper includes one of the course objectives or one of the course’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. One consideration is how the chosen topic has changed to meet the challenges of a technology-driven, global economy.
The paper length should be a minimum of eight to ten pages and comply with all formatting and APA style standards.
The paper reflects the collective efforts of the entire course content and the strategic evolution of HRM from a marginalized area of practice to one that assumes a position within management that is reflective of the potential role that effective workforce planning and development can play. Students’ research should defend why their chosen topic matters to senior management.
The paper should include significant academic references and avoid websites/articles that offer sales or opinions versus academic rigor. A successful paper should demonstrate a student’s deep understanding of the topic and why and how that topic matters in moving HR to a strategic position in the firm’s management.
This criterion
is linked to a
Learning
Outcome
HRM.PLO-A
HR
Competencies
and Practical
Applications
threshold.
4.0
4%
The paper includes clear evidence the student integrates professional HR competencies and uses practical HR management applications to ensure human resources are available, capable, and effective.
This criterion is
linked to a
Learning
Outcome
HRM.PLO-B
Strategic
Leadership, HR
Management,
and Decision-
Making
threshold.
4.0
4%
The paper includes clear evidence that the student employee’s strategic leadership, HR management, and decision-making add value to the company.
This
criterion is
linked to a
Learning
Outcome
HRM.PLO-
C
Culture and
Workplace
Environment
threshold.
4.0
4%
The paper includes clear evidence the student assesses the culture and workplace environment of the company to make HR decisions that align with and help achieve the company’s strategic goals.
Total
100
100%
