Human Resource Management OB 6307, Section 501: Spring 2006 Syllabus

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1 Human Resource Management OB 6307, Section 501: Spring 2006 Syllabus Instructor: Dr. Orlando Richard Office: SOM Office Hours: By Appointment Class Hours: Wednesday, 7:00-9:45PM in SOM Phone: Electronic mail: Graduate Assistant: Ping Wu: Office, SOM 4.102: Phone, Required Reading Materials Textbook: Bernardin, J.H., & Russell, J.A rd Edition. Human Resource Management: An Experiential Approach. Irwin: McGraw-Hill. Refereed Article: Miles, R.E., & Snow, C.C Designing strategic human resource systems. Organizational Dynamics, 16: Course Outline This course will provide a generalist approach to the field of human resource management (HRM) and the emerging sub-topic dubbed strategic HRM. We will be examining broad topic areas of the legal environment, selection, performance appraisal, training, compensation, and labor relations using a strategic approach. We will investigate how each of these areas relates to one another as well as to the essence of the business. This knowledge will be obtained through lectures, readings, videos, and indepth case study. Since the field of management has moved towards a team approach, group work and collaboration will be essential for case analysis. Course Objective Students successfully completing this course should leave with knowledge of the key functional areas of HRM; knowledge of laws and regulations which affect HRM; an understanding of the strategic HRM perspective; an understanding of the relationship between business strategies and HRM practices; and familiarity with evaluation of HRM effectiveness. Course Policies 1. Please arrive on time for class. If you think that you will be tardy frequently, consider withdrawing from this section of OB Participation. Students must be prepared to discuss Critical Thinking Exercises on a daily basis (prepare a 1-page typed analysis).

2 3. Critical Thinking Exercise Facilitation. Facilitators should prepare a 2-page typewritten analysis and present an article summary on a related topic. The approach should be interactive and solicitation of class member ideas and solutions is of utmost importance. Do not use the bulk of the time presenting your expert analysis. The objective is an integration of all participant answers into a cohesive solution thus bringing about closure. 4. Examinations. Tests will include lecture material that is not in the readings. Makeup exams will be given only for legitimate absences as defined in the student handbook. Please bring adequate documentation. Makeup exams must be scheduled within one week of the original date. Please notify me in advance if you will miss an exam. 5. Class Project. Assignments 1-3 comprise a single project that will be written and presented orally throughout the semester. Directions are attached to this syllabus. 6. Students needing testing accommodations or classroom accommodations based on disability are encouraged to discuss the need with me as soon as possible. Exams and Grading Component Points Percentage Grade Total Points Participation A CTE Facilitator* B Exam C Exam D Exam < 60 F < 600 Assignment Assignment Assignment HR Research# Total 1000 *Individual or Group #Select a HR topic and write a summary for 2 academic and 2 practitioner articles. Discuss your preferences for either or both in class.

3 Tentative Schedule Date Subjects Chapter Readings Jan 11 Class introductory lecture (Group Division) 18 Lecture, (SHRM & IHRM): Fac. 1 & 2 1, 2, 3 25 Lecture, Safety, Job Design: Fac. 3 & 4 4, 14 Feb 1 Lecture, Performance Management, HR Planning 5, 7 Assignment I 8 Exam 1 15 Lecture, Recruiting, Selection, Training: Fac. 5 5, 6, 8 22 Lecture, HRD: Fac. 6: Exam Outline 9 Mar 1 Assignment II 8 No Class: Spring Break 15 Exam 2 22 HR Video Application 29 HR Research Due: 10, 11 Lecture, Organization Development, Pay, Benefits: Fac. 7 Apr 5 Select Topics: Handout for Exercise on Collective Bargaining 12, Fac. 8, Group Debate (Topic TBA): Lecture, Managing Diversity 19 Assignment III 26 Final Exam

4 Facilitation Schedule Fac. 1: CTE 1.1 (25 minutes) Name/s Resolution: Close down the Human Resource Department Fac. 2: Skill Builder 8 (20 minutes) Name/s Using Internet Search Engines to Conduct HR Research Fac. 3: Exercise 1-1 (30 minutes) Name/s An interview with a HR Specialist: Part A only Fac. 4: CTE 2-1 (30 minutes) Name/s International Human Resources: How about a Cuppa? Fac. 5: CTE 3-2 (30 minutes) Name/s Should racial preferences be used in Higher Education Administration? Fac. 6: Handout (Incident 46,93) (30 minutes) Name/s Ethical Selection Dilemmas at Integrity Motors and Caught in the Act Fac. 7: CTE 10-1 (35 minutes) Name/s Defending Corporate Pay Fac. 8: Debate (50 minutes) Name/s Topic TBA

5 Assignments 1-3 Background. During the semester you will have three related assignments. These assignments require developing an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the goals of a business and the human resource management policies and practices. First, you must find a business that will allow you to interview them in depth about their business and human resource strategies and allow access to their personnel policies and practices (e.g., employee handbooks, selection devices). This business may be small or large and can be a current or previous employer. If necessary, you may guarantee this business anonymity, in that I will not need to know the name or the business or other identifying information. Assignment 1. In this assignment you will describe the business strategy of the firm you have selected. You will provide background information on the nature of the business, the size of the business, and its competitive environment. Some firms will have a clearly articulated mission statement. For these firms, you will need to determine if what they preach is consistent with what they practice. Other firms may have no concrete idea of their business strategy. You will need to discern their business strategy from how they operate as a company In either case, your assignment is to build a case to conclude whether their current practices are innovative (prospectors), focus on costs (defenders), have elements of both (analyzers), or complete lack a strategy (reactors). The top half of Exhibit 3 in the Miles and Snow reading provides an outline of the characteristics of the various business strategies. You should provide specific examples to strengthen your case and draw a clear conclusion at the end of the paper. The body of the paper should be 3 single spaced pages of 12 characters per square inch. (Please comply with the spirit of this request) Assignment 2. This assignment is similar to the first assignment but now you will describe the firm s human resource system. You should thoroughly detail what the firm is doing in terms of HR planning, staffing and selecting, appraising, compensating, training, and developing. The bottom half of Exhibit 3 in the Miles and Snow reading will be useful for guiding you through the options. At the end of the assignment, I want you to conclude the type of human resource strategy they follow (e.g., prospector, defender). This paper will be restricted to 4 single spaced pages. Use the same guidelines as before on the font. Assignment 3. Strategic Alignment: You need to assess whether or not there is consistency between the firm s human resource practices. Which practices work together, which ones conflict? Determine whether the conflicts are major or minor. Doe fit generally exist between the organization s business objectives and their human resource strategy? Where do conflicts exist? Where is their alignment? Make a list of recommendations that suggest where the firm could modify their human resource practices and/or business strategy and bring things into alignment. Keep this assignment within 4 single spaced pages according to earlier guidelines.