Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 Winter 2017 Draft V1 General Information Instructor Contact Leah Knibbs Use UR Courses email for normal communication (response normally within 24 hours). Leah@knibbs.ca for priority communication (critical that a response be received in less than 24 hours). For discussion and virtual meeting you can find me on Skype at leah.knibbs or Leah Knibbs Weyburn. For emergencies call 306.861.9864 for quick response. Contact Hours My office is virtual, so you can reach me at an agreed time. When we meet, we can use the phone or Skype. I can be found on Skype at Leah Knibbs Weyburn. Textbook Schwind, Hermann, et al. (2016), Canadian Human Resource Management 11E, Canada: McGraw-Hill Course Description: Focuses on strategic issues in human resource management, including integrating human resource systems with organizational strategy. Evaluation: The weighting of the inputs for course grading: a) Discussion Participation 20% b) Team Case Write-ups (2) 30% c) Team Article Review 15% d) Term Project (Individual or team) 35% TOTAL: 100% Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 1
Participation (20 marks): The online discussion forums are an important part of this course. I expect you to actively participate in discussion with your fellow students: this means making multiple postings per discussion to show evidence that you have read and considered the course resources, and have read and thought about what your colleagues are saying. I am looking for collegiality, (kind and supportive) disagreement, justification for a point of view, and critical thoughtfulness. Postings should be made within the assigned timeframe. You should post as early as possible in the Unit and then consider and respond to your colleagues postings to contribute actively to the discussion throughout the Unit. I am looking for valid perspectives, not just personal opinions. You are encouraged to express original perspectives which are rationally connected to the formal study of HR issues. I expect posts to say more than I agree or I disagree. Your postings are expected to demonstrate the following characteristics; the more of these characteristics that are present in your submissions, the higher your marks will be. 1. Accurate knowledge of the issues. 2. Application of personal experience to the issues. 3. Ability to draw valid connection between course concepts and personal experiences and opinions. 4. Ability to make fair judgments of the issues, which are based on all of the above. Not every posting will have all of the following criteria, but I expect to see evidence of the following in your postings: Reflect the readings/topics for discussion. Well thought out, critical in nature. Open up the discussion and enable others to participate. Ask questions of others or respond to questions asked. Validate or agree with the opinions of others with justification. Extend what others have written about, expand the work in a new way. Summarize the work of several students and recognize their contributions. Introduce a new idea and/or a new way of thinking about a concept. Clear and concise. Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 2
We may have some virtual class discussions. Due to the number of students and nature of on-line courses, these discussions will not be mandatory nor a part of your participation mark. The goal will be to enhance your learning experience in this course. The nature of these discussions will be to gather and have group discussion on a current topic and discuss how that topic impacts strategic HR. Case Studies (2): There are two cases that will be completed by assigned teams (write-up maximum 2 pages single spaced). Each case study write-up is worth 15 marks for a total of 30 marks for all write-ups. Questions for each case will be provided to guide your response. Criteria for Case Study Assignments: Evidence of analysis Effectively identified key issues (vs. symptoms). Appropriate depth of analysis (qualitative/quantitative) including identification and assessment of alternatives and the advancement of recommendations/actions. Application of relevant concepts Demonstrated understanding and application of relevant theory/content knowledge. Overall quality of case write-up Write-up contained almost all relevant vs. extraneous information. Well-organized and professional result. Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 3
Article Review Your assigned team must select an article related to strategic HR management. Article can be found though journal searches or through the readings sources listed on in this outline and can be on any matter related to our studies. Criteria for Article Review: Evidence of analysis and link to strategic HR Effectively identified key items in article. Clear link between article and strategic HR in today s organizations. Application of relevant concepts Demonstrated understanding and application of relevant theory/content knowledge. Overall quality of paper Paper was focused and information appropriate. Well-organized and professional result. Term Paper: This assignment requires you or your team to select a topic that relates to the course. Some sample topics are provided. You will be required to consult with your instructor regarding your topic selection, and you are required to submit an outline of the paper in advance. The paper should not exceed 8 pages (single spaced) and will be worth 35% of your final mark. You have the option of doing this final paper independently or collaboratively with any student(s) of your choice. Teams can be no more than 4 students. Please advise me if you are working in a team so that a team discussion forum and a team Wiki can be set up for you to collaborate. You are encouraged to work in teams very little in HR is done in isolation. A proposal will be due prior to submission of the paper. Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 4
Criteria for Term Paper: Research is evident The participant has reviewed the literature that is relevant, current, and useful in understanding the issue. The writer is selective in the literature reviewed The paper says something substantive about the issue that is of value to readers. The writer s own input is evident The ideas taken from the literature are utilized to make observations, discuss implications, develop generalizations, and draw conclusions. Well-written result Clarity, simplicity, and professionalism characterize the paper. It can be easily read and understood. Overall quality Displays the ability to organize, analyze, synthesize, evaluate ideas, and to express thoughts fluently. The writer demonstrates understanding and internalization of the issues. Sourcing Sources of information are acknowledged in an acceptable manner (Vancouver style of endnotes or some other similar numbered endnote style). Authors referenced are correctly cited in the text of the paper. Grading Categories 90-100 Exceptional paper in all aspects, and in addition, contains original creative thought. 80-89 Excellent paper with respect to most or all criteria. 70-79 Very good paper. Meets most of the criteria very well. 60-69 Meets some of the criteria adequately. Lacks originality in that it too closely mirrors the references. Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 5
Sample topics: HR issues as a result of changing privacy law and expectations. HR planning in a dynamic business landscape. Human resource issues in mergers and acquisitions, arising from the integration of cultures and workforce reduction. Human resource issues as Canadian firms seek opportunities in other countries, and vice versa, where foreign firms seek opportunities in Canada. Human resource issues in tight labour markets, arising from the need to attract and retain talent. The relationship between pay and performance: how applicable in the public sector? HR issues in a multi-generational workforce. I encourage you to select a topic that is currently relevant to you in your work or life. There are several formats for listing references. Use whatever format you are familiar with (e.g., APA guidelines, Vancouver Style) Remember to keep track of your sources: papers must be properly referenced not only quotations but also paraphrases. Format for the Final Paper and Case Study Your written report should be as professional as you can make it. Use concise business language. The report must be typewritten and single-spaced with 1" margins on top, bottom, and both sides. 12-point Times-Roman type or some other simple font. List of references may be in addition to the page limit. Use headings where appropriate. Leave a line between paragraphs. Maximum pages will be identified for each assignment. I quit reading and marking at the end of the page limit. Pages must be numbered. Your written project should be carefully proofread and edited. Final paper page limit is 8 pages. Case study page limit is 2 pages. Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 6
Some Reading Sources: Some of the practitioner oriented journals in the library are: Human Resource Management Harvard Business Review HR Magazine Business Horizons Sloan Management Review Academy of Management Executive T + D Some of the more theoretically oriented journals in the library are: Academy of Strategic Management Journal Personnel Psychology Journal of Applied Psychology Industrial Relations (a lot of pay research in this journal) Human Resource Development International Submission of assignments may be via Turnitin. Turnitin is plagiarism detection software. Assignment submissions will be accepted using the URCourses Turnitin Assignment tool unless otherwise stated. Student submissions are sent to Turnitin anonymously without the need to sign up for a Turnitin account. Students will have access to submit assignments multiple times up until the due date. By submitting more than once, you will also be able view your Turnitin originality reports related to your own work. The purpose of this is not to catch plagiarism but to allow you to improve your assignments, citation, and improve your writing. It can take Turnitin up to 24 hours to complete an originality report. If you would like to see your report results, upload your assignment file at least 3 days before the due date. This will give you time to make any changes to your assignments before the assignment Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 7
University of Regina Academic Regulations Plagiarism Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the presentation of or the submission of the work of another person without citation or credit as the student s own; any student who plagiarizes someone else s work will be penalized. Remember, you must credit all your sources whether they be written, oral, or from the Internet. Substantial plagiarism exists when there is no recognition given to the author for phrases, sentences, thoughts, code, or arguments incorporated in written work or software. Complete plagiarism exists when a whole essay or piece of software is copied from an author, or composed by another person and presented as original work. Unless prior approval has been obtained, a similar situation is created when the same essay or software is submitted for credit in more than one course. All forms of academic dishonesty, including misrepresentation in essay work, are considered serious offences within the University community. There is a zero tolerance policy regarding plagiarism and cheating (see definitions and consequences in undergraduate calendar). If you are caught, or there is suspicion of plagiarism and/or cheating, you will be reported to the Business Faculty. Engagement (Attendance) There is no regular class each week so attendance is not a concern. However, engagement is. Your engagement in this class will be reflected in your participation in synchronistic and synchronistic class events. The more engaged you are in the collective activities and your individual activities, the greater the benefit you will received from this class. Students that are not engaged may be subject to disciplinary action and may be excluded from the final examination. Special Needs Any student with a disability, injury or illness who feels they may need academic accommodation should discuss this with the course instructor after contacting the Centre for Student Accessibility, located in Riddell Centre 251, telephone 306-5854631, Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 8
e-mail accessibility@uregina.ca. Harassment No member of the University community shall cause or participate in discrimination against or harassment of another person. This entitlement, however, carries with it the expectation that all members of the University community will conduct themselves in an appropriate and responsible manner, with due respect and regard for the rights of others. Please refer to the University of Regina Undergraduate Calendar for a full description of academic regulations, OR, Go to http://www.uregina.ca/gencal/ugcal/. Other Things to Note 1. Late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 20% for each 24 hour period of lateness (or portion thereof). 2. If you must miss an assignment or exam due to a serious medical problem, then you MUST contact the instructor prior to the due date to re-schedule. It is assumed that an illness the day before the due date is not reason for a delay, since you will have been working on the assignment well before that. A doctor's certificate will be required. 3. You are expected to read all assigned materials, including your textbook chapters, prior to the class activities. You are also expected to make your own notes. You will find that this will improve your final grade. 4. You are responsible for any course-related announcements which may be posted on UR Courses. You are also responsible for reading any class material that is posted in, referenced in, or linked from UR Courses. 5. You should familiarize yourselves with grade appeal procedures and grade descriptions. Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 9
Mental Health Strategic Human Resource Management GBUS 843/MBA 750 W2017 Page 10