Master of Business Administration Human Resource Management

280 Pages·2015·2.21 MB·English

Master of Business Administration

Human Resource Management

STUDY GUIDE

Copyright © 2016
MANAGEMENTCOLLEGE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
All rights reserved; no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying machines,
without the written permission of the publisher.
Please report all errors and omissions to the following email address: [email protected]
Human Resource Management

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Human Resource Management
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Title of Section Page

Introduction 4

1 Introduction to Human Resource Management 12

2 Human Resource Strategy and Business Strategy 42

3 Human Resource Planning 69

4 Recruitment, Selection and Induction 92

5 Employee Training and Development 124

6 Performance Management 159

7 Compensation 184

8 Employee Benefits and Services 210

9 Human Resource Management and Employee Relations 232

10 Career Management 253

11 Bibliography 273

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INTRODUCTION

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AIMS OF THIS MODULE

The broad aims of this module are to:

 Introduce the learner to the field of human resource management.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of the integration of human resource strategy and
business strategy.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of human resource planning.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of the HRM practices of recruitment and selection.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of employee training and development.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of performance management.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of the HRM practices of compensation and the provision
of employee benefits and services.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of employment relations within the Southern African
context.

 Develop the learner’s understanding of career management.

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Introduction

This module, Human Resource Management, forms an integral part of the MANCOSA Masters
of Business Administration (MBA) qualification and serves to introduce the learner to the
fundamentals of the field of human resource management. The module explores the integration
of human resource strategy and business strategy, as well as human resource planning,
recruitment and selection, employee training and development, performance management,
compensation, employee benefits and services, employment relations and career management.

Contents and Structure

Section 1: Introduction to Human Resource Management
This first section introduces the learner to the field of human resource management (HRM). In
this section a definition of HRM is formulated, the aims of HRM are explored and the place of
HRM within the enterprise is examined. HRM functions and the role of the HR manager are also
given attention. This section also explores the nature of strategic human resource management,
human resource career opportunities as well as current HRM issues and challenges.

Section 2: Human Resource Strategy and Business Strategy
Section 2 explores the integration of human resource strategy and business strategy. Here the
importance of the relationship between HR strategy and business strategy is examined. The
manner in which HR strategy may be integrated into the process of business strategy
formulation, implementation and evaluation is explored. This section also studies the
competencies required by the HR manager to successfully participate in and contribute to the
strategic management process.

Section 3: Human Resource Planning
This third section examines human resource planning. The nature of HR planning, the process of
HR planning and current issues impacting on HR planning are explored.
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Section 4: Recruitment, Selection and Induction
Section 4 explores the HR practices of recruitment, selection and induction. In this section the
nature of recruitment, recruitment policies, factors influencing recruitment and recruitment
sources are studied. The factors affecting selection decisions and the selection process are also
explored. The objectives and benefits of an induction programme are studied. The planning,
design, implementation and evaluation of an induction programme are also explored.

Section 5: Employee Training and Development
This section examines employee training and development. A distinction is made between the
concepts training and development. The training process is examined, and the impact of the
South African context on training within South African organisations is explored. The various
approaches to development are also examined.

Section 6: Performance Management
Section 6 focuses on performance management. Performance management is defined, the
performance management process is explored and the various approaches to performance
management are investigated.

Section 7: Compensation
This section focuses on the HRM practice of compensation. The nature of compensation and
factors influencing the determination of compensation are investigated. This section also
explores compensation levels, the development of a compensation structure and challenges to
compensation systems. Incentive compensation systems are also investigated.

Section 8: Employee Benefits and Services
Section 8 focuses on employee benefits and services. The nature of employee benefits and
services is explored and the reasons for growth in employee benefits and services are
investigated. This section also examines the different types of benefits and services. The
administration of benefits and services is also studied.
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Section 9: Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
Section 9 focuses on employment relations. The nature of employment relations is studied
and it is established that it is a “living” field of study that revolves around and is played out
daily in workplaces around the world.

Section 10: Career Management
This section explores the area of career management. The nature of the career in the twenty-
first century is explored and the importance of career management is established. The
various career stages, career planning and career development are also explored.

How to Use This Module
This module should be studied using this Study Guide and the prescribed textbooks. You
should read about the topic that you intend to study in the appropriate section of this Study
Guide before you start reading in detail in the prescribed textbooks. Ensure that you make
your own notes/summaries as you work through both the textbooks and this Study Guide.

At the commencement of each section of this Study Guide you will find a list of learning
outcomes. These learning outcomes outline the main points that you should understand when
you have completed the section with its supporting chapters in the prescribed textbook.

Avoid reading all the material at once. Each study session should be no longer than two hours
without a break.

As you work through the Study Guide you will come across:
 Think Points
 Activities
 Reading Activities
 Self Check Activities
 Study Group Discussion Activities
 Sample Examination Questions
These are designed to help you study and prepare for the examination.

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THINK POINT

A think point asks you to stop and think about an issue. Sometimes you are asked to

apply a concept to your own experience or to think of an example.


ACTIVITY

You may come across activities which ask you to carry out specific tasks. The aim of

these activities is to give you an opportunity to apply what you have learnt and / or

explore an issue relevant to the particular section.


READING ACTIVITY

Most sections of this Study Guide contain at least one reading activity. The reading
activity requires that you read one or more of the recommended journal articles and
then answer questions relevant to that journal article. The majority of the
recommended journal articles are available from the Emerald library facility which
l e a r n e r s may access via Mancosa’s website.



SELF CHECK ACTIVITY

You will come across self-assessment questions which will test your understanding of

what you have learnt so far. Answers to these questions are given at the end of each

section. You should refer to the Study Guide and prescribed textbooks when

attempting to answer the self check activities.

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STUDY GROUP DISCUSSION ACTIVITY

Study group discussion activities are provided at the end of each section of this Study

Guide. You must have worked through the relevant section and supporting chapters in

the prescribed textbooks prior to meeting as a study group. The study group

discussion activities provide an opportunity for learners to apply what they have

learnt, to share experiences with fellow learners and to learn from each other.


SAMPLE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

Sample examination questions are provided at the end of each section. These provide

the learner with an understanding of the type of questions which may be asked in the

examination.

Reading
 Prescribed Textbook
o Noe, R.A., Hollenbeck, J.R., Gerhart, B. and Wright, P.M. (2015) Human
Resource Management: Gaining a Competitive Advantage 9th Ed. McGraw-Hill.

 Recommended Textbook
o Nel, P.S., Werner, A., Haasbroek, G.D., Poisat, P., Sono, T. & Schultz, H.B.
(2014) Human Resource Management. 9th Edition. Cape Town: Oxford University
Press Southern Africa.

 Recommended Reading
Each section has a list of recommended books and recommended journal articles, which
allow you to develop an understanding of the issues beyond the perspective of the
prescribed textbooks and Study Guide. The majority of recommended journal articles
listed per section are available from the Emerald online library facility which is accessible
via Mancosa’s website.
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