Essay
Task
Using relevant research/academic literature, critically review one (1) of the following HR activities that warrants remedial action in an organisation of your choice. This can be a current or past place of work, or an organisation where a friend or relative works.
- rewards and benefits
- career development
- diversity management
With the support of research/academic literature, you are required to:
- summarise an HR issue/problem that you have identified in the activity area;
- justify why it is important for management to take action to address the issue/problem raised, having regard for its impact on performance (at multiple levels, if this is appropriate);
- taking into consideration constraints that exist in the organisation, use research/academic literature to analyse and assess possible strategies for managing the issue/problem;
- recommend policies and actions based on this assessment. Justify your recommendations;
- be persuasive in your arguments.
Rationale
This assignment is designed to:
- familiarise students with the nature of HRM activities and the different perspectives and uses adopted by organisations as compared to what is found in research/academic literature;
- encourage students to explore various HRM theories;
- develop the ability to identify the importance of the HR function in the effective management of people and the achievement of organisational objectives;
- familiarise students with the gap that may exist between academic theories and the real world practice of HRM;
- encourage students to explore the various HR challenges faced by organisations;
- encourage students to develop sound analytical skills based on in-depth literature research, learnt theories, case studies and work practices.
Marking criteria
Understanding of key issues related to the HR practice (18%):
• answer the question set, kept to the topic and covered only relevant issues
• applying relevant theories;
• building a sound argument using analysis, explanation and interpretation.
• applying relevant theories;
• building a sound argument using analysis, explanation and interpretation.
Critical analysis (24%):
• taking a critical orientation to the topic, theories and readings;
• providing an overarching, well structured, clear and consistent line of reasoning across the assignment including an effective introduction and conclusion;
• good use of evidence (academic literature) to justify and support your arguments, sufficient application of academic literature is vital (please try to demonstrate your understanding of the literature by discussing research and findings, not just providing a citation(s) to accompany a one line précis of a research result.
• providing an overarching, well structured, clear and consistent line of reasoning across the assignment including an effective introduction and conclusion;
• good use of evidence (academic literature) to justify and support your arguments, sufficient application of academic literature is vital (please try to demonstrate your understanding of the literature by discussing research and findings, not just providing a citation(s) to accompany a one line précis of a research result.
Originality (9%):
• original thinking based on clearly evaluated evidence and logic;
• sources were treated critically and carefully, acknowledging their subjectivity, strengths and weaknesses.
• sources were treated critically and carefully, acknowledging their subjectivity, strengths and weaknesses.
Structure and referencing (9%):
• a clear, coherent structure in the essay, quality of expression and correct use of the Harvard referencing method as explained in the study materials provided.
• sourcing at least 60% of your references from academic journals;
• Avoid ‘cutting and pasting' (copying) verbatim paragraphs and long quotations from source materials. Cut and paste excerpts will be crossed out and will not be considered as part of the essay. Appendices are not required.
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