Human Resource Management

2188 Words5 Pages

Human Resource Management

This assignment is based on a case study titled ‘Hot Work at the

Aluminium Smelter in Lynmouth’, and it examines the current HRM

principles being used within the organisation. The HR values that are

being investigated are HRM or people management values, team

effectiveness and the effect of motivation, communication and the

culture in the organisation, and leadership qualities. The overall aim

of this assignment is to provide appropriate business solutions that

help in improving the effectiveness of the organisation, from the

perspective of a HR consultant.

HRM & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT VALUES:

Armstrong (2000) argues that personnel practioners are often confused

when asked about the difference between HRM and personnel management.

According to Storey (1995) HRM is said to be fundamentally unitarist.

This makes the management at Lynmouth more HR than personnel, as

although the union’s membership levels were low and their influence

was weak, they were recognised by management in respect of

white-collar staff. Also teamworking was introduced with the

cooperation of the plant’s trade union, and they were asked to

recommend the number of posts required for the new line that was to

open in 2000. This shows that the management did consider the unions

before reaching a decision. The climate of employee relations could be

characterized as suspicious and mistrustful, indicating to a model of

personnel management (Sisson 1994). In HRM, rules, procedures and

contracts are an obstruction to effective performances and there is an

emphasis on strategy and devolved responsibility to line management

(Storey 1996). At L...

... middle of paper ...

... Performance Management, vol. 8, no. 3, pp 54-59.

Thompson, J. L 2004, ‘Innovation through people’, Journal of

Management Decision, vol. 42, no. 9, pp 1082-1094.

Thornhill, A & Saunders, M.N.K 1998, ‘What if line managers don’t

realize they’re responsible for HR?’, Personnel Review Journal, vol.

12, no. 6, pp 460-476.

Twomey, K & Kleiner, B.H 1996, ‘Teamwork: The essence of the

successful organisation’, vol. 2, no. 1, pp 6-8.

Vyakarnam, S et al. 1999, ‘Exploring the formation of entrepreneurial

teams: the key to rapid growth business?’, Journal of Small Business

and Enterprise Development, vol. 6, no. 2, pp 153-165.

Wallace, J 1999, ‘The relationship between organisational culture,

organisational climate and managerial values’, International Journal

of Public Sector Management, vol. 12, no. 7, pp 548-564.

Open Document