Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MANAGER
CHUKWUNONSO Franklyn, franconicostelo@yahoo.com +23 !"3!#$% %2, !"%2!2&#"" 'e(artment of )nformation *echnolo+y, Federal University of Technology, Yola
ABSTRACT
This paper introduces the development of Human Resource Management (HRM) from a historical perspective and explains the debate between HRM and personnel management. Thus, the paper identifies the historical developments and their impacts on HRM, outlines the development and functions of HRM, explains the differences between HRM and Personnel Management, evaluates hard! and soft! approaches to HRM, illustrates how diversit" is an issue in Human Relations (HR) practice and finall" considers HRM as an international issue. #t concludes with a discussion about hard! and soft! models of HRM and its implications for the human resource manager.
INTRODUCTION
The term $human resource management$ has been commonl" used for about the last ten to fifteen "ears. Prior to that, the field was generall" %nown as $personnel administration.$ The name change is not merel" cosmetics. Personnel administration, which emerged as a clearl" defined field b" the &'()s (at least in the *+), was largel" concerned the technical aspects of hiring, evaluating, training, and compensating emplo"ees and was ver" much of $staff$ function in most organi,ations. The field did not normall" focus on the relationship of disparate emplo"ment practices on overall organi,ational performance or on the s"stematic relationships among such practices. The field also lac%ed a unif"ing paradigm. HRM developed in response to the substantial increase in competitive pressures -merican business organi,ations began experiencing b" the late &'.)s as a result of such factors as globali,ation, deregulation, and rapid technological change. These pressures gave rise to an enhanced concern on the part of firms to engage in strategic planning//a process of anticipating future changes in the environment conditions (the nature as well as level of the mar%et) and aligning the various components of the organi,ation in such a wa" as to promote organi,ational effectiveness. Human resource management (HRM), also called personnel management, consists of all the activities underta%en b" an enterprise to ensure the effective utili,ation of emplo"ees toward the attainment of individual, group, and organi,ational goals. -n organi,ation0s HRM function focuses on the people side of management. #t consists of
practices that help the organi,ation to deal effectivel" with its people during the various phases of the emplo"ment c"cle, including pre/hire, staffing, and post/hire. The pre/hire phase involves planning practices. The organi,ation must decide what t"pes of 1ob openings will exist in the upcoming period and determine the necessar" 2ualifications for performing these 1obs. 3uring the hire phase, the organi,ation selects its emplo"ees. +election practices include recruiting applicants, assessing their 2ualifications, and ultimatel" selecting those who are deemed to be the most 2ualified. #n the post/hire phase, the organi,ation develops HRM practices for effectivel" managing people once the" have $come through the door.$ These practices are designed to maximi,e the performance and satisfaction levels of emplo"ees b" providing them with the necessar" %nowledge and s%ills to perform their 1obs and b" creating conditions that will energi,e, direct, and facilitate emplo"ees0 efforts toward meeting the organi,ation0s ob1ectives.
Industrial R lati$ns 7onsultation between management and the wor%force spread during the war. This meant that personnel departments became responsible for its organi,ation and administration. Health and safet" and the need for specialists became the focus. The need for specialists to deal with industrial relations was recogni,ed so that the personnel manager became as spo%esman for the organi,ation when discussions where held with trade unions;shop stewards. #n the &'.)0s industrial relations was ver" important. The heated climate during this period reinforced the importance of a specialist role in industrial relations negotiation. The personnel manager had the authorit" to negotiate deals about pa" and other collective issues. L (islati$n #n the &'.)0s emplo"ment legislation increased and the personnel function too% the role of the specialist advisor ensuring that managers do not violate the law and that cases did not end up in industrial tribunals. Fl )i*ilit+ and Di' rsit+ #n the &'')0s a ma1or trend emerged where emplo"ers were see%ing increasing flexible arrangements in the hours wor%ed b" emplo"ees due to an increase in number of part/ time and temporar" contracts and the invention of distance wor%ing. The wor%force and patterns of wor% are becoming diverse in which traditional recruitment practices are useless. #n the "ear ())), growth in the use of internet meant a move to a (<;. societ". This created new 1obs in e/commerce while 1obs were lost in traditional areas li%e shops. This meant an increased potential for emplo"ees to wor% from home. =rgani,ations need to thin% strategicall" about the issues these developments raise. HRM managers role will change as changes occur. In!$r#ati$n T "&n$l$(+ +ome s"stems where #T helps HRM are> +"stems for e/recruitment: =n/line short/listing of applicants: 3eveloping training strategies on/line: Ps"chometric training: Pa"roll s"stems: ?mplo"ment data: Recruitment administration: References: Pre/emplo"ment chec%s. #T helps HR managers offload routine tas%s which will give them more time in solving complex tas%s. #T also ensures that a greater amount of information is available to ma%e decisions.
selection, and training of wor%ers. The development of the field of industrial ps"cholog" and its application to the wor%place came to fruition during 8orld 8ar #, as earl" vocational and emplo"ment/related testing was used to assign militar" recruits to appropriate functions. The Hawthorne +tudies, which were conducted in the &'()s and &'5)s at 8estern ?lectric, spar%ed an increased emphasis on the social and informal aspects of the wor%place. #nterpretations of the studies emphasi,ed $human relations$ and the lin% between wor%er satisfaction and productivit". The passage of the 8agner -ct in &'5A contributed to a ma1or increase in the number of unioni,ed wor%ers. #n the &'<)s and &'A)s, collective bargaining led to a tremendous increase in benefits offered to wor%ers. The personnel function evolved to cope with labor relations, collective bargaining, and a more complex compensation and benefits environment. The human relations philosoph" and labor relations were the dominant concerns of HRM in the &'<)s and &'A)s. HRM was revolutioni,ed in the &'6)s b" passage of Title B## of the 7ivil Rights -ct and other anti/discrimination legislationCas well as presidential executive orders that re2uired man" organi,ations to underta%e affirmative action in order to remed" past discriminator" practices. ?2ual emplo"ment opportunit" and affirmative action mandates greatl" complicated the HRM function, but also enhanced its importance in modern organi,ations. -s discussed more full" in a later section, these responsibilities continue to comprise a ma1or part of the HRM 1ob. @inall", changes in labor force demographics, technolog", and globali,ation since the &'4)s have had a ma1or impact on the HRM function. These factors also are discussed in more detail in a later section. Ta*l ,&4')/ &'&) Mil st$n s in t& D ' l$.# nt $! Hu#an R s$ur" Mana( # nt @rederic% Ta"lor develops his ideas on scientific management. Ta"lor advocates scientific selection of wor%ers based on 2ualifications and also argues for incentive/based compensation s"stems to motivate emplo"ees. Man" companies establish departments devoted to maintaining the welfare of wor%ers. The discipline of industrial ps"cholog" begins to develop. #ndustrial ps"cholog", along with the advent of 8orld 8ar #, leads to advancements in emplo"ment testing and selection. The interpretation of the Hawthorne +tudies0 begins to have an impact on management thought and practice. Dreater emphasis is placed on the social and informal aspects of the wor%place affecting wor%er productivit". #ncreasing the 1ob satisfaction of wor%ers is cited as a means to increase their productivit". #n the *.+., a tremendous surge in union membership between &'5A and &'A) leads to a greater emphasis on collective bargaining and labor relations within personnel management. 7ompensation and benefits administration also increase in importance as unions negotiate paid vacations, paid holida"s, and insurance coverage. The 7ivil Rights movement in the *.+. reaches its apex with passage of the 7ivil Rights -ct of &'6<. The personnel function is dramaticall" affected b" Title B## of the 7R-, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, and national origin. #n the "ears following the passage of the 7R-,
&'&)/ &'5)
&'5)/ &'<A
e2ual emplo"ment opportunit" and affirmative action become %e" human resource management responsibilities. Three trends dramaticall" impact HRM. The first is the increasing diversit" of the labor force, in terms of age, gender, race, and ethnicit". HRM concerns evolve from ??= and affirmative action to $managing diversit".$ - second trend is the globali,ation of business and the accompan"ing technological revolution. &'4A/ These factors have led to dramatic changes in transportation, communication, present and labor mar%ets. The third trend, which is related to the first two, is the focus on HRM as a $strategic$ function. HRM concerns and concepts must be integrated into the overall strategic planning of the firm in order to cope with rapid change, intense competition, and pressure for increased efficienc".
-s far as motivators are concerned, personnel management t"picall" see%s to motivate emplo"ees with such things as compensation, bonuses, rewards, and the simplification of wor% responsibilities. @rom the personnel management point of view, emplo"ee satisfaction provides the motivation necessar" to improve 1ob performance. The opposite is true of human resources. Human resource management holds that improved performance leads to emplo"ee satisfaction. 8ith human resources, wor% groups, effective strategies for meeting challenges, and 1ob creativit" are seen as the primar" motivators. 8hen loo%ing for a 1ob in personnel management or human resources, it is important to reali,e that man" companies use the terms interchangeabl". #f "ou are offered a 1ob as a personnel manager, "ou ma" be re2uired to perform the same duties as a human resource manager, and vice versa. #n some companies, a distinction is made, but the difference is ver" subtle.
HR professionals also consult with management on an arra" of HRM/related topics. The" ma" assist b" providing managers with formal training programs on topics li%e selection and the law, how to conduct an emplo"ment interview, how to appraise emplo"ee 1ob performance, or how to effectivel" discipline emplo"ees. HR professionals also provide assistance b" giving line managers advice about specific HRM/related concerns, such as how to deal with problem emplo"ees. Fine managers direct emplo"ees0 da"/to/da" tas%s. @rom an HRM perspective, line managers are mainl" responsible for implementing HRM practices and providing HR professionals with necessar" input for developing effective practices. Managers carr" out man" procedures and methods devised b" HR professionals. @or instance, line managers>
#nterview 1ob applicants Provide orientation, coaching, and on/the/1ob training Provide and communicate 1ob performance ratings Recommend salar" increases 7arr" out disciplinar" procedures #nvestigate accidents +ettle grievance issues
The development of HRM procedures and methods often re2uires input from line managers. @or example, when conducting a 1ob anal"sis, HR professionals often see% 1ob information from managers and as% managers to review the final written product. -dditionall", when HR professionals determine an organi,ation0s training needs, managers often suggest what t"pes of training are needed and who, in particular, needs the training.
Helps resolve emplo"ee relations problems: develops union avoidance strategies: assists in collective bargaining negotiations: oversees grievance procedures.
E#.l$+# nt0R "ruitin( -ssists in the HR planning process: develops;purchases HR information s"stems: develops;updates 1ob descriptions: oversees recruiting function: develops and administers 1ob posting s"stem: conducts emplo"ment interviews, reference chec%s, and emplo"ment tests: validates selection procedures: approves emplo"ment decisions. Sa! t+0H alt&0W lln ss 3evelops accident prevention strategies: develops legal safet" and health policies: implements;promotes ?-P and wellness programs: develops -#3+ and substance abuse policies. EEO0A!!ir#ati' A"ti$n 3evelops and administers affirmative action programs: helps resolve ??= disputes: monitors organi,ational practices with regard to ??= compliance: develops policies for ensuring ??= compliance, such as sexual harassment policies. HRM R s ar"& 7onducts research studies, such as cost/benefit anal"sis, test validation, program evaluation, and feasibilit" studies.
3evelop policies and practices to recruit, promote, and appropriatel" treat wor%ers of various ages, races, sexes, and ph"sical abilities.
+ocial, economic, and technological events also strongl" influence HRM practices. These events include> -n expanding cultural diversit" at the wor%/place The emergence of wor% and famil" issues The growing use of part/time and temporar" emplo"ees -n increased emphasis on 2ualit" and team/wor% The occurrence of mergers and ta%eovers The occurrence of downsi,ing and la"offs The rapid advancement of technolog" -n emphasis on continuous 2ualit" improvement - high rate of wor%force illiterac"
+ome firms are attempting to accommodate the needs of families b" offering benefit options li%e maternit" leave, child care, flextime, and 1ob sharing. +ome firms are attempting to accommodate the needs of older wor%ers through s%ill upgrading and training designed to facilitate the acceptance of new techni2ues. +ome firms are educating their emplo"ees in basic reading, writing, and mathematical s%ills so that the" can %eep up with rapidl" advancing technologies.
*nions often influence a firm0s HRM practices. *nioni,ed companies must adhere to written contracts negotiated between each compan" and its union. *nion contracts regulate man" HRM practices, such as discipline, promotion, grievance procedures, and overtime allocations. HRM practices in non/unioni,ed companies ma" be influenced b" the threat of unions. @or example, some companies have made their HRM practices more e2uitable (i.e., the" treat their emplo"ees more fairl") simpl" to minimi,e the li%elihood that emplo"ees would see% union representation.
Fegal, social, and political pressures on organi,ations to ensure the health and safet" of their emplo"ees have had great impacts on HRM practices. =rgani,ations respond to these pressures b" instituting accident prevention programs and programs designed to ensure the health and mental well/being of their emplo"ees, such as wellness and emplo"ee assistance programs. Toda"0s global econom" also influences some aspects of HRM. Man" firms reali,e that the" must enter foreign mar%ets in order to compete as part of a globall" interconnected set of business mar%ets. @rom an HRM perspective, such organi,ations must foster the development of more globall"/oriented managers> individuals who understand foreign languages and cultures, as well as the d"namics of foreign mar%et places. These firms also must deal with issues related to expatriation, such as relocation costs, selection, compensation, and training.
The Hard HRM on the other hand therefore sees people as human resources. Holding that emplo"ees are a resource in the same wa" as an" other business resource and the" must therefore be: obtained as cheapl" as possible, used sparingl", developed and exploited as much as possible. -s indicated b" Ileiman (()))) under this model of HRM, control is more concerned with performance s"stem, performance management and tight control over individual activities with the ultimate goal being to secure the competitive advantage of the organisation. The hard HRM therefore is primaril" concern to promote human resource strateg" and align with business strateg". #t ma" also include out sourcing, flexibilit", performance management, hence downsi,ing or wor% intensification, sees wor%ers as another resource to be exploited and can operate against the interest of wor%ers. The Harvard model on the other hand as indicated b" Fado and 8ilson (&''<) sees emplo"ees as resource, but human where the managers are responsible to ma%e decisions about the organisation and emplo"ee relation. The emplo"ment relation is seen as a blending of business and societal expectations and because it recognises the role societal outcomes pla", it could be argued that the Harvard model provides a useful basis for comparative anal"sis. The Harvard model also cover the four HRM polic" areas which are human resource flows, reward s"stem, emplo"ee influence, wor% s"stem, which leads to the four 7s: competence of emplo"ees, commitment of emplo"ees, congruence of organisation;emplo"ees goals and cost effectiveness of HRM. -s could be agued striving to enhance all four 7s could lead favourable conse2uences for individual well/ being, societal well/being and organisational effectiveness either as long/ term conse2uences.
CONCLUSION
The penalties for not being correctl" staffed are costl". Planning staff levels re2uires that an assessment of present and future needs of the organi,ation be compared with present resources and future predicted resources. -ppropriate steps should then be planned to bring demand and suppl" into balance. The central aim of modern human resource management is to enhance the effective use, involvement and contribution of emplo"ees throughout the organi,ation. This, clearl", re2uires a great deal of information accretion, classification and statistical anal"sis as a subsidiar" aspect of personnel management. 8hat future demands will be is onl" influenced in part b" the forecast of the human resource manager, whose main tas% ma" well be to scrutini,e and modif" the crude predictions of other managers.
REFERENCES
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