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1.0 Introduction
A dissertation on Human Resources Management (HRM) can encompass a wide range of topics, therefore it is vital
to start wide and then focus in on a specific subject area. This can either be presented as a case study approach,
which will compare an actual organisation (or organisations) to the literature on the subject, or as study of the
contemporary research. The case study approach adds depth to the paper, introducing real life scenarios and how
organisations identify and react to them. The following are only suggestions of topics within the Human Resources
(HR) umbrella and can be adapted to meet individual needs and preferences for a Human Resources Management
(HRM) dissertation.
2.0 HR Theory
There are fundamental differences in the approach to Human Resources (HR), for example the 'hard' and `soft'
versions of Human Resources Management (HRM). The 'hard' version places little emphasis on workers' concerns
and, therefore, within its concept, any judgments of the effectiveness of Human Resources Management would be
based on business performance criteria only. In contrast, 'soft' Human Resources Management, while also having
business performance as its primary concern, would be more likely to advocate a parallel concern for workers'
outcomes. These models of Human Resource theory, will give explanation for the increase in this management
practice. It has been defined as "mutual goals, mutual influence, mutual respect, mutual rewards and mutual
responsibility". The 'psychological contract' under this unitarist, high commitment model is one of mutuality, but it is a
mutuality strictly bounded by the need to operate within an essentially unitary framework. The following are some
suggestions within the area of Human Resources (HR) Theory that you could base your human resources
Comparison of models
HR as a shared service
Taylorism versus HR
journal. A good dissertation topic would be to re-visit this article and then compare this to employee's current opinion
of the intervention. This article claimed Human Resources was another management tool to control the workforce,
and in the wrong hands would bring back control and command management practices. It questioned the ability of
management to acquire the soft skills needed to implement Human Resources in its purist form. This article is one of
the most damming written on the HR practice, therefore a good paper could either conclude after nearly ten years of
practice since, practitioners are delivering value for all or the workers verdict of the practice is still negative.
With all the sections there are numerous areas that can be reviewed. I have discussed one area and then added
suggestions on how to focus the research. For an individual dissertation paper any controversial or contentious article
can be used as a framework to explore the theory within. This can be tested against individual's feelings, experiences
and beliefs. Challenging HR is a subject close to many workers hearts and would make for a compelling human
Who pushed who out (a decline of the unions with the increase in HR practices).
Employee bargaining power.
Does HR work?
overseas economies. In countries, for example Japan, Germany and Sweden, investment in employee development
is higher than the UK. This has led to some organisations reviewing their policies on training, introducing continuous
The latest recession's impact on business is the credit crunch and whether this will have an impact on training and
development. It is well discussed within literature that the "training budget is first budget cut during hard times",
although theorist do not believe in general that this is the best action for the Human Resources department, and the
long term benefits of training outweigh the short term monetary savings. With the credit crunch a year old, an
organisation, for example in financial services, could be studied to see the effect on their training budget. To add
context two organisations could be compared, with a small section on their financial performance to test the
statement above. Below are some suggestions as to how to narrow your human resources management dissertation
How do organisations survive economic crisis (from the training and development
perspective)?
Is training a Panacea?
Training on a budget.
is so much written in contemporary literature that preaches that Human Resource is the final competitive edge for
organisations; therefore those that have not introduced this practice are at a disadvantage. This paper could compare
two organisations, for example one operating a best practice HR policy and the other with little or no HR policies. This
would identify what added value there is in best practice Human Resources, and if this adds the same value to all
organisations. The organisations for the study would need to be in similar markets and employ the same number of
employees.
Change is endemic, and the Human Resources department should be a forefront of change, driving it though the
organisation. Suggested topics within this area for your human resources management dissertation could include:
Benefits of HR.
commitment, competence and equivalence, and these instruments are extremely cost effective when executed
correctly. Today the individualism of contract gives employees more control on their reward. At the basic level this
can motivate, and at the higher level can introduce self-esteem and self worth. Performance reward or incentive pay
is a tool that can be used to set targets and then reward when theses targets are met. Performance management
consists of a cycle, consisting of five parts (1) setting of performance objectives (2) measuring the outcomes (3)
feedback of results (4) reward linked to the outcomes and (5) amendments to objectives and activities. There are
many companies that use performance management strategies, and use them in different ways, giving you different
topics to research and companies to compare and contrast. Some ideas are listed below.
Upskilling.
Reviewing and reacting on results.
7.0 Appraisals
A topic area could be the subjectivity of the appraiser. Performance management is widely used to assess
employees' capabilities and to set targets for the next year. The main contentious issues with performance
management are the appraisals; they are conducted with the subjectivity of the appraiser, who will often enter the
appraisal interview with pre-conceived conclusions of both the appraisee and the interview. The gravity of this is
immense as it forms the foundations of performance management. If they are not conducted fairly, there are no
A paper on the "Subjectivity of the Appraiser" could be based on the theory from psychology and management
practice, and reviews methods and techniques to reduce bias from the appraisal interview. If you are interested on
basing your human resources management dissertation on appraisals, there are some suggested dissertation topics
below.
8.0 Motivation
In theory a motivated worker is a productive worker. Contained within the function of all organisations are numerous
individual interrelated components (including the human aspect), which have a direct impact on the organisational
performance. It is widely recognised that the "human resource" is regarded as the most valuable resource an
organisation has. However, this resource does not always receive the attention, respect and the financial recognition
The complex relationship between employee and employer has been studied from both a psychological and
sociological aspect. The findings from both these fields of research have identified four main categories of theories on
employees' motivation. (1) Economic needs of man, money is the motivator for example: Taylorism (2) Social man
from the Hawthorne studies: (3) Self actualisation - this extended the results from the Hawthorne studies to include
psychological issues: (4) The contingency approach - this identifies that individual motivation is influenced by a
number of variables. If you are keen to discuss motivation within your human resources management dissertation,
HR and motivation.
HRM is a motivator.
9.0 Strategic HR
There has been a significant rise in the interest of strategic Human Resource Management in the past decade. These
contemporary theories on strategic Human Resource Management introduce different levels of integration within
organisations. Although there are various differences in models, most commentators agree that Strategic Human
With the global economy and the increase in competition this brings, the human resource is viewed as the last
competitive edge. It is how this resource is managed and the value that is place on it, that makes a difference
between organisations. When the organisational strategy has not considered the implications to the human resource
i.e. are there enough trained employees or do we need to employ more, the strategy runs a high risk of failure.
Therefore it is vital to align the human resource with the organisation's strategy. A human resources management
Reactive or proactive?
Can HR be strategic?
When an assumption is broken, it is questioned by members of the organisation. This helps to maintain the culture
(Phelan 2005). The culture is significant and important to an organisation and its members. For the individual and
group member, culture is the "social glue that helps hold the organisation together by providing appropriate standards
for what employees should say and do". Consequently, the culture will reduce an employee's uncertainty and anxiety
This behaviour is individual to the organisation, and is difficult to transfer. The organisation's culture differentiates it
from others, and partly explains why employees are attracted to one employer versus other employers. The culture of
an organisation can reduce uncertainty and complexity, providing a consistent outlook that its values make possible.
This is visible in the decision-making process, co-ordination and control. Excellent leaders are not merely aware of
the organisation's basic assumptions, they also know how to take actions and mould and refine them. To discuss
culture as a human resources management dissertation, some topics are suggested below.
Gatekeeper or owner?
Change agent.
11.0 Diversity
Over the past few decades the nature and the composition of the work force has been changing. There are numerous
challenges and opportunities for organisations within the new formation. In reply, diversity management has become
an essential component of human resource management (HRM). Diversity management is a relatively new, but
This new area of management brings learning and challenges to the individuals that supervise and manage
employees. Diversity management does assume different forms and models in practice, but is defined as an
organisation's active investment in the integration, development, and advancement of individuals who collectively
represent the work force. When developing an organisational strategy, diversity is placed in the culture, policies, and
practices which support respect and communication, as well as individual, team and organisational performance in a
diverse environment. Possible topics on diversity for your human resources management dissertation are:
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