Trident MGT491 full course (all cases and SLP)

odule 1 - Case

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

For the Case Assignment, read all of the required readings listed on the Background page.

Case Assignment

Respond to the issues raised below in a 3- to 4-page report, not including cover and reference pages. Be sure to draw upon and integrate concepts from all of the module required Background materials, other materials you might find on the Web, and your previous course material (e.g., Mgt 407, Mgt 411, Mgt 412):

Imagine you have just been hired as the CEO of a mid-sized firm, and the current HR department is limited to payroll, benefits, recruiting, training, performance management, and safety. The current HR manager reports to the VP of Operations. Given this information and that provided in the Background readings, create a blueprint for redesigning the HR function as a critically important strategic partner in the future of the organization.

Submit your report by the Module due date.

Assignment Expectations

For this Case Assignment, you will:

1. Apply effective communication skills in a business environment.

2. Assess the ethical implications of business decisions and actions.

3. Apply business theories, models, and concepts to guide analysis of problems and situations.

Module 1 - SLP

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

For the Session Long Project, you need to create your own capstone project that you can study extensively that would turn you into an HR specialist. You've had extensive study in the field of HRM. What is it that you would like to be able to claim to be "expert" at when you've completed your concentration?

SLP Assignment Expectations

· Identify an HR topic that you feel you would like to study in-depth for the SLP (it may or may not be one of the topics covered in this course). Select a paper topic that really focuses in on some aspect of an HR function in the private sector. For example, the topic of compensation is too broad. Instead, you may want to study the role of employee wellness programs in bringing down health insurance costs. This is a focused statement calling for a specific, well-researched response.

· Explain why this aspect of HR is important to the practice of HR and to your own career.

· Describe how you will go about studying this topic bridging the terminology, theory, academic research, and practice in the private sector.

· Turn in this 2- to 3-page paper by the module due date.

Module 2 - Case

MANAGING GROWTH AND DOWNSIZING

Forbes Magazine offers a "layoff tracker." You can click here to access the site:

Forbes Magazine's Layoff Tracker: http://www.forbes.com/2008/11/17/layoff-tracker-unemployement-lead-cx_kk_1118tracker_2.html

When you've read through the Background materials and any other sources that you want to track down, check the Layoff Tracker to see what's happening in your geographical area (if possible) and perhaps your professional area as well.

Case Assignment

Write a 3- to 4-page paper discussing issues relating to growth and downsizing in general, with emphasis on:

· The patterns that you see emerging from the Layoff Tracker.

· The emerging issues in this area—how will the problem be seen in the coming years.

· HR activities that should occur to effectively implement downsizing, and also to effectively implement growth.

· Approaches to managing change in an organization that is growing or shrinking in size.

Turn in this paper by the module due date

Module 2 - SLP

MANAGING GROWTH AND DOWNSIZING

Using the feedback you received on your SLP 1 identifying your personal capstone project, begin to build your readings and Background materials that will support a written text of your project.

Conduct a search of the "literature" that helps frame your expertise in your chosen specialization. Look for trends, practices, organizational examples, textbook like materials, websites, etc. that would enable you to write on this topic establishing your expertise and credibility.

SLP Assignment Expectations

· For SLP 2, you need to turn in an annotated bibliography of at least 20 sources that you have found that would support your paper. You will be using these sources in greater detail for future SLPs.

· For help determining "What is an Annotated Bibliography?" visits Cornell University's site that provides descriptions and a sample of an annotated bibliography.

· Turn in your annotated bibliography by the module due date.

Module 3 - Case

MANAGING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH JOB DESIGN AND WORK FLOW

After reading the Background materials, you have been introduced to a number of ways to influence employee productivity. However, according to articles in USA Today and HRMagazine, some family-friendly programs are not providing the promised results:

Armour, S. (2003, October 20). More companies downsize family-friendly programs; No longer needed to keep workers: [FINAL Edition]. USA Today, p. A.01. Retrieved August 28, 2007, from National Newspapers (27) database. (Document ID: 427189741).

Wells, S. J. (2007, Oct). Are you too family friendly? HRMagazine, 52/10, 34-39.

What is going on here? Were the promises of these programs lies? Unnecessary?

Case Assignment

After reading the articles, respond to the following questions in a 3- to 4-page paper (not including cover and reference pages), citing Background materials, the Case articles, and any other resources that you find to support your position as a human resource manager:

· Would you recommend to add or eliminate these types of programs to your organization's benefits program?

· Do these types of programs influenced productivity?

· Where might they be more or less appropriate (what industries, when, etc.)?

· Should you have policies in place that only a few might take advantage or benefit from?

Turn in this paper by the module due date.

MANAGING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH JOB DESIGN AND WORK FLOW

For SLP 3, we'll continue your progress developing your expertise as a specialist in one aspect of human resource management.

In this module, you need to set up the organization of your paper. Therefore, it is important to preview the goal of SLPs 4 and 5 at this time so you can see how the pieces of your project fit together:

In SLP 4, you are going to be asked to submit the introduction to your paper and write Part I: What does theory/academe say about ________________ (insert your topic here)? You might want to read ahead into SLP 4 and 5 to understand your objectives more clearly at this point.

For SLP 5, you are going to be asked to submit Part II: What does practice tell us about this HR activity/function? What types of organizational examples can you submit that help advise you of the practice of HR (specific to your topic)? Part III: Conduct an analysis of similarities and differences between "theory" and "practice". And finally, a conclusion identifying the most important points that a reader of your report (SLP 4 and SLP 5 comprehensively) should take away from the work/research that you've done.

SLP Assignment Expectations

For SLP 3, you need to develop an outline, using your annotated bibliography, of SLP 4 and SLP 5 (which combined would make up a comprehensive report). In your outline, you should identify specific sections of your paper, including the introduction, analysis, and conclusion and any references (using author, year to cite them) you might plan on using as you write.

Thus, for SLP 3, what you are being asked to turn in is an outline of your SLP 4 and 5 papers. Your outline would look something like this:

(TITLE)

I. Introduction

A. Relevance of my topic:

1. the point that you want to make using this article (Smith, 2003)

2. the point that you want to make (Johnson, 2000)

B. Importance of the topic to me

C. How this topic will be meaningful to my future career

II. Background of what this topic is

A. Definition

1. definition (Constance & Frendshue, 1999)

2. definition (Delery & Doty, 1996)

B.

C.

etc.

Turn in this paper by the module due date.

Module 4 - Case

INTERNATIONAL HRM

Case Assignment

For this Case Assignment, you need to place yourself in the role of a human resource manager who has been asked by your company to go and set up an office in ___________________ (pick a country other than Mexico or Canada and identify it in your paper). Research your responses using the TUI Cyberlibrary and the Web.

Identify 4-6 sources of information in the TUI CyberLibrary to support your answers to these questions. These can be obtained by searching with keywords like "expatriate" and "international HRM".

Answer the following questions in a 3- to 4-page paper (not including cover and reference pages):

· What are some of the risks that a private sector organization faces when stationing an expatriate overseas?

· Do you have the "Survival Skills" to be a successful expatriate manager

· What are some of the capabilities that other expatriates believe contribute to success and failure in overseas assignments?

· What have been some of the key issues for successful expatriation of families?

· How can private sector firms help with the repatriation process?

Turn in this paper by the module due date.

Module 4 - SLP

INTERNATIONAL HRM

Continuing with your SLP that is focused on your individual "specialization" within the field of HR, you'll begin the actual writing of your paper in this module, and conclude the paper in SLP 5.

SLP Assignment Expectations

In SLP 4 you are asked to submit a 2- to 3-page paper containing:

· The introduction to your paper

· Part I: What does theory/academe say about ________________ (insert your topic here)?

This is the first half of your paper. The reference list can be turned in as a combined one for SLPs 4 and 5 when turning in SLP 5.

For Part I, it is up to you to organize and determine the main themes and features of what the literature ("textbooks", etc.) says about your topic. This should be a fairly comprehensive picture of the work that has been done in the past and of what is taught today. You should rely on at least 10 different sources of information for this assignment (SLP 4).

Make sure that you cite each piece of information and where it comes from as you use it. Please use APA style by citing your references in parentheses immediately following the thought that you are sharing (do not use footnotes). In other words, your sentences should look like this:

Human resource management strategy is a significant part of HR today (Delery & Doty, 1996). However, when you examine what that means to organizations, you'll find that there are many interpretations. etc...

Turn in this paper by the module due date.

Module 5 - Case

EVALUATING HR SYSTEMS

After reading the background materials, you have been introduced to a number of ways that human resource systems help organizations. Please read the following article:

Mossholder, K.W., Richardson, H.A., and Settoon, R.P. (2011). Human Resource Systems and Helping in Organizations: A Relational perspective. Academy of Management Review, 36(1), 33-52. The article can be retrieved from:http://aom.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/AMR/HumanResourceSystemsPrintedVersion.pdf

Case Assignment

After reading the article and the background readings, respond to the following questions in a 3- to 4-page paper (not including cover and reference pages), citing background materials, the case articles, and any other resources that you find to support your position as a human resource manager:

· Summarize the article. What did you learn from the article?

· Critique the article. What are the strengths and weaknesses?

· How can you use/apply the information in the article to help you as a Human Resource Manager?

Turn in this paper by the module due date.

Module 5 - SLP

EVALUATING HR SYSTEMS

Signature Assignment for MGT491 SLP Module 5

Demonstrating knowledge of Human Resources functions and be able to apply the knowledge to “get, keep, and grow” talent

Looking back at the MGT407--3 SLP and MGT411--3 SLP, you should recall attention given to demonstrating knowledge of Human Resources functions and be able to apply the knowledge to “get, keep, and grow” talent. In both assignments you were given the opportunity to participate in putting together papers—first a research essay and then a report to the board of directors.

Now in this final segment related to human resource analytical decision making, critical thinking and problem solving, you are asked to prepare a final paper.

These three assignments build upon each other and aim to offer you the opportunity to enhance your demonstrating knowledge of Human Resources functions and be able to apply the knowledge to “get, keep, and grow” talent and written delivery skills.

The grading rubric below has been developed to measure student success in meeting the MGT491 SLP 5 expectations related to demonstrating knowledge of Human Resources functions and be able to apply the knowledge to “get, keep, and grow” talent.

Rubrics for the other two courses are included in their respective written assignments.

	Assignment Expectation	Weak	Marginal	Adequate	Strong
Organization	Demonstrates the ability to organize content logically, concisely, and in a manner appropriate to a paper given to the board of directors.	There is no logical sequence of information. Paper is rambling and unfocused	Paper does not follow a logical sequence (jumps around in the paper).	Paper follows a logical sequence. There are some minor problems with topic transitions. Introduction and/or conclusion are not clear.	Paper follows a logical sequence with an effective introduction and conclusion. Each segment relates to others in a carefully planned framework.
Demonstrates the ability to support a central point or viewpoint throughout the paper—persuading the board of directors that recommendations you present are vital to this organization’s future success.	Insufficient elaboration and/or support (e.g., summaries, listings) in the paper.	Limited elaboration and/or support in the paper.	Support with some specific details and elaboration in the paper. Support through both specific details and elaboration apparent in the paper.	Support through both specific details and elaboration apparent in the paper.
Content	Demonstrate the ability to address an identifiable purpose in the paper—the fact that these human resource recommendations are vital to this organization’s future success.	The purpose is not identified, is unclear, or inappropriate in the paper.	Purpose is occasionally unclear in the paper.	Clear purpose, but not consistently sustained throughout the paper.	Clear purpose sustained throughout the paper.
Demonstrates the ability to gather and sort information on a particular subject matter or topic.	Author does not have a grasp of information. Topic is poorly developed. Supporting materials are absent or vague. Trite ideas and/or unclear wording reflect a lack of understanding of topic.	Author seems uncomfortable with information. Topic is evident but with little or no elaboration.	Author seems comfortable with the information. Topic is evident with some supporting details.	A demonstrates full knowledge of the topic with explanation and elaboration. The topic is well developed, effectively supported, and appropriate for the assignment. Critical thinking is clearly and creatively expressed.
Adaption to Audience	Demonstrate the ability to present information to varying audiences in such a way that the information is meaningful to that group.	Doesn’t respond to the needs of the audience.	Limited sense of the needs of the audience.	Addresses the needs of the audience.	Effectively addresses the needs of the audience.
Delivery	Demonstrate the Ability to use data and graphs effectively in the paper.	Data and graphs are poorly prepared or used inappropriately. Too much material is included or unimportant information is highlighted.	Data and graphs could be improved. There are no significant errors, but adds little to the paper.	Data and graphs are articulated clearly, but not engaging.	Data and graphs are easy to read, attractive, informative and error free. Communication aids greatly enhance the paper. Excellent integration of communication aids.
Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate word choice and grammar in paper.	There are many sentences with grammatical errors. Some sentences are incomplete/halting, and/or vocabulary is somewhat limited or inappropriate. Presenter mumbles and mispronounces several terms.	There are a few sentences that are complete and grammatical. Word choice is not always appropriate for paper. Presenter mispronounces some terms.	Sentences are generally complete and grammatical, and they flow together easily. With a few exceptions, words are chosen for their precise meaning. Presenter pronounces most terms correctly.	All sentences are complete and grammatical, and they flow together easily. Words are chosen for their precise meaning. Word choice illustrates grasp of content and enhances paper. All terms are pronounced correctly and precisely.
Demonstrates the ability to make an effective paper that is free from bias (e.g. sexism, racism, ageism, heterosexism, etc).	Written language is inappropriate and exhibits bias. Uses clichés, slang, jargon, racist, or sexist language. Some listeners may be offended.	Written language is free from bias with one or two minor exceptions.	Written language has no apparent bias. There is some inappropriate language.	Written language is completely free from bias.

See Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper.

Continuing with your SLP that is focused on your individual "specialization" within the field of HR, you'll conclude the paper in this module.

SLP Assignment Expectations

For SLP 5, you are asked to submit a 2- to 3-page paper (not including references) including:

· Part II:What does practice tell us about this HR activity/function? What types of organizational examples can you submit that help advise you of the practice of HR (specific to your topic)?

· Part III:Conduct an analysis of similarities and differences between "theory" and "practice."

· And, finally, a conclusion identifying the most important points that a reader of your report (SLP 4 and SLP 5 comprehensively) should take away from the work/research that you've done. Also your complete reference list needs to be submitted.

Make sure that you cite each piece of information and where it comes from as you use it. Please use APA style by citing your references in parentheses immediately following the thought that you are sharing (do not use footnotes). In other words, your sentences should look like this:

Human resource management strategy is a significant part of HR today (Delery & Doty, 1996). However, when you examine what that means to organizations, you'll find that there are many interpretations. (And so on.)

Please turn in a 2- to 3-page paper, plus your references (these are not included in the 2-3 pages of text) and upload it by the end of this module.