A critical analysis of the organisation’s HR policies and practices against selected theoretical concepts. For example, you might choose how successfully they use high commitment HRM (HCHRM), best fit HRM

BMA6102-20

Module Title: Strategic Human Resource Management

Assignment 1: 2000 words

IN SUMMARY: A 2,000 word report that demonstrates academic understanding of some of the themes covered on the module and applies these to either one or two organisations of your choice. In the interest of fairness, you must not write about Sainsbury’s, RyanAir, John Lewis or Aldi (case studies done by the last two years of Level 5 HRM students). You are also banned from choosing Unilever, as this organisation is frequently at the centre of Academic Misconduct cases.

THE SPECIFIC TASK:

You are required to critically analyse one or two organisations of your choice using some of the following themes (as covered in the first phase of the module):

1. A critical analysis of the organisation’s HR policies and practices against selected theoretical concepts. For example, you might choose how successfully they use high commitment HRM (HCHRM), best fit HRM or hard and soft HRM.
2. A critical analysis of some specific external forces which may affect the organisation and what the effect might be on HR strategic decisions within the organisation(s). For example, the employment market in which your organisation operates, whether the work force is high skilled or low skilled, unionised or non-unionised etc.
3. A critical analysis of how the HR function is organised and how HR policies and practices are delivered, e.g. do they follow Ulrich’s model or other forms of delivery; what is the role and the challenges of line managers in the delivery of HRM? (This may be easier to ascertain if you have worked in the organisation or have contacts that work in the organisation)

You do NOT need to cover all three points. We will be practicing how to do ALL of these things during the seminars.

Instead you’ll need to choose the most appropriate aspects in relation to your chosen organisation(s) and the information you can find. However, your analysis must relate to content covered on the module. Be critical of what the organisation does, instead of just describing it. Make supported judgments.