Course Resources Archive

This module is concerned with the strategic alignment of HR practice that has become popularised in the expression SHRM. It explores the multi-dimensional nature of the strategic integration and the implications this has for SHRM practice. It incorporates a critical examination of evidence of SHRM practice and explores emerging gaps between rhetoric and reality and why these may exist. It takes a number of key HR activities and explores how they might achieve strategic alignment and the obstacles that may frustrate this intent. In doing so the module asks students to resolve problems that organisations inevitably face when trying to create a human resource management strategy.

1. The module will begin by looking at the nature of organisation strategy, considering the range of approaches to strategy making available, and analysis of the links between different approaches to strategy and human resource management.
2. The next stage is linking strategy to key HRM activities. The focus will be on the strategic implications of such areas as work and organisation design, human resource planning, recruitment and selection, performance management and development, reward management, employee involvement and knowledge management.
3. The last part of the module will consider evaluating the effectiveness of SHRM. This will include strategies and techniques for evaluation and the difficulties or barriers there may be in its effectiveness.

1. To define organisation strategy, deconstruct its different meanings and levels and explore its significance to managing human resources and human resource development in organisations.
2. To define SHRM/SHRD and evaluate its conceptual foundations and link to organisational performance.
3. To critique the inter-relationships between strategy, structure and culture and assess their implications for SHRM/SHRD practice.
4. To analyse the implications for SHRM/SHRD practice of an increasingly global operating context.
5. To critically explore how a range of HR and HRD activities can be developed towards strategic alignment and examine the practical difficulties involved in establishing such alignment.
6. To explore how the strategic contribution of SHRM and SHRD can be evaluated.

Staff/student contact – 30 hours
Student directed learning – 120 hours as directed by tutors/module guide

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.