HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management

Introduction

Human resource management focuses on securing, maintaining, and utilizing an effective work force, which organizations cannot survive without. Human resource management involves a variety of activities, which include recruitment, and screening of prospective employees, the study of training needs, preparing human resource forecasts, the development of compensation systems, and an understanding of the laws that effect the performance of these activities. The human resource management function has evolved significantly since the early 1900s. The need to deal with labour unions and the human relations movement has increased the need for competent human resource professionals (Mitchell, 2001). The purpose of the Reflective Paper is to culminate the learning achieved in the course by describing my understanding and application of knowledge in the field of human resource management.

HR Professional Roles and Responsibilities

In today's business environment Human Resource (HR) responsibilities and roles are increasingly more extensive than that of the old personnel department use to have. Human resources now demand strong human relations skills such as communicating, negotiating and team development. In addition human resources also demand leadership skills to help them in the decision making process and technical skills to understand human resources computer systems. Human resources are well managed it has the potential to improve the organizations competitive advantage by helping achieve basic objectives such as quality, profits, and customer satisfaction. This paper will attempt to describe the changing role of Human Resource (HR) management in response to trends in globalization, technology, diversity, e-business, and ethics (Kaponya, 1991).

Over the past decade HRM has a new face and the HR function is quickly gaining leverage as they help organizations deal in change management, business strategy, and customer service, and brand recognition, employee retention, in order to gain and sustain a competitive advantage on the competition. Human capital, an organizations employees, is the only, “Real sustainable competitive advantage that an organization possesses. As such, HRM is called on to apply, “New approaches to work process design, succession planning, career development and inter-organizational mobility (Huselid, 1995).

Human Resource Practitioner Skill and Attributes

Human Resource Management has a significant role to play in ensuring that their organization and employees have some form of balance to adjust to above said changes.

Globalization

A recent study by conducted by Development Dimensions International, experts in organizational recruitment and development, reveals that HR is valuable in facilitating the development of human talent from across both geographic and cultural boundaries. Roles of HR professionals in a global environment include recruiting high-quality employees, employee retention, and leadership development. The global marketplace and global economies are imperative to organizations who wish to expand market share and reduce operating costs. HR department roles include a profound understanding of and implementation of policies and procedures which will complement international labour laws, cultural differences, and the creation of a corporate culture (Hall, 1986).

Technology

HRM professionals are embracing and taking advantage of today's improved technology to add value to their department. In effect one of the roles of HR is, Managing ...