Human Resource Management

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

RESEARCH ESSAY

Human Resource Management

Discuss how the practices of human resource management can give an organization the competitive advantage, particularly in the areas of recruitment, training and diversity management.

Due Date: 1 Sept, 2004.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the success of an organization. It is not only the quality of the physical resources or the technology that counts, but the people and their skills also make the difference. Human resource management refers to "the policies, practices and systems that influence employees' behavior, attitudes and performance" (De Cieri et al. 2003:4). This essay will discuss how the practices of human resource management can give an organization the competitive advantage, particularly in the areas of recruitment, training and development, and diversity management.

Human Resource policies and practices he1p organizations achieve their business goals and objectives" by developing the knowledge and skills of the employees, or the

'human capital pool'. The quality of its human resource affects an organization’s ability to adapt to changes, which determines its competitiveness. De Cieri et al. defines competitiveness as an organization’s ability to maintain and gain market share in its industry. There are a number of important factors that an organization must address. First, it needs to ensure profitability to satisfy their shareholder, while at the same time produce quality products or services to its customers. Then, it needs to consider its responsibilities to the community by being environmentally-friendly and by getting involved in community activities. Moreover, the organization needs to ensure that it provides a desirable working environment for its employees. Storey suggests that competitiveness can be achieved by integrating "cultural, structural and personnel techniques" (Gardner and Palmer 1997:244).

Human resource...