GRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Programme: MSc International Business Management and Streams

Lecturer Mark Campbell and Angela Harvey

Module: Strategic Human Resource Management

Study Mode: Full time X Part-time X

Assignment Title: SHRM Repeat Assignment Semester 3 2018-2019 – Repeat Assignment

Word count: 1,500 plus diagrams Weighting 50% of the SHRM Module

Due date: 18:00 on Tuesday, 6th August

Assignment Brief:

You have recently graduated from Griffith College and have joined the Dublin-based subsidiary of the
CRM Software company, Salesforce. Salesforce recently announced that it will employ 1,500 new
people in Dublin over the next five years.

You report to the Head of Performance who has been given responsibility for ensuring that all new
employees achieve a high level of performance within one year of joining Salesforce.

The Head of Performance is interested in your views on how this can be achieved and has asked you to
prepare a Briefing Memorandum for the Senior Management Team. In writing this report you should
focus on the areas outlined in the attached tasks.
Tasks

The Head of Performance has asked you to prepare a (maximum 1,500 words) briefing memorandum
for an upcoming meeting between him and the Senior Management Team, This short briefing
memorandum should cover the following:

1. Identification of the organisation and description of the importance of high-performance to

Salesforce (max, 100 words, 5%).
2. An outline description of the main objectives and functions of Induction to the organisation
(max. 400 words, 20%).
3. An analysis of the role motivation should play in performance management in the organisation
(max. 400 words, 30%).
4. A detailed plan (description and explanation with key activities and target dates) to ensure
that all new employees achieve their target performance within one year of joining the
organisation – this may include description of any formal or informal learning activities new
employees should participate in during their first 12 months of employment (max. 600 words
including a diagram, 40%).
Marks will be awarded for the overall quality of the presentation of the briefing e.g. presentation in
memorandum format, structure and organisation, layout, citations and references, etc. (5%).

Notes

• Carry out background, secondary research on Salesforce and its plans for Ireland.
• Present your briefing in the form of an internal, briefing memorandum i.e. a Salesforce document
that contains the title: Memorandum, your name, names and job titles of addressees, date and
role title/organisation.
• You do not need a cover page, table of contents, an executive summary, an introduction or a
conclusion. Each section of your briefing should be clearly numbered and headed in line with the
tasks e.g. 1. Organisation and Role.
• The memorandum should be written in a style that be suitable for use in both a professional office
and a research-based, academic environment (ensure that you cite and reference appropriate
academic ideas, concepts, theories and models throughout and include a list of references).
• For each of the three main sections (2, 3 and 4) you should cite a minimum of three, peer-
reviewed, academic papers, articles or book chapters relevant to that section. A list of references,
in the Harvard style, must be appended to your report.
• The advised wordcount is 1,500 words plus any diagrams you see fit to include. You will lose
marks if your report is not in the range of 1,350 – 1,650 words (excluding references). You should
place the word count for your memorandum at the top of the first page. If you exceed 1,650 words
the marker will stop reading at that stage and mark holistically.
Learning Outcomes Addressed in this Assignment:

MLO1 Demonstrate astute understanding of complex models, theories and frameworks relating to
human resource management.
MLO2 Critically examine the complexity of relationships between organisation managers, staff and
strategy whilst recognising ethical dilemmas in regard to the human resource management
practices.
MLO3 Interrogate current and emerging technological developments in SHRM whilst evaluating the
discussing their contribution to strategic/managerial decision making within human resources.
MLO4 Derive human resource management strategies and identify future issues around sustainability,
data privacy and the impact of technology on future human resource management strategies.
MLO5 Critically assess the variety of internal and external forces that influence the context and nature
of human resource management strategy, policies and practices.
Marking Scheme:

Task/Grade A+ A A- B C F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 NG
Marks 91-100 81-90 71-80 61-70 51-60 41-50 31-40 21-30 11-20 1-10 0
1 Exemplary Superior Excellent Very Good Unsatisfactory Unacceptable Incomplete Poor Very No
Good Poor Grade
2 Exemplary Superior Excellent Very Good Unsatisfactory Unacceptable Incomplete Poor Very No
Good Poor Grade
3 Exemplary Superior Excellent Very Good Unsatisfactory Unacceptable Incomplete Poor Very No
Good Poor Grade
4 Exemplary Superior Excellent Very Good Unsatisfactory Unacceptable Incomplete Poor Very No
Good Poor Grade
5 Exemplary Superior Excellent Very Good Unsatisfactory Unacceptable Incomplete Poor Very No
Good Poor Grade
Task Criteria
1 • Memorandum format information (to, from, subject, date) at outset.
• Identification of the company by its legal, brand or other name.
• Description of the importance of high-performance.
• Within maximum word count (100 words).
2 • Description of the main objectives and functions of Induction to the organisation
• Layout, organisation and structure of the description.
• Evidence of research and background reading.
• Knowledge of the subject matter evidenced by quality of discussion.
• Use of module ideas, concepts, theories, models, etc. (at least three items cited).
• Application of the above to practice
• Clarity of expression.
• Presentation.
• Within maximum word count (400 words).
3 • Analysis of the role motivation should play in performance management in the organisation Layout, organisation and structure of
the description.
• Knowledge of the subject matter.
• Evidence of research and background reading.
• Use of module ideas, concepts, theories, models, etc. (at least three items cited).
• Clarity of expression.
• Presentation.
• Within maximum word count (400 words).
4 • Design of learning and other processes.
• Justification for the search process.
• Capacity for original, creative and critical thinking.
• Creation of an appropriate plan with appropriate detail.
• Layout, organisation and structure of the description.
• Appropriate diagram.
• Knowledge of the subject matter.
• Evidence of research and background reading.
• Use of module ideas, concepts, theories, models, etc.
• Clarity of expression.
• Presentation.
• Within maximum word counts (600 words)
5 • Memorandum format.
• Word count noted at top of first page
• Layout, organisation and structure of the document.
• Coherent style.
• Fluidity of expression.
• All tasks clearly identified with numbers and headings, no widows and orphans.
• Correct spelling, grammar and graphical presentation.
• Appropriate citations.
• Full references list.