Professional Documents
Culture Documents
STUDY GUIDE
BMHR5103
Human Resource
Management
Writer: Dr Siti Rohaida Mohamed Zainal
Universiti Sains Malaysia
1
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
2
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Part One comprises the Course Introduction, which gives you an overview
of the course. More specifically, it provides you with the course synopsis,
objectives, learning outcomes and study load. There is a brief description of
the main textbook(s), which you must read to fulfil the course requirements.
There is also a list of additional reading references. You are encouraged
to go into myVLE to check out the assessment, assignment and final
examination formats.
Part Two comprises the Learning Guide. This starts with an Overview, a
recommended weekly study schedule to guide your learning process, and a
brief description of the various elements in the Learning Guide. There is also
a list of topics to be covered. For each topic, you are given the specific
learning outcomes, a topic overview and a listing of the focus areas, together
with assigned readings and the pages where information on the focus areas
is found. To consolidate your learning and test your understanding, a
summary of the main content covered and study questions are provided at
the end of each topic.
Finally, there are two appendices, Learning Support and Study Tips, to
help you walk through the course successfully.
Please read through this Study Guide before you commence your course.
We wish you a pleasant study experience.
3
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Contents
Part One: Course Introduction ....................................................................5
Synopsis .............................................................................................5
Objectives ...........................................................................................5
Learning Outcomes ............................................................................5
Study Load ..........................................................................................6
Main Textbook(s) ...............................................................................6
Assigned Readings .............................................................................6
Additional Recommended Readings ..................................................7
Assessment ........................................................................................7
Appendices .................................................................................................51
Appendix A: Learning Support ..........................................................51
Appendix B: Study Tips ....................................................................52
4
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
This course emphasises the practices of HRM. This course also highlights
the synergistic relationship between HRM and organisation performance. It
will also highlight the importance of HR practices in managing a firm in order
to leverage the organisational success and achieve employee well-being.
This course explores the role of HR managers and provides a comprehensive
foundation to managing HRs for non-HR managers.
Objectives
Learning Outcomes
5
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Load
Main Textbook(s)
Assigned Readings
6
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
None.
Assessment
7
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
8
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Week
Topic 1: Understanding the foundation of HRM and Strategic
HRM
1
x Introduction to HRM
x HRM Strategy and Analysis
Topic 2: Job Analysis and Talent Management
2
x Job Analysis and the Talent Management Process
Topic 3: Planning, Recruiting and Interviewing
x Personnel Planning and Recruiting 3
x Interview Candidates
Topic 4: Interviewing Candidates
4
x Interviewing Candidates
Topic 5: Training and Performance Appraisal
x Training and Developing Employees 5
x Performance Management Appraisal
Topic 6: Managing Employees
6
x Employee Retention, Engagement and Careers
Topic 7: Pay, Incentives and Benefits
x Establishing Strategic Pay Plans
7
x Pay for Performance and Financial Incentives
x Benefits and Services
Topic 8: Handling Work Related Issues
x Ethics and Employee Rights, and Discipline 8
x Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining
Topic 9: Safety and Global Issues
x Employee Safety and Health 9
x Managing Global Human Resources
Topic 10: HR in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME)
10
x Managing HR in Small and Entrepreneurial Firms
9
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Each topic in the Learning Guide comprises the following sections (refer to
Figure 1):
x Learning Outcomes: outline the specific tasks to be accomplished;
x Topic Overview: briefly explains what the topic touches on so as to
provide a general interpretative framework for understanding the topic
content;
x Focus Areas: identify the main and sub areas to be covered;
x Assigned Readings: help you to navigate the main textbook and reading
materials;
x Content Summary: provides an interpretative framework for
understanding the core content; and
x Study Questions: help you to focus on key subject areas.
10
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
11
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
12
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
1.6 Figure 1.1 below shows the seven stages of strategic management.
13
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
1.9 Strategic HRM tools – There are three important tools, namely,
strategy map, HR Scorecard and digital dashboard.
14
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Questions
15
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
This topic highlights the process of analysing jobs and designing two
important documents related to job analysis, namely, job description and job
specification. It also highlights the uses of job analysis as part of talent
management.
16
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
2.2 Job analysis – The procedure for determining the duties and skill
requirements of a job and the kind of person who should be hired
for the job, by collecting the following types of information: Work
activities; human behaviours; machines, tools, equipment and work
aids; performance standards; job context; and human requirements.
17
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Step 5 – Verify the job analysis information with job incumbents and
supervisors to confirm that it is factually correct and
complete.
Step 6 – Develop a job description and job specification from the
information.
Study Questions
1. Discuss the differences among job analysis, job description and job
specification.
18
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
19
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
3.1 The recruitment and selection process involves five main steps;
Figure 3.1: Five main steps in the recruitment and selection process
3.5 Ratio analysis involves making forecasts based on the ratio between
(1) some causal factor, such as sales volume, and (2) the number of
employees required, like the number of salespeople.
3.6 The scatter plot shows graphically how two variables (such as a
measure of business activity and a firm’s staffing levels) are related.
20
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
21
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
22
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Questions
2. You are the HR manager for 3rd M Company. Your company decides to
expand the business to China due to its growing market. In order to
venture into China’s market, the top management decides to hire a
senior marketing executive to oversee the market. Explain in detail all
four levels of the recruitment process.
23
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
This topic will cover types of interviews, things that undermine its usefulness,
and designing and conducting effective selection interviews.
Content Summary
4.1 There are two basic types of interviews: structured and unstructured –
Unstructured or non-directive interviews generally have no set format.
Structured or directive interviews generally identify questions and all
applicants are asked the same questions.
24
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
4.4 There are six situations which could lead to an interview’s usefulness
being undermined: (1) first impressions; (2) not clarifying what the job
requires, (3) candidate-order (contrast) error and pressure to hire;
(4) non-verbal behaviour and impression management; (5) effects
of personal characteristics – attractiveness, gender, race of the
interviewers and (6) interviewer’s behaviour – telegraphing, which
refers to the interviewer inadvertently evoking the expected answers.
Study Questions
1. You are the HR officer for Selasih Company. You receive a request
from the Finance Department to hire a secretary for their department.
They also request you to assist them in designing interview questions in
order to avoid negligent hiring. Which type of interview would you
recommend? Why? Design four interview questions which are related to
the position.
25
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
26
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
27
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
28
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
29
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Questions
30
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
Content Summary
6.1 Costs of turnover – There are tangible and intangible costs associated
with turnover. Reducing turnover requires identifying and managing
the reasons for both voluntary and involuntary turnover.
31
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
6.8 Promotions and the law – Employer promotions must comply with all
anti-discrimination laws.
6.9 Managing transfers – Transfers are moves from one job to another,
usually with no change in salary or grade. The frequent relocation of
employees has been assumed to have a damaging effect on
transferees’ family life. Transfers are also financially costly.
Study Questions
32
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
In this topic, we will learn how to establish pay plan, job evaluation
techniques for finding the relative worth of a job and how to conduct online
and offline salary surveys. Also, we learn how managers use performance-
based incentives to motivate employees. These include employee benefits
such as insurance, retirement and services benefits.
33
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
7.2 Employers use two basic approaches for setting pay rates: market-
based approaches and job evaluation approaches.
34
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
7.5 The process to create a competitive pay plan involves the following
steps:
Step 1 – Choose benchmark jobs;
Step 2 – Select compensable factors – The choice of compensable
factors depends on tradition;
Step 3 – Assign weights to compensable factors;
Step 4 – Determines the relative amount of each compensable factor
the job contains;
Step 5 – Convert percentages;
Step 6 – Define factor degrees;
Step 7 – Determine for each job, its factors’ degrees and assign
points.
7.6 What is a competitive pay system? It is a pay system that aligns the
organisation’s pay with the relevant labour markets.
35
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
36
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
7.11 Implementing a plan – The basic eight steps are; 1) Establish general
plan objectives; 2) Define specific performance measures; 3) Decide
on a funding formula; 4) Decide on a method for dividing and
distributing the employees’ share of the gains; 5) Choose the form of
payment; 6) Decide how often bonuses are to be paid; 7) Develop the
involvement system; and 8) Implement the plan.
7.13 There are seven categories of pay for time not worked:
37
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
7.18 Benefits and Employee Leasing – Many businesses do not have the
resources or employee base to support the cost of employee benefits.
Employee leasing firms assume all or most of the employee’s HR
functions.
7.20 Other flexible work arrangements – Job sharing can be useful for
retirement-aged employees, allowing the company to retain the
employee, who experiences reduced hours. Work sharing is when a
whole group reduces its hours to prevent layoffs. Telecommuters work
at home and use phones and the Internet to conduct business.
Study Questions
38
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
This topic will explain ethics, employee rights and fair treatment in HRM –
matters essential for positive employee relations. It will also discuss dealing
effectively with unions and grievances.
39
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
40
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
41
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
42
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Questions
43
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
This topic provides the basic knowledge to deal with workplace safety and
health issues. This topic will also show you how to improve effectiveness by
applying your HR knowledge and skills when global issues are involved.
44
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
45
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
46
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Questions
2. Due to a recent accident which has caused the death of one employee,
your company will be inspected by OSHA. Discuss your role in handling
this visit.
47
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Topic Overview
This topic will help you apply what you know about HRM to running a small
business includes the small business challenge; using the Internet and
government tools to support the HR effort; leveraging small size with
familiarity, flexibility, fairness, and informality; using professional employer
organisations; and managing HR systems, procedures, and paperwork.
48
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Content Summary
10.1 Managing HR in small firms is different for four main reasons: size,
priorities, informality and the nature of the entrepreneur.
49
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Study Questions
1. You own a salon and you have five employees. In order to increase
their performance and skills, you decide to design a training module for
your employees. List four modules that you think will enhance their skills
and subsequently will lead to better performance. Explain the reason for
selecting each module and how it will increase your business.
50
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
Appendices
Appendix A: Learning Support
Seminars
As you work on the activities and the assigned text(s), your facilitator will
provide assistance to you throughout the duration of the course. Should you
need assistance at any time, do not hesitate to contact your facilitator and
discuss your problems with him/her.
Bear in mind that communication is important for you to be able to get the
most out of this course. Therefore, you should, at all times, be in touch with
your facilitator, e-facilitator and coursemates, and be aware of all the
requirements for successful completion of the course.
51
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
You should plan to spend about 12 hours of study time on each topic, which
includes doing all assigned readings and activities. You must also set aside
time to discuss work online. It is often more effective to distribute the study
hours over a number of days rather than spend a whole day studying one
topic.
Study Strategy
The following is a proposed strategy for working through the course. If you
have difficulty following this strategy, discuss your problems with your
facilitator either through the online forum or during the seminars.
(i) The most important step is to read the contents of this Study Guide
thoroughly.
(ii) Organise a study schedule (as recommended in Table 2). Take note of
the amount of time you spend on each topic as well as the dates for
submission of assignment(s), seminars and examination.
(iii) Once you have created a study schedule, make every effort to stick to
it. One reason learners are unable to cope with postgraduate courses is
that they procrastinate and delay completing their course work.
52
STUDY GUIDE BMHR5103 Human Resource Management
(v) When you have completed a topic, review the Learning Outcomes for
the topic to confirm that you have achieved them and are able to do
what is required.
(vi) After completing all topics, review the Learning Outcomes of the course
to see if you have achieved them.
53