LB5304: How Students Critically assess the Strategic Importance of HRM in the Light of the Seismic shift in the Employment: Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management Report, JCU, Singapore

CASE STUDY

The Dark Side of Work

A Learning Organisation in Action

A health sector is a place of work that experiences significant workplace violence as research across countries testifies, with patient-focused violence a particular issue. One of the key areas of risk is the Accident and Emergency Department. Criminal penalties have been used in some jurisdictions to attempt to prevent these issues. A further strategy is to develop guidelines and recommendations. However, research continues to indicate that workplace violence against healthcare workers remains high, and in many cases continues to increase, particularly as drugs like ‘ice’ create psychotic episodes for those using the drugs.

A study by Gates et al. (2011) in the US explored the development, implementation and subsequent evaluation of a violence intervention program over a four-year period. The approach used an action learning methodology, which involved addressing a real and complex issue through a problem-solving and learning approach. Following initial action, a process of reflection and review was undertaken (Rigg, 2014) on the complex nature of the issue.

The group was comprised of academic researchers, and key stakeholders, that is, hospital employees and administrators. Using focus groups to initially gather information about workplace violence issues, intervention strategies were then developed. Initial findings from the study indicated that the planned intervention strategies were relevant, acceptable, feasible, and comprehensive (Gates et al., 2011, p. 38). What was seen as particularly important was agreement from the stakeholders on the best way to address workplace violence.

Written by Peter Holland and Ross Donohue

Individual Assessment 3 (CHOOSE ONE OF HOSPITAL COMPANY/ORGANIZATION)

ASSESSMENT ITEM 3: DESCRIPTION

The aim of this assessment is to evaluate how students critically assess the strategic importance of HRM in the light of the seismic shift in the employment landscape brought about by changes in the external environment in the last few years. The focus is on best practices and HRM initiatives that contribute to organizational effectiveness, sustainability, and innovation.

Instructions:

You have been employed as an HR consultant to present your case study analysis and response to the Board of Directors based on the given case study, which will be provided to you by Tutorial 3. You are expected to address the following in the report:

You are to identify three dominant HRM issues/challenges faced by this company. It is recommended that you use an issue-oriented/problem-solving approach. Ensure that these three dominant HRM issues are related to the theoretical frameworks or lessons taught in the lectures or used in the recommended textbook.

In relation to the three issues/challenges identified, decide which issue is the most pertinent or significant. Discuss briefly plausible courses of action or recommendations for the first two issues/challenges that are not so significant.

For the third issue that has been identified as most pertinent or significant, provide details of the recommendation in the conclusion section along the following lines: Why is this issue/problem considered the most pertinent/significant? Discuss the recommendation in detail by providing for example, a time-line on how this problem can be solved in the short term (within the next six months), in the long-term for the next two to three years; identify responsibilities, follow-ups, and any additional issues that may potentially impede your suggested implementation; include any adverse fallout from your recommendation that may potentially have a negative impact, and offer constructive counter-strategies to resistance. What are the implications of proceeding with this recommendation?

DESCRIBE 3 ISSUES WITH RECOMMENDATION FOR EACH ISSUE

• You will require extensive research for the case study report and analysis. There must be at least eight reliable references used for this presentation ( including at least 4 peer-reviewed journal articles and 4 others such as newspaper reports, government, and institutional websites, etc.)

The information in the report must be more than just a collection of HR issues and challenges. In broad terms, this critical review should include the potential impact of the issues and challenges on the organization and employees, and other stakeholders (e.g. unions). You should attempt to interpret the meaning of the HR issues and challenges presented. For example, how do contemporary changes in work, employment, and organizations influence or affect HR policies and the effects these changes and policies have on individual workers. Is there such a thing as ‘best practice’ HRM policy? Are there pitfalls or limitations of best practice traditions in HR management and how might workers react to HRM policies, especially those associated with change? What strategies would the consultancy team recommend to improve the way this company manages its human resources?

You are encouraged to use recommendations from your readings or initiatives used by companies with which you are familiar, either through class discussions, your own personal reading, experience, or information gleaned from other classes. Utilizing these resources serves to promote understanding of and practice with complex problem-solving skills in a business environment. There should be depth in your discussion and analysis for each of the key issues/challenges identified. Failure to use the appropriate number of outside sources used in an assessment may lead to failure of the assessment overall. Likewise, the use of Wikipedia references may lead to failure. Check the marking criteria given to ensure that your team tries to meet the criteria in the excellent column.