Assignment title: Information
Assignment 1
Description of topic:
Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) plays a significant role in organisational
effectiveness (Gallup Consulting, 2010; Pfeffer & Veiga, 1999). It is therefore important to
adopt SHRM, as opposed to traditional Human Resource Management (HRM), for effective
HR decision-making within an organisation. Amongst the abundance of available SHRM
models, Jackson and Schuler’s (1995) model includes a variety of macro-level
environmental characteristics that influence the implementation of HRM practices, policies
and philosophies, and subsequently, influences organisational performance.
Directions:
The focus of this assignment is to analyse the external operating environment of a Higher
Education (HE) Sector and discuss potential impacts on the HRM functions of a HE provider
(e.g. Charles Darwin University). Use Jackson and Schuler (1995) HRM model to analyse
the external environment of the HE Sector that you are familiar with. Identify and discuss the
factors of the environment and their potential impact on the HRM functions of a HE provider
of your choice.
Format: Essay
Value: 40%
Length: 2500 - 3500 words
Due date: Midnight, Friday Week 6
Late assessment submissions incur a penalty of 5% per day past the due date.
Assignment information:
To complete this assignment successfully students are required to:
Identify a HE provider (e.g. a university) in Australia or in your home
country/state/territory. Briefly describe the profile of the HE provider and discuss its
mission and vision.
Discuss the external environmental factors presented in Jackson and Schuler’s (1995)
HRM model.
Use Jackson and Schuler model to analyse the factors of the external operating
environment of your chosen HE provider.
Discuss the different functions of HR. The typical HR functions are (i) planning,
resourcing and retention, (ii) recruitment and selection, (iii) training and development,
(iv) remuneration and rewards, and (v) employee relations.
Discuss the impact of each external environmental factor on the HR functions of the
chosen HE provider.
Your assignment must be in essay format. However, some headings are acceptable. The
assignment should be supported by ten (10) to fifteen (15) credible references.
Lecturers may, at their discretion, ask students to verbally present their
assignment submission or rewrite some selected part/s of their answer in a
controlled settingCDU Harvard referencing style must be used.
For the assessment criteria refer to the assessment rubric on Learnline.
The CDU Library has prepared a brief Youtube video which will assist you deciphering the
requirements of the first assignment. It gives you a quick overview of how to break down the
assignment and start researching.
The Library Research Session for Assignment 1 can be found at: http://youtu.be/wuqN3MJrSrs
References
Gallup Consulting 2010, The state of the global workplace: A worldwide study of employee
engagement and wellbeing, viewed 20 February 2015
Jackson, S & Schuler, R 1995, Understanding Human Resource Management in the context
of organisations and their environments, Annual Review of Psychology, vol. 46, pp. 237-264.
Pfeffer, J & Veiga, F 1999, Putting people first for organisational success, Academy of
Management Executive, vol. 13, no. 2, pp.37-48.
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