HRM100_Assessment2_Outline Last updated on 9-Feb-17
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Assessment 2 – Essay Outline
Due date: Week 9
Value: 5%
Assignment details
For Assessment 2, students will be required to write 1,500-word essay on one of set
group of topics identified in the Assessment 2 Essay Handout. Review the
Assessment 2 Essay Handout for details.
Instructions
For this task, students are required to develop an essay outline addressing the
following points:
identify the topic chosen for the essay
briefly describe the response to at least 3 sub points of the topic
Identify relevant models, concepts, theories and/or literature resources at
address the topic chosen.
Identify at least three relevant journal articles that support the chosen topic.
Rationale
This outline is used to ensure students have clearly identified the essay topic, have
an understanding of the essay goals and outcomes and understand the research
and analysis requirements for authoring the essay.
Students must also be prepared to discuss their essay topic and address any
relevant questions from the lecturer.
Submission:
The essay outline will be submitted through a wiki, blog or relevant online
submission portal.
Word limit:
300 wordsHRM100_Assessment2_Outline Last updated on 9-Feb-17
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Assessment 2 – Essay
Date due: Week 11
Value: 30%
Rationale
Essays test a student’s ability to assess information, formulate arguments, and
critically evaluate different alternatives to issues or problems.
Instructions
In this assessment students must write a 1500-word essay on one of the following
topics:
1. Employee engagement is a global issue, with levels of below 30percent being
reported globally. Discuss what factors contribute to employee engagement and
how HR can take a strategic role in enhancing employee engagement.
Define employee engagement, referring to related terms such as job
satisfaction, motivation and other related concepts.
Outline the factors which may have contributed to the reducing levels of
employee engagement in the current work environment this will include
demographic factors and also workplace factors.
Outline and discuss how HR can strategically contribute to the assessment
and effective management and enhancement of employee engagement to
contribute to organisational goals and outcomes.
2. What is HR’s role in performance management and performance appraisal
and how can this role assist organisations to achieve strategic goals?
Explain the key characteristics of performance management and
performance appraisal making a clear distinction between these.
Discuss the challenges associated with these processes from managers
and employees perspectives
Indicate how these processes can contribute to organisational goals and
outcomes
Outline and discuss the role of HR in these processes and ways in which
HR can make a contribution to the achievement of strategic goals through
these processes.HRM100_Assessment2_Outline Last updated on 9-Feb-17
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3. Downsizing aims to achieve greater organisational efficiency by job elimination
however there are often negative outcomes from a poorly designed and
implemented policy and approach.
Define and explain what the downsizing strategy is referring also to
alternative strategies.
Outline the processes required when downsizing is implemented referring
to legislation and requirements in regard to the protection of employee
rights.
Discuss how downsizing can be implemented and the challenges which
can be faced by organisations in terms of employees both those who are
retrenched and those who remain. Clearly explain the negative effects of
poorly implemented downsizing policies in the short and long term.
Throughout discuss the role of HR in this process and how the HR role
can effectively assist the implementation of organisations strategic goals
whilst also considering the needs of each of the relevant stakeholders in
this process.
The precise wording and scope of the essay should be discussed and agreed with
the subject coordinator by the end of Week Eight.
Students are required to undertake the following in conducting students analysis:
1. Refer to and apply relevant models, concepts, theories and literature in the field
of human resource management.
2. Students are expected to incorporate relevant research and theory from the
broader human resources literature (e.g., journal articles and/or books), not just
the text and course materials (in addition to 'other' sources, students r reference
list should include a minimum of three journal articles)
Essay Section Headings
The essay submission must be developed with section headings as listed below with
the relevant content, research and analysis included under each heading:
• Introduction
• Background of topic identified
• Arguments for and against selected topic
• Applicability of approach
• Impact of concepts of selected topic
• Examples of selected topic dilemmas explained
• Analysis of how HR value adds or manages the selected topic
• Relevant models, concepts, theories and literature in the field of human
resources
• Supporting research and theory from human resource management literature,
journals, etc.HRM100_Assessment2_Outline Last updated on 9-Feb-17
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Submission Criteria
The following elements will be assessed in this submission:
Criteria Marks
Scope of Essay
The material utilised must be relevant to the chosen topic & must answer all
questions posed and issues mentioned in the topic
5 marks
Critical Analysis/Argument
Reference material must be critically analysed and accepted or refuted in the
students own words and utilised effectively to support logical arguments
8 marks
Extent of reading/research
It is expected that students will have utilised 7-10 peer reviewed journal
articles in addition to texts and have effectively utilised this material to
support their arguments
8 marks
Logical structure/writing style/grammar
The essay must be well structured with a clear introduction, body &
conclusion with an appropriate paragraph and linking structure .There should
be evidence of final editing for spelling and grammar.
5 marks
Referencing
Reference material used in the essay is cited appropriately & items are
included in a full reference list & APA guidelines have been followed
accurately in both citations and reference list.
4 marks