1 Core tasks

Question 1

Definition of Human Resource Management (2x2)

Answer 1

• HR concerns the
  policies, practices, and systems
• that influence employees’
  behavior, attitudes and performance.

It aims to apply human resources within organizations to improve employee success and organizational performance.

Question 2

Examples of tragic consequences of poor HRM practices (3)

Answer 2

The wave of suicides at France Telecom in the late 2000s, linked to

• restructuring,
• forced mobility,
• a “management by stress” approach aimed at pushing employees out.

Question 3

Scientific evidence on the importance of HR (2)

• predict company’s performance (2)
• people (3)

Answer 3

• Empowerment practices
  better predict company performance than
  technology practices, in the short and long term.
  (congruence model: formal/informal)
• Skill-, motivation-, and opportunity-enhancing HR practices jointly explain substantial variance in firm financial outcomes.

Question 4

Three categories of HRM practices
✍️💰🏎️

Answer 4

• Skill-enhancing
  (e.g. rigorous selection, training)
• Motivation-enhancing
  (e.g. performance incentives, career development)
• Opportunity-enhancing
  (e.g. employee participation, empowerment)

Question 5

Core HR tasks and strategic choices (5)

• JRT PCE

Answer 5

Job analysis & design:
simple vs. complex tasks

Recruitment & selection:
external vs. internal,
specific vs. general skills

Training/development:
current vs. future skills,
train few vs. all

Performance management
input/behavior/output control,

Compensation
internal vs. external equity

Employee/Labor relations:
collective agreements vs. individual contracts