Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Introduction

The World of Work - continues to change, but at an even more rapid pace.

HR must understand the implications of: globalization technology changes workforce diversity changing skill requirements continuous improvement initiatives the contingent work force decentralized work sites and employee involvement

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Understanding Cultural Environments

Today’s business world is truly a global village. This term refers to the fact that businesses currently operate around the world.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Understanding Cultural Environments

HRM must ensure that employees can operate in the appropriate language communications are understood by a multilingual work force

Ensure that workers can operate in cultures that differ on variables such as status differentiation societal uncertainty assertiveness individualism

HRM also must help multicultural groups work together.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Understanding Cultural Environments

Cultural Implications for HRM Not all HRM theories and practices are universally

applicable. HRM must understand varying cultural values.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Changing World of Technology

Has altered the way people work. Has changed the way information is created,

stored, used, and shared. The move from agriculture to industrialization

created a new group of workers – the blue-collar industrial worker.

Since WWII, the trend has been a reduction in manufacturing work and an increase in service jobs.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Changing World of Technology

Knowledge Worker - individuals whose jobs are designed around the acquisition and application of information.

Why the emphasis on technology: makes organizations more productive helps them create and maintain a competitive

advantage provides better, more useful information

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Workforce Diversity

The challenge is to make organizations more accommodating to diverse groups of people.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Workforce Diversity

The Workforce Today minorities and women have become the fastest

growing segments the numbers of immigrant workers and older

workers are increasing

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Workforce Diversity

How Diversity Affects HRM Need to attract and maintain a diversified work

force that is reflective of the diversity in the general population.

Need to foster increased sensitivity to group differences.

Must deal with the different Values Needs Interests Expectations of employees

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Workforce Diversity

What Is a Work/Life Balance? A balance between personal life and work Causes of the blur between work and life

The creation of global organizations means the world never sleeps.

Communication technologies allow employees to work at home.

Organizations are asking employees to put in longer hours.

Fewer families have a single breadwinner.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Labor Supply

Do We Have a Shortage of Skilled Labor? The combination of the small Gen-X population,

the already high participation rate of women in the workforce, and early retirements will lead to a significantly smaller future labor pool from which employers can hire.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Labor Supply

Why Do Organizations Lay Off During Shortages? Downsizing is part of a larger goal of balancing

staff to meet changing needs. Organizations want more flexibility to better

respond to change. This is often referred to as rightsizing, linking

employee needs to organizational strategy.

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Labor Supply

How Do Organizations Balance Labor Supply? Organizations are increasingly using contingent

workers to respond to fluctuating needs for employees.

Contingent workers include Part-time workers Temporary workers Contract workers

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Labor Supply

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Labor Supply

Issues Contingent Workers Create for HRM How to attract quality temporaries How to motivate employees who are receiving

less pay and benefits How to have them available when needed How to quickly adapt them to the organization How to deal with potential conflicts between core

and contingent workers

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 9e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Employee Involvement

Delegation – having the authority to make decisions in one’s job

Work teams – workers of various specializations who work together in an organization

HRM must provide training to help empower employees in their new roles.

Involvement programs can achieve: greater productivity increased employee loyalty and commitment