040608 FK BW VM: Organization and Human Resource Mgmt. (B) (2009S)

This course serves as an introduction to human resource (HR) management. Rather than taking the perspective of an HR specialist, we focus on the general manager and on the key issues involving human resources that every manager is likely to face (among others, staffing, compensation, and performance management).

Achieving a firm¿s strategic objectives requires strategic management of human resources. This course examines how managers can develop and implement effective and efficient human resource practices that support the strategic objectives of their firms. Effective management of human resources provides a sustainable competitive advantage, critical to the success of any enterprise. We will place special emphasis on how HR decisions are influenced by internal and external forces to the firm, including (but not limited to) business strategy, global competition, technological change, and workforce characteristics. We will, however, not cover operational details of HR departments such as the design of appraisal systems or the nitty-gritty of administering HR policies and procedures (such as interviews).

In case your aspired career is going anywhere, you will discover that no matter whether you will be running your own business or excelling in and with someone else¿s company part of your job will comprise leading and organizing the work of others. Accordingly, less of a specialists work is required and rather the hiring of specialists becomes of utmost importance. Learning to work with and through people is arguably one of the most important business skills you will acquire.

Students learn the most when they understand the underlying theoretical principles and then translate these principles into specific behavioral practices. Apparently, there are limits to how experiential this class can be, however, we will use every opportunity to actually apply what we are learning through class exercises, discussions and case analyses. The success and value of this course critically depends on the extent to which you are engaged in it and support it. This course requires your active participation in each class session. It is vital that you come prepared to discuss the presented class material and the assigned case that we will use throughout this course. The case assignments provide an especially important foundation for both lectures and discussions and must be completed prior to the indicated class session.