Overview
MBA 602: Critique of Human Resource Management Systems and Practices
Introduction
For this assignment, you will analyze and critique the effectiveness of human resource management policies and practices within a specific institutional setting of your choosing. You may select the firm/organization for which you work, intend to work, or the University of Mount Union.
This assignment addresses Course and Program (PLOs)LearningObjectives
1.Course Learning Objective 1: Analyze the interrelationships between HRM policies and practices and an organization’s strategic business operationsPLO 2B
2.Course Learning Objective 2: Critique the effectiveness of HR policies and practices within specific institutional settingsPLO 2C
3. Course Learning Objective 3: Apply human resource theories and concepts to develop strategic solutions to various managerial issues and defend the choice of solutionsPLO 1A
4. Course Learning Objective 4: Apply ethical decision-making and social responsibility to managerial scenariosPLO 1C
5. Course Learning Objective 5: Explore perspectives that impact human resource management in various cultural contextsPLO 2A
6.Course Learning Objective 6: Create and deliver effective oral and written artifacts that demonstrate professionalism and content proficiencyPLO 1B
Assignment Instructions
1. Select a firm/organization where you will conduct your research.
2. Identify a specific policy or practice within the firm/organization that you wish to study.
3. Outline the background, major issues, problems, and challenges pertinent to the policy or practice, which you will be addressing in your critique.
4. Provide a critical evaluation of the policy or practice based on your knowledge of the topic gained through the course materials and readings as well as through experience and practice.
5. Include copies of materials that reference the program or practice. This may include policy documents, procedural guides, or other relevant documentation. Proprietary materials will be kept confidential by the instructor and will not be shared with others.
6. Integrate course readings AND locate and reference at least three peer reviewed articles (in addition to textbook and assigned course readings) related to the selected topic area and program or practice selected. You should look for material that provides strategic direction concerning how to address the problem or challenge you have identified. Please attach copies of articles referenced or provide active links to the material.
7. Discuss how the policy or practice supports the organization's strategic objectives. Based on your evaluation, provide recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the policy or practice.
8. Where possible or appropriate, the following should be addressed:
o Information relative to the history of the policy or practice; including who was involved in policy formulation including winners and losers; power brokers; who established the agenda
o The process of the policy development/revision and implementation; conflicts that may have emerged
o Intended and unintended consequences of the policy or practice
9. Papers should be between 10 -15 double spaced pages and follow APA formatting guidelines.
Deliverables
There will be two deliverables as follows:
I. Critique of HR Systems Outline Due in Week 3 Submit a 2–3-page paper outlining the HR practice or system that you will be critiquing in your final paper.
II. The Final Paper due in Week 6- following the guidelines provided in Section A above
Assessment
Submissions will be assessed using the following rubric
High Point Range (A) | Middle Point Range (B) | Low Point Range (C or below) | |
Content & Grasp of Issues (25%) Identification and description of major issues, problems, and challenges pertinent to the policy or practice | Paper is clear, focused, and interesting and includes relevant material or effective research. The writer demonstrates an understanding of the subject matter and the ability to link theories to practical experience. | The paper is clear and focused, though the writing in not particularly captivating. Efforts are made to use relevant material and research to support findings. However, understanding is limited, and the paper lacks substance, logic, or originality. | The paper lacks a central idea or purpose or forces the reader to make inferences based on incomplete information. Information is limited or missing, and the writer fails to demonstrate a basic understanding of the subject matter. |
Content and Completeness Analysis (25%) Discussion of how the policy/practice supports the organization's strategic objectives. | Major components of analysis are identified and addressed with explanation and evidence of inter-relationship to other components. Impact of the component is explained and supported with concepts covered in materials and / or class. Analysis of material in charts, tables and/or exhibits is incorporated into the analysis. | Major components of analysis are identified. Explanation is incomplete or incomplete, inter-relationship to other components not explained adequately for understanding. Material is presented in charts and/or exhibits. | Components are missing which should be included to demonstrate a thorough analysis; support to explain relationships is incomplete. |
Content and Critical Thinking (25%) Integration of course and other readings Evaluation and recommendations | Thought and critical thinking is clear and easy to follow. Major points are identified clearly and linked to theoretical concepts and supported with specific details, examples. There is clear organization of thought. Conclusions and recommendations are identified and explained and supported by the analysis. The conclusions / recommendations directly address the initial problem/issue. | Major points are identified; however, the explanation is not easy to follow and/or they are not linked to theoretical concepts from the course. There is not a clear link between the conclusion and/or recommendation and the analysis. Some part is missing (conclusion, recommendation, link to the analysis). | Major points are missing, and explanation is incomplete. Unclear links between conclusion / recommendation and analysis or parts are missing. |
Organization (10%) | The paper’s organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose that demonstrates an accurate audience analysis. Sequencing and transitioning of ideas are logical and in appropriate section. The introduction and conclusion lead the reader toward understanding. | The reader can readily follow what is being said, but the paper’s overall organization is at times, too obvious or lacks consistent pace. Lack of appropriate support leads to reader confusion and the sequence of ideas is not as smooth as it could be. | The paper’s organization is haphazard and disjointed. Writing lacks direction and continuity among ideas, details, and support material. The lack of organization distorts or obscures the paper’s main point and leaves the read confused as to the paper’s purpose. |
Word Choice, Grammar, and Writing Mechanics (10%) | The words used convey the intended message in an interesting, precise, and natural way. The writing is full and rich, yet concise, and the writer is writing for the reader, using action verbs, concrete nouns, and appropriate vocabulary. Sentences are well-built, with consistently strong, varied structure that makes reading easy. The writer demonstrates a strong grasp of standard writing conventions, including spelling, punctuation, word usage, and uses this ability to enhance the paper’s readability. | Although the language used does convey the message, it is quite ordinary and often contains overused or “generic” words and phrases. The writing lacks detail and precision, and although understandable, the language rarely captures the reader’s attention. Sentences are more mechanical than fluid and occasional awkward construction forces the reader to slow down and reread sentences. The writer shows good control over simple sentences but struggles with complex syntax. Some problems with word usage and grammar are present. | The writer struggles with a limited vocabulary and is unable to convey meaning. Words seem imprecise, inadequate, or wrongchoice of words. Often the language is so vague, abstract, or redundant that only the broadest, most general messages are conveyed. Numerous errors in usage, sentence structure, spelling or punctuation repeated distract the reader. Irregular sentence patterns make the text difficult to follow. Many sentences seem disjointed, or awkward. Spelling and basic punctuation is often incorrect. |
Formatting (5%) | APA formatting is adhered to and used consistently Paper meets the stated page requirement | APA formatting is used inconsistently Paper meets the stated page requirement | APA formatting is nit adhered Paper does not meet the stated page requirement |