Book Summary

Human resource management is the title of the book authored by Laura Portolese Dias. This author has massive experience in the discipline of human resource having attained a master degree in business administration from the University of Seattle. She also holds a doctorate in business administration from Argosy University. Laura is also a renowned professor at Shoreline Community College where she works at the business department of the college. Additionally, the author of this book has also been teaching graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Phoenix. She has also written several other business related books that are also of great importance in the study of human resource.

The book has outlined major theories and human resource management strategies necessary to the success of any organization set up. Any manager in any organization can get insights from the work of Laura in this book. Essential roles of a human resource such as recruiting, selecting, training, reward and motivation of employees are clearly outlined in this book. Over the years, empowered human resource strategy and instrumentalist human resource have been critical components of a successful organization (Dias, 2011). The increased dynamism and competitiveness in the business world have resulted in an increased scramble for attracting, recruiting and maintaining the best talents in the labor market. The book provides insights to HR department since in most cases they are blamed for failures in their departments.

The book has also taken the time to discuss important trends in the modern human resource management. The advances in technology have also had major impacts in the human resource management (Lussier, 2015). Most organizations are embracing such technologies in the management of their HR operations such as managing the company’s payroll.

In recent years, most organizations have gone paperless with pay stubs by using important software. Such software has made human resource management easier. Despite the notable improvements in human resource management, the author also tries to outline the major challenges that are associated with the technology. For instance, the books outlined the procedures of implementing a new pay system that will help a smooth transition (Dias, 2011). The author outlines the major platforms that have been put in place for the effective implementation of such technology.

The book acknowledges that human resource management is a continuous process that was taking place yesterday, today and in future.  With the increasing turbulence in the business environment, it is imperative that human resource managers are equipped with possible problems likely to face in their management role. The business world has several challenges in the modern environment and thus making it essential for them to be proactive in dealing with such problems.

Business practitioners and human resource managers can get a lot of insights from this book. The book provides tools to equip HR managers to cope with the modern competitive world. The text also outlines the major roles of the Human resource practitioners in the management of the organizations. In the book, Laura provides a road map on how HR practitioners and other managers in HRM remain relevant to the organization and the people they serve.

It is the obligation of the HR to maintain a positive organization culture that will help realize the competitiveness of an organization (Lussier, 2015). It is also worth noting that the HR managers are not only entitled to the management of the organization’s employees but are also obligated to ensure that they enhance the shareholders value. The text provides insights on how different HR interventions can be used to make a desirable workplace where all the employees’ needs are adequately addressed. In the book, HR practitioners are described as business partners and have the obligation of ensuring the overall success of the organization. The text acknowledges existence of many challenges in the HR department but offers insights on how best human resource can cope with these challenges and offer immediate solutions.  In essence, the book has provided the requirements for a successful human resource practice.

Chapter 9 of this book is concerned with the issues of employee communication. Communication is an important aspect in the success of any organization (Dias, 2011). The success of any organization largely depends on the realization of the organizational goals. Realization of these goals results from a collaborative process of all the stakeholders in an organization. Employees in an organization play a great role in realizing the goals of the objective. Human resource management has an obligation of cultivating a communication culture within the organization thus improving passing of information in different levels of the organization management.

It is also worth noting that the book has also elaborated the issue of employee assessment and managing employee performance in this book. Employee assessment is an important role of human resource that helps in determining the performance and rewards of corporate employees (Lussier, 2015).  The assessment process can also help in the promotion and enumeration process in any given places. Assessment of the employees also forms a good platform for retention of important talents and retrenching those who fail to meet the expectations.

Chapter 12 of the book discusses at length the issue of labor unions.  These unions have been existent for a long time, and it is imperative that the HR managers understand how these unions work. It is worth understanding that human resource and trade unions have different roles. While the HR strives to ensure that there is the maximum productivity of employees to the organization, the trade unions work towards safeguarding the interests of workers (Dias, 2011).  The book provides insights on how to harmonize these varying roles for the overall satisfaction of the two parties. It is also worth understanding that issues of safety and health at work have also been outlined in this book. 

The last chapter of the book addresses the issue of international human resource management. In the recent years, there has been increased globalization in the complex business world.  This has lead to increased movement of capital and labor in different parts of the world. Increased mobility of labor has necessitated the need for understanding IHRM.  HR managers must be well equipped with international labor standards, laws and regulations that will help in the effective management of talents working in foreign countries.

Application of Concepts

The concepts discussed in this book have major applications, especially in the modern business world. There are different theories outlined in the modern book that are highly applicable in the modern workplace. For instance, the modern HR has adopted technology in their human resource functions. Human resource managers have adopted technology from advertising job vacancies, recruitment, selection, and training. It is not easy to find job vacancies advertised on public notices and boards. Writing of the traditional memos and posting them on notice boards have also drastically changed as HR department adopt new technology to make effective communication (Dias, 2011). The introduction of online training modules and use of telecommuters are other notable use of technology in addition to the use of systematic payment software.

The book is aware that the HR is at great risk in the modern complex and dynamic business world. Nevertheless, the author has viewed it as an important topic with great future. HR will be a critical aspect in attracting and retaining top talent especially in the modern competitive world. Essential roles involved in recruiting, selecting, rewarding and training of employees is a noble role of HR that has been happening over the years and will still be a significant part of business management in future (Lussier, 2015). The book makes HR practitioners equipped with skills to enable them deal with current and future challenges eminent in their roles.  In essence, the book provides a roadmap for HR practitioners and managers who aspire to make it in the business world. The text is of paramount importance in articulating and understanding of the current and future standards of human resource management.

‘’Human Resource Management’’ by Laura qualifies to be included in the management books useful to management professionals.  It is worth noting that the ideas from the book can be associated with the “Heathrow Management Theory” which is the recent theory promulgated by British academicians. In essence, the book can be of great use to managers and CEO of different corporate bodies. The book has vast and broad information regarding critical issues in HR and management of organizations. Additionally, the text can also be of great help for use by students since it might be very helpful in a certain point of their career.  Though some may not venture in human resource management, they may be in a situation where they need Hr services either as CEO or managers in other departments. Insights from this book can be very helpful in such career and may give them a competitive edge in their workplace (Lussier, 2015). The author of this book has also considered the aspect of international human resource management. This is also a significant contribution to the modern economy where the world is turning to a global village and HRM has also not been left behind in the globalization process.

References

Dias, L. (2011). Human resource management. Washington DC: Shoreline Community College

Lussier, P. (2015). Human Resource Management. New York: Sage Publications, Inc.

 
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