1. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
Eighth Edition
DeCenzo and Robbins
Chapter 1
Strategic Implications of a Dynamic HRM Environment

2. Introduction
The World of Work - continues to change, but at an even more rapid pace(speed).
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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Understanding Cultural Environments
GLOBE Dimensions:
Assertiveness
Future Orientation
Gender Differentiation
Uncertainty Avoidance
Power Distance
Individualism/collectivism
In-group collectivism
Performance orientation
Humane orientation

6. Understanding Cultural Environments
Cultural Implications for HRM
Not all HRM theories and practices are universally applicable.
HRM must understand varying cultural values.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. The Changing World of Technology
How Technology Affects HRM Practices
Recruiting
Employee Selection
Training and Development
Ethics and Employee Rights
Motivating Knowledge Workers
Paying Employees Market Value
Communication
Decentralized Work Sites
Skill Levels
Legal Concerns

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

11. Workforce Diversity
Diversity is the existence of many unique individuals in the workplace, marketplace and community. This includes men and women from different nations, cultures, ethnic groups, generations, backgrounds, skills, abilities and all the other unique differences that make each of us who we are.

12. Workforce Diversity The Workforce Today
minorities and women have become the fastest growing segments
the numbers of immigrant(migrators) workers and older workers are increasing

13. 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(further) increased sensitivity to group differences.
Must deal with the different
Values
Needs
Interests
Expectations of employees

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Labor Supply

19. 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

20. Continuous Improvement Programs
Continuous improvement - making constant efforts to provide better products and service to customers
External
Internal
Quality management concepts have existed for over 50 years and include the pioneering work of W. Edwards Deming.

21. Continuous Improvement Programs
Key components of continuous improvement are:
Focus on the customer
Concern for continuous improvement
Improvement in the quality of everything
Accurate measurement
Empowerment of employees

22. Continuous Improvement Programs
Work Process Engineering involves radical, quantum changes to entire work processes.
How HRM Assists in Work Process Engineering
Helps employees deal with the emotional aspects of conflict and change
Provides skills training
Adapts HR systems, such as compensation, benefits, and performance standards.

23. 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

24. A Look at Ethics Three views of ethics:
Utilitarian View – decisions are made on the basis of their outcomes or consequences
Rights View – decisions are made with concern for respecting and protecting individual liberties and privileges
Theory of Justice View – decisions are make by enforcing rules fairly and impartially
Code of ethics - a formal document that states an organization’s primary values and the ethical rules it expects organizational members to follow.