To what extent can HRM contribute

In what ways and to what extent can HRM contribute to the effectiveness of the firm?

You should begin with a very brief introduction to HRM do not waste words in a general introduction. Use no more than 250 in introducing HRM as a system of management. Identify the policy areas that you will focus on explaining why you have selected these.

Critically assess which HRM policy area from those that we have covered, for example, recruitment and selection, voice, reward, appraisal or flexibility, is the most important in determining the effectiveness of the workforce. 

In your answer you should consider what you understand by the term effectiveness. For example, you might link with the concept of cost effectiveness as presented by Boxall and Purcell (2011) and discuss skills and cost.

Alternatively, you might discuss effectiveness in terms of motivation and effort or fit with the organisation (in terms of values and objectives). You might otherwise consider effectiveness in terms of challenging management perhaps through voice in order to ensure that the organisation behaves ethically and/or demonstrates social legitimacy.

Then you should discuss the way in which the policy area you have selected impacts on workforce effectiveness in the way you have described.

In order to critically evaluate the contribution of the policy area you have selected to workforce effectiveness, you might compare with an alternative policy area and consider the comparative contribution of the alternative. Therefore, your essay should evaluate two policy areas of your choice from the five identified above.

Remember, your assessment must consider not only the positive contribution of HRM, but how the policy areas you have selected may prove problematic for the firm.

In your conclusion you should summarise the potential for the areas of HRM you have selected to make a contribution but you should also highlight the limitations.

You may use examples, but please limit the amount you write about an example firm. You have not been asked to describe and evaluate the HRM effectiveness of a firm. Examples may be used sparingly and only to illustrate how a policy area is effective or ineffective. 

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