Managing Human Resources 10e

Citation

Bonias, D. (2009), "Managing Human Resources 10e", Management Research News, Vol. 32 No. 7, pp. 701-703. https://doi.org/10.1108/01409170910965288

People are an invaluable asset to any organisation. Over the past ten years, there has been an enormous growth of interest from academics and human resource (HR) practitioners' about human resource management (HRM) and its functions. Managing Human Resources provides an engaging approach on how to manage HRs within the contemporary organisation in an easy to read manner. The chapters provide definitions of important terminology, give detailed descriptions of important theory and provide quotes from leading HR consultants, employees from various corporations and CEO's regarding their approaches to HRM. This book also provides case studies, questions and activities which are beneficial for students as they can learn the study material. Managing Human Resources addresses in detail the importance of managing HRs, how the external environment and organisational environment can influence HRM, then it goes on and gives a detailed perspective of HR planning for alignment and change. Managing Human Resources also provides a description on the importance of ensuring fair treatment in organisations and how legal compliance is a necessity. The book explains each of the HRM functions and how they can provide a competitive advantage for any organisation. In the book, the main components of the job analysis, recruiting and retaining, selecting employees, training and developing, performance and compensation management, occupational health and safety and understanding unionisation and collective bargaining.

Managing Human Resources is directed at university students. For the university students, it will benefit them considerably as it will give them the conceptual framework on how HRM works and how it is integrated into the organisation. This book will be great for university students as it will help them understand the concept of “HR triad”, which describes inter‐connections between line managers, employees and HR professionals and their roles and responsibilities for managing HRs (Jackson, Schuler and Werner, 2006).

Managing Human Resources contains 14 chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the strategic importance of managing HRs and how organisations can gain a competitive advantage through the successful management of HRs. In chapter 1 the “HR triad” is introduced. Reference is also made to current issues such as, e‐HRM and managing complexity. Chapter 2 in this book, Understanding the external and organisational environments describes the strategic importance of understanding the external and organisational environments. This chapter also outlines elements of the external and organisational environment. Chapter 2 also describes in detail the political landscape, industry dynamics, labour markets, cultures of different countries, technologies, company culture and also highlights current issues that are affecting organisations.

Chapter 3 HR Planning for Alignment and Change outlines the strategic importance of HR planning for alignment and change in organisations. There is reference made to the HR planning and change process and how scanning and assessing the external and organisational environment can be an advantage for organisations. There is reference made to how change is initiated and implement in organisations with the assistance of HR planning. Chapter 4 Ensuring Fair Treatment and Legal Compliance highlight the importance of fairness and legal compliance in organisations. Chapter 5 Using Job Analysis and Competency Modelling outlines the significance of job analysis and competency modelling in organisations. This chapter highlights important terminology that is related to job analysis and competency modelling. Chapter 6 Recruiting and retaining qualified employees emphasises on the importance recruiting and retaining effective employees who will assist in achieving the strategy of the organisation. Chapter 7 Selecting employees to fit the job and the organisation makes reference to the significant role that the HR function of selection plays in organisations. Employees who are selected to be employees of the organisation have to fit perfectly with the job description and adapt well to the organisational work environment. Chapter 8 Training and Developing a Competitive Workforce outlines that through adequate training and development; organisations can build a much more competitive force and obtain an advantage over their competitors.

Chapter 9 Conducting performance management highlights the important role that performance management plays in organisations. Chapter 9 also examines performance management integrated into the HRM system. Chapter 10 Developing an Approach to Total Compensation and how plays a major role in retaining employees. Chapter 11 provides a thorough exploration of the using of Performance – Based Pay to Achieve Strategic Objectives. Chapter 11 also pays attention to the strategic importance of using performance‐based pay. There is also a focus on performance based‐pay integrated into the HRM system and the concept of performance measures is also mentioned. Chapter 12 Providing benefits and services look at the strategic importance of employee benefits and services. Chapter 13 Promoting Workplace Safety and Health, highlights the important role that workplace safety and health plays in organisations. There is also reference made to the strategic importance of promoting workplace safety and health in organisations. Chapter 14 focuses on understanding unionisation and collective bargaining. Chapter 14 outlines the main factors that make up unions and outlines collective bargaining agreements and what they consist of.

Regardless of the interactive approach that was used in the book Managing Human Resources; I would have liked to have seen more range of content displayed throughout the chapters. Each chapter only provided the same topic areas (i.e. Strategic importance of HR functions, HR functions integrated into the HRM system). There was not really appealing literature for the audience it was directed at. I would also have liked to see clearer language. I found the language used to be very complex. Managing HRs is a book that is aimed for university students to read; therefore the language used in this book should have been less complicated.

Managing Human Resources is an interesting book for university students. Throughout the textbook there are appealing topics which are useful for university students, especially during their examination period. There also excellent examples given within the book that will assist the students in learning the material. The 14 chapters of this book are very useful as they provide diagrams and also exhibits, which enable the students to get a visual image of how HRM works. The reader is left enlightened and will feel that they have a better knowledge of how HRM works.

Overall, Managing Human Resources is a great read. The format of the book makes it easy to read. The information that is in the book is easy to absorb. I think Managing Human Resources is of great significance and I would greatly recommend its purchase for university students and academics.