Critically evaluate the extent to which such ‘alignment’ exists in relation to the people resourcing and talent management activities of your organisation

Critically evaluate the extent to which such ‘alignment’ exists in relation to the people resourcing and talent management activities of your organisation

An assignment of 3000 words (+ or – 10%) on the following topic:

 

Taylor (2014: 360), citing Boxall and Purcell (2008), puts forward a view that ‘the clearer the alignment between HR activity and organisational strategic objectives, the clearer it is that a coherent HR strategy is being pursued’.

 

Critically evaluate the extent to which such ‘alignment’ exists in relation to the people resourcing and talent management activities of your organisation (or one you are familiar with) and the extent to which such ‘alignment’ contributes to the effectiveness of the organisation in achieving its aims, addressing 4 of the following 5 topic areas in the PR&TM syllabus:

1. HR planning, including consideration of employment markets
2. Flexible working
3. Recruitment and selection
4. Equal opportunities, diversity and ethics
5. Performance management, including performance appraisal

 

Suggested structure and content of assignment

The assignment should take into account the following points:

• Opens with an introductory analysis of the organisation’s strategy using one or more of the strategic fit models discussed in session 1 and summarising both general business and HRM implications of this analysis
• Addresses each of the 4 selected themes in the main body;
• Organised around a clear and logical structure of transparently stated, relevant themes as sub-headings;
• Contains a critical evaluation of relevant literature;
• For each topic, contains:
• an analysis of practice that integrates with theory and critically evaluates one in relation to the other;
• Offers recommendations to address the issues in practice identified in the analysis, giving reasons why these will be of benefit;
• Comments on the alignment – or otherwise – of the policies and practices involved and implications for the effectiveness of the organisation;
• Achieves a balance of roughly 50-50 between coverage of literature and practice;
• Keeps a sharp focus on the brief given throughout;
• Offers conclusions which highlight evaluation of practice, recommendations of practice, summarises the 4 considerations of alignment and integrates reflectively with cited sources in the literature;

Grading Criteria

The marking criteria below are intended to assist students in the preparation for their module assignment. Students should refer to the criteria and the module learning outcomes regularly when working on their assignment.

The assessment criteria used to assess students’ work are in accordance with the SEEC Descriptors for Masters level programmes and are as follows: 

• Demonstrates clear understanding of the relevant theoretical concepts and principles.
• Convincing, clear and concise analysis and use of relevant concepts and principles in the context of the information provided.
• Demonstrates an ability to perform the tasks set as well as understands the basic underlying principles and concepts.
• Evaluation of issues.
• Effectiveness of problem solving.
• Ability to present the required information in an acceptable format