Taught Unit 6 (OWT.506): Human Resource Management II: The rise and growth of HRM theories and techniques
Term 2 – 10 Weeks
Course Teachers: Dr Bogdan Costea
HRM II builds upon the foundations of HRM I. We will continue to examine examples of some of the most important current HRM practices.
We will look at certain practices of recruitment and selection such as job advertisements, CVs, power words, online applications, 'soft skills' and assessment centres, etc. Then we will investigate new modes of measuring the effectiveness of work: we will look at performance management and appraisal as the new forms of control in HRM. We will then look at work motivation, at the idea of self-actualisation, and at how HR Development (HRD) is used in the management of individuals, teams, and organisational cultures. We will also discuss knowledge work and the new language of 'talent management'. A new and related trend in HRM are initiatives concerned with wellness and happiness at work (from physical fitness and health facilities, to life-coaching, counselling and other services directed to psychological well-being). Do these investments make sense? In what context?
We examine also what is known nowadays as spirituality in organisations and ask: how can spirituality be related to work, identity and organisations? Equally challenging and important investments are made in new ways of integrating play and work. Office complexes have begun to equip themselves with certain play facilities (such as table tennis and fussball tables). How are they related to performativity, knowledge, creativity and the economic pressures of global competition? Connected to this topic, we will examine some of the major investments made in new buildings by organisations and we will ask: what kinds of new spaces of work are emerging in the 21st Century?
Suggested readings
Costea, B., Crump N., Holm, J. (2007), 'The spectre of Dionysus: play, work, and managerialism', Society and Business Review vol. 2(2), pp.153-165.
Du Gay, P. and Pryke, M. (2002) Cultural Economy. London: Sage. [chapters 4 by Paul Heelas, Work Ethics, Soft Capitalism and the ‘Turn to Life’, and 11 by Nigel Thrift, Performing Cultures in the New Economy]
Townley, B. (1996) Reframing HRM: Power, Ethics and the Subject at Work. London: Sage
