Human Resource Management Overview Essay

Introduction Most go through their day to day actions giving no thought to all of the people that are behind the scenes making everything that they do go smoothly. From making important business calls on your cell phone while traveling, to getting your lunch in a timely fashion so that you can get back to work. Without human capital none of this would be possible, these businesses are nothing more than a bunch of empty building once the human capital is removed from them. IT is the job of the Human Resource Management (HRM) to make sure that there are qualified people filling all of these positions to make business flow as smoothly as possible every day and to make your experience the best that it can be. The following paper will address what Human Resource management is as well as what the primary function of this department is. Lastly it will address the role that HRM plays in an organizations strategic plan. What is Human Resource Management? Human Resource Management is a function of a group of a group of people or a department that has the primary tasks of recruiting, training, and compensating employees, as well as ensuring that all rules and regulations are followed and that all of the tasks being completed are in line with the organizational goals. This is accomplished through the six core functions of HR which are; Workforce Management, Total Rewards, Risk Management, HR Development, Employee Relations, and Strategic Management (DeCenzo & Robbins, 2013). The workforce management function of HRM is primarily concerned with workforce planning and employment strategies. This includes determining what skills are necessary to complete the jobs, recruiting and  selecting the best possible people to fill the position, and maintaining the records of each employee as well as those that have been terminated. The total rewards function of HRM is the function that deals with all aspects of employee compensation, from salaries to benefit packages and everything in between. Receiving ones paycheck, a raise, bonus, or enrolling in medical or dental coverage that you are eligible for are all things that are taken care of through the total rewards function of HRM. The primary job of those who work in the risk management function of HR is to identify any labor related risks to the employees and the organization, and then to assess, manage and monitor these risks. This is not only limited to safety issues but also includes improper or inadequate training and failure to comply with legal regulations regarding labor laws. The employee relations function of HR deals with just that, Employee relations. It is their job to try and build and maintain positive relationships between the employers, mangers and employees. They are also the ones that will be contacted when there is a dispute that needs resolved or workplace policies or procedures need to be implemented or changed. Lastly the strategic management function of HR is a combination of all of the other core functions as they have been listed above. The strategic management function is primarily concerned with ensuring that all other aspects of HRM interact effectively throughout the organization and all contribute to the goals or support of others in reaching the goals of the organization. What is the primary function of HRM? The primary function of HRM can become quite foggy at times. You see the primary of function of HRM will vary depending upon which area of HR you are immediately dealing with. However, since it is impossible for a business to operate without human capital then clearly the primary function of HRM is to manage the human capital within an organization and provide a clear link between the goals of the organization and all whom work there (DeCenzo & Robbins, 2013). Mind you the HRM team is not the ones that are making the decisions; they are merely making suggestions and bringing insight to those that do make the decisions for the organization that they work for. When the HR is performing well then it should be easy for the employees to see the link between what it is that they do and how it contributes to the  achievement of the organizations goals. What is the role of HRM in an organization’s strategic plan? The role of HRM in an organizations strategic plan is actually quite complex. HRM’s role is to work with the decision makers in the organization and evaluate and develop and organizational strategy. This is in part accomplished through identifying, analyzing, and balancing of external opportunities and threats with the internal strengths and weaknesses. By identifying external opportunities and threats they are then able to work closely with the decision makes to develop a clarified business strategy after which they will realign the HR functions and the key people practices so that they work best with the organizational strategy. They will then create and needed competencies and behaviors to get everyone on the same page and realizing the strategy of the business and the results that are to be expected. Lastly they will re-evaluate the strategy and refine it where necessary to help the business stay aligned an on track to accomplish the goals that it has set out to accomplish. Conclusion Businesses would be nothing other than hollowed out building without the people that are involved in running them daily. Without the human aspect of a business then a business would not be. It is for this reason and this reason alone that makes the HR department or team of any business to be that of a highly valued one, because without the proper people in the proper places, with the proper vision and goals, any organization is going to fail. HRM makes it possible to accomplish all of these and do so consistently. Reference DeCenzo, D., & Robbins, S. (2013). Fundamentals of Human Resource Management (11th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Describe Operant conditioning, its key concepts, and how it works Essay

Describe Operant conditioning, its key concepts, and how it works - Essay Example The drive to the hospital, the telephone call reminding the patient that chemotherapy is scheduled for tomorrow, can stimulate nausea before the actual physiological trigger, the chemotherapy. The remainder of this discussion will outline the key concepts in operant conditioning. This portion of the discussion will be based on a brief historical outline of the development of operant conditioning. The final section of the paper will focus on the dynamics – the whys and hows – of operant conditioning. It will also expand the discussion from psychological experimentation to real-life situations and examples. The foundational demonstration of operant conditioning is Thorndikes cat puzzle box. Unlike an involuntary stimuli (a bell) Thorndikes cat was placed in a box which it could only get out of by triggering a door opening device, and it could only get food if it was out of the box. The cat had to learn the stimuli (batting the door latch) to earn the reward of food. This is a critical difference from classical conditioning. The subject, the cat, must learn, the stimuli, opening the latch. In classical conditioning the stimuli (Pavlovs ringing bell) is imposed on the dog it is not learned and salivating is an automatic response. In Thorndikes experiments the cat must learn to open the door by stepping on a pedal to open the door, to attain the reward of food. (See illustration on following page.) Websters Online Dictionary defines operant conditioning as, â€Å"conditioning in which an operant response is brought under stimulus control by virtue of presenting reinforcement contingent upon the occurrence of the operant response.† (Websters Online Dictionary, â€Å"Operant Conditioning†) Prior to analyzing how operant conditioning works and discussing the variations and developments that have occurred in operant conditioning a selection of key concepts must be understood. First, what is now referred to as operant

Drug testing ( stated int he attachment for more info) Research Paper

Drug testing ( stated int he attachment for more info) - Research Paper Example Mandatory testing has been done especially in industries of public transport and those involving public safety. Many organizations insist on drug testing before recruiting employees. In the contemporary era, it has become a necessary procedure of employment, to the extent that any job candidate that does not wish to donate himself for such test is ‘ab initio’ disqualified for the job. Hence, it becomes questionable if the organization is not using the employees as means to an end. The ethical issue of drug testing in selecting lies in the principle of privacy. The ethical principal of privacy states that the individual have the right to his private life without any interference whether from another individual and the state. Universally, the individual is imbued with the natural right to his privacy. This simply means that no body, whether corporate or individual has the right to probe the privacy of an individual. Some people argue that this right is not absolute; that when the issue in question affects the general public, the right might be re-considered. This might be the caveat in which the principle of drug testing in selection rests. Another ethical principle that sequels the right to privacy is the principle of autonomy. Every individual has autonomy as a person. The autonomy which an individual has is assumed to be above any other issue. The principle of autonomy which the individual has stems from the ethical principle of Human Dignity and right in the community. The conflict is indeed between the organizations goal to make money through business and the employee’s right to his private life. Is it morally right for the organization to invade the privacy of the employee’s to maximize profits? There are many voices in this regard. Hence, the nagging issue is the ethical principle in various workplaces can be

How did Procter & Gamble Globalize Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

How did Procter & Gamble Globalize - Essay Example In the early 1990s the company changed its marketing strategy, by introducing products worldwide early in their product development. Today P&G manages a world roll-out within 18 months (Ball et al, 2005, p. 479). Since 1980 P&G has increased four times the number of consumers the company serves to five million people around the world. P&G today has operations in more than 80 countries employing 110,000 people; its products are sold in over 140 countries, transforming P&G into one of the biggest consumer goods companies (Ball et al, 2005, p. 9). With global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, P&G has manufacturing facilities in 114 plants in 42 countries worldwide (Graph 1) (Sustainability Report 2004). It manufactures and markets nearly 300 products and is one of the world's most successful brand creation companies (Graph 5). P&G has one of the strongest portfolios of quality brands, including Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Always, Whisper and many others (Datamonitor, 2004). Most of the company's products are produced and assembled by P&G-owned facilities; approximately 10 percent of products are outsourced to third parties (Graph 2). P&G purchase annually more than $25 billion materials and services to manufacture and market their products. In company-owned plants P&G purchases the majority of raw materials within the regions where products are manufactured (P&G Sustainability Report, 2004). P&G's globalization strategy is straightforward. The company is focused on its core businesses and leading brands, countries and customers. The global company structure has established regional organizations for seven world regions - North America; Latin America; Western Europe; China; ASEAN, Australasia and India; North Asia; and Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (Graph 3) (P&G Sustainability Report, 2004). The company's majority of sales come from the mature markets of USA and Western Europe (Graph 4, 6). A balanced future growth has drawn investment in developing countries and low-income markets that represent majority of world population (P&G Annual Report 2005). As a result, sales in those segments are growing, and China has become P&G's sixth largest market (Ball et al, 2005, p. 479). 2. "Why" Market access Procter & Gamble's globalization strategy is focused on customer similarities worldwide. In this aspect market access has been the major driver for P&G's global expansion, whereby relatively standardized products have been produced in similar manufacturing facilities around the world and then sold under the same brand names globally (Ball et al, 2005, p. 9). This "brand internationalization" (Enke et al, n.d.) has increased P&G's competitiveness. Sustained further market expansion requires P&G to look to other consumer segments. P&G's sales have been focused on premium-priced branded products in relatively affluent Western consumers. Still, according to P&G CEO A G Lafley the company has "a tremendous opportunity to serve lower income and value-conscious consumers around the world" (cited by Mitchell, 2005). The rationale behind this strategy is simple. Mature markets, where P&G is present face intense competition and slow growth in demand. This impedes organic growth and forces P&G to look for alternative markets, like the developing countr

Strategic marketing management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Strategic marketing management - Coursework Example Sony, a leading firm in the rapidly changing digital appliance industry has continued to explore and establish new markets globally. In addition, the corporation has been dealing with customer electronics from the time the World War II ended. The company with their wide experience and participation in the global market for long, it has enabled the company to grow and become the global company and the wealthiest. The company markets its products and services globally under the famous trademark â€Å"Sony†, which is registered in more than 204 countries globally. These subsidiaries both in Japan and those distributed all over the world, has the responsibility of marketing the company’s products and services (Hodgson, 1998, p19). The Sony Corporation has more than 30 Subsidiaries Company in Japan and more than 50 subsidiaries outside Japan. Sony Marketing (Japan) Inc. has the role of sales and marketing of the company’s products. ... es that excel from given technological advancement or have been experiencing new inventions at entering the market; thus, posing challenge to Sony Corporation. Secondly, company has also experienced the aspect of price fluctuation from technological advancement and competitive dynamics thus influencing the aspect of demand and supply in the world market. For example, when the product prices of HDD rise, the profits of products experience pressure, which cannot be warranted. Thirdly, the company’s products have rapidly become obsolete thus shortening the product life cycle. Apart from internationalizing its products, the promoting the company undertakes marketing strategies the engage on research and development of potential markets globally. 1.1 Marketing strategy The modern theories dealing with marketing strategies emphasize the need for business and companies embrace the modern competitive strategies on the business environment. The theory by Anthony Freeling suggests that there is the need for business to embrace the element of agile, marketing strategy. The marketing agile will enable the company to respond to the issues of market demands without any difficulty. The theories on the marketing strategies need that the companies develop competitive strategies that will allow them compete with other rival companies effectively. According to the modern theories of strategic marketing, the traditional marketing strategies have proved to be slow and laborious in nature thus results in increasing the cost of operations of the company. Marketing strategy is a marketing approach that companies to capture market niche in the consumer environment use that. The business set-up utilizes and employs the use of marketing strategy to gain and maximize the optimal profit

Ulysses Grant and His diplomatic achievements in Civil War Essay

Ulysses Grant and His diplomatic achievements in Civil War - Essay Example It is at this civil war that Ulysses Grant emerged as one of the most successful war commanders of his time after he prevented the secession from taking place. He would later become elected as the 18th president of the United States of America. Ulysses began his career in military action by first serving as a cadet after enrolling at West Point Military Academy at the age of 17 years. After graduation from the military academy, where he emerged at number 21 out of 39 cadets, Grant went on to serve in the American Mexican war. Being under generals such as Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, Grant was able to learn the strategies of war. He retired from active service in 1854, and was working at his father’s tannery as a clerk, when the civil war began. Born Hiram Ulysses Grant, he had to change his name due to a clerical error when at the military academy in West Point. According to Bunting and Schlesinger (2004), Grant grew up under easy discipline and devoted attention (p10). Therefore, it was not hard for him to adapt to the demands of military action. His parents were rather opposites in opinions, with his father Jesse praising the young boy at every opportunity he had while his mother Hannah, was an unbeliever in praise (Bunting and Schlessinger 10). His boyhood and education was conventional at the time (Bunting and Schlessinger 11). ... st Point but his wedding had to delay due to the threat of war with Mexico, which he later took part in unknowing that this would be an important phase of his career as a soldier. His performance in the war was exemplary, and lead to his promotion to first lieutenant due to his bravery. He played a huge part in the capture of Mexico City and his experience at this Mexico-American war would later come as an advantage to him during the civil war (Hickman Para 3). The Civil War The civil war began in 1861 when Grant was serving in his father’s tannery, and this offered him the chance he was so much willing to take- that of getting back to military action. In 1852, Grant had been stationed in Fort Vancouver, a place he considered lonely and could not take his family with him. Due to this, he started drinking heavily, and was charged for it though no formal evidence emerged. He later had to resign to avoid getting the boot. On coming back to the civil war, Grant served in the union army that was seeking to end the confederates reign. At the union army, Grant began as a trainer for the new recruits in the army and was promoted to colonel in June 1861, where Major General Fremont later appointed him as commander of the district of Cairo in Illinois. President Lincoln would later appoint him as Brigadier General of the army after serving for the adjutant in Illinois. His diplomatic achievements would start early on in his career as a civil war soldier, where after training the new recruits as commissioned by Governor Yates, he was successful in convincing congressman Elihu B Washburn to appoint him as colonel (Patterson et al 150). His colonel duty saw him lead the Illinois infantry a largely unruly unit, but was able to reform the unit into the best fighting unit in the

Fra Angelico and di Lorenzo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Fra Angelico and di Lorenzo - Essay Example To start with, the setting of the painting plays important role in understanding of the artwork context. In case of Fra Angelico, the most part of the space takes a porch with visible garden on the background. In his artistic vision, the act of telling Virgin Mary the good tidings takes place outdoor in the porch. On the contrary, the setting in The Annunciation in di Lorenzo’s version takes place in the limited space of closed room. Spectators can easily recognize the walls, columns, and the pieces of furniture. Because of these surroundings, it is relevant to state that that the selected two paintings are mostly different. At the same time, this opposition reveals similarities, if to look closer to the details. In particular, the pillars appear in both cases of Annunciation imaging. In the painting di Lorenzo, he inserted pillars into the front view of his room. In detail, their function in the artwork is to divide the overall image in two registers. In the setting of Fra An gelico’s The Annunciation, six pillars bear the porch where postures sit. In the same manner, he uses three pillars to draw the line between angel Gabriel and Virgin Mary. Moreover, the appearance of the columns is similar. In this context, both Fra Angelico and di Lorenzo supplemented the columns with Corinthian capitals. At the same time, differences between two paintings appear in the scape and function of the above-mentioned pillars. In the painting of di Lorenzo, scape of pillars has three visible lines that form the chief linear dimension.