Meaning of Human Resource Management
08-06, 2015
本报告的目的是了解在一家企业中人力资源管理和部门管理的含义，引用案例来分析讨论人力资源管理和部门管理之间的相互作用，评论人力资源在企业中的作用。
在如今经济全球化和竞争激烈的社会，人力资源管理对于企业来说是非常重要的。阿姆斯特朗(2009)将人力资源管理定义为“人力资源管理是一种战略、与就业策略相整合，使员工开心的在公司上班。”要想成为一个极具竞争性的企业，应该明确企业的组成结构和经济水平，且要有良好的双向沟通。阿姆斯特朗(2003)认为，人力资源管理的目的是提高企业的生产效率，通过企业内部的管理工作，完成其目标任务。
在现代社会，劳动力不仅被视为雇员，更是企业最宝贵的资产。随着经济全球化的发展，企业的业务和员工都受到影响。为迎接经济全球化带来的挑战，大型公司更注重人力资源管理，它使公司目标与员工的技能相结合。Storey(1995)在Beardwell et al(2007)中说到:“人力资源管理是一个独特‘就业管理’的方法。”这关系到利用企业文化和人员技术，完成就业策略竞争优势和有效劳动力的承诺。
The aim of this report is to understand the meaning of Human Resource Management and Line management in an organization. The interaction between Human Resource Management and Line management will be discussed along with some examples. There will be an evaluation on the role of Human Resource function in regards to the organization.
Nowadays with globalization and cut throat competitions, Human Resource Management is very important in an organization. Armstrong (2009) defines Human Resource Management as "Human Resource Management is a strategic, integrated, and coherent approach to the employment, development and well being of the people working in the organization." To be able to have a competitive organization, the structure and level of the organization should be well defined and have a two way communication. Armstrong (2003) cited that the aim of Human resource management is to facilitate organizational effectiveness and capability to accomplish its goals and objectives through working within the organization.
In modern world, the work force is not only regarded as employees but they are the most precious assets of an organization. With globalization, businesses and its employees are affected. In order to meet with challenges, big firms are focusing more on Human Resource Management. It will align organization goal with employees' skills. Storey (1995) in Beardwell et al (2007) says that "Human resource management is a unique approach to 'employment management'." It ties to accomplish the competitive advantage through the strategic employment of committed and effective workforce which uses a group of cultural and personnel techniques.#p#分页标题#e#
Apple Computer Inc. (1998) listed 17th brand (Interbrand 2010) in the world indicates that "HUMAN RESOURCES safeguards and helps develop Apple's most valuable asset, its people. In addition to handling counseling, compensation, and benefit programs, the department is responsible for staffing and training to ensure that Apple has the people it needs to reach its goals. Human Resources also provide the resources to assist employees in reaching personal and professions goals." Becker et al, (1997) mentioned that Human capital strategy provides the guidance on people management. It involves the operation of 'rigorous recruitment and selection procedures, performance-contingent incentive compensation systems, and management development and training activities linked to the needs of the business.
Therefore, the role of HR function is to ensure that the company set up the appropriate HR policies, practices and strategies. This will help towards the survival and growth of an organization in respect to changing environment. Ulrich (1997) in Bratton et al (2003) indicate that the basic role of HR managers is to recruit and select people with suitable skills, abilities, knowledge and sufficient experience to fulfill the jobs in the organization.
HR function is also to enables the employee to optimize their capabilities, contribution and recognize their potential which benefits both the organization and employees. Bohlander et al (2009) specify that HR managers also provides planning, testing and carrying out the training and development programs for the employees working within the organization, listening to their complaints and to do trouble-shooting to make them work more efficiently and increase the productivity. Another author, Joynt (1999) mentioned that HR managers provide support and advice to the line managers to build up the skills they need to deal with the 'informal' relationship with their staff within the organization.
However, HR managers are not only involved in HR management, HR involvement, HR policies and practices but line managers are essential to execute these functions at the same time. Sims et al (2000) illustrate that line managers role varies from one organization to another or from one department to other. Their jobs may differ according to the goals and structure of the organization and their levels within the organization. Line manager role is to direct the work assigned from HR manager to subordinates and will implement new HR policies and practices. Nowadays in organization, line managers are responsible to carry out traditional task which HR managers used to do. Tasks such as training, motivation, communication, recruitment and performance appraisal is now done by line managers.
Sims et al (2000) describes that Line managers play an important role in directing the work to the employee working under them by managing and monitoring them to fulfill the goals set by the higher level management. Moreover, line managers are directly related to the subordinates or operating level employees of the organization. Employee's welfare is important to the success of organization and attainment of organizational goals. According to Delany (2001) in Mullins (2005) successful organizations keep people issues at the forefront of their thinking and at the core of their decision making and planning. The organizations that get the people things right are the organizations likely to be around in the future.#p#分页标题#e#
However, it is difficult for line managers to create a working environment where everyone is satisfied as people have different opinion of what is good or bad. In this case, line manager tend to address these issues to upper lever which is HR manager. But sometimes HR managers do not interfere at the start of the problem and leave the task to be solved by line managers. Armstrong (2006) indicates that Line managers will not learn about dealing with people if they are over-dependent on HR managers. So HR managers highlight that they will only provide guidance and support to line managers so that they can achieve their goals and objectives. Moreover, Ulrich (1998) in Armstrong et al (2002) describes that HR manager should support and share responsibility with their line managers at each level within the organization for the success of the organization.
Renwick (2003) in Marchinton et al (2005) illustrates a good example so as to understand better the interaction of HR managers and line managers. In Royal United hospital, due to the involvement of line managers in the HR functions, improvements were noted in the attitudes of employee. This indicates that HR managers and line managers has their own roles and responsibilities but they are dependent on each other for the success of the organization goals. Maxwell et al (2006) demonstrate in a survey that Hilton International hotel is based on the interviews in the form of questionnaires with the line managers and HR managers discovered the involvement of line manager in HR functions such as selection, training and development, employee management and motivation had improved the performance of the Hotel.
Hutchinson and Purcell (2003) mentioned that a team at Bath university carried out a people and performance research and results are : 'The role of line managers in bringing policy to life and in leading was one of the most important of all factors in explaining the difference between success and mediocrity in people management.' Mullins (2007) identify that the line manager could directly see and influence the employees compared with HR manager. Usually conflict arise between HR managers and line managers because they most of the time disagree on policies and practice. Maital (1992) in Ivancevich (2003) indicate that "the different between HR manager and line manager are how much authority employees should have over job design, labor relations, organizational planning, and certain rewards, like bonus and promotions."
Moreover, line managers are vital in the implementation of HR strategies, but sometimes due to lack of training line managers fail in the implementation. So HR manager have to take corrective measures in having the right line manager at the right place and train them to accomplish their responsibilities accordingly. HR managers should up-skill the line managers by giving appropriate training.
Finally to conclude, for a business to be successful it depends largely on the realization and attainment of Human Resource Management goals. HRM plays a vital role in organization toward employee satisfaction in the organization and this will lead to improved performance and competitiveness of the organization. However, HR managers should have a smooth relationship with the line manager so as to maintain consistency in employees' performance. Line managers should also achieve its responsibilities given from HR managers. Thus, their objectives and goal can be achieved to have a more competitive and efficient organization.#p#分页标题#e#
在如今经济全球化和竞争激烈的社会，人力资源管理对于企业来说是非常重要的。阿姆斯特朗(2009)将人力资源管理定义为“人力资源管理是一种战略、与就业策略相整合，使员工开心的在公司上班。”要想成为一个极具竞争性的企业，应该明确企业的组成结构和经济水平，且要有良好的双向沟通。阿姆斯特朗(2003)认为，人力资源管理的目的是提高企业的生产效率，通过企业内部的管理工作，完成其目标任务。
在现代社会，劳动力不仅被视为雇员，更是企业最宝贵的资产。随着经济全球化的发展，企业的业务和员工都受到影响。为迎接经济全球化带来的挑战，大型公司更注重人力资源管理，它使公司目标与员工的技能相结合。Storey(1995)在Beardwell et al(2007)中说到:“人力资源管理是一个独特‘就业管理’的方法。”这关系到利用企业文化和人员技术，完成就业策略竞争优势和有效劳动力的承诺。
The aim of this report is to understand the meaning of Human Resource Management and Line management in an organization. The interaction between Human Resource Management and Line management will be discussed along with some examples. There will be an evaluation on the role of Human Resource function in regards to the organization.
Nowadays with globalization and cut throat competitions, Human Resource Management is very important in an organization. Armstrong (2009) defines Human Resource Management as "Human Resource Management is a strategic, integrated, and coherent approach to the employment, development and well being of the people working in the organization." To be able to have a competitive organization, the structure and level of the organization should be well defined and have a two way communication. Armstrong (2003) cited that the aim of Human resource management is to facilitate organizational effectiveness and capability to accomplish its goals and objectives through working within the organization.
In modern world, the work force is not only regarded as employees but they are the most precious assets of an organization. With globalization, businesses and its employees are affected. In order to meet with challenges, big firms are focusing more on Human Resource Management. It will align organization goal with employees' skills. Storey (1995) in Beardwell et al (2007) says that "Human resource management is a unique approach to 'employment management'." It ties to accomplish the competitive advantage through the strategic employment of committed and effective workforce which uses a group of cultural and personnel techniques.#p#分页标题#e#
Apple Computer Inc. (1998) listed 17th brand (Interbrand 2010) in the world indicates that "HUMAN RESOURCES safeguards and helps develop Apple's most valuable asset, its people. In addition to handling counseling, compensation, and benefit programs, the department is responsible for staffing and training to ensure that Apple has the people it needs to reach its goals. Human Resources also provide the resources to assist employees in reaching personal and professions goals." Becker et al, (1997) mentioned that Human capital strategy provides the guidance on people management. It involves the operation of 'rigorous recruitment and selection procedures, performance-contingent incentive compensation systems, and management development and training activities linked to the needs of the business.
Therefore, the role of HR function is to ensure that the company set up the appropriate HR policies, practices and strategies. This will help towards the survival and growth of an organization in respect to changing environment. Ulrich (1997) in Bratton et al (2003) indicate that the basic role of HR managers is to recruit and select people with suitable skills, abilities, knowledge and sufficient experience to fulfill the jobs in the organization.
HR function is also to enables the employee to optimize their capabilities, contribution and recognize their potential which benefits both the organization and employees. Bohlander et al (2009) specify that HR managers also provides planning, testing and carrying out the training and development programs for the employees working within the organization, listening to their complaints and to do trouble-shooting to make them work more efficiently and increase the productivity. Another author, Joynt (1999) mentioned that HR managers provide support and advice to the line managers to build up the skills they need to deal with the 'informal' relationship with their staff within the organization.
However, HR managers are not only involved in HR management, HR involvement, HR policies and practices but line managers are essential to execute these functions at the same time. Sims et al (2000) illustrate that line managers role varies from one organization to another or from one department to other. Their jobs may differ according to the goals and structure of the organization and their levels within the organization. Line manager role is to direct the work assigned from HR manager to subordinates and will implement new HR policies and practices. Nowadays in organization, line managers are responsible to carry out traditional task which HR managers used to do. Tasks such as training, motivation, communication, recruitment and performance appraisal is now done by line managers.
Sims et al (2000) describes that Line managers play an important role in directing the work to the employee working under them by managing and monitoring them to fulfill the goals set by the higher level management. Moreover, line managers are directly related to the subordinates or operating level employees of the organization. Employee's welfare is important to the success of organization and attainment of organizational goals. According to Delany (2001) in Mullins (2005) successful organizations keep people issues at the forefront of their thinking and at the core of their decision making and planning. The organizations that get the people things right are the organizations likely to be around in the future.#p#分页标题#e#
However, it is difficult for line managers to create a working environment where everyone is satisfied as people have different opinion of what is good or bad. In this case, line manager tend to address these issues to upper lever which is HR manager. But sometimes HR managers do not interfere at the start of the problem and leave the task to be solved by line managers. Armstrong (2006) indicates that Line managers will not learn about dealing with people if they are over-dependent on HR managers. So HR managers highlight that they will only provide guidance and support to line managers so that they can achieve their goals and objectives. Moreover, Ulrich (1998) in Armstrong et al (2002) describes that HR manager should support and share responsibility with their line managers at each level within the organization for the success of the organization.
Renwick (2003) in Marchinton et al (2005) illustrates a good example so as to understand better the interaction of HR managers and line managers. In Royal United hospital, due to the involvement of line managers in the HR functions, improvements were noted in the attitudes of employee. This indicates that HR managers and line managers has their own roles and responsibilities but they are dependent on each other for the success of the organization goals. Maxwell et al (2006) demonstrate in a survey that Hilton International hotel is based on the interviews in the form of questionnaires with the line managers and HR managers discovered the involvement of line manager in HR functions such as selection, training and development, employee management and motivation had improved the performance of the Hotel.
Hutchinson and Purcell (2003) mentioned that a team at Bath university carried out a people and performance research and results are : 'The role of line managers in bringing policy to life and in leading was one of the most important of all factors in explaining the difference between success and mediocrity in people management.' Mullins (2007) identify that the line manager could directly see and influence the employees compared with HR manager. Usually conflict arise between HR managers and line managers because they most of the time disagree on policies and practice. Maital (1992) in Ivancevich (2003) indicate that "the different between HR manager and line manager are how much authority employees should have over job design, labor relations, organizational planning, and certain rewards, like bonus and promotions."
Moreover, line managers are vital in the implementation of HR strategies, but sometimes due to lack of training line managers fail in the implementation. So HR manager have to take corrective measures in having the right line manager at the right place and train them to accomplish their responsibilities accordingly. HR managers should up-skill the line managers by giving appropriate training.
Finally to conclude, for a business to be successful it depends largely on the realization and attainment of Human Resource Management goals. HRM plays a vital role in organization toward employee satisfaction in the organization and this will lead to improved performance and competitiveness of the organization. However, HR managers should have a smooth relationship with the line manager so as to maintain consistency in employees' performance. Line managers should also achieve its responsibilities given from HR managers. Thus, their objectives and goal can be achieved to have a more competitive and efficient organization.#p#分页标题#e#
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