Managing Human Resource

Managing Human Resource

Allan D. Porta

February 3rd 2008


Managing Human Resources




Polytec University of the Americas









Week 1
Assignment 1
68 points/ 1.4 each

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Chapter 1

1. What are the six competitive challenges facing human resources management departments?
6 Points
There are six trend that extend beyond people issues, but focus on the need to develop a skilled and flexible workforce in order to compete in today’s market. They are:
1. Going global
2. Embracing new technology
3. Managing change
4. Managing talent/human capital
5. Responding to market
6. Containing costs

2. Why do change efforts fail in organizations? 10 Points
Most organizations don’t have any sort of formal change-management program to support these initiatives and change success does not occur naturally or easily. Most of the major reasons why change efforts can fail come down to HR issues. Some of the top reasons are as follows:
• Not establishing a sense of urgency
• Not creating a powerful coalition to guide the effort
• Lacking leaders who communicate the vision
• Not removing obstacles to the new vision
• Not systematically planning for and creating short-term “wins”
• Declaring victory too soon
• Not anchoring changes in a corporate culture

3. Describe the four HR impact of cost containment techniques on the firm. 4 Points
The four HR cost containment techniques are: downsizing, outsourcing, off-shoring & employee leasing.
• Downsizing – Is the planned elimination of jobs
• Outsourcing – Means hiring someone outside the company to perform tasks that could be done internally.
• Off-shoring – Is the controversial practice of moving jobs overseas.
• Employee leasing – Is the process of dismissing employees who are then hired by a leasing company and contracting with that company to lease back the employees.

4. What are some of the key competencies needed by Human Resource Managers to become...