Spec Proj: Applied Human Resource Strategies

This requirement will consist of an intensive exploration of the applied aspect of human resource strategy. In the real world, managers must make decisions without perfect information, under conditions of uncertainty, and under time constraints. Students will be assigned to teams each of which manages an organization that competes against one another in an HRM Simulation. This affords them the unique opportunity to make decisions, see how the decisions work out, and then try again. Thus, players get a 'hands on' experience with manipulation key human resources variables in a dynamic setting. The simulation can be programmed to simulate a profit or nonprofit organization that is in manufacturing or service. Teams are expected to establish objectives, plan their strategy, and then make the required decisions dictated by these plans. Typical decision variables involve wages, replacing employees, hiring, promoting from within, training cost for promotions, fringe benefits, budget for other activities, safety, employee participation programs, grievances, human resources information systems, performance appraisal programs, affirmative action program, production levels, overtime, employee morale, turnover, and absenteeism. It is anticipated that this course will be team-taught so that the student will learn to understand and appreciate the many different facets of the strategic role that HR occupies in an organization. In order to expose the students to diverse, real-life situations, industry experts representing the various HR functions in an organization will present actual problem scenarios for the students to analyze, solve and present their findings. Subsequent discussions will introduce the students to how these situations were actually resolved. Finally, students will be required to submit a detailed, written report on a case study analyzed over the course of the semester.