Outline:

 

Purpose:

 

Students will conduct research in order to compare and contrast competitive strategies as it relates to the HRM function.

 

Students will also conduct primary research to identify companies that operate under the three corporate strategies (Restructuring, Stability and Growth) . There will also be an opportunity to explore the strength of mission statements.

 

Students will also prepare supporting and opposing positions on the role of HR as a strategic partner.  

 

Question #1:

 

·    First step is to select two companies in the same industry sector (hotels, restaurants, post-secondary institutions for example) one company must be utilizing a low-cost provider strategy and the other a differentiation strategy.

 

·    Your task is to compare and contrast the practices of these two organizations with particular emphasis on the impact these competitive strategies have on the following human resource management functions including:

o  recruitment and selection,

o  orientation and training,

o  performance appraisal and

o  compensation

o  Ensure that as you compare and contrast that you provide at least 3 items (insights) per HRM function noted (4) for each organization.

o  Your submission can be completed in chart format with bullets.

 

An effective way of tackling this exercise is to select two businesses with which you are familiar as this gives you some additional knowledge.

 

 

Question #2:

 

·    Identify 3 (three) companies currently utilizing each of the 3 (three) corporate strategies;

 

Restructuring Corporate Strategy - 3 Companies

Growth Corporate Strategy – 3 Companies

Stability Corporate Strategy – 3 Companies

 

 

 

Question #3: 

 

·    Review the three mission statements below and briefly assess whether they meet the “person on a bus” test as identified in the course text.  Identify yes/no and provide a brief discussion for each statement.

 

To provide book lovers and those they care about with the most inspiring retail and online environments in the world for books and life-enriching products and services.

 

 

X is dedicated to building a world-class national resource enabling Canadians to know their country and themselves through their published heritage and to providing an effective gateway to national and international sources of information.

 

 

X is an independent campaigning organization that uses nonviolent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and to force the solutions essential to a green and peaceful future.

 

 

Question #4: 

 

Discuss 5 possible reasons why HR WOULD be considered a “strategic” contributor to an organization.

 

Discuss 5 possible reasons why HR might NOT be considered a “strategic” contributor to an organization.

 

 

 

 

Instructions:

 

1.  Individually prepare responses to the 4 questions/tasks outlined.

 

2.  Prepare a word-processed file of no more than 8 pages double spaced, with a font size of no more than 14 and no less than 12.

 

3.  Papers of more than 8 pages double-spaced will be penalized; References (APA format) must be part of the 8 pages.