Human Resource Management - Concepts, Trends and Strategies

Effective Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) practice is a critical strategic tool for businesses to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. Strategic aspects of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is increasingly important in organizations. The course investigates the effects of strategic decision-making on human productivity and well-being in organizations. The aim of the course is to increase knowledge of the fundamental requirements for efficient SHRM on different organizational levels. The course also provides conceptual tools for critical analysis of recent developments and future trends in strategic HRM. Contemporary organizations tend to evolve more and more towards network-based structures, customer-orientation, flexibility and continuous learning. These developments indicate fundamental changes in the very ‘nature’ and content of work, as illustrated by the increase of part-time work, short-term contracts, distance work, work/life-programs, and work-related health promotion. In the larger context of accelerating globalization, the task of ‘managing people at work’ provides great challenges for future HR managers.