Human Resource Management: Key Concepts and Skills

This is a comprehensive and thought provoking book, as instead of attempting to provide simplistic and prescriptive "toolbox" notions of HRM practice, the author draws attention to the current state of research and varying organizational experiences of HRM to illustrate the complexity of the issues' -"The Occupational Psychologist "This major textbook meets the clear need for a substantial but accessible introduction to the "practice "of human resource management (HRM) within the "context" of relevant theory and current debates. In a discussion that ranges from the strategic and policy aspects of HRM to the day-to-day processes of employee management, the author identifies and explores key concepts and skills. Distinctive features of the book include: a focus on issues of direct relevance to all line managers, not just to human resource specialists; a combination of a knowledge-based approach with a practical introduction to the most important skills; numerous examples, encapsulating concepts and techniques in clear tables, and a teaching appendix of discussion questions; and a broad international perspective, drawing on case material from Europe, the United States and elsewhere.

Review :
""A penetrating analysis of the modern Human Resources Management scene. Essential reading for students and practitioners alike, from an author constantly in touch with the leading international companies and their Human Resource issues.' "-""Mike Pugh, Head of Human Resources, SONY Manufacturing UK " Phil Beaumont's text reflects his approach to teaching - well informed, interesting and practically relevant. Every chapter has something useful to say about the current key issues in HRM. Our MBA students have found it to be one of the best of the available texts in the field.' "- Graeme Martin, Director, Dundee Business School, Dundee Institute of Technology " ""One of the main strengths of this book is the way in which it highlights that despite the enthusiasm generated for initiatives such as TQM and single status conditions, very little systematic empirical evidence actually exists to demonstrate the real benefits in terms of improved organisational functioning. This is a reasonably comprehensive and thought provoking book, as instead of attempting to provide simplistic and prescriptive 'toolbox' notions of HRM practice, the author draws attention to the current state of research and varying organisational experiences of HRM to illustrate the complexity of the issues. As the author himself suggests, he set the ambitious target of, in addition to providing practice advice, presenting material that had some foundation in empirical research. On the whole this balance has been reasonably well achieved.'" - The Occupational Psychologist " Most of the texts available, however, either offer prescriptions for action usually unsupported by research evidence, or theoretical analysis and research monographs that do not spell out the implications of their findings for practice. A book, therefore, which attempts to integrate the two approaches and which is based on the experience of teaching MBA students and line managers is particularly welcome.... As a disc