Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management involves the productive use of people in achieving the organisation’s strategic business objectives and the satisfaction of individual employee needs. (Stone R.J, 2005) Human resource management functions are performed within the predetermined managerial context and is shaped according to the strategic priorities of the organization. (Werther W.B.Jr and Davis K., 1996) The functions encompass a set of activities which are inter-related and they represent the core of human resource management. The primary activities involve the acquisition, development, motivation and maintenance of employees in an organisation. (Stone R.J, 2005)

Acquisition in human resource management activities involves the recruitment and selection of candidates applying for the job. Recruitment is the process of seeking and attracting a pool of applicants from which qualified candidates for job vacancies within an organization can be selected. Common methods used to recruit candidates include internal promotion and introductions, job posting, advertising and executive search. (Stone RJ, 2005) Recruitment of staff is preceded by an analysis of the job to be done, written into a job description so that the interviewer knows what physical and mental characteristics applicants must possess, what qualities and attitudes are desirable. (accel-team.com, 2007). Selection involves choosing from the available candidates the individual who deem to be most likely to perform successfully in the job. (Stone RJ, 2005).

Development provides mind preparation of employees and it is the growth of the individual in terms of their abilities, understanding and awareness. Training and development enable employees to assume current expanded duties and greater responsibilities. It further extend throughout a person’s career and help develop the person for future responsibilities. To meet organisation’s objective, performance appraisal is used to evaluate individual job performance. It aims to ensure that individual’s effort contributes is identified and reinforced; and uncover poor performance for retraining. To achieve this goal, appraisal systems should be job related and practical, include standards and use dependable measures.(Moustakis V, 2005)

Motivation provides major contribution to retain good employees and to encourage them to give their best while at work. It requires attention by providing employees the financial, psychological and psychological rewards offered by the organization as a continuous exercise.(Moustakis V, 2005) It includes extrinsic motivators such as pay and benefits. In order to fulfill an organisation’s objective, employee evaluation is carried out periodically to assess the performance of the employee and develop them to undertake more important roles and tasks; consequently raise the efficiency and standard of performance. (accel-team.com, 2007)

Maintenance ties in closely with motivation.