...Scientific or Closed management, Human Relations or Semi open system, Open System or Contingency system 1.2 Personnel management/ Personnel Manager 1.3 The genesis of Human Resource Management(HRM)/Defining Human Resource Management 1.4 What is ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ HRM? 1.5 The Debate between Human Relations(HR) and Human Resource Management(HRM) 1.6 The Human Resource Manager and his role 2.0 Attempting a framework for Human Resource Management(HRM) 2.1 Using HRM as a style, a strategy and an outcome 2.2 Is HRM a restatement of Personnel Management? 2.3 Is HRM a new managerial discipline? 2.4 HRM as a resource-based dimension of management 2.5 The Strategic and international possibilities of HRM 3.0Using some models of HRM to critically assess HRM “Hard” and “Soft” Approaches. 3.1The Harvard Model 3.2The Michigan Model 3.3Guest comparative models 3.4The ‘Choice Model’ and its benefits. 4.0The influence of senior management and their Effectiveness 4.1 policy makers 4.2 senior managers and their frames of reference 4.3 The more effective the better the policies 4.4 The Japanese example 5.0 Conclusion, limitations and proposals 5.1HRM a widespread contemporary, evolving & contingent tool 5.2The ‘softness’ of HRM, “bundles” and performance 5.3 Holistic thinking, right and egalitarian based HRM 1.0Introduction, Perspectives in Management and the genesis of Human Resource Management. Human Resource Management is increasingly considered a contemporary development that continues to reshape...
Words: 6510 - Pages: 27
...SOFT AND HARD MODELS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A REAPPRAISAL* CATHERINE TRUSS Kingston Business School LYNDA GRATION London Business School VERONICA HOPE-HAILEY Crarford School of Management PATRICK MCGOVERN London School of Economics PHIUP STILES London Business School ABSTRACT Two of the most widely adopted models of human resource management are the hard and soft versions. These are based on opposing views of human nature and managerial control strategies. The hard model is based on notions of tight strategic control, and an economic model of man according to Theory X, while the soft model is based on control through commitment and Theory Y. We argue that because these assumptions are so divergent, they cannot both properly be incorporated within a single model of human resource management. Human resource management (HRM) has frequently been described as a concept with two distinct forms: soft and hard. These are diametrically opposed along a number of dimensions, and they have been used by many commentators as devices to categorize approaches to managing people according to developmental- humanist or utilitarian-instrumentalist principles (Legge, 1995b). The terms have gained some currency although, from a theoretical point of view, the underlying conflicts and tensions contained within the models have not been sufficiently explored and, from a practical perspective, available empirical evidence would suggest that neither model accurately...
Words: 1537 - Pages: 7
...essay suggests that the evidence of HRM-performance linkage is weak because theoretical and methodological issues remain among most of these studies. So, this essay will mainly analyze theories concerning on HRM and firm performance relationships and methodological problems in empirical studies. As there are flaws in both theories and the process of studying the relationships, this essay concludes that the evidence in favor of HRM’s impact on organisatioanl performance is weak. It seems that it is better to pay more attention to the HRM’s theories and methodologies in order to further the understanding the correlation between HRM and firm performance. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 4 2. Evidence of previous studies 5 3. Theoretical evidence 8 3.1 Categorizing theories 9 3.1.1 Strategic theories 9 3.1.2 Descriptive theories 11 3.1.3 Normative theories 11 3.2 Conceptual theories 13 4. Methodological issue 15 4.1 Measurement of HRM 16 4.2 Measurement of performance 17 5. Conclusion 18 1. Introduction Human resource managers have been worrying about the inability to prove their contribution to the organisations for a long time (Drucker, 1954, and Stewart, 1996, cited in Wright, Gardner, Moynihan and Allen, 2005). As responses to the uncertainty of whether human resource management (HRM) has an impact on organisational performance, there have been a lot of studies emerging and attempting to prove HRM does add values to firms. Until now...
Words: 3635 - Pages: 15
...The term human resource management was being used by Peter Drucker and others in North America as early as the 1950s. The people management policies and practices which are usually termed ‘HRM’ originated in manufacturing industry in the USA during the late 1970s and early 1980s. These represented a significant break with the personnel management paradigm. A number of factors led to this new management thinking, principally loss of faith in the traditional approach to mass production, the example of Japanese work organization and manufacturing processes, and the realisation of the impact of new technology on work practices (Gallie et al, 1998). The remarkable success of Japanese manufacturers in the 1970s and 1980s in capturing Western markets for sophisticated products, such as electronics and cars, brought to a head long-standing concerns about traditional Taylorist/ Fordist models of work organisation. These models were characterised by low-or semi-skilled work, close supervision, pay being linked to quantity of output, and – at least in mass-production industries – assembly-line technologies in which the pace of work was controlled by machine. By the 1980, HRM had come to mean a radically different philosophy and approach to the management of people at work( Storey, 1989) with an emphasis on performance, workers commitment, and rewards based on individual or team contribution, differing significantly in all of these from the corresponding aspects of traditional personnel...
Words: 996 - Pages: 4
...The HRM Models ← There are a good number of models that have been postulated by various scholars to describe the HRM concept. ← However, as shall be seen these various models either fall under the soft or the hard approach of HRM. The Harvard Model ← The Harvard Model was postulated by Beer et al (1984) at Harvard University. ← The authors of the model also coined it the map of HRM territory. ← The Harvard model acknowledges the existence of multiple stakeholders within the organization. ← These multiple stakeholders include shareholders various groups of employees, government and the community at large. ← The recognition of the legitimacy of these multiple stakeholders renders this model a neo - pluralist model. ← This model emphasizes more on the human/soft side of HRM. ← Basically this is because this model emphasizes more on the fact that employees like any other shareholder are equally important in influencing organizational outcomes. ← In fact the interest of the various groups must be fused and factored in the creation of HRM strategies and ultimately the creation of business strategies. Source : Beer et al (1984 : 16) ← A critical analysis of the model shows that it is deeply rooted in the human relations tradition. ← Employee influence is recognised through people motivation and the development...
Words: 1389 - Pages: 6
...The guest model is propounded by David Guest (1987) which is based on the assumption that the human resource management is in its own world in terms of people management. David guest developed four aspects of human resource management which are strategic integration, flexibility, high commitment and quality. This model is a fusion of aspects that resemble both a hard and a soft approach of HRM. The purpose of this model was to try and distinguish human resource management from personnel management. In his quest to distinguish the 2, Guest suggested that human resource management is unitaristic, individualistic and mutual while personnel management is advisory, compliance oriented, pluralist and collective. Tempting as it may be, human resource seems to promise unrealistic goals. Firstly, Armstrong defines human resources as strategic, intergrated and coherent approach to the management of the organisations most valued asset working there (2009). Rama Rao (2010) defines personnel management as a set of programs functions and activities designed to maximize both personal and competent people. According to Bratton et al 2007 personnel management only focuses on cost minimisation rather than quality of workforce. On the other hand human resource management is manipulative. Wilmo (1993) quoted in Armstrong (2005) that human resources management operates as a form of insidious control. It preaches mutuality but the reality is that it exploits workers whereas human resources in this...
Words: 834 - Pages: 4
...The Phrase ‘commitment’ is frequently used by HRM practitioners in the control of absenteeism and its contribution to business objectives. Evaluate the evidence to reinforce commitment and reduce absenteeism. Mowday et al have defined organizational commitment as “ the relative strength of an individual’s identification with an involvement in an organization” (Chapter 7 Attitudes at work, Page no, 265 Work Psychology, Understanding Human Behaviour in the Workplace by John Arnold (ft) fourth edition) Commitment is very powerful human concept as if a person is committed to an organization; therefore he or she has a strong identification with it and will turn out to be a long-term employee for the organization. Sir Richard Branson is an example of someone’s commitment towards its work. He born in an ordinary established family but it was his commitment, which led him to build the virgin empire and now he is one of the richest man in the world. Controlling the absenteeism is the objective of nearly every business organization and the phrase commitment is regularly used by HRM practitioners in order to control the absenteeism, In this essay I will explain the above statement in more details and also provide the evidence to support it. The question arises here why absenteeism is important? Absenteeism is important because it’s not only costly but it also affects the morale of other employees. The cost of absenteeism is greater than the...
Words: 1563 - Pages: 7
...(Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 HOW FAR DOES HRM DIFFER FROM PM Habib Allah Doaei Ferdosi University of Mashhad Rahim Najminia Ferdosi University of Mashad Abstract It is clear from the literature that HRM represents a shift in focus and strategy and is in tune with the needs of the modern organization. HRM concentrates on the planning, monitoring and control aspects of resources whereas Personnel Management was mainly about refereeing between the management and employees. Many scholars view Personnel Management as being workforce whereas HRM is resource. The differences between these two terms have to be viewed from many perspectives through the times and in context of the industry that is being studied. Keywords: Human resource management, Personnel management, SHRM Introduction Many researchers have been arguing recently the difficulty of distinguishing clear differences between Personnel management and Human resource management. Some authors believe that the difference is just a change of label as Torrington (1989cited in Koster 2007) said and there is no different in the content of Human resource management. On the other hand, there are researchers such as Guest (1987 cited in Arsmtrong, 1999) who argued that Human resource management is differentiated from traditional Personnel management. However, HRM is concerned with performing the same functional activities traditionally carried out by personnel function, but HRM approach performs these functions in a qualitatively...
Words: 3022 - Pages: 13
...There are numerous assumptions on which the HRM’s soft model can be said to rest on and these assumptions include, for example, that a lot of people have a lazy attitude or mentality towards work in spite of the fact that work is practically a necessity for their existence. In other words then, the reason why they are compelled to work is perhaps because of the benefits they can derive as reward for working. One other very important assumption of the HRM’s soft model is that people tend to try and equate the remuneration they get for working with the amount of their perceived effort and vice versa. And so, morale is high when they perceive payment or reward to be at least equal to or greater than effort put in. And when it is the reverse case, people are not motivated to give their best efforts. Suffice to state that people naturally quite innovative; which could count as priceless asset to an organization. Unfortunately, it has come to the observation that this valuable characteristic of people has been far from being optimally exploited. In certain other cases, the attribute has not seen the light of day let alone put to use. On account of the initially stated, the apparent conjecture of the soft model is that people will be inclined to work to the best of their abilities and by extension bring positive returns to the organization they work for if they by any means become committed to their organization (Beaumont, 1992; Dunham and Smith, 1979; Lundy, 1994). Hope (1994, p.3)...
Words: 4189 - Pages: 17
... A critical analysis of the model shows that it is deeply rooted in the human relations tradition. Employee influence is recognised through people motivation and the development of an organization culture based on mutual trust and team work. The factors above must be factored into the HR strategy which is premised on employee influences, HR flows, reward system etc. The outcomes from such a set up are soft in nature as they include high congruence, commitment, competencies etc. The achievement of the crucial HR outcomes has got an impact on long term consequences, increased productivity, organizational effectiveness which will in turn influence shareholder interests and situational factors hence making it a cycle. It is thus important to note that the Harvard model is premised on the belief that it is the organization’s human resources that give competitive advantage through treating them as assets and not costs. The Michigan/Matching Model The Michigan model was propounded by Fombrun Tichy and Devanna (1984) at the Michigan Business School. They also named this model a matching model of HRM. Precisely, the matching aspect of this model demonstrates that the model is inclined towards the harder side of HRM. This is because the matching model emphaizes more on “tight fit” between the HR strategy and the buisness strategy. NB It demands that available human resources must be matched with jobs in the organization. The...
Words: 432 - Pages: 2
...1.1 Explain Guest's model of hard-soft, loose-tight dimensions of HRM. The most widely acceptable models of HRM are the soft and hard versions. The soft model is associated with human relation and the hard model on the other hand sees employees as human resource (Gratton et. al. 1999). The soft model assumes that employees respond better when an organisation recognise their individual needs and addresses them as well as focusing on the overall business objectives. The hard model primarily focus to promote human resource planning strategy, align with business strategy, outsourcing, flexibility, performance management and downsizing or work intensification. Some HRM models have been developed by UK academics including Guest and Storey. Guest has identified key features of personal management and HRM that allow for comparative measurement and acknowledging the close links between human resource strategy and general business strategy (Bratton and Gold 2003). The Guest model of HRM is given below: 1.2 Review the differences between Storey's definition of HRM and personnel and IR practices. There are some differences between HRM and Personnel Management (PM) and Industrial Relation (IR) practices as there are a lot of different views and contradictions. HRM is a new managerial discipline that has different perspectives of PM and IR, but create a new and broader disciple as a results of different views and contradictions of these two (Beardwell and Holden 1997). The main aim of...
Words: 868 - Pages: 4
...Management models contains all Human Resource activities. When these activities respectively are carried out efficiently it will result in a competent and willing workforce These models establish the need for people to be recruited and developed, which in turn will enable them to achieve the organizational goals and maintain performance. HRM models can be termed as Harvard model, Michigan model and more recently introduced Guest comparative model respectively. Hard human resource management Here Workers are considered a resource that needs to be controlled in order to achieve the best possible profit and competitive advantage. The Michigan model. This focuses on hard HRM, because it outlines the importance of treating employees simply as means to achieve organizations strategy or as a ‘pure’ resource. Thus characteristics of hard HRM is seen in this Michigan model. Here it follows task focused employee approach which has highly defined and narrow job design and usually employees are strictly guided. Jobs are usually repetitive, shows a hierarchical culture no defined career progression offered. It defines that people should be obtained cheaply, used sparingly and developed to be exploited fully. It says that internal human resource policies should have a tight fit to the external business strategy of the organization, and thus known as ‘matching model’. The Michigan model states the different business strategies found and relates them to contrasting styles of HRM in activities...
Words: 1249 - Pages: 5
...* * * * * * * * * * Finance * * * * Economics Personnel Management | HRM | HRD | Compensation | Job Analysis | Performance Management | Competency Based Assessment | Training & Development | Participative Management | Employee Relationship Management | Career Development | Talent Management | Employee Engagement | Knowledge Management | Employee Retention | Social Entrepreneurship | | Human Resource Management | * * H R Management - Introduction * Importance of HRM * Scope of HRM * Various Processes in HRM * Management of Contractors * Performance Management * Hiring Strategies * Retention Strategies * Strategic HRM * Global HRM * Personnel Management vs HRM * Managing Employee Performance * Performance Appraisal Process * Performance Appraisal Interview * Managing Employee Relations * Employee Rewards and Recognition * Variable Pay * Diversity in Organizations * Managing Workforce Diversity * Workplace Health and Safety * Workplace Safety Programs * OSHA Safety Manual * HR Challenges * Employee Separation Process * | Difference between Personnel Management & HRM inShare2 Many students of management and laypeople often hear the term HRM or Human...
Words: 1612 - Pages: 7
...strategic perspective to human resource management is adopted.” (Armstrong, M.,2008, pg 33) . This journal will explore on the principals of human resource management, analysis of its concepts, models and framework. Explanation of HRM process and build up of strategies. The journal ends with an assessment of roles in strategic HRM. Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) can be defined as the way through which the organizational goals will be achieved by the people with the help of HR strategies, policies and practices. (Armstrong, M., 2008, pg 33). Other definitions of Strategic Human Resource Management are as follows:- “Strategic Human Resource Management means formulating and executing human resource policies and practices that produce the employee competencies and behaviors that company needs to achieve its strategic aims” – Garry Dessler (Durai,P.,2010,pg 24) “Strategic Human Resource Management is a pattern of planned human resource developments and activity intended to enable a firm to achieve its goals “ – G.C.MacMahan (Durai,P.,2010,pg 24). Models of Strategic Human Resource Management The Harvard model :- The Harvard model was put forward by Michale Beer, Richard Walton, Quinn Mills, P. Lawrence and Bert Spector which draws attention towards the soft aspect of HRM. It lays emphasis on the fact that HR policies should be made keeping in mind the vision, mission, goals and objectives of an organization, and in very few cases external factors should also be...
Words: 2905 - Pages: 12
...assignment, we were given a task to prepare an essay on critical assessment of different approaches to Human Resource Management. Namely the “hard” and “soft” HRM practices identified by Storey (1989). One of the aspects from which the HRM practices will be valued is employer’s attitude towards employees. As those practices are completely different in nature, the way how management treats their workers distinguishes a lot. Therefore, comparative analysis will identify the contrast between the styles. Another aspect from which the HRM practices are going to be assessed is a pay scheme followed in each type of management. Introduction Human Research Management as a practice and tool to manage employees in the organization evolved quite recently. The predecessor of HRM is personnel management, which came into formation due to industrial development around the world. Since the beginning of 20th century many organizations opened personnel departments, which had many responsibilities such as managing payroll, hiring and firing employees. Further tasks of this department in the organizations were to introduce new law requirements, implementation of different social and workplace safety rules. According to Guest (1998) transformation of PM into human resource management began in the end of 20th century. The main reason for development of HRM was shift of western economies towards the services economy. Therefore, quality of services became the competitive advantage for many organizations....
Words: 1831 - Pages: 8
