Presentations Guideline
- The presentations will take place in sessions 6 through 8 (backup session 9). The maximum number of students per group will be determined in session 2
- Topics may be selected from the list below, give an in-depth presentation of one of the required textbook's chapters, or be suggested by the students, with approval by the instructor. No overlapping in topics should occur.
- Groups will be formed in session 2.
- A written statement of purpose (abstract or executive summary) proposal is due in session 4. Length: 1 to 2 pages. This is part of the presentation grade. One statement per group.
- The presentations are to be 15 to 20 minutes long (plus questions and discussion). Presenting less than 15 or more than 20 minutes will impact your grade.
- Visual aids (slides) are to be uploaded using turnitin on the date of the presentation. Presentations will be videotaped.
- The weighting of the grading for the presentation is 70 / 30, that is 70% is based on the overall group presentation and 30% on the individual's contribution.
1. Profile of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) It is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Present an overview of the Society with in-depth exploration of 1 or 2 of their research articles.
2. Assessment Centers
Many companies rely on assessment centers in the employee selection process. Assessment centers employ a variety of techniques and observers in a closed setting to evaluate candidates. Many large organizations maintain their own assessment centers, and there are many independent centers specialized in specific business sectors. Present an overview of what takes place in assessment centers and of the landscape of assessment center service providers.
3. Employee Development Tool: Appraisals
Employee appraisals are used to chart and develop employees' careers. Many companies have a standard procedure of regular, annual (or more often) meetings between employees and their immediate supervisors to review recent performance and development and to set upcoming goals and targets for each individual. The presentation should give a detailed look into of what appraisals are, how they are implemented and ideally provide real life examples.
4. Expatriates and "re-patriating" expatriates.
Overseas assignments are often used to develop management careers, to give international experience and to offer promotion opportunities. Yet, a great number of these assignments fail, and often employees suffer problems and culture and careers shocks when they return. Explore this topic looking at what are the key issues to consider in organizing successful expatriate assignments and why "re-patriation is so challenging. Specific examples would be welcome.
5. Compensation
A key area of HR Management is determining how employees and management are rewarded and how their salary packages are determined. There are a number of issues to consider, including industry salary averages, incentives, fringe benefits, standard tariff structures, seniority or individual negotiation, to name only a few. Present an overview of these issues of how people are paid and how compensation packages are changing.
6. Trends in employment contracts: permanent vs. short term
The relationship between the organization and the individual employee is undergoing a radical transformation. Downsizing, global competition and outsourcing are pressuring companies to be more flexible with their workforce. Even outside of the "hire and fire" mentality of America, in many European countries, where guaranteed life-time employment was considered a basic right, it is now sometimes considered as anti-competitive and unsustainable. In Germany and Italy, there is a shift towards one or two year contracts. The goal of the presentation is to examine this topic and present an overview of current trends.
7. The "endless intern" (Der ewige Praktikant)
In Germany, the US and elsewhere, as many companies are unwilling to commit to permanent contracts for employees, there is a disturbing trend of young people trying to enter the work force being subjected to an endless series of internships. Research this trend in three countries and present an overview, giving consideration to types of industries and educational background.
8. The use of Social Media in recruitment and career development
Web 2.0 is widely used by recruitment firms, human resource professionals and employment agencies to look for and research prospective employees. It is also used by individuals in their work and to further their own careers, often through networking or self-branding. Explore and comment on this theme.
9. The use of software and big data in HR Management
Greater and greater use of mathematical models, algorithms and software programs to evaluate and track job applicants and employees is being used in more and more companies. Describe some of the current uses, providing examples of procedures and companies, as well as outlining the advantages and dangers of such uses.
10. Current trends in Diversity Management and Inclusion
Companies are now employing HR Professionals specialized in Diversity Management, and companies including apple are now publishing Diversity Management Reports. According to Quinetta M. Roberson of the Columbia University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the term "inclusion" is replacing diversity in the emerging literature of the 21st century. Present an overview of this profession, companies' diversity policies and the content of the reports specific companies are publishing.
11. Industrial Relations and Trade Unions
Provide an overview of the role and impact of trade unions in a particular country and industry, giving specific statistics about their organization and financing, including the role of workers' councils in SMEs. Explore the HR specialist role in dealing with labor relations. Examples of specific companies and negotiations would be welcome.
12. "HR Wild Card" Topic of your choice, subject to approval