Semester 1 2025 - DUE 11 April 2025; 100% correct
solutions and explanations.
1.1 Why is academic integrity important for HRD (and HRM)
students?
Academic integrity is crucial for HRD (Human Resource
Development) and HRM (Human Resource Management) students
for several reasons, particularly in relation to professional and
ethical conduct. Adhering to principles of academic integrity not
only ensures the credibility and authenticity of a student's work but
also fosters the values that are vital in the HR and HRM fields.
Here’s why academic integrity is especially important in these
disciplines:
1. Trust and Professionalism: HRD and HRM students are
being trained to handle sensitive and crucial matters, including
employee well-being, organizational development, and legal
issues. Upholding academic integrity ensures that future HR
professionals are trustworthy and can be relied upon to
maintain ethical standards in the workplace. If students don't
follow these standards during their studies, it raises questions
about how they would conduct themselves professionally when
handling real-world issues.
2. Ethical Leadership: The SABPP (South African Board for
People Practices) standard for ethical conduct places a strong
emphasis on professionalism, transparency, and integrity in HR
practices. Students should exhibit these values from the outset
of their careers. Academic integrity encourages the
development of ethical decision-making, problem-solving
skills, and the ability to manage complex situations in HR and
HRM.
, 3. Intellectual Development: Academic integrity promotes
critical thinking and intellectual growth. By doing your own
work and engaging with the learning material, you develop the
skills needed to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.
These skills are crucial for HRD and HRM students as they are
expected to make informed decisions in their careers, whether
in employee training, policy development, or performance
management.
4. Fairness and Equal Opportunity: When students engage in
dishonest practices, such as copying or relying too heavily on
AI-generated content, they undermine the fairness of the
academic process. It creates an uneven playing field where
students who act with integrity may be at a disadvantage
compared to those who cheat. Upholding academic integrity
ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed
based on their effort and merit.
5. Preparation for Real-World HR Challenges: HR
professionals must adhere to ethical guidelines in all their
actions, whether it’s handling confidential information, dealing
with employee disputes, or navigating labor laws. If HRD and
HRM students learn to be honest and ethical in their academic
work, they will be better prepared to deal with complex ethical
dilemmas in the workplace.
6. Respect for Intellectual Property: Copying information
without proper citation or using AI to generate answers without
understanding the material violates the principle of respecting
others' intellectual property. HR professionals must respect
confidentiality, ownership, and the rights of others when
managing organizational knowledge and employee
information.
7. Building a Reputation: Maintaining academic integrity also
contributes to building a student’s academic and professional
reputation. HR and HRM students are expected to be role