lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
Open Rubric
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
CONTENTS
PAGE
FOREWORD ...........................................................................................................
v
1. Welcome ....................................................................................................... v
2. Purpose of the Module ............................................................................ v
3. Learning Outcomes .................................................................................. vi
4. Prescribed Material .................................................................................. vi
5. myUnisa Module Site .............................................................................. vi
6. Framework for the Module ..................................................................... vii
7. Icons Used in this Module ....................................................................... viii
8. Concluding Remarks ................................................................................ ix
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
STUDY UNITS
Study Unit 1: Human Resource Management’s Role in the Evolving
Paradigm ................. 1
Study Unit 2: Competitive Advantage in Human Resource Management
and the
Management of Flexible Patterns of Work
....................................................................................... 5
Study Unit 3: Human Resource Management and Leadership
................................................ 14
Study Unit 4: The Strategic Role of Human Resource Management
...................................... 22
Study Unit 5: Measuring Human Resource Management Within
Organisations ................. 27
Study Unit 6: Talent Management
................................................................................................... 31
Study Unit 7: Ethical Issues and Challenges in Human Resource
Management .................. 39
Study Unit 8: Corporate Responsibility and Governance: Implications
for HRM ............... 44
Study Unit 9: Human Resource Management in the Electronic Era
........................................ 51
Study Unit 10: Change Management and Building Learning
Organisations ......................... 59
Study Unit 11: Human Resource Management – An International
Dimension ...................... 67
Study Unit 12: The Changing Role of Human Resource Management in
the 21st Century . 73
iii
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
Foreword
1 WELCOME
9Welcome to this module in Contemporary Issues in Human Resource
Management (HRM3704). We trust that you will enjoy the module
and that you will be able to use the knowledge gained from studying
it to become a competent and successful HR practitioner.
10The human resources of an organisation are often the most
expensive and usually the most important resources that it needs to
achieve its strategic objectives. The people resource represents an
organisation’s intellectual capital and its capacity for creativity and
innovation, and therefore this resource forms the backbone of an
organisation. It is essential for human resource (HR) practitioners and
HR managers to make use of the many tools that are available to
ensure the human resources of an organisation are utilised to their
fullest. This is where this module becomes important; it looks at a
variety of contemporary issues that HR practitioners or HR managers
have to tackle to ensure that organisations truly gain a competitive
advantage through their human capital.
11This study guide is meant to guide you through your learning
journey. It is intended to assist you in gaining well-rounded
competencies and an in-depth understanding of, and insight into,
contemporary issues in human resource management (HRM) in the
South African and international work context.
2 PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
12This module intends to equip students with a well-rounded and
systematic knowledge base about global contemporary issues related
to HRM and about managing human resources nationally and
internationally.
13Students credited with this module will be able to demonstrate
integrated knowledge of contemporary HR concepts, principles and
theories. They will also be able to apply and evaluate the principles
iv
Open Rubric
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
CONTENTS
PAGE
FOREWORD ...........................................................................................................
v
1. Welcome ....................................................................................................... v
2. Purpose of the Module ............................................................................ v
3. Learning Outcomes .................................................................................. vi
4. Prescribed Material .................................................................................. vi
5. myUnisa Module Site .............................................................................. vi
6. Framework for the Module ..................................................................... vii
7. Icons Used in this Module ....................................................................... viii
8. Concluding Remarks ................................................................................ ix
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
STUDY UNITS
Study Unit 1: Human Resource Management’s Role in the Evolving
Paradigm ................. 1
Study Unit 2: Competitive Advantage in Human Resource Management
and the
Management of Flexible Patterns of Work
....................................................................................... 5
Study Unit 3: Human Resource Management and Leadership
................................................ 14
Study Unit 4: The Strategic Role of Human Resource Management
...................................... 22
Study Unit 5: Measuring Human Resource Management Within
Organisations ................. 27
Study Unit 6: Talent Management
................................................................................................... 31
Study Unit 7: Ethical Issues and Challenges in Human Resource
Management .................. 39
Study Unit 8: Corporate Responsibility and Governance: Implications
for HRM ............... 44
Study Unit 9: Human Resource Management in the Electronic Era
........................................ 51
Study Unit 10: Change Management and Building Learning
Organisations ......................... 59
Study Unit 11: Human Resource Management – An International
Dimension ...................... 67
Study Unit 12: The Changing Role of Human Resource Management in
the 21st Century . 73
iii
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47654148
Foreword
1 WELCOME
9Welcome to this module in Contemporary Issues in Human Resource
Management (HRM3704). We trust that you will enjoy the module
and that you will be able to use the knowledge gained from studying
it to become a competent and successful HR practitioner.
10The human resources of an organisation are often the most
expensive and usually the most important resources that it needs to
achieve its strategic objectives. The people resource represents an
organisation’s intellectual capital and its capacity for creativity and
innovation, and therefore this resource forms the backbone of an
organisation. It is essential for human resource (HR) practitioners and
HR managers to make use of the many tools that are available to
ensure the human resources of an organisation are utilised to their
fullest. This is where this module becomes important; it looks at a
variety of contemporary issues that HR practitioners or HR managers
have to tackle to ensure that organisations truly gain a competitive
advantage through their human capital.
11This study guide is meant to guide you through your learning
journey. It is intended to assist you in gaining well-rounded
competencies and an in-depth understanding of, and insight into,
contemporary issues in human resource management (HRM) in the
South African and international work context.
2 PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
12This module intends to equip students with a well-rounded and
systematic knowledge base about global contemporary issues related
to HRM and about managing human resources nationally and
internationally.
13Students credited with this module will be able to demonstrate
integrated knowledge of contemporary HR concepts, principles and
theories. They will also be able to apply and evaluate the principles
iv