Length: 2500 words ± 10% (including executive summary, introduction, heading and subheadings, recommendations and conclusion but excluding title page, reference list and appendixes)

Case Study: The Perils of Downsizing (pg. 237-238 of textbook: Human Resource Management in Australia (5th Ed.) by Kramar, Bartram, De Cieri, Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart & Wright, McGraw-Hill Australia).

Weighting: 35%

Reference Style: APA style (American Psychological Association)
The assignment is supposed to use at least 12 academic journal articles for the answers, that means on average of 4 references for each question.

Document type: MS Word document (doc and docx only). Other types of documents (e.g., PDF or others) are not acceptable, will not be marked. Before uploading your assignment to Moodle, please check and make sure it can be opened. Documents that cannot go through Turnitin (e.g., without a similarity score reported by Turnitin) or cannot be opened will not be marked.

Objectives:

The primary purpose of this assessment is to assist students to develop skills in the use of HRM planning, theories and models in the analysis of a typical business situation that has organisational change and downsizing. The assignment requires you to analyse the current situation, identify and specify the organisational issues, and suggest practical and probable solutions. The secondary purpose of this assignment is to give students the opportunity to enhance their research, analysis, critical thinking and written communication skills; particularly in the areas of argument development and report writing.

Description:

Assessment task requires the writing of a Business Report. The report should be designed as a management document that can be used to implement recommended changes. It should include a comprehensive analysis of the current situation using HRM theory, models and frameworks. The report should clearly explain the various options available and analyse the consequences of these. Students are

expected to engage in extensive research within the academic literature relating to human resource management. The assignment is based on a case study that describes the impact of contextual change on business activities. The purpose of the report is to identify the roles of change in organisational structure and other challenges in managing dynamic organisations. Students are expected to engage in extensive research within the academic literature relating to organisational structure, HRM planning and downsizing analysis.

Task:

Case Study: The Perils of Downsizing (pg. 237-238 of the textbook)

Deeply concerned about the level of angst or anxiety and uncertainty among existing staff, the Vice Chancellor tried to reassure employees about the future direction of the university. However, the Vice Chancellor is convinced that more needs to be done and has hired you to provide the director of human resources with some recommendations to improve planning for the university’s human resource needs. Based on the above mentioned case study write a report that answers all the three questions:

1. What are the external factors that are affecting the labour profile needed by the university?

2. Identify and critically discuss the ways that the HR planning function within the university could provide better information to university decision makers.

3. Given the information in this case, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the downsizing of staff numbers at the university?

All the answers must be written with supporting academic references Assignment 2 – Marking criteria for Report on HRM Planning

Case Study: The Perils of Downsizing (pg. 237-238 of the textbook)

– A thorough knowledge and critical analysis of the topics expressed in a coherent format and in the language of human resource management? (8.5 Marks)

– A critical review of the academic literature relevant to organisational structure, HRM planning, downsizing theories, models and arguments to analyse the questions asked in the case study? (5.5 Marks)

– Appropriateness of responses to the case study topic questions including an effective analysis of the situation along with relevant commentary on the case scenario? (5.5 Marks)

– Appropriate use of argument within the report, including a properly structured introduction and comprehensive conclusion? (5.0 Marks)

– Relevant and accurate literature is used to develop and support arguments (cited at least twelve (12) academic journal articles)? (3.0 Marks)

– A well-structured, concise and clear presentation of appropriate recommendations? (2.5 Marks)

– Clarity of expression, grammar and spelling? (2.0 Marks)

– Strict conformity to APA referencing style (e.g., all in-text references and reference list are correct)? (2.0 Marks)

– Appropriate presentation format (short business report) as required by assignment writing guidelines? (0.5 Marks)

– Length of 2500 words (± 10%)? (0.5 Marks)