Examining human resource practices for a changing environment
This activity will investigate the current HR practices being implemented within RTOs and internationally, and gauge their effect on the performance of the organisations. In particular, the activity will focus on the strategic aspects of HR management.
Check the details of this activity:
Team
Leader: Professor Andy Smith, Charles Sturt University. Team: Geof Hawke, Chris Provis, Robin Booth
Research questions
- What is the state of best practice in HRM/HRD in Australia and internationally?
- To what extent are public and private RTOs using a range of HRM/HRD practices and integrating them into their business strategies?
- What models of HRM/HRD will best fit the requirements of RTOs in the future, particularly with the management of casual and sessional staff?
Rationale
In recent years, research has shown that the competitiveness of enterprises is intimately linked to their human resource management practices. The creation of high performance organisations rests upon the establishment of a productive workplace culture, appropriate organisational structures and development of the skills and capabilities of people. No one set of practices is enough to create the high performance organisation. HR practices have to be bundled into complementary packages that suit the goals of the organisation.
This link to the strategy of the organisation is perhaps the most important element of all in the design of effective HR practices for organisations. As RTOs face an increasingly competitive environment, so the importance of high quality HR practices will become central to their long-term viability and competitive success.
RTOs and State/Territory training authorities will benefit from this research by:
- gaining a greater understanding of the role of HR practices in improving the competitiveness of RTOs
- understanding the ways in which HR practices can be linked effectively to the business strategies of RTOs
- understanding how HR practices can be put together in complementary bundles to suit differing organisational goals and structures
Methodology
- Systematic review of national and international best practice in HRM and HR practices in VET
- Survey of public and private RTOs of HRM/HRD practices
- Series of 12 casestudies to develop models of best practice in HRM/HRD for the VET sector
Timeline
August 2005 - September 2006
Products
- "Control or capability? Human resource practices for a changing environment" by Professor Andy Smith - an issues paper to stimulate debate about the nature and role of human resource management in the VET sector, August 2006 (draft) (PDF 295Kb)
- Final report will summarise the state of HR practice within Australian RTOs
- Model will show how HR practice can improve the performance of RTOs
Taking part
You can become a committed and active participant in this broad research program in many ways:
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