Assignment 3
1. Working individually or in groups, develop outlines showing how trends like workforce
diversity, technological innovation, globalization, and changes in the nature of work have
affected the college or university you are now attending. Present in class. The list might
include items such as the growth of adult (non-traditional aged) students, the use of computer and
communications technology, diversity issues, and others. (LO 1.4 & 1.5; AACSB: Analytic Skills;
Learning Outcome: Define HRM and describe modern trends in the field)
2. Working individually or in groups, contact the HR manager of a local bank. Ask the HR
manager how he or she is working as a strategic partner to manage human resources, given
the bank’s strategic goals and objectives. Back in class, discuss the responses of the
different HR managers. The students should ask the HR manager to discuss how his/her role as a
strategic partner is improving the bank’s performance, and if the bank’s culture is more innovative and
flexible as a result of the strategic partnership. (LO 1.1; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning
Outcome: Describe the process and tools of strategic HRM)
3. Working individually or in groups, interview an HR manager; based on that interview, write a
short presentation regarding HR’s role today in building a more competitive organization. The
responses here will, of course, depend upon the organization and HR manager interviewed.
Hopefully, items such as workforce diversity, technological trends, globalization, high-performance
work systems, HR metrics, or ethics will be mentioned. (LO 1.4 & 1.5; AACSB: Communication Skills
& Analytic Skills; Learning Outcome: Define HRM and describe modern trends in the field)
4. Working individually or in groups, bring several business publications such as Business Week
and The Wall Street Journal to class. Based on their content, compile a list entitled, “What HR
managers and departments do today.” The students should look for articles and advertisements
that deal with any of the following topics: conducting job analyses, planning labor needs, and
recruiting job candidates; selecting job candidates; orienting, training, and developing employees;
managing wages and salaries; providing incentives and benefits; appraising performance;