Human resource management : a contemporary approach, 8th ed.

Abstract

The theory and practice of human resource management (HRM) continues to evolve. In its successive editions, this book has provided critical reflection on continuity and new developments as the issues associated with HRM have multiplied considerably. Previous editions have traced the debates over the role of the HRM specialist in organisations, the role and nature of HRM in relation to organisational change initiatives such as total quality management (TQM), and the strategic role of HRM and its effects on organisational performance. They have also reflected on how, in academic circles, the search for a universal HRM paradigm has given way to an emphasis on understanding how HRM operates in diverse situations and what contribution it can make to organisational performance. More recent editions have explored issues raised by globalisation; focusing on the development of HRM in the emerging economies of China and India, and the ways in which multinational companies are influencing HRM ideas and practice across the globe as well as the national and international policy environments in which HRM operates. This edition continues to explore these themes and also reflects significant contemporary events, including the aftermath of the financial crisis and the economic downturn affecting many Western economies. At the time of writing, the UK’s decision to leave the EU has caused much uncertainty in the business world and any predictions of its impact included in this text can only be tentative. All chapters have been updated to reflect developments in thought and practice in the field of HRM but we recognise that the huge and expanding area in and around HRM cannot be contained within a single book and apologise for any omissions. Nevertheless, we are confident that we have covered the broad sweep of the HRM field and some aspects of it in considerable detail. As with HRM, the team of contributors is a continually evolving one. When the first edition of this book was published in 1994, all the contributors were members of the HRM department at De Montfort University (DMU). Since that time, some long-standing contributors have moved to other institutions (Universities of Leicester, London, Nottingham Trent and Northampton) while new members of the department at DMU have joined the team of contributors. We also welcome the contribution from Jim Stewart (University of Liverpool) to this edition. Some previous contributors have chosen not to be involved this time round and we would like to thank Tim Claydon, Phil Almond, Olga Tregaskis and Nicky Golding for their input into earlier editions. It is with great sadness that we report the loss of a key contributor as Professor Audrey Collin passed away on 19 October 2015. Audrey has contributed to every edition of the textbook and her chapter “the Context of HRM” has continued to be an insightful and thought-provoking read. She is sadly missed and, as a tribute to her, we have retained her chapter for this edition with only minor updates and new case studies. As ever, we thank all our contributors for their hard work and willing cooperation in getting this edition to press. We would also like to thank partners, family members and colleagues for their help and support in the arduous process of academic writing. Thanks, too, to Pearson for their commitment to successive editions of this book and for the enthusiastic help and encouragement we have received from the editorial team.