Human Resource Management in Context


Book Description

HR functions within both internal and external contexts. The understanding of both contexts is crucial for comprehending how and why they drive HR strategies and practices in organizations, as well as the rules and structures within which they work. Built around five major themes which impact upon the HR function, and mapping to the CIPD Level 7 Advanced module of the same name, Human Resource Management in Context enables students to understand the complex and changing organizational context in which HR operates today by providing a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts, theories and issues from globalization and government policy to demographic, social and technological trends. This fully updated 4th edition of Human Resource Management in Context includes a range of pedagogical features, balancing theory with practical analysis to form an engaging insight into the strategic side of HR. It includes enhanced emphasis on the impact of the external environment on the HR profession, a discussion of the impact of technology and social media, increased coverage of ethics and CSR and links to the HR Profession Map. Online supporting resources for lecturers include an instructor's manual, lecture slides, annotated web links and guidance for the chapter activities.




Vedanta Philosophy of Management vol- 1


Book Description

Vedanta Philosophy of Management is the modern need of the changing world order in these days of technological innovation and gigantic size of business organizations. Keeping in mind the objectives of sustainable development goals (SDGs) five Chapters are devoted in this volume, to increase human competency building, enhance capabilities, and to bring in creativity to strengthen human living parameters in terms of Vedanta management thought and the Vedic work practices. Chapter 1 deals with “Introduction to Vedanta Management Thought” to understand the framework of Vedanta management and to find-out the means and ways for human resource development (HRD) potentials through Vedanta philosophy, along with backdrop analysis of business process reengineering (BPR) paradigms in confining issues pertaining to organizational effectiveness as well as environmental sustainability. Effective leadership qualities are narrated in sparkling manner to strengthen managerial professional ethics, administrative excellence building norms, bring in positive social change in terms of Vedic work ethics and code of conduct. Hence, this Chapter enlightens on various postulates of global development initiatives through Vedanta practices of management to finding out the true nature of management and its significance in the present day changing world order in scientific temper of thought. Applications of Vedanta knowledge in organizational activities are synthesized with the Vedic work principles to uplift human beings from pathetic social sufferings. As such, quality circle fundamental issues are stressed with equanimity of work and equipoise nature of performance for supplementing human growth related paradigms in ‘path-goal’ relativity approach. Chapter 2 deals with “Vedanta Management and Theory of Work” to work-out judicious relationship between organizational activities and human development strategies in relation to organizational dynamicity, managerial vision of work, etc. with goal directed initiatives. As such, this Chapter especially considers the Vedanta principles of management with the Vedic rules of work practices, in coagulating tools and techniques of human dynamic behavioral postulates for enhancing human competencies building to commensurate transformational social change with transcendental approach. Hence, theory of work is given special priority in organizational activities in terms of Vedanta mission, to incorporate management practices in regard to human existential freedom of living. Chapter 3 deals with “Vedanta Management and Theory of Knowledge” and furnishes the principles of human creative innovational thought for illuminating production function related activities, to enlarge organizational effectiveness in terms of theory of knowledge and managerial excellence building process. Here, universal brotherhood has been considered sincerely for exposition of the fundamental rules of Vedanta management in realities of management, to eradicate social poverty with interface between managerial knowledge and values of work. It has provided a paradigm shift of knowledge to social emancipation process of human beings for world class citizenship in terms of administrative skills. Thus, this Chapter provides a new managerial perspective on international understanding with human cooperative endeavors; so that Vedanta management helps to match resources in matchless way to reduce gaps between haves and have-nots, for bringing human solvency as well as salvation of life. Chapter 4, analyzes “Vedanta Management and Theory of Devotion” to relate organizational work ethics with leadership qualities in bringing world unity, social integrity and human self-sufficiency. Thus, this Chapter elaborates the issues of the integral concept of humanity in relation to work and knowledge as the pyramid of social reconstruction, in confining organizational work ethics to areas of radical social reconstruction through devotional qualities of modern organizational leaders, and therefore, human growth and social sustainability is explained in relativity approach to amplify the reasons for increasing human capacity building with devotional managerial qualities at organizational structure, to enrich the pillars of modern organizations. As a whole, this Chapter is attempted to discuss primarily qualities of devotion in management and its necessity for attaining the goal of organizational work efficiency. Thus, this Chapter has established relativity between work and devotion to uproot the principles of Vedanta in management, so as to know clearly the devotional practice of work philosophy in bringing universal peace and eternal concept of human living through Vedanta management techniques. Thus, managerial guidelines are provided for effective organizational rolling in making pious social journey with knowledge-base intercepts towards the existential autonomy of humankind. Chapter 5 discusses on “Vedanta Management for International Understanding” to reflect international cooperative business environment with the help of management vision. It explains analytically the fundamental thoughts of financial solvency through Vedanta techniques of derivative management system. This Chapter further deals with international human cooperation building measures in terms of Vedanta system of management, to enumerate various business policies at international level. Technological upgrading principles and practices at international level have been found to be the corner-stone of Vedanta management process, and therefore, we have exemplified with decisive factors – how to choose technology at the present set-up of the world business changing scenario for human empowerment, in bringing world equilibrium at economic frontiers. Accordingly, we have analyzed the reinventing policies of Vedanta management for international production quality enhancement program in realizing the goal of service delivery mechanisms of the global organizations. Enrichment of intellectual property for managerial value addition to the society has essentially been occupied important place in our discourses through Vedanta management objectives, for the purpose of valuable studies on international market driven competitive advantages as well as price mechanism behavioral prudence to global business environment of international organizations, for which administrative effectiveness has been put forward as proactive goal of managerial guidance at international standard, to illuminate the picture of good governance philosophy. All the Chapters have been interpreted in scientific manner with appropriate examples for confining human development related postulates in relativistic assumptions of sound organizational structure. Vedanta management ideologies are thus enumerated to uproot the ultimate goal of human society. Focus on the Vedanta techniques on overall study reveals – how managerial effectiveness will be enhanced through ‘path-goal’ relational approach of management, to augment scientific viewpoint on matters like, organizational strategy, social dynamicity and human capacity building for the purpose of world peace, global tranquility and human existential freedom of living. The volume is the first and new one as an innovative technique of social business reengineering process for creative managerial guidance to the effective cause of development of human resources as well as leadership goal of organizational life-style, in the changing phase of technological society and global order of the twenty-first century.




Higher education for public good


Book Description

This book focuses on the knowledge area of higher education governance, organisational dynamics, leadership and decolonisation. We have observed that governance discourse has been excluded in debates that concern the public good. The construct of public good seeks to support higher education that does not support a capitalist view of profit-making, arguably to respond to societal demands and needs such as developmental efforts through academic functions. Higher Education focuses on interconnected multi-disciplinary constructs, intending to provide services for the public good. The issue of public good is an interesting construct that puts universities on the spot since they are expected to be responsive to environmental changes and stakeholder needs through the functioning of accountable governance structures. These governance structures are compelled to comply with policy demands within external and internal environmental factors. This experience has exposed universities to systematic challenges that are local, regional and global, and which forces them to adapt while serving stakeholders and society. This book will also interrogate the governance of South African public universities in the post-decolonisation era and new demands from stakeholders.




Training for Leadership


Book Description

If the needs for training for leadership are recognized as urgent, we need to ask whether the training institutes are doing the right things and question the effectiveness of training institutions. This book calls for a serious and critical reflection on the way in which we conceptualize training for leadership in the second decade of the 21st century. The different chapters reflect the ideas, theories and practices being dominant today. The thread of the contents show that something is amiss in such training. In general it does not have the expected effects and it often does not address the needs of recipients. The implication is that training for leadership in the future has to be redefined taking into account the specific contingencies, problems and complexities, leaders – especially in developing countries – have to deal with. Leadership cannot be seen as an isolated factor. The different chapters in this book argue that training for effective leadership and good governance practices need to be combined. All ask for leadership that is less hierarchical and more interactive, collaborative, and takes also stakeholders outside the public sector seriously. This has serious implications for the question how leadership training is organized ; the different chapters of this volume address this issue from a theoretical as well as an empirical point of view : developments in theorizing about leadership, styles of public sector leadership, leadership in turbulent times and the importance of contingences on leadership in changing times.




ECIE 2021 16th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vol 1


Book Description

These proceedings represent the work of contributors to the 16th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ECIE 2021), hosted by ISCTE Business School, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal on 16-17 September 2021. The Conference Chair is Dr. Florinda Matos and the Programme Co-Chairs are Prof Maria de Fátima Ferreiro, Prof Álvaro Rosoi and Prof Isabel Salavisa all from Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal. ECIE is a well-established event on the academic research calendar and now in its 16th year, the key aim remains the opportunity for participants to share ideas and meet the people who hold them. The conference was due to be held at Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal, but due to the global Covid-19 pandemic it was moved online to be held as a virtual event. The scope of papers will ensure an interesting two days. The subjects covered illustrate the wide range of topics that fall into this important and ever-growing area of research. The keynote presentation is given by Soumodip Sarkar, Vice-Rector, from University of Évora, Portugal on the topic of Social Intelligence. The second day of the conference will open with an address by Professor Vittorio Loreto, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, who will talk about Exploring the adjacent possible: play, anticipation, surprise.




Quality Management Competencies-in-use


Book Description

Quality management is an established, widespread and well-researched management concept. Yet, surprisingly little research can be found on understanding the potential for action that is required in order to perform quality management work. The field of quality management has a strong emphasis not only on a customer and supplier focus (external), but also on a process focus (internal). This creates a constant challenge in the way in which quality management is conceived and realised. Another challenge is reflected in current research that describes the need for conceptual change in quality management due to extensive ongoing changes in society and the business environment. The nature and pace of technological development, coupled with changes in social behaviour, continuously bring out new customer needs and new ways for customers to interact with the producers of goods and services. This requires adaptive and innovative approaches for organisations, in order to stay competitive and relevant. This thesis uses competence-based and practice-based perspectives to better understand the requirements placed on quality management in meeting these challenges. It investigates what quality management work is and what properties must exist, in terms of competence and practice, in order to make quality management work possible. The purpose of this thesis is, therefore, to explore how the theoretical perspectives of competence and practice can contribute to an increased understanding of what is required to perform quality management work. Three research questions are posed and answered. The first research question concerns the nature of quality management work and how its key factors may be characterised; the second research question deals with competencies of quality management and how these are interrelated with quality management work; the third research question concerns how the interplay between quality management competencies can be understood. The research questions are answered by interpreting the findings of five papers included in the thesis, using a conceptual framework. The results of the thesis suggest two main directions of quality management work: expansive and adaptive quality management work. Expansive work is characterised by explorative practice, radical change to existing processes or the development of new processes, a logic of development, an orientation towards development and innovation, a striving to increase external efficiency and a striving to increase process variation. Adaptive work is characterised by exploitative practice, incremental change to existing processes, a logic of performance, an orientation towards goals and productivity, a striving towards internal efficiency and a striving to decrease process variation. Quality management competencies relate to quality management work in combining role dependency and discretion. Role dependency signifies the potential and capability to assume multiple role-responsibilities. Discretion is the ‘freedom of movement’ for quality practitioners to engage in practices and choose quality management work directions according to task and situation. The interplay between quality management competencies is understood as the combined effects of two competence antecedents: individual and/or collective dispositions to change and learning. This thesis extends research on quality management by increasing our knowledge and understanding of the requirements needed, not only to select and perform existing quality management practices, but also to adopt and engage in practices where emergence is accommodated by ambidexterity. Kvalitetsutveckling är ett etablerat, utbrett och välbeforskat managementkoncept. Trots detta går det att hitta förvånansvärt lite forskning vilken fokuserar på en ökad förståelse för de handlingsförmågor som faktiskt krävs för att utföra kvalitetsutveckling. Som koncept särskiljer sig kvalitetsutveckling i sitt dubbla fokus på både ett internt, processrelaterat innehåll och ett externt, kundfokuserat innehåll. Detta skapar en konstant utmaning för hur kvalitetsutveckling kan förstås och omsättas i praktiker. En annan utmaning som beskrivs i forskningen är behovet av konceptuell förändring som krävs i kvalitetsutveckling för att möta kunna samhälleliga och marknadsmässiga förändringar. Hastigheten och innehållet i den tekniska utvecklingen samt förändringar i sociala beteenden utvecklar hela tiden nya kundbehov och nya sätt att interagera med leverantörer av varor och tjänster. Detta kräver anpassningsinriktade och innovativa förhållningssätt för organisationer att vara relevanta samt att kunna bibehålla och öka konkurrenskraften. Kompetensteoretiska och praktikteoretiska perspektiv används i avhandlingen för att bättre förstå de krav som kan ställas på modern kvalitetsutveckling i att möta dessa utmaningar. Avhandlingen undersöker vad modern kvalitetsutveckling är och vilka egenskaper som måste finnas, i termer av kompetens och praktik, för att möjliggöra att modern kvalitetsutveckling utförs. Syftet med denna avhandling är således att utforska hur kompetensteoretiska och praktikteoretiska perspektiv kan bidra till en ökad förståelse för vad som krävs för att utföra kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete. Tre olika forskningsfrågor behandlas. Den första forskningsfrågan handlar om vad kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete är och hur det kan karaktäriseras i termer av nyckelfaktorer. Den andra forskningsfrågan berör kompetenser för kvalitetsutveckling och hur dessa kan kopplas till arbete med kvalitetsutveckling. Den tredje forskningsfrågan handlar om hur samspelet mellan kompetenser för kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete kan förstås. Forskningsfrågorna besvaras genom att tolka de empiriska resultaten i fem bilagda artiklar utifrån ett konceptuellt ramverk. Avhandlingens resultat visar på två huvudsakliga inriktningar på innehållet i kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete: expansivt och adaptivt kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete. Nyckelfaktorer i expansivt arbete är “explorative” praktik, radikal förändring av existerande processer eller utveckling av nya processer, utvecklingslogik, utvecklings- och innovationsorientering, extern effektivitet samt ökning av processvariation. Nyckelfaktorer i adaptivt arbete är “exploitative” praktik, inkrementell förändring i existerande processer, prestationslogik, mål och produktivitets-orientering, intern effektivitet samt att minska och styra processvariation. Kopplingen mellan kompetenser för och arbetet med praktiker i kvalitetsutveckling utgörs av en potential för rollberoende och handlingsfrihet. Rollberoende beskriver en individuell och/eller kollektiv kapacitet att kunna tillägna sig samt byta mellan olika definierade rollansvar. Handlingsfrihet beskriver kapaciteten att kunna välja inriktning på innehållet i arbetet beroende på uppgift och situation. Samspelet mellan kompetenser för kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete kan beskrivas som den samlade effekten av två förutsättningar (eng. antecedent) för kompetens: individuell och/eller kollektiv benägenhet för förändring och lärande. Avhandlingens resultat bidrar till forskningen om kvalitetsutveckling på två huvudsakliga sätt. Dels genom att öka kunskap och förståelse för de krav som ställs på att välja och prestera existerande kvalitetsutvecklingspraktiker. Dels genom att öka förståelsen om hur anpassning och utövande av dessa praktiker går till där framväxandet av praktiker stimuleras genom att möjliggöra organisatorisk ambidextri.




Supply Chain Management


Book Description

The purpose of supply chain management is to make production system manage production process, improve customer satisfaction and reduce total work cost. With indubitable significance, supply chain management attracts extensive attention from businesses and academic scholars. Many important research findings and results had been achieved. Research work of supply chain management involves all activities and processes including planning, coordination, operation, control and optimization of the whole supply chain system. This book presents a collection of recent contributions of new methods and innovative ideas from the worldwide researchers. It is aimed at providing a helpful reference of new ideas, original results and practical experiences regarding this highly up-to-date field for researchers, scientists, engineers and students interested in supply chain management.