Human Resource Management Analysis Essay Example
Human Resource Management Analysis Essay Example

Human Resource Management Analysis Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
  • Pages: 3 (712 words)
  • Published: November 23, 2016
  • Type: Analysis
View Entire Sample
Text preview

Introduction

Thirukkural, an ancient Tamil scripture, contains concise wisdom for various aspects of life.

The West and the East both universally praised it as a magnificent work of literature. According to Dr. Albert Schweitzer, "There is hardly a collection of maxims in the world's literature that contains such elevated wisdom." The works from the same time period as Thirukkural do not possess the same level of ideal perception and ethical insight. Kural goes beyond merely describing the present and includes principles for the future.

The principles of modern management can be compared to Kural, drawing analogies between them. Kural expresses the new theories in Human Resource Management in an abstract manner. Administration and Management have existed since the early days of settlement and the end of nomadic life, evolving from small beginnings. The essential elements of general administration found in Kura

...

l are timeless and remain applicable without any changes.

The purpose of this essay is to analyze the HRM concepts in Kural and their significance in contemporary administration. It will also emphasize the connection between Kural advocacies and present-day context.

Four Pillars of HR Functions

HRM comprises four essential functions which are acquisition, development, leadership, motivation, and maintenance. Employees are considered as valuable as any other asset and require careful acquisition, utilization, and maintenance.

1 The acquisition function includes human resource planning, job analysis, selection and recruitment, placement, orientation, and outsourcing. The development function encompasses training and development, knowledge management, organizational learning, career planning, fair treatment, and quality circles. Leadership and motivation function includes motivation, job enrichment, performance

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

appraisal, rewards, promotion, communication, etc. The maintenance function comprises compensation administration, transfers, discipline, safety and health, and grievance redressal.

HRM is the implementation of practical reasoning and rational deduction. Although it encompasses components of both scientific knowledge and professional expertise, its core essence lies in its application. Among various aspects of managing a company, the utmost significance is placed on effectively handling human resources. It is clear that human resources are the only assets capable of development, as all other resources are governed by mechanical principles.

A country's progress is hindered if it fails to develop the skills and knowledge of its people and efficiently utilize them. By carefully planning and coordinating all aspects of human resource management, future issues can be avoided and institutional growth can be accelerated. Numerous organizations waste valuable resources by having to correct mistakes resulting from negligent hiring practices. The effectiveness of a company can be assessed by evaluating the performance of its HR department. An effective personnel department is recognized for its contribution to overall management performance and outcomes.

Management's goal is to attain maximum output using limited resources. The success of an organization heavily relies on effective managers who bring out the best in their subordinates, leading to positive results. All managers have human resource (HR) responsibilities, such as recruitment, interviewing, selection, and training. The HR Manager also takes on various roles like counselor, mediator, problem solver, spokesman, and change agent. Consequently, organizations with a long-term perspective must view HR as an investment that will generate benefits over time.

Profile of Thirukkural Administration - an overall view: Thirukkural consists of 1330 couplets short and sweet, axiomatic in form and compressed in terse

verse with scope for elaborate deliberation and in-depth rumination. The Sage Thiruvalluvar has explored various dimensions of life, including domestic life, penance, bravery, benignity, rejoicing, and renunciation. This great monumental literature can be divided into three categories: virtue, wealth, and love.

The second category, which comprises economy, wealth, administration, state, and polity, is a significant portion of the composition. It consists of 700 couplets that are exquisitely intertwined with profound nuances, forming the essence of the magnum opus. Thiruvalluvar's wise counsel to the kings, ministers, and citizens of ancient Tamil Nadu remains relevant for today's managers in the modern world.

10 Valluvar - A Visionary: Thiruvalluvar's intuition and insight had a vision for the future. His work is well-suited for a democratic government due to his basic human approach. "Eight ingredients have been identified as essential prerequisites for a good job:

  1. Direct feedback
  2. a client relationship
  3. learning function
  4. the opportunity for each person to schedule his own work

  • unique expertise
  • control over resources
  • Direct communication andn personal accountability.-
  • All these points are stressed with clarity in the second part of the Kural. A thorough reading of the work with an open mind will indicate the foresight of the author in deciphering certain issues, which will stand as immortal maxims for humanity. The management and administration aspects covered in Kural SWOT analysis include the required traits for an administrator, leadership qualities, communication skills, financial management, project management, decision making, impartiality, role of experts, team management, SWOT analysis, timeliness, and place of action. The SWOT analysis helps in understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for making managerial decisions. Whether it is launching a product, expanding the business, or closing a unit, the SWOT analysis will impact the operations of a concern. This analysis is done by comparing the prevailing competition, as beautifully described in couplet 471.

    Before taking action, it is important to consider the task's difficulty, our capabilities, the strength of our opponent, and any support we may have. It is crucial to

  • apply our mental faculties when navigating through the complexities of nature. The presence of extremes can lead to limitations, just as a fast-flowing river can create obstacles for itself. As we climb the ladder of progress, it is essential to be cautious and avoid reckless advancement that may result in disaster. Even when we have reached the highest point of achievement, it is wise to carefully consider our next steps before progressing further.

    The key factor for phenomenal success is the timeliness of actions. Kural, written by Valluvar, emphasizes the significance of timely action. During the daytime, the owl will defeat the crow, while the opposite will happen at night. In addition to timing, the location is also crucial in determining the success of market forces. Sun-Tzu discusses the significance of terrain as one of the factors that determine warfare in his book 'The Art of War'.

    Business is comparable to warfare due to intense competition, where survival may not necessarily be determined by superiority. In aquatic environments, crocodiles prevail while on land, other beasts overpower them. The principle of diminishing marginal returns, a crucial concept in economics, is illustrated in the verse that states loading a cart with an excess of peacock feathers will eventually cause the axle to break. Decision making is dissected into three activities by Nobel Laureate A. Simon.

    Stereotyping is another form of this attitude. 21 Valluvar warns against looking down upon someone based on their appearance and likens this tendency to underestimating the axle-pin of a powerful moving vehicle. 22 Even today, discrimination persists based on race, color, and belief. Simply placing a black person in a job previously held by a

    white person does not truly offer equal job opportunities. The barriers need to be eliminated rather than merely shifted. The HR Manager responsible for hiring for a vacant position is typically not the same person overseeing its execution.

    With regards to understanding the job requirements, it is important for the individual to communicate with the supervisor. Valluvar advocates for a thorough selection process that includes challenging trials, in order to avoid issues caused by nepotism and favoritism. It is recommended to prioritize optimistic individuals during the selection process, as they are believed to approach problems with open minds. It is often said that the optimist invented the airplane while the pessimist invented the parachute.

    One who can distinguish between what is good and bad, but has a keen preference for what is good, should be given employment. The Kural emphasizes the importance of selecting such individuals for the organization. It is a well-known fact that if the wrong people are chosen, no amount of good management can make them effective. The entire HRM specialist and operating manager activity relies on this point. The person who manages the kingdom should be capable of expanding its resources, increasing its wealth, and addressing any emerging problems. Some individuals may excel in ideal situations but struggle in real-world conditions. Often, people reveal their true selves in the most innocent of situations.

    9 Kural emphasizes that passing selection tests does not guarantee success in the actual performance of duty. Many candidates may fail in their actual job performance despite passing these tests.

    30 Placement is crucial in determining the success of a candidate. It involves assigning specific job roles to selected candidates. Proper placement

    of employees reduces turnover, absenteeism, accidents, and dissatisfaction. It also improves employee morale.

    1 Thiruvalluvar emphasizes the importance of considering both the deed and ability of executives and matching them accordingly.

    32 Alec Rodger's seven-point plan comprises various components.

    The various aspects emphasized by modern management, such as physical attributes, achievements, intelligence, intellectual abilities, talents, interests, and personality traits, are subtly conveyed in the Kural. There are no unfit individuals; there are only misfits. Every person has the potential to succeed. Some individuals may appear as losers, but their outward appearance cannot deceive us.

    According to the Couplet, the provision of opportunity is crucial for unleashing an individual's full potential. It emphasizes that a ruler who is unwilling to grant freedom to the executive in their role will eventually lose prosperity. Trusting an employee involves considering four elements, one of which is their lack of craving for property. However, an overly ambitious employee may resort to unethical practices such as starting a rival business, compromising their integrity, embezzling public property, and misusing government resources.

    Outsourcing is a cost-effective method of enhancing service delivery. Prior performance should be considered when selecting an outsourcing provider. 37 These providers can be easily replaced when necessary. Kural recommends consulting a knowledgeable and experienced individual for important decision-making purposes as needed. 38 This approach will decrease expenditures and achieve the objective of outsourcing.

    Executives who want to reduce expenses but are concerned about the impact on knowledge and service in their Human Resources departments can outsource this function by contracting with Human Resources Management firms. One important aspect of outsourcing is the development function training, which plays a crucial role in instilling organizational knowledge and values

    in employees. Through training, employees can achieve self-development, career growth, and enhance their knowledge management and talent management abilities. Training should be seen as an investment rather than just a benefit or perk, as employee benefits alone may not fully meet the real needs of the employees.

    Cost cutting frequently results in corporate anorexia as numerous organizations prioritize profit above their employees. "The one minute manager" supports this notion, stating that the most valuable minute is the one spent investing in people. In Chapter 60 titled "Zeal," there are two contradictory couplets. Couplet 597 states that those with strong determination do not lose their enthusiasm and compare them to elephants that remain steadfast even when pierced by a shower of arrows.

    The verse 599 states that despite its large size, an elephant becomes frightened when attacked by a brave tiger. By examining this contradiction closely, we can comprehend it better. In the wild, elephants are timid and fear the fierce tiger, despite their greater size. However, when elephants are trained for battle, they become courageous and willingly confront a powerful army with determination. Valluvar's intent is to convey that through training, even someone who is dull and despondent can be motivated and transformed into an enthusiastic individual. Learning is an ongoing process. It is crucial to identify the training needs before implementing a training program in order to bridge the gap between the current state and the desired state.

    Training is the process of using what we have learned in real-life situations to improve an employee's knowledge and skills for a specific job. This idea is supported by Valluvar and recent management studies, which highlight the importance of

    smoothly applying acquired knowledge to practical scenarios. In some cases, instructors may want trainees to start the job or operative procedure and even ask them to explain each step beforehand, particularly when there are potential risks.

    Through repetitive practice, the trainee will gain more skill. 47 Knowledge management: It involves continuous cycles of creativity and innovation, is experiential, and mainly driven by knowledge workers. It is facilitated by organizational vision and support. 8 Kural's message is that as water springs from a sandy well depending on the depth of digging, a person's knowledge horizon increases with the height of learning. The urge for learning ultimately determines the amount of knowledge.

    The level of education is believed to be connected to social skills and the ability to connect with others. As education level increases, entrepreneurs are more likely to engage with diverse groups of people. According to Thiruvalluvar, educated individuals feel at home in any country. Additionally, although people have high intelligence quotients today, their emotional quotients are relatively low.

    Most organizations now understand that the emotional involvement and commitment of employees are more important than their intelligence quotient in determining their contribution to the company. It is highlighted in Kural's chapter how managers should remain undaunted by troubles and cultivate the habit of laughing them away. This idea is also supported in the book 'What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School'. Laughter is considered a effective way to release tension, and laughter therapy sessions are being used to treat stressed patients in the USA and UK. Communication skill plays a pivotal role in the success of a manager in a concern.

    The HR Manager is

    frequently required to negotiate with employees, clients, suppliers, and buyers. A skilled communicator expresses their ideas using eloquent and pleasant language to ensure their message reaches the intended recipients, whether they be superiors, subordinates, colleagues, or society as a whole. This particular aspect of communication is addressed in couplet 648, which states that having the gift of gab can make a person charismatic.

    Communication serves various functions such as providing information, giving commands and instructions, exerting influence and persuasion, and promoting integration. These functions are categorized as couplets 650, 648, 643, and 646. In the context of business, communication targets specific individuals or groups and serves a practical purpose of informing, analyzing, or persuading. The style of communication is subordinate to the content and clarity.

    Those who lack precise speaking skills tend to be verbose in communication. However, once someone masters the art of placing related words and sentences close together, they will notice a significant improvement in their writing. Chapter 65 specifically delves into the power of speech, often referred to as 'Communication special'. This chapter emphasizes the importance of selectivity, effectiveness, flawlessness, invincibility, pleasing disposition, precision, and self-explanatory delivery in communication, and it is recommended for administrators to follow. Additionally, the art of listening, often disregarded, is a crucial skill in communication. It is evident that knowledge resides within the minds of individuals.

    The main obstacle in knowledge management is convincing individuals to share their knowledge and incorporate it into the organization's knowledge repository. The 63rd Chapter of Thirukkural extensively addresses various aspects of listening. It emphasizes that the value of listening surpasses all other treasures. Truly listening and understanding what someone is saying has significant

    business implications, beyond simply gaining insights into people. Gaining insights requires awakening our senses.

    According to Kural's Couplet 419, one can acquire a comprehensive knowledge, even beyond what others desire, simply by observing and listening attentively while refraining from speaking. This emphasizes the importance of being a keen observer to understand subtle cues. Non-verbal communication plays a significant role in human interaction.

    According to studies, non-verbal communication accounts for 93% of our expressions, while only 7% of our communication is conveyed through words. Even subtle actions like crossing our legs can reveal information about our background, such as our nationality and cultural background. During World War II, American spies in Germany were identified by their unique way of crossing their legs, which differed from the European style. Today, our sitting posture can indicate aspects like authority, position, and attitude, especially in negotiations. Additionally, the way we handshake can also provide insights into someone's individuality, whether they are assertive or hesitant.

    In his writing, Valluvar dedicates a chapter to the understanding of a king's mind. This chapter is applicable to administrators of modern times. Shakespeare, in his tragedy Macbeth, quotes Duncan as saying 'There is no art to find the mind's construction in the face'. However, Valluvar disagrees by stating that the face serves as an indicator of the mind. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of the eyes in discerning a person's thoughts and emotions.

    Get an explanation on any task
    Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
    New