Human Resources: Electronic Books

Is it really true that, as the Roman philosopher Seneca famously said in antiquity, "It is the quality rather than the quantity that matters"? (TE 2013) This popular view on quality can be contrasted with an opposing view by John Ruskin, who wrote that "the strength and power of a country depends absolutely on the quantity of good men and women in it." (TE 2013a) Contrary to these opposing views (and other ones as will be discussed in the book), human resources (in relation to quantity and quality) are neither possible (nor impossible) nor desirable (or undesirable) to the extent that the respective ideologues (on different sides) would like us to believe. Of course, this questioning of the opposing views on human resources does not imply that the study of quantity and quality is worthless, or that those fields (related to human resources)like demographics, human resource management, labor economics, development studies, environmental migration, modernization, organizational studies, sustainable growth, and so onare unimportant. (WK 2013) Needless to say, neither of these extreme views is reasonable. Instead, this book offers an alternative (better) way to understand the future of human resources in regard to the dialectic relationship between quantity and quality (especially, though not solely, in the context of demographics)while learning from different approaches in the literature but without favoring any one of them (nor integrating them, since they are not necessarily compatible with each other). More specifically, this book offers a new theory (that is, the post-human theory of demography) to go beyond the existing approaches in a novel way and is organized in four chapters. This seminal project will fundamentally change the way that we think about human resources in relation to quantity and quality (especially, though not solely, in the context of demographics) from the combined perspectives of the mind, nature, society, and culture, with enormous implications for the human future and what I originally called its "post-human" fate.

Since 1995, USC's Center for Effective Organizations (CEO) has conducted the definitive longitudinal study of the human resource management function in organizations. By analyzing new data every three years since then, the Center has been able to consistently chart changes in how HR is organized and managed, while at the same time providing guidance on how professionals in the field can drive firm performance. Global Trends in Human Resource Management, the seventh report from CEO, provides the newest findings about what makes HR successful and how it can add value to organizations today. Edward E. Lawler III and John W. Boudreau conclude that HR is most powerful when it plays a strategic role, makes use of information technology, has tangible metrics and analytics, and integrates talent and business strategies.To adapt to the demands of a changing global marketplace, HR is increasingly required to span the boundaries between its function, the organization as a whole, and the dynamic environment within which it operates. This report tracks changes in a global sample of firms that shows how HR differs across Europe, the U.S., and Asia, providing an international benchmark against which to measure a company's practice and shows how HR can adapt in a rapidly changing landscape.

The world where we live is changing faster than ever before. Different challenges and changes are putting pressure on organisations to become more flexible and dynamic. The process of change is not easy, at the same time all those involved (managers, engineers, researchers and academics) are facing considerable demands to be successful. Conscious of this reality, and drawing on the latest developments, ideas, research and best practices, this book intends to examine the implications of the latest challenges and changes taking place in the environment and, consequently, in the organisational arena. Furthermore, the authors in this book discuss how these challenges and changes affect the management and motivation of human resources belonging to these organisations. Designed to increase the knowledge and effectiveness of all those involved in human resource management, whether in the profit or non-profit sectors, or in the public or private sectors, this book can be used for academics, researchers, human resources managers, managers, engineers, and other professionals in related areas.