Ba 453 Research Paper Topics

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RESEARCH PAPER TOPICS BA 453 HRM

The primary objective of your paper is to do research in a specific area of HRM. Such research

requires the formation of a research question with a narrow focus to facilitate in-depth exploration

and often entails a blend of field and literary research. You can elect to do primarily field or literary

research. Some suggested topics are below, but you are encouraged to find one which excites your

intellect and/or is relevant to your future business career.

FIELD RESEARCH requires contacting a company or companies, identifying their current HR

policy issues or HR concerns, selecting only one, developing a list of interview questions based on a

brief review of research in that HR area, and then conducting an interview to explore the matter in

depth. It is NOT merely a report of the conversational narrative of the interview. It is a thorough

critique with recommendation for improvement.

1. Critique a current HR policy or issue in a specific company and make recommendations for

improvement. Examples of policies are: recruiting, hiring, orientation, training, succession

planning, career planning, team development, performance review, equal employment

opportunity, pay incentives, a specific type of employee benefit or perk, corrective/disciplinary

action, OSHA compliance, and safety recognition.

2. Describe a current HR strategy in a specific company and how it enhances their competitive

advantage in business. Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the strategy. Examples are: HR

employment planning, performance management system, organization design/development,

compensation planning, quality of work life (QWL), promotion of diversity, and team building.

3. Interview a HR Manager in a specific company and identify the major issues facing him/her and

how they plan to address them. Generally, this is a three step process: (1) phone interview to

identify an issue(s); (2) select an issue and develop a list of exploratory questions based on related

theory and research; and (3) conduct an in-person interview, ask the questions, and explore

possible interventions.

4. Identify and critique the practices adopted by a specific company to comply with a specific

employment law. Examples are: pregnancy leave, FMLA, affirmative action, sexual

harassment, disparate impact, ADA, wage-hour practices, OSHA, workers compensation,unemployment compensation, veteran rights, and ERISA or WARN.

5. Critique a performance management system in a specific company and make recommendations

for improvement. Note that this system entails more than performance review. See posted

materials.

6. If you have a company for whom you plan to work after graduation, inquire into whether there

is a specific HR policy or issue or program that is problematic and critique it. (or some other

HRM need you can research for them).

LITERARY RESEARCH requires an in-depth exploration of the current field of research for a

specific area; it is NOT an essay merely expressing your opinion of it.

1. Focus on a specific aspect of an employment law and examine the major case law with

implications for HR policy. Examples are: religious accommodation under Title VII, veteran

rights in employment, national origin discrimination, age or gender discrimination, etc.

2. Examine the value, legality and ethics of background investigations (factors to be investigated

and how they relate to job requirements). To narrow the focus of your research, select one of the

areas commonly investigated, e.g., social security verification, criminal records, education

credentials, prior work history, credit history, DMV records, etc.


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3. Examine a specific stream of employment litigation and its implications for HR policy and

pract1ce.

4. Examine one key macro HR concept such as Organization Design or Workforce Planning or

Compensation Planning and its link to Strategic Planning and HR policy development.

5. Critique a specific type of employment recruitment method based on available research.

6. Critique a specific type of employment selection method, e.g., personality testing, cognitive

ability testing, integrity testing, situational interviews, assessment centers, etc.

7. Critique a specific type of Performance Evaluation method and its fit in an overall performance

management system. Include an example of this method used currently in a company.

8. Critique a specific type of job analysis method and its implications for HR policy.

9. Examine the research underlying the various types of judgment bias in evaluation (employment

interviewing, organization assessment, performance reviews, complaint investigations, etc.).

10. Identify key aspects of the research surrounding performance measurement or more in-depth

review of the research surrounding a specific type of performance review method.

11. Critique an innovative recruiting method (identify companies using it and their experience).

12. Critique an innovative employment screening method (e.g., personality testing) and its

implications for HR policy.

Note of caution: Solid research takes time. Select a topic which is of interest to you or one that you

may clearly have an opportunity to use in your first job after college. Email me your research topic

and method asap so that if a dialogue is necessary to clarify the final topic, we will have time to

exchange information. Topic declaration, 4/16, and papers are due at the end of class on

4/30.Samples of A graded papers from previous classes are available in my office for review.

Topics for A Human Relations ResearchPaper

Human resource hiring policies can be one area for fruitful research.

The department of human relations or human resources is integral to any business.Students taking coursework in business administration or human resourcemanagement may be called upon to submit research papers on this vital topic.Choosing a research paper topic can be half the battle for many business students.

Human resources is a diverse field, however, that touches many aspects ofbusiness, making it a fruitful area for research.

1. Adapting to the Changing Labor Supply

a. One of the major issues that human resource managers deal withon a regular basis is the ever-changing labor supply or workforce.In an Alverno College course syllabus, Professor Tom Funk notes


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the transition from Generation X to Generation Y as a driving forcebehind the changing labor supply. Students can find a wealth ofresearch evaluating the ways in which human resource managerscan implement strategies, as well as the policies designed to dealwith this fluidity in the work force.

Labor Relations

b. The way that workers and employers relate to one another is animportant consideration for many businesses. The relationsbetween various worker groups, such as labor unions, sometimescreate great tension in some industries. For this reason,researching labor relations in the workplace and in the businessworld as a whole can also provide students with an effectiveresearch topic. Things to consider can include employmentpractices, the economics of labor markets, employment and labor

relations law and forms of dispute resolution in labor relations.

Wage Determination

Since human resource managers are in charge if payroll-related issues,another issue for students to explore is the way in which the labor supplyplays a role in wage determination. While economics are an obvious anglefor research, this particular topic can also be approached from abehavioral standpoint that examines how workers' compensation isaffected by their own behavior and attitudes.

The Future of Human Resources An ambitious paper topic that is probably most appropriate for graduate

students, the future face of the human relations field can be mapped outby examining the way that the field looks today and the various trends thatare currently causing it to change significantly. This topic has significantapplicability for human resource professionals who can learn to anticipatethe changes that will take place in the workforce and how to best preparefor them.

Conflicts

o Conflict resolution is always going to be a hot topic for human

resources. No matter what kind of workplace environment in businessyou've fostered, if there are people involved, there is the chance forconflicts to arise. There will always be an opportunity to talk to your humanresources team about any new information or mediation tactics you mighthave come across.


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Privacy

o With the constantly evolving rules regarding what questions canand can't be asked when interviewing new job applicants, this is one issuethat will not be resolved any time soon. Even major corporations caninadvertently cause problems when laws change and the interviewquestions don't change with the times. In addition, it's important that yourhuman resources team knows the current laws regarding individual rightsin the area of privacy.

Discrimination

o When a recession hits, businesses are forced to lay off employees.

As the business environment thaws and the economy begins to pick up,companies begin to start hiring again. There has been a growingawareness of a form of discrimination known as age discrimination. Whenolder workers are laid off, they are less likely to find a job, which means

that your human resources department should be set up to handle suchthings as retraining and possibly even job placement. At the same time,however, all forms of discrimination should be addressed and discussedon a regular basis.

Technology

o Technology is always going to be a hot topic when it comes to

human resources. As technology evolves and changes, the way it impactsthe workforce changes, as well. One example of this can be seen withsocial media. There will always be discussion over what can and cannotbe shared by employees through social media. For example, at what pointdoes an employee cross the line when criticizing a company throughsocial media?

Violence

o Violence in the workplace increases when the economy is suffering,

some security experts believe. By working with your human resourcesteam, you'll be able to implement programs designed to identify problemsbefore they occur, as well as put in place measures to protect yourself andyour employees if violence does break out.

Business Research Paper Topics

The world of business is complex and competitive. By composing a business-relatedresearch paper you can effectively explore this world of consumers, goods and monetaryexchanges. There are numerous interesting topics to consider when composing yourbusiness research paper. Select an interesting topic to turn your research papercomposition process into an engaging activity.


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Diversity in the Workplace

c. Many companies aim to promote and accept workplace diversity.Research practices that business can undertake to increase the

likelihood that their employees are accepting and accommodatingof each other's differences. Discuss the importance of workplacediversity acceptance in producing a healthy and productive workenvironment. Suggest activities or policies that might lead to agreater acceptance of employee differences.

Management Techniques

d. In working to control the actions of individuals under them,managers can opt to adopt a number of different managerialtechniques. Research management techniques recommended byresearchers within the business field. Compare and contrast thesemanagement techniques, and discuss when each technique mightbe most appropriate. Explain why each technique is effective andhow selecting and adopting one of the discussed managementtechniques could be advantageous to a fledgling manager.

Small Business Success

e. Small businesses face numerous success challenges. Researchsmall businesses and compile a list of characteristics that are

commonly found in small businesses that prove successful.Discuss ways in which those starting a small business can increasethe likelihood of their business' success. Prescribe a course ofaction for those beginning businesses to follow to ensure that theirendeavor proves fruitful.

Franchise Ownership

f. Some individuals find great success in buying an establishedfranchise. Gather information on the process of franchisepurchasing. Discuss the benefits and weaknesses of buying a stakein an established franchise instead of starting your own businessconcept. Explore reasons why buying a franchise may be a moreadvantageous choice as well as ways in which franchise ownershipis less desirable than creating an independent start up.

Preparing for Globalization


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g. Those entering the business world today commonly have tocontend with globalization. Discuss how globalization complicatesthe process of owning and running a business as well as how itincreases profitability. Gather information on what those studyingbusiness can do to prepare to compete in the global marketplace.

Provide information on how globalization effects the market value ofgoods as well as the salaries of contemporary workers.

Ba 453 Research Paper Topics

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