Academic Writing

Length: 2000 words (plus or minus 10% before penalties apply) Weighting: 40% This assignment requires students to submit a written assignment addressing one of the HRM topics listed below. Through your essay you should demonstrate that you can: • Identify and describe the theoretical concepts and practical implications for implementing best practice HRM strategies associated with your topic, • Interpret and analyse research in a critical manner, and • Justify your rationale for applying the theoretical concepts and processes of HRM practice. “Within organisations it has been recognised that the diversity of people in a society needs to be reflected in the composition of the workforce.” Therefore, “it is necessary to understand how diversity issues impact on an organisation and how the decisions of HRM are directed at meeting the goals of having a multicultural workforce” (Stone, 2013, p. 584). Choose either Diversity Topic 1 OR Diversity Topic 2: Topic 1: Women are underrepresented in management and leadership. Topic 2: There are negative stereotypes and attitudes towards older workers. Task: 1. Critically evaluate the main issues and implications for HRM; and 2. Describe the HRM strategies that could be implemented to create a competitive advantage for an organisation. You can focus your HRM topic on just one specific area of HRM (e.g., recruitment and selection; training and developing, HRM and the law), however you must inform your reader as to why you have done this and ensure that you can support this narrowed focus with the academic references you use. In order to write this essay, you will need to research the literature on your topic, and incorporate a minimum of eight (8) refereed/peer reviewed journal articles dated 2000 or later throughout your essay to provide an academic justification for your position/arguments. The prescribed textbook may be referenced in addition to the minimum of eight (8) refereed/peer reviewed journal articles. Magazines, web sites and Internet sources are not to be used. It is important to use refereed/peer reviewed journal articles as they (i) provide a theoretical framework to understand information, (ii) test assumptions and observations made about people and processes, and (iii) are a reliable source of accurate information. Through this assignment you will demonstrate an understanding of: • HRM strategies and practices • Application of relevant HR theory • How to use in-depth research to support and justify your position and thinking • How to draw upon and accurately reference a minimum of eight (8) refereed/ peer reviewed journal articles dated 2000 or later • How to accurately cite sources in-text using APA or Harvard referencing style according to the Griffith University Referencing Tool • Written expression, grammar, structure, spelling and punctuation Rationale/purpose for this assessment • To help you gain a deep and critical understanding of HRM processes and their practical implications • To extend your skills in independent research, critical thinking and essay writing • To support your academic writing skills, including the use of peer reviewed articles Academic Writing Guide: • Write in third person. • One sentence is not a paragraph. Make sure you write paragraphs that consist of several sentences, with links between them. • No ‘contractions’, such as can’t or won’t, are allowed in academic writing. • No abbreviations should be used without first spelling out the full name. • Do not use any dot points or lists. • Do not include any direct quotations, where possible. A maximum of 1 quote is allowed, and if you use one, it needs to be referenced in-text with the exact page number that it came from. • Try to critically analyse what you are reading. • No new information is allowed in the Conclusion – it should simply summarise and strengthen the argument already provided throughout the paper. • Use only APA or Harvard referencing style according to GU Referencing Tool. Assessment Submission Instructions: • Use an essay format that includes headings and sub headings • Use Times New Roman size 12 font and double space your essay • Insert the cover sheet as the front page of your assignment (assignments that do not have a cover sheet will not be marked) • Insert page numbers bottom right • Reference List is not included in the word limit • Reference List should begin on a new page • Word count 2000 words (plus or minus 10% before penalties apply) • Include word count after the reference list • Submit assignment as a doc or docx file Note: Do NOT submit in a pdf format. • Save the file as SURNAME firstname student number for identification purposes (eg: [login to view URL]). • Submit electronic copy to Turnitin first to the DRAFT and then to FINAL submission point Suggested Essay Structure Below is one possible way to structure your essay. Other formats are equally feasible. Introduction – briefly introduce the topic, the purpose of your essay, and how it will be structured HRM Issues and Implications for HRM – use subheadings to identify each issue and the implications for HRM HRM Strategies – use subheadings for each strategy Conclusion – briefly summarise the key points in relation to the issues, implications and recommended strategies Reference List