An Introduction to Human Resource Management

John Stredwick

The main purpose of this book is to give a balanced introduction to the complex world of human resource management. Essentially it is intended for first degree students  studying the subject as part of a modu- lar degree course or for students on a foundation degree in  Business Studies. It can also be valuable on post-experience courses such as Certificate or Diploma  Courses in Management Studies or as part of the MCI series of qualifications. The book combines the main theoretical underpinning for the sub- ject area with a large number of  practical examples and cases to assist the learning process. It is divided into 12 chapters to  provide one topic a week on a modular course, but many of the chapters have sufficient material to  allow work to be extended into two semesters if this is required. The second edition has updated a large number of areas of legisla- tion, especially in the field of  equal opportunities, employee rights in flexible working and in employee relations generally. Many  new cases and examples of research have been added. Chapter 1 has been exten- sively revised to  place a greater emphasis on the role of human resources in improving organisational and employee  performance. Chapter 12 has been rewritten entirely to take into account the quickly changing and  rich sources of cases and research in the international field. I am grateful to my former

colleague, Graham Symon, for his scholarship in this area.