Personnel Research and Change
Personnel Research and Change
Personnel Research and Change
What is research?
Research- is a systematic and purposive investigation of facts with the object of determining
cause and effect relationships among such facts.
The researchers:
1. Colleges and Universities
Are set up to operate in both pure or applied phases of personnel research. It is common
to see bureaus of business research that engage in personnel projects as well as
investigations in the other fields of business management.
2. Private research organizations
Take a number of different forms. Some are employers’ associations that accomplish particular
projects of special interest to an industry.
3. Individual Companies
They also do personnel research, particularly of the operational or applied type.
Research Methods
All research involves the application, in some manner, of the scientific method. There are various specific
forms that individual research projects can take, among them are:
1. Controlled experiments
Relatively rare as conducted by private concerns.
2. Surveys
Commonly used research method. It usually takes the form of questionnaire or structured
interview.
3. Historical Studies
There is wealth of useful information in the files of most firms, including valuable records about
personnel.
4. Case studies
This approach is considered by many to be a separate method of research.
Quite frequently, however, case studies result only in the creation of further hypotheses requiring
additional research to validate.
5. Simulation
Widely used term and refers to role gaming as well as computer supported calculations to project
past and future outcomes.
The six operative personnel functions are fundamental and inescapable. Among the many items of
information needed are the following:
1. Procurement
It is concerned in procuring and employing people who possess necessary skill, knowledge and
aptitude. Under its purview you have job analysis, manpower planning, recruitment, selection,
placement, induction and internal mobility.
2. Development
Its function is concerned with organizational activity aimed at bettering the job performance of
individuals and groups in organizational settings.
3. Compensation
It is an act of providing monetary value to an employee for the work they do by means of a
company process or policy. Some types of compensation include salary, bonuses, and benefit
packages. Companies sue compensation management in order to find, keep, and motivate
employee to do quality work.
4. Integration
Integration between human resource management and businesses strategy is amongst the most
important demands that are put forward by modern day organizations.
5. Maintenance
It is a general process for improving communication, effectiveness and safety in operation
6. Separation
It is a sensitive issue for any organization. Usually, an employee leaves the organization after
several years of service. An employee may be separated as consequence of resignation, removal,
death, permanent incapacity, discharge or retirement.
As outlined by Lewin The Personnel Manager as a change agent must move through the basic
stages of change introduction: