Human Resource Management
Business Management: IB Diploma, topic 2.1.2
Human Resource Management
Human resource management can be hard or soft.
Hard human resource management
- Hard HR is where employees are seen simply as a resource to be used.
- Hard HR is where employees are not trusted and will be closely supervised, with little training given.
Advantages and disadvantages of hard HR
- Hard HR allows managers to retain full control of employees.
- Hard HR does not allow employees to contribute their full potential to the business.
Soft human resource management
- Soft HR is where employees are recognised as the most important resource within the business.
- Soft HR is where employees are trusted and given opportunities to develop.
Advantages and disadvantages of soft HR
- Soft HR empowers employees which can increase production and efficiency.
- Soft HR gives employees more freedom so mistakes may occur if employees make poor decisions.
Test yourself on Human Resource Management
Which type of HR management views employees as resource to be used?
In soft HR management, what is recognised as the most important resource for a business to value?