UCL 103 Business Increasing Workplace Diversity Essay
Requirements:
You are required to pick ONE of the following questions and write an essay answer of 2,000 words.
Please note that you must choose a topic different from Assignment 1. For example, if you chose Recruitment for assignment 1, you
cannot choose question n. 3 for Assignment 2.
For all questions, the model answer will be structured in three sections: introduction, main body and conclusions.
The introduction will briefly outline the main relevant issues and explain how the answer is structured.
The main body will define and critically examine key relevant concepts and theories and it might also include examples from case
studies or personal work experience. This section will provide arguments both for and against the theories analyzed.
The conclusion will summaries key issues and provide an overall critical reflection.
Questions
1) Critically discuss the terms integration and responsiveness in the context of IHRM. What effect can these have on how organisations are
structured, the nature of the parent-subsidiary relationship, and the flow of knowledge across them?
2) Diversity management theories, policies and practices can be based on arguments of social justice or business needs. Compare and
contrast these two perspectives and explore whether there are overlaps and similarities between the two.
3) The use of psychometric testing in selection has attracted numerous criticisms. Critically discuss them and identify what HR managers
could do to address and mitigate the limitations of psychometric testing.4) “According to some, there is little point in training and developing employees if the jobs they are to undertake are tightly controlled with
no trust or discretion given” Critically discuss this statement, making references to two learning theories, and exploring their effectiveness
in training programmes for highly standardized jobs and for jobs with high level of autonomy and discretion.
5) Performance can be measured in different ways. Some of them focus more on employee control, others on employee development.
Critically discuss two different approaches to performance, examining whether they are more inclined toward control or toward
development.
6) Critically discuss ethical absolutism, ethical relativism, and ethical pluralism, explaining how these different perspectives might impact
HRM strategies, policies and practices of an organisation operating in different continents.