Chapter 5 of Human Resource Management in a Business Context (2nd Edition 2004) by Alan Price - published by Thomson Learning

Contents

Objectives
The purpose of this chapter is to:
- Provide an overview of the role played by governments in creating the context for human resource management.
- Outline the concept of human capital and its implications on development throughout the world.
- Introduce the legal frameworks that regulate employment in the major economies.
- Describe initiatives taken by the European Union as examples of governmental initiatives with a human resource focus.
The state and intervention

Human capital

Legislative frameworks

Europe-wide initiatives

Summary
In this chapter we examined the role played by governments in creating the context for human resource management through labour market policies, regulation and legal frameworks. We emphasized the particular influence of state intervention in developing human capital and growth of the employment market. Employment legislation sets a framework for the practice of human resource management but these frameworks vary widely and embody different traditions and views on the nature of the employment market. We took the European Union as an example and highlighted a number of initiatives with a human resource focus which were interpreted differently in member states.
Further reading
Texts on Labour Market Policies include: Why Deregulate Labour Markets? edited by Gosta Esping-Andersen and Marino Regini, Oxford University Press (2000); Changing Labour Markets in Europe: The Role of Institutions and Policies edited by Peter Auer, International Labour Office (2001); Innovations in Labour Market Policies: The Australian Way by D. Grubb, Douglas Lippoldt, Peter Tergeist, OECD (2001); Labour Market Inequalities: Problems and Policies of Low-Wage Employment in International Perspective, edited by Mary Gregory, Wiemer Salverda and Stephen Bazen, Oxford University Press (2000).
Most books about human capital are focused on the firm, more generally Rethinking Development Theory and Policy: A Human Factor Critique, by Senyo B. S. K. Adjibolosoo, Praeger Publications (1999) looks at failure within the context of development. By now, there is a huge selection of books available on employment policies in the European Union. European Labour Law - Eighth and Revised Edition 2002 by Roger Blanpain, Kluwer Academic Publishers (2002) is an exhaustive review of employment legislation in the EU. More generally, Unemployment in the New Europe, edited by Nancy Bermeo, Cambridge University Press (2001) advocates a European way forward.

Review questions

Problems for discussion and analysis

Case study - South Africa
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Human Resource Management
in a Business Context
2nd Edition 2004

by Alan Price
Published by
Thomson Learning
ISBN 186152966X

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