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Fundamentals Hrm Bauer

An introduction to the fundamentals of Human Resource Management (HRM) with a special emphasis on using people, data, and analytics to make strategic, data-informed decisions throughout the employee lifecycle.

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What it’s about

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management: People, Data, and Analytics offers a modern, cutting-edge introduction to the world of HRM. It argues that for HRM to be a strategic business partner, professionals must move beyond intuition and embrace data-driven decision-making. The authors cover all core HRM functions—from strategic planning and job design to recruitment, performance management, rewards, and employee relations—while consistently emphasizing the increasing role of data, HR information systems (HRIS), and analytics. It's written for all business students, not just future HR managers, asserting that understanding people management systems is crucial for any managerial role. The book equips readers with the tools to ask the right questions, gather and analyze data, and interpret findings to improve organizational effectiveness, all while navigating the critical legal and ethical landscapes of modern HRM.

The through-line

Who it’s for
The reader is a business student, aspiring manager, or current HR professional who wants to succeed in the modern business world. They understand that people are key to organizational success but aren't sure how to manage them effectively and strategically in an increasingly complex, data-rich environment.
The problem
They need to make critical decisions about hiring, developing, motivating, and retaining employees, but often rely on outdated practices, intuition, or anecdotal evidence. They feel uncertain and overwhelmed by the demand for data literacy and analytical skills, and they fear making biased, legally non-compliant, or ineffective people-related decisions that could harm employees and the organization.
The plan
  1. Understand the strategic context of HRM and its evolution into a data-driven function.
  2. Master the core functions of HRM across the employee lifecycle: from job analysis and recruitment to performance management and rewards.
  3. Learn the fundamentals of data management, HRIS, and HR analytics to make informed, evidence-based decisions.
  4. Apply these principles through real-world case studies, ethical dilemmas, and decision-making exercises.
The payoff
Readers will become confident managers and professionals who can strategically manage human capital. · They will be able to leverage data to make fair, effective, and legally defensible people decisions. · They will contribute to creating high-performing organizations where employees are engaged, productive, and valued.

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