Example human resource management dissertation topic 6:

A critical evaluation of the barriers to the successful implementation of a successful strategic HRD policy within organisations

With an organisation, people are the most important resource. Realisation of this has led to the creation of a body of literature that suggests that there is a continual need to evaluate and improve the existing training and development opportunities afforded to individuals within firms. However, whilst HR management and development may offer a multi-faceted approach to career development, there are institutional barriers to its effective implementation. These tend to centre upon the time and money made available to HR departments (and to employees to partake of the programmes offered) and fear that enhanced personnel may be lured away to competitor organisations. Adopting a mixed method of research, this dissertation combines theory with interviews of both personnel/HR management as well as senior managers within firms and employees to garner a three-dimensional viewpoint of the barriers that may exist to the implementation of an effective and strategic HR development programme.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Snell, S.A., Youndt, M.A. and Wright, P.M. (1996) Establishing proper framework for research on strategic human resource management. London: John Wiley.
• Sveiby, K. (1997) New organizational wealth. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.
• Swanson, R.A and Holton, E.F. (1997) Human resource development research handbook: Linking research and practice. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.