Example human resource management dissertation topic 15:

Employee retention rates: The impact of effective human resource planning

According to Burack and Mathys (1989:3) human resource planning is a “futuristic tool and approach method that handles the analysis schemes, policies and strategies and methods to set up and put into practice programs that bring about successful workers”. This study evaluates the validity of this contention via reference to two competing firms within the fast food industry: Starbucks and Costa Coffee. Using predominantly qualitative research techniques, this study analyses the results of 100 survey questionnaires sent to part-time staff at ten restaurants of each chain and, through interpreting the results in accordance with the academic theoretical models that underpin this work, proffers a number of recommendations to each firm as to how to improve their existent staff retention rates.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Hausknecht, J.P., Rodda, J. and Howard, M.J. (2009) ‘Targeted employee retention: Performance-based and job-related differences in reported reasons for staying’, Human Resource Management, Vol. 48(2), pp. 269-288.
• Mignonac, K. and Richebe, N. (2012) ‘‘No strings attached?’: How attribution of disinterested support affects employee retention’, Human Resource Management Journal, not yet published.