Introduction to Human Resource Management, 2nd Edition

• The combination of an HR lecturer and an HR practitioner author team results in a fusion of academic and practical insights, which present the reality of human resource management.
• Three chapter-long, real life case studies provide detailed insights into the role of HRM in three different business scenarios: an assessment and development centre, the closure of a factory, and the reform of the HR function within an NHS hospital. These give the opportunity to learn HR skills across a variety of topics and are a unique opportunity to move forward from considering HR topics in isolation, more closely reflecting HR in practice.
• This text takes a truly holistic approach to the subject, avoiding the presentation of HRM as a separate management function, and instead seeing HR processes and challenges as an integral part of any business.
• An analytical viewpoint is taken throughout, which encourages students to think critically about the issues. Reference to academic debates (both via Research Insight boxes and within the text of each chapter) helps tie together the practical and theoretical aspects of the subject.
• The extensive Online Resource Centre provides all the teaching and learning materials needed to support each chapter, removing the need for lecturers to look for additional class and test materials, and giving students the resources they need to check and build on their understanding.

New to this edition

• New chapter on strategic human resource management
• New case study chapter on running an assessment and development centre. The Online Resource Centre also now provides guides on how best to use the four case study chapters. Each of these has the potential to be a ready-made package for a seminar of up to several hours in length and the guide focuses on methodology along with the opportunities for group work and feedback.
• New 'Practitioner Insight' feature in every chapter i.e. interviews with practitioners from a variety of organizations ranging from large public- and private-sector organizations such as Nottingham Trent University and Calor Gas to smaller companies including International Information Systems in Bahrain, providing a first-hand reflection on practice from twelve different individuals. These are drawn from both line managers and the HR function and public and private sector are covered, including views from SME businesses.
• New 'Research Insight' feature has been introduced (around 3 per chapter), summarising key papers at relevant points within the chapter and encouraging students to extend their reading by following up these references
• The latest effects of the global financial crisis and changes to the law have been included along with numerous other changes in HR practice such as online recruitment, social networking and outsourcing HR
• The line manager perspective has been increased in order to underline the book's relevance for students of any business discipline

Co-written by a lecturer and a practitioner, Banfield & Kay provide academic and practical insights that convey the reality of HRM. Designed specifically for students taking their first introductory module in human resource management, this textbook combines the academic and practitioner perspectives to produce a balanced introduction to the subject. This approach explores how HRM is actually practised and experienced in the workplace, which overcomes the idealistic and partial insights of many textbooks. By taking a truly holistic approach to the subject, this text avoids the presentation of HRM as a separate management function, and instead presents HR processes and challenges as an integral part of any business. 

The conversational writing style adopted by the authors is ideal for students, and has been highly praised for engaging the reader.

The book is divided into 4 parts: The Foundations of HRM (Chapters 1- 3) is followed by Operational Challenges (Chapters 4-8). Key HRM Processes are then examined (Chapters 9-12) before the final part presents three real-life case study chapters (Chapters 12- 15), drawing on the topics covered earlier in the text such as planning, recruitment, selection, redundancy, learning, and training. 

Within each chapter, care has been taken to encourage students to think critically about the issues. A huge number of real life examples and case studies are included throughout, presenting the reader with opportunities to understand the theory in practice, and bringing the topics to life. A wide range of boxed learning features and a user-friendly writing style ensures the content is fully understood and encourages students to actively engage with the issues raised.

The second edition features a new chapter on strategic human resource management. The authors have also undertaken interviews with practitioners from a range of organizations. These range from large public- and private-sector organizations such as Nottingham Trent University and Calor Gas to smaller companies including International Information Systems in Bahrain. These have been written up into a new 'Practitioner Insight' feature in every chapter, providing a reflection on practice from twelve different individuals. In addition a 'Research Insight' feature has been introduced, summarising key papers at relevant points within the chapter and encouraging students to extend their reading by following up these references.

Readership: This book is suitable for students taking HRM modules on both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.