For this project, students should examine, in-depth, a theory (up to 3 theories if you like) in human resources management that they want to learn more about. Students will prepare a 12-page paper that discusses the following:
1) A thorough background of the theory (Who developed it? When? Why? Has it been well received in the business community? The academic community? Why or why not?). Next, discuss:
2) What the theory looks like in the industry. Here, students are encouraged to incorporate experiential learning (e.g., Have you seen evidence of this theory in your job? How do you know? What does it look like? Do you think it works well? Why or why not?). To successfully complete this project, students should spend time in a workplace (theirs or one they are interested in) to understand how that theory is applied and/or adapted in a real-life work situation. During this experience, students should watch for specific techniques used by the HR department and make a note of them. They should use those notes to discuss how the theory is being correctly or incorrectly applied, and to what result.
3) Conclusions: End the paper with recommendations on what the organization can keep doing (or do better) based on HR theory.