The participants need to read prior to the seminar a recent basic textbook in HRM, for example: Dolan, S.L., Valle R., Jackson S.E., Schuler R.S., LA GESTION DE LOS RECURSOS HUMANOS: Preparando profesionales para el siglo XXI,3rd. Ed. (McGraw Hill 2007); or Dolan, Saba, Jackson and Schuler , La gestions des ressources humaines (ERPI-Pearson Education, 2008): Jackson Schuler, Managing Human resources (any edition since 2008) , Thomson; or the latest book ofany other basic textbook In HRM.
The course will focus on various rsearch projects undertken by members of the HR Department in ESADE as well as research projects in the Instituto de Estudios Laborales (IEL) (Institute for Labor Studies). We will also take advantage of some visiting HR scholars in the area and attempt to invite them to the course (if possible).

Note: During April 19-20, 2010 , ESADE will host the Strategic Human Resource Management 2 days international workshop. All students in this seminar are invited (highly recommended) to take part in this 2 days event.
 

Basic knowleledge in Managing People (formal classes or practical expirience ) is recommended
 

This is a competency-based intensive seminar. It is designed to provide graduate students in Management an understanding of research designs in general and with competencies in three specific areas.

1. An understanding of theory building, measurement, research design, methods, and strategies they will need to publish empirical research in HRM, and the ability to recognize how various issues impact research conclusions.

2. Skill in critical reading, interpreting, and critisizing actual studies that employ typical research designs, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, explaining them to researchers and other interested parties, and suggesting ways to improve them.

3. The ability to identify contemporary topics in HRM and design studies that control for likely sources of error, use appropriate procedures for testing hypotheses, and contribute to knowledge in the content area.
 

This seminar will focus on contemporary research on HRM (managing People ) issues as it relates to theories in organizational studies, Management, sociology, psychology, and labor economics. The seminar analyzes these issues from both the individual and firm level of analysis.
 

The following items will contribute to students learning (and grades) in this seminar:

Part I - 2-3 Intensive days

1. Preparation and participation - Students will have to come well prepared for the seminar. Readings will be distributed in advance.
2. Article critiques (about 2 or 3) - assess papers that have been submitted for review in academic journals/conferences

Part II - 2-3 intensive days a month later

3. Study design project (1): Presentation (oral and written) of a complete research proposal. You will have 1 month to prepare this project.
4. Contribution to a class project aimed at producing a publishable paper (this is an optional theme and its feasibility will be discussed in class.
 

40% PARTICIPATION IN THE COURSE
60% INDIVIDUAL PROJECT (ORAL AND PAPER PRESENTATION)
 

Article Critiques--Procedures

1. Prepare article critiques in two copies. Keep one and turn one into the instructor at the beginning of class. Critiques are not graded, but we will check your understanding of the material.

2. No one will be designated as the person responsible for leading the critique discussion in advance. Everyone must be prepared to discuss the critiques in class, or lead the discussion, if called on to do so.

3. Answer each question below directly. In general, shorter answers are better than longer ones. Do not worry if you are not too familiar with the content of the studies. Please, do not need to read any other content-oriented material. You should focus on the appropriateness of the research design, model-concept, measurement, sampling, and other elements of the study for accomplishing the author's objectives.

4. Each research critique must contain separate (labeled) sections addressing the following questions:

a) Main constructs. What are the main constructs used in the study and how are they related?
b) Theory. What is the theoretical basis for the constructs and the proposed inter-relationships?
c) Impact. Why should anyone care? (e.g., What is its main or intended contribution?)
d) Hypotheses tested. What specific hypotheses were tested?
e) Data and sample. What kind of data and sample were used to test the hypotheses?
f) Operational definitions. How were the measures operationally defined? (Describe the operational definition for each construct or variable if you can find one).
g) Test Methods. How did the authors test each hypothesis? (Describe each test).
h) Meaning of support. Ignoring the results for a minute, what it would mean if each hypothesis could not be rejected? (For each hypothesis.)
i) Meaning of rejection. Ignoring the results for a minute, what would it mean if each hypothesis was rejected? (For each hypothesis.)
j) Next test. What is the next step in this line of research? (Be specific--what hypotheses should be tested next?)
k) Practical value. What is the practical value of this study?
l) Generalizability. How generalizable are the results?
m) Test validity. Does the study have statistical conclusion validity? (e.g., adequate power, appropriate methods)
n) Construct validity. Does the study have construct validity? Why or why not?

In addition to the readings of basic HR text(s) as per above, articles to be read and analyzed will be available for download from the seminar intra web
 

TBA - A complete list will be availble 3 months prior to commencement of the seminar.
 

Monday 26/04/10
From 09:00 h. to 13:00 h.
Tuesday 27/04/10
From 09:00 h. to 13:00 h.
Wednesday 28/04/10
From 09:00 h. to 13:00 h.
Tuesday 25/05/10
From 09:00 h. to 13:00 h.
Wednesday 26/05/10
From 09:00 h. to 13:00 h.