This thesis integrates theory and practice of team coaching into a holistic framework relevant to professional coaches and professional coach educators. I adopt an autoethnographic approach, exploring team coaching via three fieldwork sites; two sites where I am the team coach and thirdly a discussion group of professional coaches. Fieldwork data is collated chronologically and implicit knowledge is surfaced through story telling as a mechanism of sense making to answer the question: What is going on when I am coaching a team? In analysing and interpreting my stories, I take a postmodernist theoretical perspective, adopting a deconstructive approach which seeks to elucidate multiple ways of knowing and seeing. The resulting framework draws on four metaphors. Team as machine that follows a functionalist model of effectiveness that can be managed through behaviours and process. Team as family, which illuminates the interwoven nature of individual relationships and suggests strategies to create safe, mutually respectful collaborative behaviours. Team as living system represents the experience of teams thriving within a dynamic interrelated environment. Finally, the team and coach in Wonderland depicts a coaching assignment as analogous to following the White Rabbit into Wonderland. In a strange environment we may feel uncertain and vulnerable, however, curiosity enables us to remain open to possibilities. Each metaphorical perspective offers a ‘mode of awareness’ from which to operate as a coach. The framework develops our understanding of team coaching by bringing together diverse theoretical streams to inform what is going on in a new and accessible way as the metaphorical devices encapsulate complex ideas with simplicity. I contribute to team coaching practice as professional coaches can use the metaphorical language allied with theory to plan and reflect upon coaching assignments, consider relevant coaching approaches and engage in supervision. A shared language of metaphors provides researchers and practitioners with a new way to describe team coaching, creating a foundation on which to progress development in the future. In addition, the framework provides the basis for a coach development curriculum. I distinguish between team coaching and other team-based interventions and highlight how dyadic coaching practices may be applied within the team context to enable professionals from a variety of backgrounds to engage with the framework. Finally, I offer a transparent insight into a different way of investigating professional coaching practice describing how autoethnography allows us to tell practice stories in ways that are both evocative, insightful and open to analysis.

For both large and small companies involved in the internationalisation of world-wide markets, the successful management of expatriate assignment is an important part of overseas commercial activities.This investigation was concerned with expatriate management in fifty, multinational and international organisations in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia to contribute to the enhancement of success and reduction of failure of expatriate assignments.Data was collected to heighten the awareness of practitioners and academics to the value of dealing differently with expatriates. In forecasting the value of expatriates and the importance of global trade in the future, it was shown that the most successful companies are those able to identify and select an ample number of appropriate international managers. Where suitable candidates for relocation are not selected, higher than normal turnover occurs.The unique Australasian models developed and tested in this thesis are a direct response to the results of current research and encourage current practice to be less static. resulting in the rate of expatriate failure being reduced substantially.

This thesis examines contemporary human resource management (HRM) in the hotel industry in Taiwan. The hotel industry and the effective management of its human resources are of great economic significance for Taiwan, given the government's plans for doubling the number of international arrivals between 2002 and 2008 (Tourism Bureau 2005b). Yet previous research on this topic is scarce, consisting of only four studies, three of them unpublished Master's theses. Access to two of the studies is limited and all four studies have adopted a 'single issue' perspective in their investigation. This study has attempted a broader perspective, inviting exploration in an open-ended way of a range of contemporary issues and concerns. It also offers a literature review intended as a significant contribution in its own right, in its attempt to locate research helpful to the Taiwanese hotel industry. The specific aims of this study were to explore the way managers in the hotel industry are thinking about what they identify as concerns, the HRM issues and practices they perceive as important in employee management, and the future plans they have for HRM. The data were gathered from the manager which each hotel identified as being best placed to discuss these issues. Findings from this study are presented with interpretation and commentary offered to compare the themes raised in this study with those identified in the literature. Given the high proportion of quantitative studies in hospitality industry research across the world (Lucas and Deery 2004), a qualitative method is utilised in this research and in-depth interviews were chosen as the main vehicle for data collection. The characteristics of such qualitative research are exploratory and descriptive, creating a data set that is not possible to obtain through written questionnaires and surveys. Twenty-eight hotels were approached and fourteen hotels participated in this research, representing a 50 per cent response rate. The results suggest that most participating hotels are focused on dealing with the day-to-day operational challenges of shortages of appropriately skilled staff, seasonal variations in workforce demand and employee turnover. While they perceive these issues as significant and challenging, they were mostly inclined to view these as 'facts of life' in the industry, and were relatively limited in their thinking about more fundamental and strategic solutions for dealing with them. However, some hotels are developing more innovative approaches to effectively engaging with these challenges, such as participating in joint-training programs with other hotels; developing long-term relationships with internship students; increasing employee empowerment and using the Balanced Scorecard (Nair 2004; Niven 2006) in performance management. This study explores some ways in which these practical initiatives could be taken further. It also takes up a key theme which emerged from the interviews, namely the vital importance of developing sound customer service cultures and practices. Some practical ideas are explored to assist in this respect. On the bases of these findings, this study also concludes that human resource managers have a valuable role to play in the executive management teams of hotels. This role needs to be further developed and encouraged. The current and emerging challenges facing the industry demand an approach to HRM which is far more strategic than the traditional focus of personnel administration; instead, HRM has a key role to play in creating and sustaining competitive advantage in organisations.

This thesis is derived from a work project, the consideration of approaches to the development of Human Resource Management competency standards for the Australian Public Service. The thesis is a vehicle for examining and exploring a complex Human Resource Development strategy, through dealing with the details of the project. This project was undertaken from 16 January to 13 April 1995. The project occurred in a turbulent environment with limited resources. The decision whether or not to develop Human Resource Management competencies was an important step in the implementation of the National Training Reform Agenda by the Australian Public Service, being influenced by a number of changes in the national environment as well as having to accommodate a number of factors internal to the Australian Public Service. Factors included: the impact of changes to vocational education and training at the national level such as the introduction of the Australian Qualifications Framework; the impact of a devolved management structure; the differing needs of stakeholders; the need to accommodate industrial relations issues; and the impact of resource constraints (including time). The thesis explains the context and conduct of the project. It critically examines the development of action plans and progress made over the course of the project. It explains the process and content of project activities and provides comments on them. This allows insights into the development of Human Resource Development policy in the public sector. In particular it shows how the nature of the project changed from its anticipated focus on competency identification to its final focus on preparing advice to the Joint Australian Public Service Training Council. That advice recommended that separate Human Resource Management competency standards should not, after all, be identified. It concluded that they should be integrated with the core competency standards for the Australian Public Service. The thesis reflects on key aspects of the project including its subject matter, processes, and outcomes. Some of these concern the impact of the systemic, conceptual and structural changes in the National Training Reform Agenda on strategic Human Resource Development. In addition the thesis reflects on the many roles of the project officer in strategic Human Resource Development activities, suggesting that the project officer should act as a consultant rather than servant. To illustrate this point the thesis describes how the project officer was able to facilitate processes during this project that resulted in management accepting outcomes that differed from their expectations but better met their needs. The work of Lippitt and Lippitt (1986) is found to be helpful in identifying the project officer's roles. Finally the thesis considers the outcomes of the project in the light of the publication of the Karpin report (1995) and finds that the outcome is consistent with the thrust of that report.

This paper focuses on three main themes. Firstly, what is Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the rhetoric surrounding it? Secondly, does the reality match the rhetoric? Thirdly, is the model that has been adopted by the private sector an appropriate model for the Australian public sector to be using? HR has been criticised for being an administrative function that is regulatory and compliance based, adding little value to an organisation. SHRM provides a strategic focus, involving the partnering of HR and line areas to provide value added people services. SHRM has been described by some theorists (Ulrich, Rothwell et al) as the only way of the future for the HR function. The model/s of SHRM that have been adopted by the private sector are now being promoted by the Public Service and Merit Protection Commission as the way forward for HR in the Australian Public Service. This paper discusses the appropriateness of the SHRM model/s for the public sector by examining what is happening in the HR area in three Commonwealth Government departments: Health and Aged Care, Transport and Regional Services and Family and Community Services. It examines the dilemmas for the HR functions as they try to move to an SHRM approach in these organisations, and suggests models that are appropriate to the public sector context.

<p>Date June 04, 2008</p><p>Level Master Thesis EFO705, 10 points (15 credits)</p><p>Authors Pornratchanee Sethakaset Tanawan Santimataneedol</p><p>Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok Thailand</p><p>Date of Birth: 28 October 1982 Date of Birth: 5 March 1984</p><p>Title The Application of Human Resource Management in Thai SMEs –</p><p>A Case Study of Albatross Company Limited</p><p>Supervisor Mona Andersson</p><p>Problems : How can the entrepreneur of SMEs manage their human resources?</p><p>Can previous research and studies about HRM in SMEs be applied in the Thai entrepreneurial SME?</p><p>Does the HRM in the company change and transform over time?</p><p>Purposes : The purposes of this study are to review the relevant studies and research about HRM in SMEs in order to investigate how human resources are managed in SMEs and to determine if the previous studies are applicable to Thai entrepreneurial SMEs.</p><p>Methodology : This master’s thesis is based on a qualitative approach in order to investigate HRM in SMEs and easier to understand the behavior in a certain case. The main secondary data is also collected from website which is the utilizing material for this thesis.</p><p>Conclusion : In this study, it was concluded that this Thai SME manages its human resource in a mixture between informal and formal way. HRM is used and practiced more as the company grows which the entrepreneur plays a central role in the Human Resource Management in SMEs.</p>

<p>Många multinationella företag (MNC) ställs inför problemet hur de skall kunna implementera sina strategier i alla sina dotterbolag då det kan finnas både stora kulturella och legala skillnader mellan olika länder. Ett område som detta märks tydligt på är human resource management (HRM) då företaget måste anpassa sig till både den lokala arbetsmarknadens regler och lagar samt MNC:ts övergripande strategi. För att kunna hantera det här problemet finns det flera lösningar och ett vanligt sätt är att föra över mer eller mindre beslutanderätt till dotterbolaget.</p><p>Den här uppsatsen undersöker vilken autonomi ett svenskt dotterbolag till ett amerikanskt läkemedelsbolag har när det gäller HRM. För att kunna undersöka det har vi gått igenom aktuell forskning inom området för att se vad som finns skrivet om liknande fall utomlands. Därefter har vi gjort en fallstudie med två kvalitativa intervjuer på Merck Sharp & Dohmes (MSD) svenska dotterbolag. Utifrån vår teori har vi sedan analyserat intervjusvaren och kommit fram till att MSD Sverige har en begränsad autonomi när det gäller HRM. Generellt gäller att MSD Sverige har att röra sig inom de ramar som moderbolaget sätter upp i form av policys och andra regler. Vi generaliserar även mot vår teori och kan med relativt stor säkerhet säga att dessa förhållanden även gäller andra amerikanska dotterbolag i Sverige. Avslutningsvis ger vi förslag på intressanta ämnen för framtida forskning.</p>

Sweden is entering a time characterized by a shortfall of qualified labour. Thus companies will have to hold on to, and develop their most valued employees since it is getting harder to find competent replacements. By finding and developing Talents, companies will improve their position in the market and perhaps even create a competitive advantage. The academic discipline concerning locating, assessing, developing and retaining Talents is called Talent Management. Purpose To identify how the most desirable employers in Sweden work with Talent Management, and implications following its practises. Method The selection was made based on the response of a pre-study of 30 large Swedish companies recognised for their employment practises. Nine oral interviews, with a number of HR professionals at the corporations, were performed to investigate how they utilise Talent Management to create more value from human resources. The thesis takes a multiple case study approach investigating the utilization of Talent Management practises in Sweden. Conclusion The Swedish dialect of Talent Management correlates with the frame presented by theory. Swedish firms are mostly locating Talents internally but are willing to use outsourcing for some recruitments. Talents’ competencies are more important than their credentials. Within the frame of their job description, Talents are encouraged to find creative solutions to solve their tasks. Swedish firms are increasingly using assessment and clear feedback as foundation for the individual development plans. Within the individual development plans there is on-the-job training, job rotation and mentors. This is also a part of the retention process which focuses on recognition, relocation and career management. Implications of the work with Talent Management in Sweden are; since the companies investigated employed, or were about to employ, Talent Management processes, it seems that they are well prepared for the future war for Talents and will better cope with the gap occurring when baby boomers retire. Thus, firms adapting to Talent Management, and sees the strategic importance of it, can gain a competitive advantage against others not concerned with these practises.

The trend that more and more recently graduated (business) students are having trouble entering the Swedish labor market, and the fact that many of Sweden’s small firms are perfect absorbers of labor − putting aside the larger firms − how well do these two supply and demand sides match. The recurring theme of this thesis was to analyze the perceptions that small firm managers in Jönköping area, in the business-related sectors, had of business graduates and business graduate skills and competences. It was the skills approach that was the main focus of this thesis. Here we restrict ourselves to the small firms that employ less than fifty people and more than ten. To supplement the reflections of small firm managers on graduates, soon-to-become business graduates in Jönköping area (undergraduates or postgraduates) were asked for their own opinion on small firm recruitment possibilities, and which ‘basket of skills’ they acquired and thus found to be important for small business firms. It is because of these two complementing perceptions that the authors had a chance to underline interesting graduate recruitment results, and perception on skills gaps. The research design was of mostly qualitative nature coupled with additional integrated quantitative data serving as a supplement to the former. The empirical work was conducted through four interviews with small businesses and three focus groups with graduates. Two of the companies had a basic aversion towards employing graduates, while one was indifferent and another welcomed graduates into the company. Graduates were seen as a ‘fresh applicant’, with new ideas and good social competence. However, lack of work experience and practicality, risks of hiring and over qualification brings the employability down. The authors cannot identify a clear indication of a skills gap or skills match, but when taking into account the categorization of skills between practical and non-practical ones, there is a very positive skills match between graduates and small firms. In this way recommendation for designing educational business programs on the basis of practical skills seems to be appropriate for having business students well equipped for the small business labor market. In addition to that, other interesting results point out to that the skills preferences/demand by small firms varies when taking into account whether they recruit graduates to specific job posts or just for general work.

The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of how Cross-Cultural Training (CCT) can contribute job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is one of the crucial lessons for hotel human resource management. There are many factors studied in the past literatures affecting job satisfaction, such as the compensation system, the promotion opportunities, organizational culture, and so on; however, the purpose of this research is to evaluate Cross Cultural Training, as the factor, to study how the job satisfaction will be affected. This study takes one international hotel located in Taipei as the object to analyze how job satisfaction can be affected and contributed. The results are found as follows: 1¡B Regarding the design of CCT, it is proved that ¡§On-the-job Training¡¨ is the most appropriate design to conduct CCT to increase job satisfaction. Most of the interviewees are with the opinion that ¡§learning by doing¡¨ is the most efficient and effective way to be trained. 2¡B Regarding the duration of CCT, it is found that ¡§One month¡¨ is the best duration to conduct CCT; however, it is also distinguished that the duration of CCT depends much on the demand in different departments. 3¡B Regarding the strategy method of CCT, it is found that the responses from the interviewees are quite concordant, which are mainly focused on ¡§Simulations¡¨, ¡§Expositive Instructions¡¨, and ¡§Behavior Modification¡¨. 4¡B Regarding the profit of CCT, all interviewees agree that CCT is profitable since it will limit inefficiency and increase job satisfaction.