Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

This study examines the relationship between investments in human capital and financial performance among U.S. profit-seeking firms. Specifically, it examines whether companies with greater emphasis in human capital are associated with higher profitability later on. The literature covers material ranging from accumulated information on the economy, organizational psychology, academic papers, national surveys, management literature, and workforce studies. The methodology tests a sample of companies from the Fortune 100’s Best Companies to Work For rank. Using correlations, regression analyses, and an analysis of further tests on Fortune 100 firms, the study provides evidence of a positive relationship between higher rankings and higher accounting ratios of NPM, ROE, and ROA. The paper has implications for managers to use human capital as a profit lever. Proper investments can be made using accounting and finance tools to better assess and invest in their employees.

A McDonald’s training program for the positions of grill and counter was evaluated in order to identify recommendations for curriculum refinement or enhancements. The methodological approaches developed by Ford and Wroten (1984) and Bownas, Bosshardt, and Donnelly (1985) were applied. Three evaluation assessment inventories were developed: The Job task Inventory, The training Emphasis Inventory, and The Training Effectiveness Inventory. These inventories were constructed with the assistance of 49 managers, trainers, and employees with six or more months of service. Four managers, seven trainers, and 22 recent training graduates responded to the appropriate inventory and these ratings were used in the content validity evaluation. Scale reliability was evaluated for each inventory using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and Kuder-Richardson 21. Descriptive statistics were calculated for training requirements, training emphasis and training effectiveness measures. A plotting matrix was developed and correlation analyses were performed to assess content validity. Results of the analyses indicate: (a) that the three inventories are reliable, (b) that the overall grill training program reflects job tasks needed for successful job performance with the exception of a single content domain, (c) that counter managers and trainers differ in their perception of the importance of job tasks and the training emphasis needed, (d) that recent grill graduates find the training curriculum effective while counter graduates do not, and (e) that managers and trainers for both positions perceive task importance differently. The results call for slight grill training enhancements for the Secondary Duties content domain. Additionally it is indicated that the counter training program needs significant adjustments in terms of curriculum content and training emphasis.

The goal of this paper is to outline the issue of organizational voluntary turnover in today's society as not only a financial problem but also an overarching issue that impacts departments across the entire organization. The most effective way to solve this problem is to cultivate a core set of values and beliefs that the organization will truly entrench into its practices and habits. Once this is accomplished, an organization can conduct a unique interview process that carefully and intentionally selects employees based on values congruence person-organization fit, which studies show will result in higher job satisfaction and organizational commitment, leading to increased retention.

This study aimed to describe extension agent perceptions of the Tennessee Extension Agent Performance Appraisal System. A survey instrument was developed to address the research questions. The instrument had two sections: Satisfaction with the Current Appraisal System (14 items) and Satisfaction with Appraiser Performance (7 items). The instrument was reviewed by an expert panel and pilot tested with a group of 39 extension agents. The instrument was deployed online to the study population. The population studied consisted of all extension agents employed by the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University in January, 2010 (N=312). The total completed responses were 218 for a completed response rate of 69%. In this study, seven in ten respondents (78.8%) felt that the current appraisal system should be improved. The desired improvements included: (a) The extension agents’ desire to have direct, annual appraisal interviews with the regional director; (b) The extension agents’ desire for a performance appraisal rubric that more accurately reflects their actual job duties; (c) The extension agents’ desire to make the performance appraisal system less time-consuming and efficient; and (d) The need for more instruction in performance appraisal for county directors. Overall, extension agents were satisfied with the roles and behaviors of their appraisers (county directors), and county directors were equally satisfied with the roles and behaviors of their appraisers (regional directors). The majority of extension agents and county directors viewed their appraiser’s performance in conducting the appraisal with positive judgment, fairness, and trust by their subordinates. The major recommendations emerging from this study are the provision of professional development for all appraisers to ensure accurate and effective performance appraisal, and exploration of strategies to require less effort on the part of the extension agent to prepare the appraisal materials.

Globalisation and rapid advances in technology have had a swift and substantial impact on the way organisations do business and the need to have a highly skilled and flexible workforce. Corporations have started to recognise education and training is not a cost but rather an investment in order to attract and retain the best workforce. Some organisations have centralised their education and training functions and established in-house educational facilities, sometimes labeling them as corporate universities. As corporations expand their range of education programs for employees, many are forming partnerships with traditional universities to provide accredited university awards to complement their in-house programs. This thesis explores existing literature on the growing phenomena of corporate universities and university corporate partnerships to develop an understanding and context to the nature of such partnerships. The research involves qualitative research to explore emergent factors identified in the literature as contributing to the successful strategic management of university-corporate education partnerships. A quantitative research study is then undertaken in what appears to be the first global quantitative study of university-corporate education partnerships to explore: The purpose of a corporate university, or structured corporate education; Reasons leading to the establishment of university-corporate education partnerships; Factors that contribute to the success, or lack of success, of a university corporate education partnership. Emerging from the research, a model is presented as the basis for the successful management of university-corporate education partnerships, embracing such factors as: the need for a corporation and its university partner to develop a shared vision of the purpose of the corporate education program and partnership; the need for trust and openness in the partnership arrangements between a corporation and its university partner; regular communication between those responsible for the management of a corporate education program in a corporation and those responsible for the management of the corporate education unit within a university. In particular, the research finds that within both a corporation and its university partner, there needs to be support and commitment for the corporate education program and partnership by senior management, starting at the level of chief executive. Senior management commitment is important for demonstrating the significance of a corporate education program to an organisation and ensuring appropriate funds are invested in the development and delivery of corporate education programs. However, like any partnership, the research indicates the importance of careful selection of the partner. This means, from the initial approach by a corporation, universities need to take the time to get to know their corporate partner, the purpose of their corporate education program, the role the university can play in a corporate education program and the expectations of the corporate partner. Given that universities are increasingly seeking new income to address declining funding from governments, corporate education programs developed and delivered in partnerships is a significant opportunity as corporations play an increasing role in the lifelong learning and development of their employees. Those universities that take the time to develop a partnership approach to corporate education are likely to generate long-term relationships with corporations, rather than be treated as an outsourced education provider that is contracted casually on an as-needed basis.

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The theme of this thesis is "The system of personnel management in an organization." People are the most important source of businesses because it is human resource management as an important activity for the competitiveness of the organization. The aim of thesis was to analyze the system of personnel work in the selected company and suggest changes to improve. Company selected for this thesis comes from the engineering industry and is manufacturer and after-sales servicer of brakes for railway vehicles. The analysis was made on personnel department, labor costs and human resources practices. To the company were recommended proposals for changes, from the findings of the investigation, that would lead to the improvement of personnel management.