Understanding Human Resource Management (HRM): The Textbook Way

The textbook definition of Human Resource Management (HRM) is that HRM is a management function that helps managers Recruit Select, train and develop members for an organisation. Obviously HRM is concerned with the People’s dimension in organisations. There are certain code points which must be understood about human resource management:

  • organisations are not mere bricks, mortar machineries or inventories, they are people it is the people who staff and manage organisations.
  • HRM involves the application of management functions and principles, the functions and principles are applied to acquisition during developing, maintaining and remunerating employees in organisations.
  • Decisions relating to employees must be integrated. decisions on different aspects of employees must be consistent with other human resource decisions.
  • Decisions made must influence the effectiveness of an organisation effectiveness organ of an organisation must result in betterment of services to customers in the form of high quality products. applied at reasonable costs.
  • HRM functions are not confined to business establishments only. They are applicable to non-business organisations too, such as education, health care, recreation and the like.

Thus, HRM refers to a set of programmes, functions and activities designed and carried out in order to maximise both employee as well as organizational effectiveness.