Lesson Overview

In this lesson the text moves from a comprehensive description of the role HR currently plays in organizations, to the various forces that will influence the value of HR in the future. Such analysis and prognostication is hardly rare. Every new year brings a list of similar speculations. For example, Forbes.com published, “10 Workplace Trends You’ll See in 2017”. Another article strikes a similar theme: “10 Trends Shaping the Future of HR in 2017”.

 

Lesson Objectives

Upon successful completion of this lesson, you should be able to

• identify at least five current trends affecting the human resource management function;
• explain the concept of business/organizational “strategy”; and
• describe the manner in which human resource management can support an organization’s strategy.

Lesson Readings & Activities

By the end of this lesson, make sure you have completed the readings and activities found in the Lesson 2 Course Schedule.