IB Business Management: 
Unit 2 - Human Resources

Human Resources in IB Business Management is one of the five core topics and is assessed in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 SL and HL examinations. Human resource management is the strategic approach to the effective management of an organisation's workers so that they help the business gain a competitive advantage.

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The IB Business Management Human Resources unit covers the following topics:

• 2.1 Functions and Evolution of Human Resource Management
• 2.2 Organisational Structure
• 2.3 Leadership and Management
• 2.4 Motivation
• 2.5 Organisational and Corporate Culture HL
• 2.6 Industrial and Employee Relations HL

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Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management (HRM) refers to the management function of using and developing people within a business in order to meet the objectives of the organisation. This will entail interrelated roles, including:

• Human resource (workforce) planning
  
• Recruitment, selection and induction of new employees
• Training and development of staff
• Performance management and performance appraisals
• Promotion and relocation of staff
• Reviewing remuneration packages
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Looking after the welfare of employees

The goals of Human Resource Management should be inherently integrated with the organisational objectives of the business, but may include:

• Meeting the needs of the organisation and management as well as the interests of the employees 
• To link human resource policies and strategies to the goals and objectives of the organisation
• To determine methods for employees to add value to the organisation
• To assist the organisation advance and benefit from from the commitment of its workers to shared goals, objectives and values 

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motivation is an HRM issue 

Leadership is an HRM issue

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Human Resources is more than HRM

The IB Business Management course Human Resources topic aims to give the student a good overview of:

• Workforce planning, with staff recruitment and selection, appraisals, training and the issues of dismissal and redundancies.
• The different types of organisational structures that different business adopt and adhere to.
• The communication procedures that exist within businesses.
• The nature of leadership and leadership styles, the key functions of management and the differences between leadership and management .
• Motivational theories with especial emphasis being paid to content and process theories of motivation, and motivation in practice within organisations.
• The importance, development and influences of organisational culture, and its impact on a business, and the consequences of culture clashes.
• The nature of the relationship between employers and employees, examining collective bargaining and conflict resolution.
• Planning for and being able to effectively manage a crisis.