Task Description:
According to Chambers et al (1998: 50), creating an employment value position superior to those offered by a firm’s competitors is crucial for gaining a competitive advantage in the talent market:
The ability to define, develop, and deliver a superior employee value proposition will be especially critical … Small companies offer employees a chance to satisfy their desire for meaning, excitement, flexibility, impact, and reward. … Large companies … possess natural advantages of their own: magnitude of impact (be a big fish in a big pool), depth (the resources to take risks, particularly with people), capital (the resources to support big decisions), and variety (a range of experiences over the course of a career).
There is a large body of academic research about the ‘Talent War’ and its importance for the recruitment of talent in all organisations and for all levels of employees. For example, Hiltrop (1999: 422) suggests:
As we move into the 21st century, the need for (and shortage of) people possessing the wide range of skills and abilities needed to meet the fast-growing requirements of international corporations will almost certainly expand. As a result, many organisations will have to develop new strategies to attract and keep talented employees.
Your task is twofold: firstly, to review and critically analyse the articles by Chambers et al and Hiltrop (copies of the articles are available for download from the ‘Assessment’ section of the course website); and secondly, to compare and contrast the ‘Employment Value Proposition’ (as presented via the websites) of two (2) of the following organisations:
• IBM in Australia
http://www-07.ibm.com/employment/au/
• Apple in Australia
http://www.apple.com/jobs/au/
• Hewlett-Packard in Australia
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/jobs/index.html
You are also encouraged to read more widely than the two specified articles and the prescribed text and readings. It is expected that you will have utilised at least an additional 4 refereed research articles from academic journals in your critique of the Chambers et al and Hiltrop articles.
Criteria & Marking:
Criteria Excellent Very Good Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
1) Knowledge of Content
(20 marks) The report demonstrates a balanced and very high level of detailed knowledge of core concepts by providing a very high level of analysis. Provides significant insight into the area of interest. The report demonstrates a balanced and high level of knowledge of core concepts by providing a high level of analysis. Provides good insight into the area of interest. The report demonstrates a good level of knowledge of some of the core concepts by providing some level of analysis. Provides some insight into the area of interest. The report demonstrates limited knowledge of core concepts by providing a limited level of analysis. Provides few insights into the area of interest. The report demonstrates little, if any, knowledge of the core concepts with extremely limited, if any, analysis. Provides misinformed/misguided insight into the area of interest.
2) Organisation and structure
(3 marks) The ideas are arranged in an extremely logical, structured and coherent manner. Transition statements are clearly used as a guide from one section to the next. The ideas are arranged in a fairly logical, structured and coherent manner. Mostly transition statements are used as a guide from one section to the next. The ideas are arranged in a logical, some-what structured and coherent manner. Transition statements are used at times as a guide from one section to the next however could be refined The ideas appear less logical, structured and presents in basically coherent manner. Transition statements are rarely used to guide from one section to the next. There is little, if any logic structure or coherence to the document. The document appears very confusing, providing little
rationale with limited use of transition statements.
3) Quality of written expression
(2 marks) Quality of writing is of a very high standard (well thought-out introduction, very clear guidance to the reader with sensible paragraphs and a clear and concise conclusion). Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation.
Quality of writing is of a high standard (well thought-out introduction although some inconsistencies with actual document, clear guidance to the reader with sensible paragraphs and a clear conclusion). Few grammar, spelling, punctuation mistakes Quality of writing is of a good standard (basic introduction however some areas omitted from document, some guidance to reader from paragraph to next, mostly clear and concise conclusion). Few grammar, spelling, punctuation mistakes Problems with sentence structure and presentation (brief mostly adequate introduction, some paragraph linking, mostly adequate introduction conclusion although lacks detail). Frequent grammar, punctuation, spelling mistakes. Quality of writing is very poor and barely understandable (poor or no introduction, paragraphs not linked or structured (if at all), poor conclusion does not address topic). Many grammar, punctuation, spelling mistakes.
Citation and referencing format should conform to the APA (American Psychological Association) style both in the body of your essay and the reference section. The essay should have page numbers and a title page including the word count. Information on referencing styles is available from the Academic Integrity tutorial on the Library website.