PhD defense by Azlineer Sarip
Invitation to PhD defense
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at 13.00 – 16.00 in room 44-2.43
Azlineer Sarip defends her thesis:
Roles and Challenges of Human Resource Management in Higher Educational Institutions
Studies of Universities in Malaysia and Denmark
Abstract
The emergence of education as a business makes Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) interesting places to work in and challenging places to manage. However, few empirical studies on HEIS are available for evaluation. This study revolves around the roles of HR departments in HEIs and the challenges that they face. The discussion and research questions in this study were inspired by comprehensive literature that covers various subjects, such as the evolution of human resources (HR) and how the transformation of HR from personnel to strategic HR took place. The different roles of HR are discussed in the literature in detail. The literature also covers discussions on the development of the HR task from a transactional to a strategic task. Since this study took place in HEIs, a brief explanation of HR in HEIs is also provided in the literature. Finally the literature also includes the use of Information Technology (IT) in HR departments and a discussion on the benefits and the issues of implementation. This study involved two HR departments in Malaysia and Denmark. Numerous interviews were conducted. Based on interviews with three groups of people who are significantly important in delivering the HR functions in the universities, this study reveals that HR departments in HEIs are strategically involved in the universities. The administrative and strategic roles are played prominently and this confirms that HR is an administrative expert and is involved strategically in the organization. However, there are other roles that need to be focused on, such as the employee champion and change agent roles. The use of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is also limited to administrative functions only. It is also interesting to see the differences between the two HR departments in this study in the way they manage their human resources and fulfill their roles in the universities. The centralization and decentralization of HR functions in HEIs is a vi good example of diversity in the way that human resources are managed. These differences however can be treated as an avenue for future research to enrich our understanding of HR in HEIs. Finally, the study also reveals several challenges faced by HR departments in HEIs. Therefore several recommendations are offered in this study to overcome or at least minimize these challenges.
Assessment Committee
Søren Jagd, Associated Professor, CBIT, Roskilde University, DK (chairman)
Torben Andersen, Associated Professor, Department of Leadership and Strategy, SDU, DK
Aminu Mamman, Doctor, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, GB
Head of defense
Keld Bødker, Head of Doctoral School, CBIT, Roskilde University, DK
Supervisor
Inger Jensen, Associated Professor, CBIT, Roskilde University, DK
Thesis is available for examination <media 17957>here</media>
After the defense CBIT will host a reception