BS Business Studies

Business StudiesUnit 107 min read

Human Resource Management: Functions, HRM Process, Recruitment, Training, Performance Appraisal

Unit 10 of Business Studies explores the core concepts of Human Resource Management (HRM), including its definition, functions, the HRM process, recruitment, selection, training, development, performance appraisal, and career planning—all tailored to Nepal’s business context with practical examples and exam-focused ins

TAKEAWAYS:

  • HRM is the process of managing people in an organization to achieve goals efficiently, covering recruitment, training, appraisal, and career development.
  • The HRM process follows a cycle: manpower planning → recruitment → selection → placement → training → appraisal → promotion/transfer.
  • Recruitment sources include internal (promotion, transfer) and external (advertisements, campus recruitment, employment exchanges) methods.
  • Training methods like on-the-job (coaching, job rotation) and off-the-job (lectures, simulations) improve employee skills.
  • Performance appraisal helps assess employee performance using rating scales, checklist methods, or 360-degree feedback.
  • Career planning ensures employees grow professionally while meeting organizational needs.

What is Human Resource Management (HRM)?

Human Resource Management (HRM) is the process of managing people in an organization to achieve its goals efficiently. It involves hiring, training, appraising, and developing employees to ensure they perform well and contribute to the company’s success.

Key Functions of HRM

HRM has five main functions:

  1. Manpower Planning – Determining the number and type of employees needed.
  2. Recruitment & Selection – Finding and hiring the right candidates.
  3. Training & Development – Improving employees’ skills and knowledge.
  4. Performance Appraisal – Evaluating employees’ work and giving feedback.
  5. Career Planning – Helping employees grow professionally.

The HRM Process (Step-by-Step)

The HRM process follows a cycle to ensure smooth management of human resources:

SelectionPlacementRecruitmentManpower PlanningPerformance AppraisalPromotion/TransferTraining & DevelopmentHRM Process Cycle
Circular flow of HRM steps with clear hierarchy

Explanation:

  • Manpower Planning: Decides how many employees are needed and their skills.
  • Recruitment: Attracts candidates from inside or outside the company.
  • Selection: Chooses the best candidate through interviews and tests.
  • Placement: Assigns the selected employee to a job.
  • Training & Development: Improves skills through workshops or on-the-job learning.
  • Performance Appraisal: Evaluates how well an employee is doing.
  • Promotion/Transfer: Rewards good performance or moves employees to better roles.

Recruitment: Finding the Right Candidates

Recruitment is the process of attracting job applicants. It can be done internally (within the company) or externally (outside the company).

Sources of Recruitment

Internal Sources External Sources
Promotion from within Advertisements (newspapers, online)
Transfer from other departments Campus recruitment (colleges)
Retrenched employees Employment exchanges
Walk-ins (unexpected applicants) Private employment agencies

Example: A company like Nepal Telecom may promote a skilled employee to a manager’s position (internal) or hire fresh graduates from Tribhuvan University (external).


Selection Process: Choosing the Best Candidate

After recruitment, the selection process helps pick the best candidate. It includes:

  1. Application & Screening – Checking resumes for qualifications.
  2. Interview – Face-to-face questions to assess skills.
  3. Medical & Background Check – Ensuring the candidate is healthy and trustworthy.
  4. Final Selection – Offering the job to the best fit.
Application ScreeningInterview (Written/Oral/Group)Medical/Background CheckFinal SelectionSelection Process
Step-by-step decision tree for candidate selection

Example: If Nepal Rastra Bank hires a new economist, they may:

  • Screen applications → Conduct written tests → Take interviews → Check references → Offer the job.

Training & Development Methods

Training helps employees learn new skills and improve performance. There are two main types:

1. On-the-Job Training (Practical Learning)

  • Coaching: A senior employee guides a new one.
  • Job Rotation: Employees switch jobs to learn different tasks.
  • Apprenticeship: Learning while working under supervision.

2. Off-the-Job Training (Classroom Learning)

  • Lectures & Seminars: Experts teach in a classroom.
  • Simulations: Role-playing real-world scenarios.
  • E-learning: Online courses (e.g., Coursera, Udemy).

Example: A bank teller in Global IME Bank may undergo:

  • On-the-job: Shadowing a senior teller.
  • Off-the-job: Attending a workshop on customer service.

Performance Appraisal: Evaluating Employees

Performance appraisal is the process of assessing an employee’s work to give feedback and rewards. Common methods include:

Method Description Example
Rating Scale Scores employees on a scale (e.g., 1-5). A manager rates an employee’s punctuality as "4/5."
Checklist Method Ticks yes/no for specific traits. "Does the employee meet deadlines? ✔"
360-Degree Feedback Feedback from peers, supervisors, and subordinates. A team leader gets feedback from all team members.

Example: If Nepal Airlines appraises a pilot, they may:

  • Check flight safety records.
  • Ask co-pilots and air traffic controllers for feedback.
  • Give a score based on performance.

Career Planning: Helping Employees Grow

Career planning ensures employees develop professionally while the company benefits. It includes:

  • Setting career goals (short-term & long-term).
  • Providing training & promotions.
  • Encouraging further education (e.g., MBA, certifications).

Example: A software engineer in F1Soft may:

  • Start as a junior developer → Get promoted to senior → Later become a team lead.

Advantages & Disadvantages of HRM

Advantages Disadvantages
✔ Improves employee productivity ❌ High training costs
✔ Reduces employee turnover ❌ Time-consuming recruitment
✔ Helps in better decision-making ❌ Conflict in appraisals
✔ Ensures legal compliance (e.g., labor laws) ❌ Bias in selection

Exam Tip: How to Score Full Marks in NEB Exams

  1. Understand Key Terms: Know definitions of HRM, recruitment, training, appraisal.
  2. Compare Methods: Use tables to compare recruitment sources or appraisal methods.
  3. Give Real Examples: Use Nepal-based companies (e.g., NTC, NABIL, NAB Bank).
  4. Draw Diagrams: Show the HRM process cycle in exams.
  5. Practice Short & Long Questions:
    • Short Q: "Define recruitment." (2 marks)
    • Long Q: "Explain the selection process with an example." (5-10 marks)

NEB Board-Style Questions (Practice)

Short Questions (2 marks each)

  1. What is the difference between internal and external recruitment?
  2. Define performance appraisal with one example.
  3. List two on-the-job training methods.

Long Questions (5-10 marks)

  1. Explain the HRM process with a flowchart. How does it help businesses?
  2. Describe the selection process with an example from a Nepali company.
  3. What are the advantages of training and development? Give two methods.

Final Note: HRM is essential for any business in Nepal. Whether it’s a small shop or a big corporation, managing employees well leads to success. Practice diagrams, examples, and comparisons to score full marks in NEB exams! 🚀

Based on the NEB +2 Management syllabus for Business Studies (BS), unit 10.

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