Research Proposal on Human Resource Management and Shift Work Practices

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(this Research Proposal must not exceed five pages)
Name of Applicant
Title of Proposed Research Project (maximum 30 words)
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING THE IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIFT WORK
PRACTICES
Background to the proposed research and Research Question(s) to be investigated (maximum 500 words)
The practices of Human Resource Management (HRM) are considered as the planned approach of managing the
performance of the employees in the organizational context. An effective and strategic HRM aims to develop a
flexible management style that motivates the staff and encourage them to perform at their best (HASSAN, 2016).
The productivity and growth of an organization are determined by choice of its employment practices. HR
managers focus on meeting the needs of both the organisation and individual employees. Majority of the theories
associated with the organizational productivity often highlight several compensation policies for employees such as
proper wage payments, facilities of incentives, profit sharing and security in the workplace.
Shiftwork is becoming increasing quite prevalent in Australia as while 17% of employees work full-time and 36% of
the workforce work part-time in non-standard shifts. It is mandatory for the organisations, that offer 24 hours of
customers services, to adopt a shift working structure. Shift work affects the health and work-life balance of the
employees, and they also suffer from fatigue and safety problems (Denis, Ferlie & Van Gestel, 2015). On the other
hand, it is also argued that HR managers focus on shiftwork as it seems to be attractive because shift workers can
receive competitive income. The lucrative incentive for working long shifts and weekends is suitable, especially for
young employees. However, as the incentive is the only reason behind employees’ preference for shift work so
they can easily leave a company if they can earn more.
Motivation is considered as the key strategy by the HR managers to ensure higher product quality, low employee
turnover, greater profitability as well as make the employees flexible in shiftwork. One of the leading supermarket
chains in Australia, Woolworths is currently facing certain issues in terms of managing its human resource. The
company has witnessed a high rate of labour turnover in the last few years as they are moving to another higher
stratus jobs (Mitchell, 2016). Shiftwork is quite common in the retail sector, but the company has failed to give the
best salary and incentives compared to its rivals in the Australian retail industry. As a result, the employees are
suffering from a lack of motivation and leaving the company.
The main issue of this current study is that sometimes the HR managers fail to identify the problems, employees
are facing. Sometimes, HR managers fail to ensure the safety and flexibility of working for the shift workers, and it
affects their performance as they suffer from lack of motivation. Not only the monetary incentives like profit sharing,
allowances, retirement benefits, the bonus can motivate the employees. Job security, flexible work hours,
prospects, recognition, training for skill development also enhance the employees’ performance. The biggest
challenge for HR managers is implementing all these strategies in an appropriate way.
Research questions
•How shift working system influence the HRM practices in an organisation?
•What is the role of HR managers in managing shift work practices?
•What are the significant challenges HR managers face in managing the shift work practices?
•What can be recommended to the HR managers for mitigating the issues related to shifting work practices?
Research gap
Majority of the prior research studies on human resource management has focused on topics like employee
engagement, organizational productivity, competitive advantage and others. A few studies have focused on shift
work practices and identified its impacts. It can be considered as the research gap, and the current study will
discuss this particular topic.
What is the anticipated significance and/or impact of the proposed research? (maximum 200 words)