| Credits | 3 |
| Faculty | Prof. D.K. Bhattacharyya |
| Programme | MBA (HRM) 2015-17 |
| Academic Year and Term | 2016-17, Term-V |
Introduction
OB/HR Research is a scientific endeavour. It explores unknown facts and unknown applications of theory. Researchers build knowledge and theory and decide about practical applications from these aspects of research. Through the process of identification, critical examination, generalization, and dissemination of useful practical experiences; OB/HR research helps us to develop relevant approaches for successful management of organizations.
OB/HR research is a subject of study to understand how organizations are structured and function; the practices of decision-making; the factors that affect organisational operations; the strategies that contribute to the enhancement of strategic advantage of an organisation; etc.
OB/HR research is sometimes carried out for descriptive purposes too. For example, a manager may wonder why costs of some operations are higher in one unit than other and may collect data relevant to that question. If the cause can be determined, then the manager can intervene to reduce the excess costs. This can bring desirable changes in the operation.
For HR students understanding the basics of OB/HR research is also important, as organizations today make effective use of research inputs for decision making. Many HR consulting organizations also prefer recruitment of research talents from B-schools. Also some students may even make effective use of inputs of this elective for their future research endeavour.
Learning Objectives
· Understanding the modalities of OB/HR Research
· Developing mind-sets to successfully undertake research in organizations
· Using various tools for OB/HR research
· Relating OB/HR research inputs to HR decision making in organizations
Topics covered
· OB/HR Research Fundamentals and Terminology
· Importance of OB/HR Research in Managerial decisions
· Defining OB/HR Research problems and framing of hypothesis
· Designing OB/HR research
· Doing OB/HR Research
· Writing and formatting OB/HR research reports
Recommended Texts:
1. HR Research Methods, Dipak Kumar Bhattacharyya, Oxford University Press, 2007, 2014 reprint
2. Research Methodology, 3rd edition, Dipak Kumar Bhattacharyya, Excel Books, New Delhi.
Pedagogy
1. The sessions would be interactive using a combination of lectures, individual and group discussions, presentations and introspection.
2. Different techniques would be used to make the sessions interactive viz.,
i. Case Study Analysis
ii. Self Assessment exercises
Course contents and session plans
| Sessions | Course contents |
| 1 and 2 | OB/HR Research Fundamentals and Terminology |
| 3 | Importance of OB/HR research in managerial decision making |
| 4 | Different approaches to OB/HR research |
| 5 | Concept-mapping for OB/HR Research |
| 6 | Literature Review on OB/HR Research |
| 7 | Model Building in OB/HR research and OB/HR Research Models |
| 8 | Significance of OB/HR Research and kinds of OB/HR Research |
| 9 | Sampling for OB/HR research |
| 10 | Designing questionnaire and survey for OB/HR research |
| 11, 12, 13 | Using statistical tests for OB/HR research |
| 14 and 15 | Using HR Analytics for OB/HR research |
| 16 | Individual selection of OB/HR research topic |
| 17,18,19, and 20 | Doing OB/HR Research and preparing research reports |
CASE STUDY
3. Case studies will be provided for some of the modules to enhance fundamental concepts and their applicability to real life situations.
4. Students will be required to submit a written case analysis incorporating learning from classroom discussion as well as the reading material
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISES
5. Self assessment exercises are part of the text itself. These will be completed at the end of every chapter.
PROJECT WORK
6. Students will be divided into groups of 3. Each group will be assigned an industry project. Each group will be required to
i. Conduct a survey of one organization from the assigned industry.
ii. Each group will make a presentation of 10 minutes. And submit a project report as per the prescribed format.
The selection of industries will be decided by the Faculty
MID TERM EXAM
7. The midterm exam will be conducted at the end of 10 sessions
END TERM EXAMINATION
8. The objective of the examination is to test the grasp of fundamentals, conceptual clarity, analytical skills and reasoning ability of the students. Marks would be based on quality of content and not quantity
EVALUATION
MCQs/Class Assignments 10%
Mid Term Exam 20%
Case Analysis 20%
Project Work 20%
End-term 30%