Executive Summary
This essay considers how changes in the external environment of organisations have altered the world of work. Australia is currently experiencing a period of economic growth. But some new challenges have appeared. Australian organisations are facing skill shortages and an aging workforce. This shortage has been addressed by introduction of new technology in workplaces and influx of immigration workers. Organisations in Australia, similar to those in other developed economies, are also struggling with changing workforce demographics, changing nature of work, incorporating and utilizing the rapid advances in technology, and addressing globalisation-related challenges such as increased competitive pressures, outsourcing and off-shoring, and a global workforce that places higher importance on cross-cultural issues and skills.
Human Resource Management involves the productive use of people in an organisation to collectively achieve the organisation's strategic business objectives. Human resource management also involves employer employee relationship and the satisfaction of the individual employer needs (Stone 2006, p. 4). It is an essential function of an organisation. It has become more prominent in recent years as organisations have to improve their productivity and international competitiveness. In modern times, no organisation can afford to rest on their laurels; to be competitive in the global marketplace, organisations need to rethink their strategies towards human resources.
A human resource manager must consider the nature of external and internal environmental influences before electing a particular course of action. Internal environmental influences involve the factors that are found within the organisation such as th ...