BST231 - HRM Context and Strategy - Cardiff University

Assessment (essay)

The essay will be based on the case study "Alcan".

The case

Alcan is a Quebec-based aluminium producer. The case focuses on its Lynemouth (UK) plant over a period of extensive change. By the late 1980s the plant was struggling, leading to the closure of one of its two pot lines, followed by a restructuring of the workforce into teams. In the mid-1990s, the pot line was reopened with new equipment, but there was evidence of increasing dissatisfaction with the teamworking structure.

Your task

Write an essay in response to the following:

To what extent were the HRM changes in line with the strategic approach, given the contextual (internal and external) factors?

If you had been in a senior management role at Alcan, involved in the Lynemouth plant, would you have done anything differently?

Things to note
• Although you may identify many contextual factors, not all of them will necessarily be relevant to the question you have been asked. You will have to consider them, but you may decide that they are not sufficiently important to be included in this short essay.
• Although there is no single "correct answer", you must provide evidence from the case to support your assertions. You will be graded on the strength of your argument in what is an inherently uncertain field.
• Bear in mind that the case covers various changes at various times. You may decide that some details are irrelevant, but you should at least consider them all to begin with. Similarly, it will help if you clearly identify the "problem" that Alcan was trying to solve by the changes.
• It may also help if you think about what was HRM's role in making the changes perceived as being necessary.
• Think about the objectives that led to the changes. This may help you understand to what extent the strategic approach was suitable.
• If you think you would have done things differently, you should ensure that your suggestions for a different course of action stem from (a) the problems that have been identified in the case; and (b) the problems you identify (if any) in the changes actually implemented. Therefore, the first part of the essay question is likely to take up a greater proportion of the available words.

Attachment:- HRM Context Strategy.rar