The professionalization of human resource management: Examining undergraduate curricula and the influence of professional organizations

Laura Parks-Leduc; Matthew A Rutherford; Karen Becker; Ali M Shahzad

doi:10.1177/1052562917727034

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The professionalization of human resource management: Examining undergraduate curricula and the influence of professional organizations

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The professionalization of human resource management: Examining undergraduate curricula and the influence of professional organizations

Laura Parks-Leduc, Matthew A Rutherford, Karen Becker and Ali M Shahzad

Journal of Management Education, Vol.42(2), pp.211-238

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562917727034

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Abstract

Curriculum and Pedagogy

Business and Management

curriculum

human resource management

profession

This study explores the state of undergraduate human resource management (HRM) curricula worldwide in an effort to understand the extent to which there is an agreed-upon body of knowledge underpinning the field of HRM. We reviewed the undergraduate curricula for all business schools that were accredited by either the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or European Quality Improvement System in 2014-2015. Of the 281 HR programs that we identified, programs require an average of 3.4 HR classes. The most common required courses were Human Resource Management (239 schools), Compensation (or Compensation & Benefits; 123 schools), and Staffing (or Recruitment & Selection; 113 schools). Although we did find similarities between programs, we also find that there are significant differences in the required courses of HRM programs worldwide. We additionally examine institutional pressures from major professional HRM associations, and find evidence that these organizations do influence HRM curricula toward greater similarity. In particular, schools in regions with a major professional HRM organization are more similar than schools in other regions. Additionally, schools in the United States that are aligned with Society for Human Resource Management curriculum guidelines are more similar than schools that are not Society for Human Resource Management aligned.

Details

Title: The professionalization of human resource management: Examining undergraduate curricula and the influence of professional organizations
Authors: Laura Parks-Leduc (Author) - James Madison University, United States
Matthew A Rutherford (Author) - James Madison University, United States
Karen Becker (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Ali M Shahzad (Author) - James Madison University, United States
Publication details: Journal of Management Education, Vol.42(2), pp.211-238
Publisher: Sage Publications Inc.
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1177/1052562917727034
ISSN: 1052-5629; 1052-5629
Organisation Unit: School of Business and Creative Industries; UniSC Moreton Bay; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451403102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Education & Educational Research