Contemporary Human Resource Management: Text and Cases

Whether you’re a student studying HRM or a forward-looking manager, Contemporary Human Resource Management is the book you need.

Written by authors who are all experts in their fields, this fifth edition provides a thorough and critical exploration of the key functions, practices and issues in HRM today. Substantially revised and updated with new material to reflect contemporary research and debate, this text uses a clear but thought-provoking style to delve into the theoretical and practical realities of HRM.

Fundamental HRM practices are covered in the first part of the book, before the second half examines issues of more recent and emerging significance. At least two case studies, exercises or activities in each chapter enable and encourage readers to identify, examine and apply key concepts in a practical context.

The book does not just report but also leads the debates across this ever-changing discipline.

“This is an excellent book that covers all major HRM areas. It also keeps in pace with recent advances and current discussion of HR by exploring more contemporary topics such as workplace bullying, knowledge management, flexibility or emotion at work.”

Kristina Potocnik, Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Director, MSc Human Resource Management, University of Edinburgh 

“Skilfully integrates academic content and case study applications across a range of relevant contemporary HR debates”

Paula McDonald, Professor of Work and Organisation, Queensland University of Technology

Adrian Wilkinson is Professor and Director of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. He holds Visiting Professorships at Loughborough University, the University of Sheffield and the University of Durham, and is an Academic Fellow at the Judge Institute, University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow and Accredited Examiner of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK and a Fellow of the Australian Human Resource Institute. Adrian was appointed as a British Academy of Management Fellow in 2010. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (Acss) and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences Adrian is Joint Chief Editor of the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ).  

Tom Redman was Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Durham Business School and was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Professor Redman sadly passed away suddenly during the production stages of this edition of the book. He will be sadly missed and his work and influence on the field of HRM continues. 

Tony Dundon is Professor of Human Resource Management and Employment Relations at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and former Chief Examiner for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and joint Editor-in-Chief of the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ). Tony has held visiting positions at the University of St Andrews; Sydney University; Queensland University of Technology; Deakin University; and Toulouse Business School.

Whether you’re a student studying HRM or a forward-looking manager, Contemporary Human Resource Management is the book you need.

Written by authors who are all experts in their fields, this fifth edition provides a thorough and critical exploration of the key functions, practices and issues in HRM today. Substantially revised and updated with new material to reflect contemporary research and debate, this text uses a clear but thought-provoking style to delve into the theoretical and practical realities of HRM.

Fundamental HRM practices are covered in the first part of the book, before the second half examines issues of more recent and emerging significance. At least two case studies, exercises or activities in each chapter enable and encourage readers to identify, examine and apply key concepts in a practical context.

The book does not just report but also leads the debates across this ever-changing discipline.

“This is an excellent book that covers all major HRM areas. It also keeps in pace with recent advances and current discussion of HR by exploring more contemporary topics such as workplace bullying, knowledge management, flexibility or emotion at work.”

Kristina Potocnik, Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Director, MSc Human Resource Management, University of Edinburgh 

“Skilfully integrates academic content and case study applications across a range of relevant contemporary HR debates”

Paula McDonald, Professor of Work and Organisation, Queensland University of Technology

Adrian Wilkinson is Professor and Director of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. He holds Visiting Professorships at Loughborough University, the University of Sheffield and the University of Durham, and is an Academic Fellow at the Judge Institute, University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow and Accredited Examiner of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK and a Fellow of the Australian Human Resource Institute. Adrian was appointed as a British Academy of Management Fellow in 2010. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (Acss) and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences Adrian is Joint Chief Editor of the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ).  

Tom Redman was Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Durham Business School and was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Professor Redman sadly passed away suddenly during the production stages of this edition of the book. He will be sadly missed and his work and influence on the field of HRM continues. 

Tony Dundon is Professor of HRM and Employment Relations, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and former Chief Examiner for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and joint Editor-in-Chief of the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ). Tony has held visiting positions at the University of St Andrews; Sydney University; Queensland University of Technology; Deakin University; and Toulouse Business School.