Section 3 Case Project/Organization (Current HRM Practices)

Overview
The second phase of the Assessment Tasks for SBM2104 Human
Resources Management comprise developing a research methodology
that demonstrates the process that shall be applied to collect the
required data in the case organization. Subsequently, the selected best
practice model developed in the first phase of the Assessment Task
shall be utilized to review the current human resource management
practices in the case organization. Nokia Group, the Finnish
multinational communications and information technology
conglomerate, shall be considered as the case organization for which
the human resource management practices shall be studied. Post the
identification of these practices, a SWOT analysis shall be applied in
order to gain an insight on the teams perception of Nokias HRM
challenges and opportunities and to get information pertaining to its
external and internal strengths and weaknesses.
Introduction
For the purposes of conducting a comparative analysis of Nokias
existing HRM practices with the industrys best practices, as mentioned
in the academic and professional literature, a mandatory initial step is
to shrewdly and astutely collect the relevant qualitative and
quantitative data and to develop an understanding on the current
plans, processes, strategic intent and desired objectives related to
HRM. An organizational audit enables to get this information (ref). This
report discusses the methodology adopted to get the relevant data and
information set, different methods of data collection employed, an
analysis of the collected data and finally, the key observations made
and inferences drawn.
Review Methodology
The process has been split into 6 distinct steps:
1. Identification of hot buttons and objectives This stage
characterized definition of a problem statement based on the
objectives and strategic vision and mission of Nokia, existing
concerns, general assumptions and standard industry practices.
2. Formulating a strategy This phase comprised identification of
the areas to be focused upon, drafting of a plan of action and
approach.
3. Data Collection This step has been discussed in detail in the
next few sections. Several modes of data collection were
considered and employed at different levels.
4. Data Sorting, Evaluation and Analysis This was a critical stage
in the process where the collected data was organized, cleaned,
checked for quality, evaluated and analyzed.

5. Connecting the dots and drawing inferences This step included

identification of patterns and trends in the analyzed data and
documentation of the observations made and inferences drawn.
The documentation was then reported and presented along with
the recommendations.
6. Assessment and amendment of existing HRM policies This step
involved studying the feasibility of the recommendations, and
accordingly making revisions and amendments. The final
mutually agreed upon version was required to be inherited into
the existing strategic human resource management plan of
Nokia.
Data Collection
Data collection can be regarded as the most crucial as well as complex
component of the review process. The quality and precision of the
collected data shall substantiate the accuracy and effectiveness of the
overall analysis. Based on the source of data, it can broadly be
categorized into two types viz. primary data and secondary data,
Primary Data This form of data is specifically collected to address a
given issue. The sources of this sort of data vary depending on the
ultimate use it shall be put to and the degree of experimental precision
required. Primary data can be sourced through conducting surveys,
questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, experiments, polls and
through observational studies.
Secondary Data Any data that has already been collected for some
purpose and is readily available or available on payment through
various sources forms a part of secondary data. Secondary data, in
form of internet and online resources, journal articles, books, audit
reports, annual reports, notes from Nokias Annual General meetings,
data from Helsinki Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange,
syndicated research companies, Fortune Global magazine, workers
unions reports, case studies, Euro Stoxx 50 stock market exchange,
etc. were exhaustively studied for the purposes of this report. An
extensive research of existing academic, scholarly and business
articles was also performed. Additionally, Nokias official website
proved to be a good resource.
The data collection processes and techniques can also be categorized
with respect to the type of results, data and information they generate.
Utilizing this classification, it can be divided into quantitative and
qualitative researches.
Qualitative Research

This category of data collection aims at getting descriptive responses

in form of statements on the feelings, thoughts, perceived image of the
company and requirements of potential and existing stakeholders, the
underlying reason behind their thoughts, and whether they are willing
to let go of some of the existing features, functionalities or services in
lieu of the new ones, etc. We utilized the
Quantitative Research
Case Organization
Description
Background
Context
Current Strategic HRM Plan
Teams perception of HRM challenges and opportunities
Other observations and conclusions
Summary