HUMAN
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
HRM
ACE Humber Case 2024 - HRM Level 3
Instructions
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Do not turn the page until instructed to do so.
You are provided with the background information as well as your problem
statement , metrics (maximum score of 60 marks) and evaluation criteria
(maximum score of 40 marks).
You will have 15 minutes to read the case and prepare your presentation.
You will have 10 minutes to present.
During your presentation, you may have more than one judge
Please hand in all your work at the end of the presentation.
ACE Humber Case 2024
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
You are a Human Resources Consultant brought in to support Bioworks, a
Toronto-based biotech company specializing in sustainable packaging and materials.
The company has experienced rapid success in North America due to its innovations in
plastic alternatives and recently expanded into India, establishing its first overseas
production facility in Mumbai.
The expansion is aimed at tapping into cost-effective research talent, and proximity to
emerging markets, however, since launching the India branch six months ago,
Bioworks has encountered the following challenges:
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3 expatriates from Canada were relocated to India to help lead the new facility,
but 2 are underperforming, with delayed project timelines, poor team
integration, and lack of cultural sensitivity.
Tensions have emerged between local workers and expatriates due to clashes in
communication styles, decision-making norms, and leadership approaches.
Local employees report feeling undervalued and unmotivated, especially after
learning that expatriates are earning 2.5x more than local peers in equivalent
roles.
The India team’s engagement scores are 40% lower than the Canadian
headquarters, and voluntary turnover has already reached 18%, mostly among
junior Indian staff.
The Chief People Officer (CPO) is concerned this could jeopardize the success of the
company’s global strategy, damage the employer brand in India, and lead to
reputational risks back home in Canada. Your task is to assess the HR implications of
these issues and design a strategic solution that ensures successful cross-cultural
collaboration, equitable treatment, and improved performance.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The Chief People Officer (judge) has hired you to propose a strategic HRM plan to address
the expatriates underperformance, cultural friction, and pay equity concerns at Bioworks’
Indian branch. Your plan should include helping to improve team performance, strengthen
local engagement, and protect the company’s global reputation.
Your solution must be sustainable, legally and ethically sound, and aligned with Canadian
values of equity, inclusion, and collaboration.
Human Resource Management | Page 1
ACE Humber Case 2024
REQUIRED METRICS
REQUIRED METRICS
In this presentation, you must address the following:
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Analyze common HR challenges when managing expatriates abroad.
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Recommend strategies to evaluate and improve expatriate effectiveness.
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Propose culturally sensitive approaches to team integration and leadership.
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Address international compensation concerns, including fairness and
communication.
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Ensure your HR strategy aligns with the core values of Bioworks and supports global
growth.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
You will be evaluated on the quality of your presentation and presentational skills.
These include:
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Communication
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Professionalism
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Creativity
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Relate to real-life business scenarios
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Ability to answer questions
Human Resource Management | Page 2
ACE Humber Case 2024
RUBRIC
Category
Need
Improvements
Satisfactory
Good
Excellent
Score
Content
Problem Analysis and Root
Causes
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
HR Concept Application
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
Expatriate Management
Strategy
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
Cross-Cultural & Team
Integration
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
Global Compensation &
Fairness
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
HR Strategy Alignment
with Company Values
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
Presentation Skills
Overall preparation
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
Communication
0 1
2 3
4 5
6
Professionalism
0 1
2 3
4 5
6
Creativity
0 1
2 3
4 5
6
Relate to real life
business scenarios
0 1
2 3
4 5
6
Ability to answer
questions
0 1
2 3
4 5
6
Total (out of 100)
Human Resource Management | Page 3