MGMT 468 – 001
Human Resource Management for Entrepreneurs
MWF 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Fall 2015
Professor
Office Hours
Dr. Marcia Simmering Dickerson, Ph.D.
Office: 337 COBB
Telephone: 318-257-3445
E-mail: Marcia@latech.edu
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
and 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Required Textbook
The textbook that we will use heavily in this class is: Denisi, A.S., & Griffin, R.W. 2016. HR (3nd ed.).
South-Western Cengage Learning. You will not need the web access code, although you may benefit
from using Cengage Now for studying. I will place a copy of the textbook on 2-hour reserve in the library.
All students in this class can check out the book, and it may be unavailable when you want it, so plan
accordingly.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this class, students should expect to successfully exhibit these learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate and understanding of the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in
entrepreneurial business, aligning HRM systems with the strategic business objectives of a firm,
and in the competitive environment
2. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legal and ethical issues in HRM, including equal
employment opportunity, compensation and benefits laws, and labor relations
3. Conduct a job analysis by compiling information from outside sources and job incumbents,
compiling information into a job description
4. Synthesize information regarding the effectiveness of human resource planning, recruitment,
and staffing efforts, demonstrating an ability to make appropriate decisions
5. Evaluate training options in terms of needs assessment, delivery methods, and evaluation of
training effectiveness
6. Understand the role of performance appraisal and feedback, particularly in relation to reduction
in staff
7. Demonstrate knowledge of compensation and benefits concepts, particularly in relation to
motivating and retaining employees and compliance with the law
8. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant safety, health, well-being, and security issues facing
employees in organization and actions to improve these through HRM
Communication
It is important that you check your e-mail frequently for class information. Students are responsible for
information sent to them via e-mail. If you do not regularly check your university email address, change
your Moodle e-mail address to the one you check. Announcements will also be made on Moodle, so
access the class Moodle site regularly.
Graded Activities and Final Grade Determination
Grades are based on your individual performance. They are not based on attendance, effort, personality,
potential, or need. No student’s final grade will be increased for any reason other than calculation error.
In other words, if you are 1 point away from earning an A, you will earn a B; you will not be “bumped
up.” Remember, too, that C is an average grade.
Graded Activities
4 exams @ 55 points ea.
4 quizzes @ 5 points ea.
1 group project @ 50 points
Group evaluation @ 5 points
Participation @ 30 points
TOTAL POINTS
Grade Distribution
292 - 325 = A
260 - 291 = B
227 - 259 = C
195 - 226 = D
194 and below = F
220
20
50
5
30
325
Class Format, Attendance, and Participation
Class meetings will consist of question-and-answer sessions, discussion, and lecture. Lecture will
comprise about half of the classroom time. Thus, you will be expected to be prepared for class
discussions each day by having read the assigned material.
I will take attendance in class each day, and I will evaluate class participation each time the class meets,
excluding exam days. To earn required participation (20 points), you must have prepared answers to
the questions on the Powerpoint slides posted on the Moodle website and provide the correct answer
when called upon in class from a randomly ordered list. If you answer incorrectly, but appear to have
been prepared, you may have another chance to answer that day for credit. If you are absent or
unprepared to answer, you will not receive credit for required participation that day.
Voluntary participation is based on your verbal contribution to class discussion, quality input in the form
of personal experiences, asking insightful questions, commenting on others’ ideas, or responding to a
question that is asked of the entire class. You may receive voluntary participation credit only twice each
class period, so that no one dominates the discussion and limits others’ participation. Although there are
10 points possible for voluntary participation, you may earn more points to count towards a deficiency
in required participation points. That is, if you missed a few classes and thus have reduced required
participation points, but volunteered a lot in other class periods, you may earn back your lost points.
Thus, if you missed a class, even for an excused reason, you are expected to make up your participation
points through voluntary participation. Any inappropriate or unprofessional conduct will cause you to
lose participation points. If you are not in class, you will receive 0 participation points for the day, but
you do not earn points simply by attending without contributing. Participation grades will be based on
the following formula, and no student can earn more than 30 points for participation.
Number of times correct answer
given when called upon
Number of times called upon
x 20 +
Number of times you
volunteered in class
Average number of times all
class members volunteered
x 10 =
Your earned
points for
participation
Quizzes
There will four quizzes, which will be multiple choice and short answer. Quiz dates will be announced in
class. Make-up quizzes will be permitted only for students who have a reasonable excuse for absence.
Exams
Each exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions and will cover material from the
text, question and answer sessions, and lectures. Exams will be taken at the start of the class on the
scheduled dates unless prior arrangements are made. They may be rescheduled due to illness, death in
the family, or other similar extenuating circumstances, but they may not be rescheduled for reasons
such as vacations, work, or oversleeping. You must contact me before the exam and present
documentation supporting an excused absence to be allowed to take a make-up.
Group Project and Group Evaluation
The class will be split into groups of 4-5 students to complete case analysis. The case will require you to
apply what you’ve learned throughout the quarter to an entrepreneurial business situation. This project
is due Monday, November 9. One hard copy per group should be submitted in class, and one electronic
copy should be submitted via turnitin.com. Grades will be given to the group as a whole, with some
exceptions as noted below, so each group member should plan to contribute. Group projects may be
turned in early. In order to encourage contribution by each group member, all group members must
complete a group evaluation at the end of the project. This will allow me to determine if a group
member has not contributed sufficiently. A small lack of participation will mean losing the 5 points
associated with the group evaluation. A substantial lack of participation may reduce the points awarded
for the group project for certain group members.
Special Needs and Disabilities
If you have special needs due to a physical, emotional, sensory, learning, or other disability, please
contact me immediately. I will accommodate students’ special needs to the best of my abilities, but
please notify me in advance. Qualified students needing testing or classroom accommodations based
on a disability are encouraged to make their requests to me at the beginning of the quarter either
during office hours or by appointment. Note: Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification
of eligibility from the Testing and Disability Services Office is needed. Disability information is
confidential. Information for Testing and Disability Services may be obtained in Wyly Tower 318 or
www.latech.edu/ods.
Academic Honor Code
I expect that you will never knowingly violate Tech’s policy on academic honesty. Students who engage
in academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties. Because academic dishonesty harms the
individual, the student body, and the integrity of the university, this policy will be strictly enforced.
Please refer to Louisiana Tech University’s honor code printed in the catalog.
Emergency Notification System (ENS)
Emergency Notification System: All Louisiana Tech students are strongly encouraged to enroll and
update their contact information in the Emergency Notification System. It takes just a few seconds to
ensure you’re able to receive important text and voice alerts in the event of a campus emergency. For
more information on the Emergency Notification System, please visit
http://www.latech.edu/administration/ens.shtml.
Disaster Plan
If class cannot meet as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstance (e.g., tornado), please log on to our
class Moodle site for information from me. I will post instructions as to how to do the Q&A, quizzes, and
exams remotely.
Title IX Information
In accordance with Title IX and other applicable law, Louisiana Tech University is committed to providing
a learning, working, and living environment that promotes integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an
environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual misconduct which includes sex
discrimination, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and
retaliation. Louisiana Tech University prohibits sex discrimination and sexual misconduct. This policy
applies to all persons without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.
To report concerns regarding Title IX, contact University Police (257-4018) 24 hours a day. Or, contact
College of Business Responsible Employees Dr. Rebecca Bennett (COBB 324, 318-257-3293,
rbennett@latech.edu) or Dr. Laura Flurry (COBB 341, 257-3768, lwflurry@latech.edu). Finally, you may
also contact Title IX coordinator Carrie Flournoy at 318-257-3785.
MGMT 468-001
Fall 2015
Schedule of Course Activities*
Class Date
Sept. 11 (F)
Topics
Introduction
Required Reading
Syllabus
Sept. 14 (M)
Sept. 16 (W)
Sept. 18 (F)
Sept. 21 (M)
Sept. 23 (W)
Sept. 25 (F)
Sept. 28 (M)
Sept. 30 (W)
Oct. 2 (F)
Oct. 5 (M)
Oct. 7 (W)
Oct. 9 (F)
Oct. 12 (M)
Oct. 14 (W)
Oct. 16 (F)
Oct. 19 (M)
Oct. 21 (W)
Oct. 23 (F)
Oct. 26 (M)
Oct. 28 (W)
Oct. 30 (F)
Nov. 2 (M)
Nov. 4 (W)
Nov. 6 (F)
Nov. 9 (M)
The Nature of HRM
Chapter 1
The Legal Environment
Chapter 2
The Legal Environment
Chapter 2
The Global Environment
Chapter 3
The Competitive Environment
Chapter 4
The Competitive Environment
Chapter 4
Exam 1
Information for Making HR Decisions
Chapter 5
Information for Making HR Decisions
Chapter 5
Motivation
Chapter 13
HR Decision Making in Organizations
Chapter 6
Recruiting Employees
Chapter 7
Recruiting Employees
Chapter 7
Exam 2
Selecting Employees
Chapter 7
Selecting Employees
Chapter 7
Training and Development
Chapter 7
Compensation
Chapter 9
Compensation
Chapter 9
Benefits
Chapter 9
Exam 3
Performance Appraisal
Chapter 10
Performance Appraisal
Chapter 10
Managing Labor Relations
Chapter 11
Safety, Health, Well-being, and Security
Chapter 12
Group Project Due
Nov. 11 (W)
Safety, Health, Well-being, and Security
Chapter 12
Nov. 13 (F)
Managing and Enhancing Performance
Chapter 14
Nov. 16 (M)
Managing and Enhancing Performance
Chapter 14
Nov. 18 (W)
Exam 4
Graduating senior grades are due Tuesday, Nov. 17. All other grades are due Monday, November 23.
*Schedule is subject to change depending on how quickly we progress through each chapter. However,
exam dates and the group project due date will not change except in extreme circumstances.