The Case Study
External factors led to a decrease in international students.
Change in applications for certain areas led to over-staffing.
A university needed to downsize staff, however they ended up losing some valuable staff.
Downsizing caused a fall in productivity & creativity and created a negative attitude from staff and students.
The Questions
1. What are the external factors that are affecting the labour profile needed by the university?
2. Identify possible ways that the HR planning function within the university decision makers.
3. Given the information in this case, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the downsizing of stagg numbers at the university?
Downsizing
The elimination of a large number of employees which is implemented to enhance the organisations effectiveness.
The Statistics
Increase in Applications:
Dentistry: 502%
Nursing: 111%
Medicine: 65%
Natural & Physical Sciences: 38.2%
Engineering: 38%
Decrease in Applications:
IT: 61%
Management & Commerce: 15%
Agriculture: 18%
External Factors
Legal Factors
Political Factors
Economic Factors
Social Factors
Technological Factors
Competition
Universities Labour Profile
Opinions
Image
External Factors Affecting the Labour Profile
HR Planning Function
Possible Options
Advantages of Downsizing
Financial Savings
Improves Efficiency
Loyalty & Teamwork
Communication Channels
Vice Chancellor Gets More Control
Simplified Organisational Structure
Training & Development Opportunities
Disadvantages of Downsizing
Staff Stress
Negative Publicity
Fewer Available Positions
Loss of Workers > Insecure Staff
Potential Staffing Issue: Being Under-Staffed
Decrease in Productivity, Creativity and Job Satisfaction
Decision-Making & Employer-Employee Relationship Affected
Question Time
What is one of the external factors?
Answer
Legal Factors,
Political Factors,
Economic Factors,
Social...