BMgt 471 (7398)

BA 224, TTh 4:15 - 5:35

Dr. Martin Fogelman

BA 324, 442-5545

fogelman@albany.edu

Through reports, papers, presentations and examinations, students will demonstrate

1. an understanding of the uses of HRIS in various areas of HR management,
2. in-depth mastery of selected major topics in HRM using the computer as a tool to analyze and solve problems,
3. the ability to perform as part of a team using applications for decision-making,
4. a general understanding of the current market for HRIS products.

A basic knowledge of human resource management (e.g., BMgt530), statistics (e.g., BMsi220, and Microsoft Excel is assumed.

Since assigned projects in this course will require a comprehensive understanding of the HRIS role, the best papers in this course usually draw on multiple sources of information. Sometimes, materials from BMGT 430 will be sufficient. More often, though, a variety of materials from HRM and MIS will be needed. These may include, but are not limited to, Beyond Computing, Byte, CIO (Chief Information Officer), Computers in HR Management, Datamation (via WWW), Government Technology, HRfocus, HRMagazine, Info World, Information Week, Interfaces, Journal of Human Resources, Knowledge Management, LAN Times, MIS Quarterly, Network Management, PC Week, PC World, Training and Development Journal, and Wired.

Individual Assignments: Students will do about 15 cases or other homework assignments, three of which will be submitted for a grade. Individual reports will be collected at the beginning of the class period on their due date. Analyses should be typewritten, with printouts attached to support your analysis.

Reports are graded on their use of spreadsheet analysis and the HRM content of the answers, and also on how well they are written and presented. Students are encouraged to consult outside sources, i. e., books or articles, to support their work on graded assignments. Only reports that cite other sources in a logical and meaningful way will earn A grades. Without citations from other sources, the highest grade a report can earn is a B+. Grades on late reports will be reduced one letter for each day they are overdue.

Examinations: There will be three exams given in this course as indicated on the tentative schedule. One hour and 15 minutes is allowed for each exam. Latecomers will be seated after the exam begins, and they will have no extra time for the exam. Each examination will have 30 total points, and the second and third ones will focus mostly on material covered since the previous test. Exams will consist mostly of multiple choice items, worth up to one point each, though some short essays may be included.

Team Assignment and Policies Each team will present formally on an HRIS topic. Proper attire and decorum are expected. Teams should use PowerPoint or other media, and append a copy of the presentation to their written report. Specific instructions on access to projection and other equipment will be discussed individually between the instructor and the group. The instructor may change one or more individual cases to team assignments.

Peer Ratings: All team members will be asked to give each group participant a grade based on his or her contribution to the team's work during the semester. This peer rating will be done during the last class meeting. STUDENTS MUST BE PRESENT ON MAY 9 TO RECEIVE A PEER RATING.

More detailed information about quizzes, application exercises, group projects, and the final exam will be presented and discussed during class sessions.

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, cheating on exams, multiple submission, and other instances of academic dishonesty will be subject to the penalties outlined in the University Bulletin. Sanctions include being issued a failing grade in the course or referral of the matter to a judiciary hearing for disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion from the University.

Attendance: Class participation is a key component of this course, so any absence can negatively affect a student’s evaluation. Even when absent, every class member is responsible for submitting all assignments. In an emergency, the student should contact the instructor as soon as possible. Coming in late and leaving early are discouraged. Students missing class due to illness must arrange to get class notes, handouts, or exercise materials from classmates.

Extra Credit: Individual students may propose projects for extra credit. Any such proposal must be approved in principle by April 30 and submitted in final form by May 8. There are no group extra credit projects.

Individual Meetings and Office Hours: Students are welcome to discuss their progress and other concerns using email, phone or office hours. Regularly scheduled office hours include

• Monday and Wednesday 8-10 a.m.
• after Mgt 471 on Tuesday (beginning 5:45 p.m.)
• after Mgt 514 on Thursday (beginning 8:55 p.m.)
• any other time by appointment

Missed Exams: No exams are given in advance. Makeup exams are subject to University policy: "If the cause of the absence is documented hospitalization, personal tragedy in the immediate family, or a religious observance, the professor must administer a make-up examination or offer an alternative mutually agreeable to the instructor and the student." Absent any mutually agreeable alternative, makeup exams consisting of essays and a personal presentation/interview covering the material will be administered individually in the instructor’s office.

Research Participation (on Instructor’s or other School/University Project): There may be one or more opportunities this semester to participate in research on a human resources-related issue. Any participation in such research on the part of students is strictly voluntary.

Team Participation: Occasionally, there are team members who do not contribute their fair share to the group’s work on projects. If any group finds this happening, members should try to correct the situation by encouraging the dysfunctional team member to be more involved. The next step is to hold a "counseling interview" by appointment after class, with the instructor present. If the team still cannot get an individual member to cooperate, they may petition the instructor to "reassign" the member. The newly "outplaced" team member will receive an individual assignment to write up and present to the class.