MGMT 405 (Section 001, 002) – Staffing
Spring 2017
Professor:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Course Meetings:
Course Website:
Required Textbook:
Nichelle Carpenter, Ph.D.
[email protected]
406H MGMT
Fridays 10a-12pm (email in advance) or by appointment
Section 001 – 1:15-2:30pm, MGMT 128
Section 002 – 2:50-4:05pm, MGMT 121
Blackboard
Heneman, H. G., Judge, T. A., & Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D. (2014).
Staffing Organizations. McGraw-Hill Irwin: New York, NY. (8th
edition)
*Additional readings (e.g., articles, cases) will be assigned throughout
the semester (see Compass website).
Course Description and Objectives
Welcome to MGMT 405. This course provides an introduction to the design, execution, and
evaluation of HR staffing systems. The main focus of this course is on recommended staffing
practices; importantly, this course will also examine the challenges and controversies that
accompany these recommendations. As a result, the objective for this course is for students to
have a comprehensive understanding of staffing practices, know how to deploy different
practices, and be able to articulate their benefits and limitations. This course is designed to
facilitate a more active classroom environment (rather than just lecture), meaning that there will
be a lot of discussions and exercises. Preparation, engagement, and participation are essential to
the success of this course.
Course Structure
The classes will be a mix of lecture, class discussion, and in-class activities. We will start by
going over assignments, discussing any questions you have regarding the reading, and/or a quiz.
Then, I will lecture on the day’s topic. There will frequently be an activity or discussion to
reinforce key topics. Importantly, the goal of lecture is to supplement the readings, not
compensate for it. As a result, it is imperative that you read the assigned materials before class.
Please also note that class will start and end promptly, so be sure to show up a few minutes early.
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Exams – 200 points total
There will be two in-class exams and each is worth 100 points. Material for the exams will be
drawn from the lectures, discussions, activities, and the textbook.
Team Project – 100 points total
This project will be completed in teams of 3. As part of this project, you will (a) evaluate an
organization’s existing staffing system and (b) provide comprehensive recommendations for
what the organization should do. The team will provide short interim assignments, a final written
report, as well as an in-class presentation at the end of the semester.
Participation (includes attendance, short assignments, and quizzes) – 100 points total
Students in this class likely have varied experiences dealing with the staffing topics we’ll discuss
in class. Thus, I expect that students participate by sharing their own experiences (e.g., successes
and challenges) in staffing or as an applicant. In addition, students are expected to attend class
and participate in in-class exercises and discussions. Finally, students are expected to prepare
questions for guest speaker presentation as well as the final team presentations. If you are
disruptive in class, engaged in counterproductive activities (e.g., social media, unrelated web
browsing, side conversations), and so on, you will not earn participation points.
Many students may prefer to take notes on their personal laptop. You are not to use class time to
browse websites, spend time on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, or email. Additionally,
you should not send/receive text messages or engage in any other phone/computer activities that
are unrelated to class (You are, however, able to keep your phone on vibrate during class).
I follow the University’s policy on attendance. It states: “Absence from more than 10 percent of
the scheduled class sessions, whether excused or unexcused, is excessive and the instructor may
choose to exact a grade penalty for such absences.” The policy may be viewed at:
http://bulletin.sc.edu/content.php?catoid=52&navoid=1280#Attendance_Policy
Throughout the semester I may administer quizzes at random. The questions will come from the
assigned readings and the previous lecture. In order to do well on these quizzes, you should make
sure you are prepared for class, having read all the assigned readings as listed in the syllabus.
The reading quizzes are designed to not only ensure that you are keeping up with the course
material, but to also give you a basic understanding of the key topics in each section. NO makeup quizzes will be given.
There will be short assignments that are due at various points in the semester. These assignments
will directly relate to our class discussions and the activities we complete in class. Assignments
must adhere to formatting and length requirements in order to earn full credit.
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Basis of Evaluation
1. Exams (2 exams at 100 points each) = 200 points
2. Team Project = 100 points
3. Attendance/Participation = 100 points
Total: 400 points
50%
25%
25%
100%
As we go through the semester, write in your score so you always know how you are performing:
My Score
/
__________ /
__________ /
__________ /
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Team Project:
Participation:
- Attendance:
- Quizzes:
- Short Assignments
Overall Grade:
points =
%
100 = __________%
100 = __________%
100 = __________%
# absences :_____________________________
Scores : _____________________________
# completed: ____________________________
__________ / 500 = __________%
Grades will be assigned according to the traditional cut-offs used at USC:
90-100% = A
87-89% = B+
80-86% = B
77-79% = C+
70-76% = C
60-69% = D
>59%
=F
Missed Exams; Requests for Reconsidering a Grade
If you are unable to take an exam during the scheduled time, you must let me know before the
test in order to schedule a make-up exam, and there must be a compelling reason (see attendance
policy). If you do not tell me in advance, then no make-up exam will be given.
If you feel that work you submitted was improperly evaluated, you may ask in writing to have it
reviewed and the grade reconsidered. You have seven days from the time you receive the grade
to make the request. No reconsideration of grades or scoring will occur after seven days has
elapsed. To do this, prepare a written statement (one or two paragraphs) explaining what you
believe to be erroneous about the grade. Please recognize that a new grade could be lower or
higher than the original grade.
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Other Important, Miscellaneous Things
Email
I am available to help you via email. If you email me, please make certain that your email is
professional and includes the following elements: (1) MGMT 405 in the subject line (along with
class time!), (2) a greeting, (3) a clear description of your problem or question, (4) any steps you
have already taken to address the problem or question, (5) your name at the bottom. This is
important for me to understand exactly how to help you AND to ensure your email is not sent to
a spam folder.
Office Hours
Please utilize office hours in this class. Please email me in advance if you plan stop by, as
sometimes I may have unforeseeable meetings and obligations at that time. If these times do not
work for you, I am happy to work to find other times to meet.
University of South Carolina Honor Code
“It is the responsibility of every student at the University of South Carolina Columbia to adhere
steadfastly to truthfulness and to avoid dishonesty, fraud, or deceit of any type in connection
with any academic program. Any student who violates this Honor Code or who knowingly
assists another to violate this Honor Code shall be subject to discipline.” For more information,
go to: http://www.sc.edu/academicintegrity/
This class will follow the policies associated with the USC Honor Code as specified on the
Office of Academic Integrity site https://www.sa.sc.edu/academicintegrity/honor-code-policyinformation/.
Student Conduct
In 2010, student leaders developed and the Darla Moore School faculty endorsed a Code of
Conduct for undergraduate students. This Code of Conduct can be found here:
(http://moore.sc.edu/studentlife/studentrightsandresponsibilities/studentcodeofconduct.asp
x)
Information for Students with a Disability
To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities
must contact me and the Office of Student Disability Services as soon as possible. To contact the
office, please visit 1523 Greene Street, email: [email protected] or call 803-777-6142
(TDD: 803-777-6744). I recognize the confidentiality of the information you share with me.
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
APA style
You are required to use APA style for your team project paper and presentation (where
applicable). This is most relevant for formatting, in-text citations, reference lists, tables, and
figures. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the requirements throughout the
semester (i.e., don’t wait until the final paper is due to figure this out).
Briefly, make sure that your paper is typed, double-spaced, and contains 1-inch margins all
around the document. Additionally, use 12pt. Times New Roman font.
Here are some websites that you should consult for further assistance:
 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
 http://www.apastyle.org/
 http://www.citationmachine.net/
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Course Team Project
Teams will consist of 3 individuals (depending on course enrollment).
Each team will develop a written staffing plan for a real organization – this is a plan that specifies each step the
organization should take to hire new talent.
 Thoroughly describe and evaluate the existing staffing plan: what does the organization do well and
what are areas for improvement? Why? What are your suggestions for improvement and why?
The staffing plan should have the following sections:

Executive summary: This is a summary that clearly describes the organization, your evaluation, and
your recommendations. This has to be a maximum of one page, no exceptions.

The organization: Describe the organization for which you are creating the staffing plan. For example,
what is its strategy and mission? Location? Industry?

Job family or families: What are the jobs for which you are creating the staffing plan? *In an
Appendix, create a job description that includes the KSAOs, work experience, education, and
essential functions of the job.

Planning: What are the projected hiring requirements for a given timeframe?

Sourcing: What internal and external recruitment strategies will you use? What is the social media
strategy for recruitment?

Initial Screening: How will you initially identify potential candidates? For example, are there essential
KSAOs that could be evaluated early in order to exclude applicants before proceeding to the actual
selection battery?

Selection: How will you select employees? For example, describe the KSAOs that are related to
performance on the jobs in question. What specific constructs (i.e., KSAOs) do you plan to assess? What
method(s) will be used for each of the KSAOs? Describe known validity information (i.e., from
literature) as well as adverse impact potential to justify the use. Be specific in describing constructs and
methods, and provide citations (APA).

Decision Making: How will you combine and weight scores to decide who gets hired? Although you are
not expected to conduct statistical weighting, you should still describe (a) whether some tests will be
weighted more heavily than others (if so, how?), as well as (b) the type of selection strategy that will be
used (e.g., compensatory, hurdle strategy).

Performance appraisal: How is performance defined and how will it be assessed? This is not the focus of
your project, but it is important to briefly describe how you would measure and evaluate employee
performance. If a performance evaluation system is in place, then an important factor to consider is
whether the behaviors evaluated match the factors on which candidates are screened.

Evaluation plan: How will you evaluate whether your staffing plan was successful? For example, what
are some metrics to assess that would let you know that the candidates who performed the best on the
selection tests actually performed the best on the job?
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Important information:

The purpose of this project is to communicate both verbally and in writing a staffing plan for an
organization. As a result, the evaluation of the project is based on the ideas (and sound justification) for
the staffing plan. The final paper should be 15-20 pages (double-spaced, 12 point Times New
Roman font, 1 inch margins).
o Part of your justification requires the use of HR scholarly literature and class notes to justify your
decisions. Make sure that you use APA style to properly cite such resources.

The team will receive a single grade on the presentation (40%) and paper (60%), but team members will
be able to provide confidential ratings and qualitative evaluations of teammates. Thus, an individual’s
project grade could be different from the team’s grade.

The in-class presentation should be about 15 minutes and an additional 5-10 minutes will be held for
questions and discussion. The written paper is due during Finals’ week, as this will allow for last minute
changes in response to presentation feedback.
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Week Date
1
1/10
2
3
1/12
1/17
1/19
1/24
Class Topic
Introduction to Staffing
(continued)
Strategy
Job Analysis
Criterion/Job Performance
What is due?
Read: Ch. 1
Read: Ch. 1
Read: Ch. 4
Read: Cleveland & Colella
SA due
Read: Ch. 7
3/21
3/23
Measurement, statistics, and prediction
(continued)
Legal Environment of Staffing
(continued)
(continued)
Recruitment
(continued)
(continued)
(continued)
Review
Exam 1
Spring Break - NO CLASS
Spring Break - NO CLASS
Staffing Overview
Developing Assessments (Constructs and
Methods)
(continued)
Interview Method
13
3/28
3/30
4/4
(continued)
(continued)
Selection Decision Making
14
4/6
4/11
(continued)
In-Class Team Mtgs re: Presentation and
Paper
Global/Executive/Team Staffing Evaluating
Read: Ch. 13
Staffing Systems
Read: HBR readings
Presentations
Presentations
Reading Day – NO CLASS
Final exam:
Final papers due by Tuesday, May 2nd at 9pm ET
Section 001: Tuesday, May 2 at 4pm
Section 002: Thursday, April 27 at 12:30pm
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1/26
1/31
2/2
2/7
2/9
2/14
2/16
2/21
2/23
2/28
3/2
3/7
3/9
3/14
3/16
4/13
15
16
4/18
4/20
4/25
5/2
MGMT 405, Spring 2017
Read: Ch. 2
SA due
Read: Ch. 5, 6
SA due: Case response (and yield ratios)
Read: Ch. 8-9
Read: Ch. 8
HBR readings
Read: Ch. 11
SA: Case response
General references and resources:
Department of Labor. O*NET: http://www.onetonline.org/
Dictionary of Occupational Titles. http://www.occupationalinfo.org/
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: http://www.eeoc.gov/
EEOC enforced laws: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/index.cfm
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor,
Department of Justice (1978). Adoption by four agencies of uniform guidelines on employee
selection procedures. Federal Register, 43, 38290-38315.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor,
Department of Justice (1979). Interpretation and clarification of the Uniform Employee Selection
Guidelines. Federal Register, 44, 11996-12009.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor,
Department of Justice (1980). Adoption of additional questions and answers to clarify and
provide a common interpretation of the Uniform Guidelines on employee Selection Procedures.
Federal Register, 45, 29529-29531.
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Inc (2003). Principles for the validation and use of
personnel selection procedures (4th Ed.). Bowling Green, OH: Author.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm
The Civil Rights Act of 1991. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/cra-1991.cfm
MGMT 405, Spring 2017