Struggling to Find a Thesis Topic in HRM – Can You Share Your Ideas?

Hello to all the members of the HR community.

I think it would be wise to give a brief introduction of myself rather than just stating the purpose of this email. I am a student at the Norwegian School of Management, currently in my last year of the bachelor's program. At our school, we have to turn in a 'mini-thesis' in the subject we have chosen as our majors, mine being HRM.

Now to the main reason for writing this email, well, I am literally 'stuck' in coming up with a possible topic for my thesis. I do have a few vague ideas but nothing concrete to start off with. Through random search and surf, I was very lucky to find CiteHR and hope to get a few interesting ideas or suggestions, etc., from you all.

Thank you.

Regards Savera Kanwal

Dear Savera,

I am not sure how you plan to gather the information. Is it a primary approach (visiting companies) or is it a secondary approach? Secondly, it is a mini thesis, and hence you must select a topic that you are comfortable with, that you already have some knowledge about, that is easy to collect, and that is easily available, etc.

My suggestions are for HRM topics:
- How do companies conduct recruitment?
- How do companies conduct selection?
- How do companies conduct induction?
- How do companies conduct training?
- How do companies conduct performance appraisal?
- How do companies develop compensation?
- How do companies manage staff motivation?
- How do companies manage staff development? etc.

Regards,
Leo Lingham

Hello Leo,

Thank you for your reply. You have pointed out the main topics concerning HRM to me, which makes the search for the statement somewhat less difficult.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am a student at the Norwegian School of Management but currently residing in Rhode Island. I have just moved here and will be working on my thesis. I am working alone, whereas in our school, you have the option of working in a group of maximum 3 people – this is also encouraged. But since I had to move here, I did not find it wise to be a part of a group because it would have been difficult to communicate/collaborate.

I don't know the new place (Rhode Island) very well, hence I thought it would be better to stick with the secondary approach when writing my thesis. I personally don't think that this is or should be the right reason for deciding on whether I want to work with a company or not. In my view, working with a company is a plus when writing a thesis of this sort.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

Regards,
Savera Kanwal

P.S. Any particular company that you would recommend? How about something on the lines of the HRM department and a hospital...very vague...but I want some sort of connection there! I don't know.

Dear SAVERA,

Commercial companies would be ideal, but given your situation, look at what is the next best in RHODE ISLAND. You should consider:

- Local state government organization
- Local council/planning office
- Tourism organization in the city
- RHODE ISLAND newspaper office
- Local transportation office
- Local hospitals administration office
- Food wholesalers
- Sports/clubs facilities
etc.

So, there are various other opportunities for gathering information. Good luck!

Regards,
LEO LINGHAM

Hi Leo,

How are you? I am doing well. I am stuck with HRM books and about to start with my mini-thesis. I just have a simple question to ask - what are the entry-level jobs that one typically starts with after completing a Bachelor's in HRM?

Regards,
Savera Kanwal

After graduating in HR, there are a number of areas you can consider:

- Management trainee in corporations
- Management trainee in chain stores, as a store manager
- HR trainee in a recruitment firm
- Supervisor trainee with service companies
- Trainee with large training companies
- Administrative positions within universities
- Trainee with large consulting firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Trainee manager with fast-food chains like McDonald's, etc.
- Administration trainee with government departments

Regards,
LEO LINGHAM

Okay, cool enough. How about HR and banking? What kind of job or role does HR play in a bank, if any role at all? I wish to work in a bank after doing my bachelors. Also, later, as in the next year or latest by 2007, I want to continue my education, join a master's program, and take up finance subjects then.

Regards,
Savera Kanwal