This text argues that effective management of human resources is necessary to gain a competitive advantage and outlines the four challenges faced by companies: the global, quality, social and the high performance work practices challenges. Examples in each chapter show how companies have successfully dealt with these challenges and provide the technical background needed to be a successful HR professional. This book features: recent academic research, best practices and company examples; the methods used to determine the effectiveness of the HR function; coverage of trends-in-work design and downsizing and use of contingent employees; and identification of Internet and World Wide Web sites relating to HR practices.