HR management textbook

Human resource (HR) is considered to be the most valuable resource over all the other resources. The success of any business depends heavily on how we utilize it.

Unless we manage it effectively and efficiently, our total effort will be an utter failure. Therefore, a proper understanding of HRM will be beneficial for anyone who utilizes others to get the work done.

However, one of the greatest difficulties that Sri Lankans face is the non-availability of Sri Lankan textbooks, which teaches us essential concepts, theories, and practices of HRM.

We are fortunate today as Prof. H.H.D.N.P. Opatha who is the current head of the Dept. of Human Resource Management of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has written a book, which will be of immense benefit to anyone who deals with HRM. This book will go down in our annals as the first Sri Lankan book written in English on HRM.

HRM is said to be one of the most important functional fields of management of organizations today. Therefore, HRM has become a subject, which is compulsory for managers irrespective of fields of specialization and interest.

Also, indeed, it is an important field of specialization for those who wish to establish careers in HRM. It is an exciting academic discipline and a practice as well. It is almost impossible to find problems in managing organizations that are not involved in HR issue. This book is about how to effectively and efficiently utilize HR in order to achieve the goals of an organization.

The book aims at providing a systematic and rational understanding of HRM, both conceptual and practical understanding.

It unfolds a systematic and scientific approach to the analysis and handling of issues in HRM with special reference to Sri Lankan context. This book is not a mere collection of thoughts of various foreign authorities but a book based on a distinct model developed by the author's perspective of HRM.

The author has organized this book into twenty one (21) chapters, which has been presented in seven (7) parts. The book contains almost 1000 pages. It has been well written with the reader in mind thereby enhancing the readability. Key features of the book includes: chapter objectives, real life experience of the author as a practitioner of HRM, chapter summary, reviews and discussion questions, cases, critical incidence, skills builders, chapter reference and Glossary.

It is the belief of many reviewers that this book is highly readable and teachable. So, this text will be an asset for teachers in HRM in Sri Lanka.