The primary function of HR Research organizations is to conduct research and to make their findings available to all who are interested. Many such organizations are found at universities.
Probably the largest university research center in the behavioral sciences is the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. Its three divisions–the Survey Research Center, the Research Center for Group Dynamics, and the Center for Political Studies–have together published over 5,000 books, articles, and reports.
A number of state universities have centers for the study of labor and industrial relations, including the Universities of California, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York. The School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University is also well known for its publications. Organizations sponsored by industry, such as the American Management Association (AMA) and the Conference Board (CB), publish research studies that benefit managers in HRM. Rand Corporation of Santa Monica, California, and the Brookings Institution of Washington, D.C., are also recognized for their contributions to this field.
The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), Commerce Clearing House (CCH), and Prentice-Hall (PH) also conduct surveys relating to HRM policies and practices. Survey results from these organizations may be found in loose-leaf volumes that contain a wealth of information about policies and practices and the legal aspects of HRM.
The student of HRM should become familiar with the various BNA, CCH, and PH publications that are updated regularly. These volumes are available in many college and university libraries, city libraries, and the libraries of the larger work organizations. The World Wide Web search engines will help you gain access to these organizations and HR Research.
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