Case study HRM

CASE

Singapore Chemical Systems Technologies (SCST)

SCST is a "high tech" company involved in process and biotechnology. SCST is in the

process of building a new production facility in Technology Park, Singapore. The facility is to

use completely new technology not used anywhere else in the world except on an

experimental basis in Japan. This experimental system cannot be used to define jobs, as it

is a small-scale facility and is inadequate for this purpose. The positions in the experimental

process also cannot be used as model jobs. Premises are being constructed and the

installation of equipment will commence in three months. The company wishes to have 45

Singaporean based employees involved in the installation and start-up process. At this stage

they only wish to employ Singaporean residents though this may change as the facility

comes up to production.

It is explained that the first 45 employees will be responsible for bringing the new plant up to

production after completing training. The senior management team is already in place. The

organisational structure is to be flat with only four levels in the production area.

The plant is expected to employ some 250 people when in production on a 24/7 roster. They

have requested your consultancy to make a submission for the selection contract. Two other

consultancies are being considered. The initial requirement is that you succinctly outline how

you would go about hiring 45 people (15 supervisory and 30 senior operators) for the

organisation. These people will be using the new technology directly and are seen as the

core group whose expertise will be vital to the success of the enterprise. A salary above the

normal local rate is being offered to all positions. Salary and allowances are to be paid whilst

undertaking training in Japan.

The company intends to recruit the 45 from local applicants prior to the plant opening and

provide training courses for them. The course will require the trainees to spend 8 weeks at

an associated company's Japanese training centre. There will be one return airfare

budgeted for each selectee for a return visit to Singapore for three days after four weeks

training. This group will then become supervisors (15) and senior operators (30) in the new

production facility. It is expected that the senior operators will be eligible to become

supervisors at a later date.

The training commences in 10 weeks’ time and cannot be changed. The SCST people

indicate that they wish to proceed quickly with the program as they want to get into

production before their competitors have a chance to duplicate the technology. They

appreciate that this is a form of crisis hiring and wish to award the contract within the next

five days in order to have the people selected in time for commencement of the training

program and to process visa applications.

SCST has indicated that prior experience of process work is preferred but not essential for

the senior operators. For the others some previous process experience or basic qualification

is preferred. Position descriptions have not been developed yet. In fact, the company does

not wish to use them as they see these as too restrictive. They are also requesting that you

indicate the characteristics and skills you would look for in the applicants.

Tasks (25% each)

a. Provide a selection system or processes you would use to recruit and select the

required people, along with a justification for this system.

b. Describe and justify the criteria, characteristics and skills used for selection.

c. Justify the selection devices you use.

d. The selection system should cover the full process from recruitment through to final

selection.