This new book builds on the success of Managing Human Resources and Industrial Relations (Storey and Sisson, 1993). It provides a succinct, affordable, up-to-date analysis of themes and topics relevant to the management of human resources today. It covers issues of critical contemporary importance such as restructuring, continuous improvement, involvement and participation, pay and working time, training and development, recruitment and selection. It also looks at the implications of contextual changes such as the signing of the 'social chapter' of the EU Maastricht Treaty, and movement towards European Economic and Monetary Union.

Three features in particular distinguish this volume from the many others in the field. Firstly, it deals with both the individual and the collective aspects of managing the employment relationship. Most books cover either one or the other but not both. Secondly, in analysing the latest thinking in both areas, this book takes account of the large body of empirical research that is now available and identifies what it all means for the practitioner. Thirdly, the distinctive style in which this book is written gives it an immediacy not common in management texts.

This book will be equally valuable to practising managers (not only specialist human resource managers) and students of business and management who are studying a course or module in human resource management. Helpfully for the latter audience, the book is arranged so that each chapter could appropriately constitute the required reading for a week-by-week programme extending over ten weeks.