This course discusses how firms develop employee talent as a source of competitive advantage. Topics include strategic implications of contemporary practices in recruitment, work systems, training, compensation and employee relations. Leaders must make decisions as they create human capital that requires they address ethical, legal and social questions. Through discussion of cases, this course requires students to consider the role of issues such as collective bargaining, executive compensation, outsourcing and development, within the larger context of a broad definition of strategic sustainable success, including legal compliance, values and risk. This course will familiarize students with current research and practices on key human resource topics such as alignment, competencies, changing social and employment relationships and globalization.