Contents

Chapter 1. Strategic Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning

Chapter 2. Environmental Scanning and Labour Market Analysis

Chapter 3. Workforce Demand Forecasting

Chapter 4. Supply Analysis and Talent Segmentation

Chapter 5. Employer Branding and Candidate Attraction

Chapter 6. Recruitment Channels and Sourcing Strategy

Chapter 7. Selection Design, Validity, and Fairness

Chapter 8. Interviewing, Assessment, and Decision Quality

Chapter 9. Onboarding, Early Performance, and Retention

Chapter 10. Diversity, Inclusion, and Bias Control in Hiring

Chapter 11. Workforce Analytics and Scenario Planning

Chapter 12. Technology, AI, and Digital Recruitment Risk

Chapter 13. Global Talent Pipelines and Mobility

Chapter 14. Integrated Workforce Strategy and Governance

Glossary of Key Terms

Appendix A. Workforce Forecasting Template

Appendix B. Recruitment Planning Worksheet

Appendix C. Structured Interview Guide

Appendix D. Selection Decision Matrix

Appendix E. Onboarding 90-Day Plan

Appendix F. Talent Risk Register

Applied Case Bank

Preface

This textbook introduces talent acquisition and workforce planning as an advanced field of study that connects theory, policy, ethics, and practical managerial judgement. The purpose is to help students understand not only key concepts, but also how those concepts operate in real organizations under pressure.

Each chapter follows a consistent learning design. It begins with outcomes, develops core concepts, connects theory to practice, includes a table or text-based diagram, and ends with reflection questions. This structure allows instructors to use the book in weekly lessons while also allowing students to study independently.

Because organizations differ in size, sector, law, culture, resources, and workforce composition, the book does not offer one universal formula. Instead, it teaches students to diagnose context, evaluate alternatives, communicate recommendations, and design accountable systems.

The master’s-level emphasis is on analysis and synthesis. Students should be able to compare approaches, evaluate evidence, anticipate consequences, and defend professional recommendations with clarity and fairness.

Learning Outcomes for the Course

• Explain major theories, concepts, and practices in talent acquisition and workforce planning.
• Evaluate policy and managerial choices using evidence, ethics, strategy, and stakeholder impact.
• Design practical recommendations that include implementation controls and review measures.
• Apply professional judgement to complex cases involving competing interests and incomplete information.
• Communicate analysis in a clear graduate-level management style.

How to Use This Text

Read the chapters as a professional toolkit rather than as isolated lecture notes. Before each chapter, identify the main problem the chapter is trying to solve. During reading, underline how the concepts affect real decisions. After reading, use the reflection questions to test whether you can apply the ideas to a workplace case.

For seminar teaching, each chapter can support a full class meeting. The overview page can be assigned before class, the framework page can guide discussion, the application page can be used for group analysis, and the reflection page can be used for written response or assessment preparation.

For independent study, students should keep a course journal. Each journal entry should include one key idea, one workplace example, one ethical concern, and one question for further discussion. This practice helps students move from memorization to managerial reasoning.