Human Resource Management (HRM)

Compensation and benefits focuses on employee compensation and benefits policy-making within organizations. It includes both tangible (pay, health benefits, pensions) and intangible (recognition, work-life, and development) rewards. The term "compensation and benefits" refers both to the sub-discipline of human resource management as well as the rewards themselves.

This guide is best used as a starting place to help you find information on compensation structures, benefit and pension programs, and other employment rewards. We'll connect you with a variety of information sources, including books, scholarly/research articles, news, articles, data and more that explore the many and varied aspects of compensation and benefits.

Books and other resources such as videos or reports can be a very valuable resource in the research process; they are especially useful when you are looking for:

• a comprehensive overview of a topic or concept;
• major ideas, concepts, theories, and trends in relation to a topic;
• definitions, best practices, examples, and case studies; and
• practical applications of a concept or idea.

Search Tips:

Use search words and phrases that describe more general topics or categories, rather than very specific ones. Try to discover the subject terms used within the database; here are some examples:

During the research process, we most often find ourselves looking for journal articles, as well as articles from other similar types of publications (aka "periodicals"). The value of journal and other articles lies in their specificity and their currency - they often explore the latest developments on a very small segment of a topic, and are best:

• reports of original, theoretical, experimental or applied research;
• current trends, news and events in a particular field;
• product, company or biographical information;
• commentary on political, economic or social issues;
• interviews with leaders or notable people within the field;
• news stories with a local, regional, or national focus; and
• analysis and opinion on current events or issues.

For more on the different types of periodicals and their value, see:

The following journals focus on compensation &/or benefits:

We recommend starting with Find It, a general search service that covers a wide range of disciplines and provides access to most of the resources that the library offers.

In addition to using the Find It search, the following research databases are focused on business topics or related disciplines:

Associations and other organizations often provide news, statistics, research, and other resources related to the focus of the organization. While some resources may be limited to members only, they often make some information available openly.