Dear Fellow colleagues,
Discussion on MSW (PM and IR) vs. MBA (HR)
Let's start a discussion on individuals pursuing MSW (PM and IR) and others pursuing MBA (HR). MBA HR professionals seem to have more priorities in all HR-related activities compared to MSW students. Why is this the case? What is the difference?
Moreover, both individuals were hired as HR professionals in a company. The MBA candidate is often perceived as more valuable than the MSW candidate. Even though, when comparing MBA students to MSW or social work students, the latter have practical exposure in industries during their studies. Why is there a significant difference in the treatment of MSW students? Is an MSW not a valuable course? Is it not recognized?
Additionally, the pay scale for MSW graduates is lower compared to that of MBA (HR) students. Why is this so?
Kindly contribute to this discussion with your insights and responses. Thank you.
From India, Coimbatore
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20Discussion on MSW (PM and IR) vs. MBA (HR)
Let's start a discussion on individuals pursuing MSW (PM and IR) and others pursuing MBA (HR). MBA HR professionals seem to have more priorities in all HR-related activities compared to MSW students. Why is this the case? What is the difference?
Moreover, both individuals were hired as HR professionals in a company. The MBA candidate is often perceived as more valuable than the MSW candidate. Even though, when comparing MBA students to MSW or social work students, the latter have practical exposure in industries during their studies. Why is there a significant difference in the treatment of MSW students? Is an MSW not a valuable course? Is it not recognized?
Additionally, the pay scale for MSW graduates is lower compared to that of MBA (HR) students. Why is this so?
Kindly contribute to this discussion with your insights and responses. Thank you.
From India, Coimbatore
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Dear Varsha, this is not the case as you think. Companies value the relative experience and the profile of the candidates they have been working with. Comparison of MBA (HR) and MSW
MBA (HR) or MSW are relatively two different fields of study, but their destination remains the same, i.e., managing laws and employee management. However, MSW is more relevant to labor laws and is preferred over MBA as MBAs are more focused on strategy and productivity but are not well-versed in laws. A candidate with an MSW is more preferred over an MBA as they have a dual advantage of understanding laws.
I have completed my MBA and am now pursuing PM/IR to enhance my CV and increase my knowledge.
Regards, Ashish HR & Hospitality
From India, Calcutta
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MBA (HR) or MSW are relatively two different fields of study, but their destination remains the same, i.e., managing laws and employee management. However, MSW is more relevant to labor laws and is preferred over MBA as MBAs are more focused on strategy and productivity but are not well-versed in laws. A candidate with an MSW is more preferred over an MBA as they have a dual advantage of understanding laws.
I have completed my MBA and am now pursuing PM/IR to enhance my CV and increase my knowledge.
Regards, Ashish HR & Hospitality
From India, Calcutta
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Appreciation and Historical Context
First, let me appreciate your post asking some fundamental questions. As an engineer turned CEO, let me give you some examples that will clear your doubts.
In engineering, when we studied, there were only three branches available: Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical. The Electronics branch came a bit later. Today, there are over 30 branches available, which have developed from one of the main four branches mentioned above.
If you look back at history, it was only after the industrial revolution that the manufacturing sector came into existence and dominated the world. There were not many service sectors as there are today, like banking, IT, and healthcare, except for government administration.
Evolution of HR and Education
In order to comply with mandatory requirements, Personnel Management was created in most engineering factories by a few experienced administrative personnel, and some of them were law graduates. As an additional qualification, these people completed PG Diploma courses to equip themselves for their positions through a few non-affiliated institutions that were running these courses. In later years, when the concept of an MBA came, branches of Personnel transformed to HR with more specialization in handling human resources. However, I find some MBAs are also pursuing MSW courses in order to practice Business Law, which is not well covered in their MBA.
Hence, the PSW holders are not full-fledged HR personnel as in the present. I fully agree with you that these qualified personnel cannot be equated with the present MBA-HR personnel, as they study a different curriculum. In this digital age, we need to compare the role of MBA HR with MSW, which is not relevant.
Personal Opinion on HR Qualifications
In my personal opinion, in the area of handling human relations, you can survive without a degree in HR or even a PG diploma in MSW, but you cannot survive without common sense, which is uncommon in handling human beings.
Hope my inputs will clear a few things for you.
Regards,
AVS
From India, Madras
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First, let me appreciate your post asking some fundamental questions. As an engineer turned CEO, let me give you some examples that will clear your doubts.
In engineering, when we studied, there were only three branches available: Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical. The Electronics branch came a bit later. Today, there are over 30 branches available, which have developed from one of the main four branches mentioned above.
If you look back at history, it was only after the industrial revolution that the manufacturing sector came into existence and dominated the world. There were not many service sectors as there are today, like banking, IT, and healthcare, except for government administration.
Evolution of HR and Education
In order to comply with mandatory requirements, Personnel Management was created in most engineering factories by a few experienced administrative personnel, and some of them were law graduates. As an additional qualification, these people completed PG Diploma courses to equip themselves for their positions through a few non-affiliated institutions that were running these courses. In later years, when the concept of an MBA came, branches of Personnel transformed to HR with more specialization in handling human resources. However, I find some MBAs are also pursuing MSW courses in order to practice Business Law, which is not well covered in their MBA.
Hence, the PSW holders are not full-fledged HR personnel as in the present. I fully agree with you that these qualified personnel cannot be equated with the present MBA-HR personnel, as they study a different curriculum. In this digital age, we need to compare the role of MBA HR with MSW, which is not relevant.
Personal Opinion on HR Qualifications
In my personal opinion, in the area of handling human relations, you can survive without a degree in HR or even a PG diploma in MSW, but you cannot survive without common sense, which is uncommon in handling human beings.
Hope my inputs will clear a few things for you.
Regards,
AVS
From India, Madras
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Dear Mr. AVS, I first thank you for your reply. I agree with what you have said. However, my question is about MSW students who have practical exposure in the HR department during their studies, more so than MBA students. But nowadays, Diploma candidates, such as those with a Diploma in HR or PM/IR, are more valued than MSW students. Why is this the case, even though MSW is considered a postgraduate degree? These individuals struggle to enter their desired field. MSW graduates can work in back-office or front-office roles, while in the same company, people with an MBA or a Diploma are working in the HR department. Nowadays, personnel management is considered the same as human resource management. Even MSW graduates can solve problems better than MBAs. My topic is why there is partiality against MSW students. If MSW students are appointed as HR professionals, what is the problem? If a person has completed an MSW and a PG Diploma in HRM, why are they not accepted for HR positions? Why is it not accepted universally? I think I have clearly explained my part.
From India, Coimbatore
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From India, Coimbatore
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Dear Varsha, Thank you for your response. I understand your doubts very well. Let me clarify a few things for you.
Understanding the Disparity in HR Qualifications
Today's HRM is basically an offshoot of the old days of Personnel Management. The disparity you have been mentioning depends on the following matters:
- Culture of the organization.
- The level of experience of the HR/Personnel managers.
- The size of the organization.
- The policy of the organization.
High-profile organizations will give higher weightage to the MBA, though they cannot match the experience of the MSW candidates. Multinational firms will not deviate from the rule of considering fair pay for higher qualification candidates. In medium and small-sized firms, some flexibilities are followed for fair pay, even for less qualified people.
I know a good old multinational origin, but an Indian company in the electronic industry will not designate anyone as a Manager unless they hold a degree in engineering. In the case of HR, the company always prefers a PG candidate or MBA for all the support functions.
Addressing Partiality in MSW Recognition
Your question regarding why there is partiality in the case of MSW students is difficult to answer as the solution varies from case to case. I have observed the same trend even in developed countries, but this kind of difference in qualification levels does not exist much there. Firstly, they do not recognize any qualifications other than the University. At the top-level selection, Harvard, Stanford, etc., are considered, similar to how we have IIT/IIM.
I hope you have gained some clarity now.
Regards, AVS
From India, Madras
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Understanding the Disparity in HR Qualifications
Today's HRM is basically an offshoot of the old days of Personnel Management. The disparity you have been mentioning depends on the following matters:
- Culture of the organization.
- The level of experience of the HR/Personnel managers.
- The size of the organization.
- The policy of the organization.
High-profile organizations will give higher weightage to the MBA, though they cannot match the experience of the MSW candidates. Multinational firms will not deviate from the rule of considering fair pay for higher qualification candidates. In medium and small-sized firms, some flexibilities are followed for fair pay, even for less qualified people.
I know a good old multinational origin, but an Indian company in the electronic industry will not designate anyone as a Manager unless they hold a degree in engineering. In the case of HR, the company always prefers a PG candidate or MBA for all the support functions.
Addressing Partiality in MSW Recognition
Your question regarding why there is partiality in the case of MSW students is difficult to answer as the solution varies from case to case. I have observed the same trend even in developed countries, but this kind of difference in qualification levels does not exist much there. Firstly, they do not recognize any qualifications other than the University. At the top-level selection, Harvard, Stanford, etc., are considered, similar to how we have IIT/IIM.
I hope you have gained some clarity now.
Regards, AVS
From India, Madras
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Yes, Amrutha Varshini, basically, what you are asking can be found in most organizations. MSW candidates are not treated the same as MBA HR. I can simply say yes.
As per AVS, he clarified almost in depth with subjective stuff, that it depends upon the culture of the company.
In the case of MNCs or big companies, there are eligibility criteria for each job. Nowadays, there are numerous wide topics developed in management studies that can help smoothen the administration.
In another way, for example, in the past, there was only one doctor to handle all illnesses, but now you can imagine how many? For each part, a separate doctor can be found. Similarly, in industrial administration, there are more products, professionals, and mentalities, leading to more problems. To handle these problems, we need professional trainers. Sometimes, a very big problem can also be solved with a small solution, which we can call a miracle, but miracles do not always happen.
Just like that, we have to follow the company criteria and recruit personnel.
Another matter is that MSW candidates are drawing less than MBA HR. However, we can't see this issue from only one angle. If you observe the recruitment criteria in NGOs and social service fields, the situation appears reversed. MSW individuals may hold higher positions, with MBAs working under them, including in terms of salary. In the social service field, the most successful outcomes are often achieved by MSW professionals, as the nature of the work supports MSW.
Yes, we should agree that this world is mainly based on a productive basis rather than a service basis. Naturally, the rule will run from the majority.
I can finally say that AVS's clarification is more useful for your topic than my clarification. This is my angle to explain this issue.
Hope you will compare both and come to a conclusion.
All the best.
Regards, Khan
From India, Mumbai
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As per AVS, he clarified almost in depth with subjective stuff, that it depends upon the culture of the company.
In the case of MNCs or big companies, there are eligibility criteria for each job. Nowadays, there are numerous wide topics developed in management studies that can help smoothen the administration.
In another way, for example, in the past, there was only one doctor to handle all illnesses, but now you can imagine how many? For each part, a separate doctor can be found. Similarly, in industrial administration, there are more products, professionals, and mentalities, leading to more problems. To handle these problems, we need professional trainers. Sometimes, a very big problem can also be solved with a small solution, which we can call a miracle, but miracles do not always happen.
Just like that, we have to follow the company criteria and recruit personnel.
Another matter is that MSW candidates are drawing less than MBA HR. However, we can't see this issue from only one angle. If you observe the recruitment criteria in NGOs and social service fields, the situation appears reversed. MSW individuals may hold higher positions, with MBAs working under them, including in terms of salary. In the social service field, the most successful outcomes are often achieved by MSW professionals, as the nature of the work supports MSW.
Yes, we should agree that this world is mainly based on a productive basis rather than a service basis. Naturally, the rule will run from the majority.
I can finally say that AVS's clarification is more useful for your topic than my clarification. This is my angle to explain this issue.
Hope you will compare both and come to a conclusion.
All the best.
Regards, Khan
From India, Mumbai
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(Fact Checked)-[B]Response[/B]: The value of a candidate in HR isn't solely based on their degree but on their skills and experience. Both MSW and MBA(HR) have their strengths; it's about how they apply them in practice. (1 Acknowledge point)