Human Resource Management and Internship Development in Small Apparel Businesses

Abstract

This final integrative paper created a hypothetical business to describe human resource management (HRM) principles in the small apparel business space, such as recruiting, hiring, attracting, and training staff. This hypothetical business was positioned as a smart casual apparel company focusing on community outreach, versatility, and gender inclusivity. These HRM principles outlined challenges and opportunities unique to small apparel businesses, such as how resource constraints limit small business functions, yet they are positioned to be more flexible in challenging and evolving situations. A SWOT analysis analyzed and suggested an approach to growth, innovation, and value creation through human resources for its stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and the community. The paper also discussed internship development for small apparel businesses, outlining how to integrate internships into HR strategy to build a talent pipeline. These strategies include best practices for designing and implementing a successful and meaningful internship program while ensuring the program complies with applicable laws and regulations. Metrics, including retention rate, time to productivity, and return on investment, are used to analyze the program's effectiveness.