Final answer:
Technology has had a significant impact on HRM practices, particularly in recruiting, employee selection, and training and development. However, 'motivating factory workers' is the exception as motivation in their case depends more on management practices rather than direct technological interventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the areas in which technology impacts Human Resource Management (HRM) practices, with an emphasis on identifying the exception among the given options. The areas listed where technology has a notable impact include recruiting, employee selection, and training and development. These are areas that align closely with the transformation seen in the workforce since the Industrial Revolution, where now more education, people management skills, and quick access to information are critical due to the nature of modern jobs that demand greater autonomy, decision-making, and fulfillment.
However, the correct answer to the question would be 'd. motivating factory workers' as the one area where technology's impact is least direct. While technology has changed many aspects of HRM, motivation for factory workers is not inherently tied to technological advances, as motivation can depend more on management practices, working conditions, and intrinsic job satisfaction rather than technology. Motivating knowledge workers, on the other hand, is often directly related to technology, as it can provide tools for collaboration, creativity, and efficiency that align with their expectations for autonomy and fulfillment.