MSc International Human Resource Management and Comparative Industrial Relations

In recent years, there has been much discussion in both academic and practitioner circles about the links between competitive advantage, the development of employees as “resourceful humans”, and the contribution of human resource management to performance. We draw on contemporary academic research and organisational practice, both in the UK and in other countries to explore this contribution. Underlying the unit is a desire to review critically the argument that employers are seeking to find ways in which to (a) integrate different HR practices with each other and with other aspects of their business/strategy, and (b) develop workers as a source of competitive advantage.

 

BMAN70231 Programme Req: BMAN70231 is only available as a core unit to students on MSc HRM & IR and MSc IHRM & CIR

The aim of this course unit is to understand debates about the contribution of HRM to performance, seen in the broadest terms as including worker well-being and fairness as well as profit, product quality and customer service.

 

 At the end of the course unit students should be able to:

• Understand and explain
  • The links between strategy and human resource management, focusing in particular on models of HRM from the best practice/high commitment, best fit/contingency and RBV traditions.
  • The contribution which line managers and HR specialists can and do make to HRM and organisational performance/sustained competitive advantage.
  • The ways in which key HR issues – such as recruitment and selection, skill development, performance management, and employee involvement and participation – are practised strategically in employing organisations.
• Assess the ways in which human resource management is influenced and shaped by factors both internal and external to the employing organisation.
• Identify the way in which different components of HRM (as identified above), line managers and the HR function can contribute to organisational performance and fair treatment at work.
• Provide advice on the application of different HR practices in employing organisations.
• Practise the skills of collecting data, presenting information
• Practice group working skills.

Coursework essay of 3000 words (100%)

Informal advice and discussion during lectures and seminars. Responses to student emails.

Written and/or verbal comments after students have given a group or individual presentation

 

Marchington M and Wilkinson A (2008, 2012, 2016), Human Resource Management at Work, CIPD, Eds, 4^th, 5^th, or 6^th.

Readings are recommended for each lecture and seminar.

 

 

Informal contact methods

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