MSc International Human Resource Management and Comparative Industrial Relations

This course unit examines the processes of social regulation of work and employment by industrial relations actors and processes from an international and supranational point of view.. The central theme of the course is the employment relationship, and the objectives and strategies of the  industrial relations’ actors: trade unions, management/employers and governments. The course also discusses ongoing development at a macro (supranational) level affecting the functioning of the labour market, the strategies of industrial relation actors, the regulatory outcomes and the overall level of labour market equality and fairness across different groups of workers. Examples of ongoing supranational challenges are: the use of precarious and migrant labour, the impact of technological changes and the green transition. The approach is both descriptive and analytical. 

 

BMAN71911 Programme Req: BMAN71911 is only available as a core unit to students on MSc IHRM & CIR and as an elective to students on MSc HRM & IR

The Comparative Industrial Relations course unit introduces students to a range of issues pertinent to the social regulation of work and employment (industrial relations) in an international and supranational perspective. It is designed to provide a general background of industrial relations actors (e.g. the state, employers and trade unions) and processes (e.g. collective bargaining; social dialogue), and assess the relevance and outcomes of industrial relations in different national contexts . It also provides an overview of current supranational development (e.g. precarious work, migrant labour) and their impact on both labour market structure and industrial relations practices. 

 

Knowledge and understanding 
KU1 Evaluate the factors that shape different systems of industrial relations, the processes through which they are determined, and the tensions that can arise in employment relations

KU2 Analyse the nature, objectives, and methods adopted by industrial relation actors in influencing job regulation

KU3 Assess ongoing developments in the labour market and their impact on the functioning of industrial relations actors and processes, as well as on regulatory outcomes, including the overall level of equality in the labour market

Intellectual skills 
IS1 Critically assess and apply a specific theoretical framework in the analysis of social phenomena

IS2 Evaluate the methodological challenges arising from the comparative study of industrial relations systems

IS3 Analyse and critically assess current provisions, policies, and practices of various interest groups within industrial relations

Practical skills
PS1 Apply theoretical knowledge to real-life examples based on case study scenarios

PS2 Investigate and solve industrial relations problems in real-life scenarios

Transferable skills and personal qualities 
TS1 Demonstrate ability to independently gather, sift, synthesise and organise material from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and to critically evaluate its significance. 
 

Theoretical framework used in comparative industrial relations 
Changes in labour market structure and regulations 
Industrial relations actors: the state, trade unions and employers 
Industrial relation practices: collective bargaining and wider social dialogue 
Industrial disputes  
Precarious work and migrant labour, Technology and the green transition 

20 hours of frontal lectures (10 lectures of 2 hours each)  

10 hours of interactive lectures (introduction of new material followed by critical/interactive analysis and discussion by students)

Up to 20% of the course might be subject to asynchronously delivery (week 3, week 5 and week 7). 

Group negotiation simulation and reflective discussion 30%
Individual Essay 70%

Informal advice and discussion during a lecture, seminar, workshop or lab.

Written and/or verbal comments on assessed or non-assessed coursework.

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

Students are advised to read extensively from books and journals in order to prepare for seminars and assignments. No single text is recommended as the set course book, but the following books are the most useful:

Bamber, G., Lansbury, R., Wailes, N. and Wright, C. (2016) International and Comparative Employment Relations: National Regulation, Global Changes. London: Sage.

Frege, C. and Kelly, J. 2020. (eds.). Comparative Industrial Relations in the Global Economy (2nd edition). London: Routledge.

Baccaro, L. and Howell, C., 2017. Trajectories of neoliberal transformation: European industrial relations since the 1970s. Cambridge University Press. Available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/trajectories-of-neoliberal-transformation/23D812E2CC6DD50EC043285A9C6576C7#  

Marginson, P. and Sisson, K. 2004. European Integration and Industrial Relations. Houndsmills: MacMillan.

Informal Contact Method

Office hours