BSc Management (International Business Economics) with Industrial/Professional Experience / Course details

The course examines the social regulation of work and employment by industrial relations actors and practices across differentwithin the broad socio-economic contexts, focusing for the most part on the experience in European countries but drawing on wider international comparisons. The central theme of the course is that of the employment relationship, and the objectives and strategies of and methods of the parties in industrial relations actors (; workers, trade unions, management/employers and the state), the current relevance and extent of regulatory processes (e.g. collective bargaining, social dialogue) and the outcomes in terms of overall regulation of work and employment and labour market equality. The course also examines ongoing supranational developments (e.g. globalization, rise of precarious employment, migrant labour, technological change and green transition) and the impact of these wider changes on the labour market and industrial relations actors and processes. The approach is both descriptive and analytical, and draws on concepts that students will have encountered in first-year foundation courses as well as second year modules concerned with the study of work and employment. 

 

 

Students must be registered on BSc Mgt/Mgt specialism, IM, IMABS to enroll onto BMAN31871.

Students must be registered on BSc Mgt/Mgt specialism or IM to enroll onto BMAN31871.

The Comparative Industrial Relations course introduces final year students to the range of issues pertinent to the social regulation of work and employment by industrial relation actors from an international and a supranational perspective. different industrial relations systems that operate in five European countries (for example Britain, France, Germany, Hungary and Sweden) . It is designed to provide a general background in the subject with particular emphasis on the role of the state, employers, trade unions and workers. It also reviews provides an understanding of current supranational the developments (e.g. flexibilization of the labour market, precarious work, migrant labour) and the impact these changes have on labour market structure, strategies of industrial relation actors, regulatory processes and outcomes, including equality among different groups of workers. of pan-European forms of regulation and practice. In this context attention is directed towards efforts to generate a ’European’ system of industrial relations. 

Students will be informed of how industrial relations is practised in a number of countries, which will assist in finding employment in multinational companies and working in different national contexts. The broad knowledge of international employment systems, regulation and the current political and economic context that this course develops is valued highly by employers. Students who complete the course could find employment in a range of managerial positions, particularly those associated with personnel and human resource management. 

Theoretical approaches to the study of comparative and international industrial relations; labour market changes; industrial relations actors (the State, employers and trade unions) and processes (collective bargaining, social dialogue, industrial actions and strikes); supranational developments (e.g. precarious work, migrant labour, technology, green transition) and their impact on the labour market and industrial relations  

20 hours frontal lectures (10 lectures of 2 hours each) and then 9 hours seminars (including student groups presentations)

 

Identify the factors which influence different systems of industrial relations, the processes through which they are determined and the tensions which can arise in employment relations;

Appraise the nature, objectives and methods adopted by industrial relations actors in attempting to influence job regulation 

Critically analyse and assess present provisions, policies and practices of the various interests and interest groups;  

Critically examine and assess policies implemented by governments in responding to current developments in the labour market

To understand methodological challenges which arise from the comparative study of industrial relations systems 
 

Use library, electronic and online resources 
 

Demonstrate ability to independently gather, synthesise and organise material from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and to critically evaluate its significance

Around half way through the semester students are requested to complete an essay of 1,000 words as a means of formative assessment. This formative assignment does not count towards the assessment of the course 

The course is assessed by means of single essay. This essay counts for 100% of the marks. Participation in one group seminar presentation is required during the module but no mark is awarded for participating in the group presentation.

Informal advice and discussion during lectures and seminars.

• Responses to student emails and questions from a member of staff including feedback provided to a group via an online discussion forum.

• Specific course related feedback sessions.

• 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.

The formative assignment is marked and written feedback sent to students as a matter of course. Students have the opportunity to discuss the detail of the comments on their formative assignment during a seminar period devoted to verbal feedback. Students receive written feedback on their final assessment. In addition, students are encouraged to seek advice during lectures and seminars. Each seminar commences with a presentation by students on which feedback is provided by the seminar leader.

There is no single text for the course. Each of the following will be useful:

Baccaro, L. and Howell, C. (2017) Trajectories of Neoliberal Transformation: European Industrial Relations since the 1970s. Cambridge University Press - https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/trajectories-of-neoliberal-transformation/23D812E2CC6DD50EC043285A9C6576C7

Bamber, G., Lansbury, R., Wailes, N. and Wright, C. 2015.(eds). (6th Edition) International and Comparative Employment Relations: National Regulation, Global Changes. Sage.

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

Grimshaw, D., Martinez Lucio, M., Marino, S., Mustchin, S. and Rubery, J. 2017. (eds.). “Comparative Industrial Relations in Europe.” In Maisel, S. (ed.) Oxford Bibliographies in Political Science. New York: Oxford University Press. This online resource provides an overview of literature relevant to numerous themes on the course – available from http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199756223/obo-9780199756223-0217.xml  

Lehndorff, S., Dribbusch, H. and Schulten,T. 2017. Rough Waters: European trade unions in a time of crises. Brussels: ETUI, available from http://www.etui.org/Publications2/Books/Rough-waters-European-trade-unions-in-a-time-of-crises

 

 

Additional notes

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Dependent courses: None

Programme Restrictions: BSc Management and Management (Specialisms) and BSc International Management.

For Academic Year 2025/26

Updated: March 2025

Approved by: March UG Committee