BSc Management (Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship)

Organisations can gain an important competitive advantage through hiring the best talent and through recognising and developing employee talent. The course enables students to acquire knowledge of psychology pertinent to

(i) how to identify and attract the best employees (personnel selection),

(ii) how to develop employees to reach their full potential (employee training and development), and

(iii) how to recognise and grow leadership talent (leadership development). 

Available as option for BSc Mgt/Mgt Specialism, IM and IMABS.

Available as option for BSc Mgt/Mgt Specialism, IM 

 

This course unit provides students with an understanding of theory, research and practical issues in personnel selection, employee training and leadership development. The specific course unit aims are:

• To develop and understanding of performance criteria and leadership effectiveness
• To develop an understanding of theory, research and professional practice in personnel selection and assessment
• To develop an understanding of theory, research and professional practice on employee training and leadership development
• To develop competencies for applying recruitment processes and implementing talent development strategies

The aim is to ensure students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the key areas within personnel selection, employee training, and leadership development. Through engaging with this unit, students are expected to develop a robust set of skills and knowledge that will prepare them for challenges in the workplace and improve their practical abilities in managing and developing leadership. The focus is on fostering a deep understanding of various selection techniques, leadership competencies, and training methods, which are crucial for human resources and management professionals. This comprehensive approach is designed to equip students with both the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary for success in their future careers. 

The first component of the course focuses on how to identify talent and the second component focuses on how to develop talent once this has been recruited into the organisation. As such the course unit explores topics on: criteria of work performance and leadership effectiveness; predictors of leadership success in selection; recruitment processes and the selection paradigm; individual differences as predictors of job performance; psychometrics and other scientific selection methods; designing effective employee training; recognising leadership potential; developing leadership talent; retaining talent.

The course has a practical emphasis and includes three applied lectures which will provide students with the opportunity to develop applied skills in interviewing, assessment centres and leader talent development.

Course topics are subject to change.

The course will be delivered through:
8 x 2-hour lectures (weekly)
3 x additional 2-hour applied lectures 
5 x 1-hour seminars (fortnightly)

Seminars will incorporate group discussions and case studies to apply ideas covered in the lectures, and reading and exercises to facilitate the preparatory work for the applied lectures.

Applied lectures are aimed at providing students with an opportunity for more experiential learning. The focus of these lectures is on advanced application of theories and research covered during weekly lectures, and to develop practical skills in personnel selection and leader development as the core areas of the course.

Activities change each year, examples include completing a personality inventory to reflect on how one’s personality traits might affect behaviour at work, completing a task analysis and design selection methods for various jobs, and reflecting on how culture affects talent management. Note, all activities in the Applied Lectures are done individually and will not require group working.

Attendance at all classes is compulsory.
 

 

• Be able to understand the main stages of the selection and recruitment process
• Have knowledge of leadership competence and valid predictors of job performance and leadership success
• Have knowledge of scientific selection methods for personnel selection
• Be able to understand research and practices related to employee training and development
• Have knowledge of different leadership approaches  
• Be able to understand research and practices related to leader emergence and leader development  

• Being able to discuss and critically evaluate the effectiveness of a range of personnel selection methods including methods for identifying leadership potential
• Being able to discuss and critically review psychological theories and empirical studies related to employee and leadership development  
• Being able to search for and critically analyse scientific literature

• Be able to apply best practice in administration of selection methods
• Develop practical skills in preparing for and conducting professional job interviews  
• Apply practical skills for personal leadership development  
   

• To develop project management skills and self-organisation  
• To develop a better understanding of job selection process that helps to better prepare and plan future career/personal development
• To develop report writing skills and be able to formulate critical arguments
• To develop self-awareness, and the ability to reflect and review own performance 

The assessment for this course is a written piece of coursework (100%).The coursework is a practical report. Students have to submit a summary of the activities in all three applied lectures for their coursework.

 

Lectures will be interactive and students are encouraged to ask question throughout to seek informal

feedback on their learning progress. The seminar sessions, applied lectures, and online webinars offer students the opportunity to discuss their progress on the preparation of their coursework and other aspects of the course. Students will also be encouraged to seek help and advice on an individual basis, if they so wish.

Students will receive individual, written feedback on their coursework within 15 working days of the final submission date.

Each lecture will be accompanied by a reading list.

Pre-requisites: BMAN10872 Introduction to Work Psychology

Co-requisites: None

Dependent courses: None

Programme Restrictions: BSc Management / Management (specialism), IM

For Academic Year 2024/25

Updated: March 2024

Approved by: March UG Committee