Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management (HRM) is about managing people. How do you motivate, reward and develop them? In recent years there has been a growing interest in the importance of HRM for the strategic development of leading organisations. Companies have found that effective management of their staff can increase their competitive position.

The aim of this module  is to study the main functions and contemporary debates within the field of HRM from an international and comparative perspective. You will be expected to understand how the various functions of HRM fit together. You will also be expected to critically analyse the strategic role of this function within an organisation and to draw on contemporary examples from existing practices in several countries.

The three key aims of this subject are to help you to:

1. identify the key areas of HRM, the problems faced by HR Managers and the skills required of this function in an organisation
2. become familiar with the conflicting theories which account for current practices
3. inform yourself of ‘real world’ examples of current HRM practices in an international context and to develop explanations for these differing practices.

Many students may find it fascinating to learn how employment practices vary between different countries. One result of studying this subject is that many students find themselves questioning practices and values in their own culture, which they previously took for granted as a common sense ways to behave. One of the more difficult aspects of the course is to analytically account for the factors which explain the observable differences. Chapter 1 sets out the various theoretical approaches which have been developed.

You should approach this subject seeking to identify common and-divergent HR practices in your own country and abroad. You should then go beyond describing them, to explain how and why these practices have emerged. Finally you should be able to assess the negative and positive implications of these. The most important element of the course is for you to develop an independent critical faculty which shows awareness of contemporary developments both at home and abroad.