Module Description:

The Human Resource Management module introduces students to the strategic and operational aspects of human personnel management in an organisation. It includes such topics as manpower planning and job advertisement, recruitment and selection, employee performance evaluation, employee training, payment systems, industrial relations, and occupational diversity. The focus of the module is on both concepts and practices of human resource management, enabling students to appreciate the impact of human resource management on organisational performance and employees' quality of life in various business settings. This module constitutes rest of the programme since human resource is the most crucial asset to any organisation. The skills learned from the module, such as human resource planning, team support and management, advance the career opportunities for the learners regardless of the field. It helps learners understand and design case studies and contemporary issues in human resource management to help students attend to the issues of the workplace and design global, ethical, and inclusive organisational cultures (250 Hours).

Learning Outcomes:

Competences:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

  • Ensure that the workforce policies support the strategic objectives of the organisational structure.
  • Supervise the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes.
  • Supervise the implementation of integrated systems for managing talent.
  • Help management in dealing with personal and organisational disputes.
  • Adhere to occupational health and safety, as well as industrial legislation.
  • Supervise human resource activity related to change management and organisational development.
  • Maintain professional conduct and confidentiality while dealing with sensitive HR matters.

Knowledge:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

  • Understand core human resource functions: recruiting, training employees, performance appraisal, and remuneration.
  • Recognize security and compliance concerns related to labour and employment policies.
  • Explain management and policies defining strategic human resources management with regard to organisational effectiveness.
  • Recognize the importance of regional, global, and international human resource management.
  • Be familiar with HR practices and their applicability in real-life problems and environments.
  • Comprehend the role of human resources in corporate and organisational change and development.
  • Be acquainted with the principal human resource information systems and their advanced tools relevant to data management and organisational analysis.

Skills:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

  • Creating roles and job specifications through descriptions.
  • Evaluating candidates and conducting interviews.
  • Creating and implementing orientation and training modules.
  • Coordinating evaluations and feedback on employee performance.
  • Mediating and/or taking disciplinary action on workplace conflicts.
  • Using HR programmes for data management and analytics.
  • Relaying policies defined by human resources to relevant stakeholders.

Core Topics and Subtopics

Introduction to HRM

  • Scope, aims, and definition of HRM
  • The evolution of HRM and its strategic significance
  • Comparison of HRM and personnel management

Human Resource Planning

  • Significance of HRP
  • Estimating need for labor and future workforce
  • Managing succession
  • Job analysis and strategic job design

Recruitment and Selection

  • Aims and targeted methods related to the recruitment process
  • Sourcing concepts and employer reputation
  • Selection processes through interviews, testing and competencies
  • Applicable legal and ethics frameworks

Employee Onboarding and Retention

  • Induction and orientation programmes
  • Strategies for employee engagement vertically integrated retention policies
  • Psychological contracts

Training and Development

  • Methods and learning theories
  • Analysis of training needs
  • Training programme design and evaluation
  • Talent and career development

Managing Performance

  • Setting goals and metrics for performance
  • Employing evaluation methods
  • Managing performance gaps
  • Performance and compensation alignment

Compensation and Benefits

  • Assessment of position and integration to the wage framework
  • Motivation-based payment systems, remuneration, and recognition schemes
  • Management of expenditure with regard to services rendered
  • Compliance with legal obligations concerning remuneration policy

Employee Relations and Labor Law

  • Resolving disputes and processing complaints
  • Trade unions and collective bargaining representation
  • Internal structure and compliance
  • Work health safety and employee health

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

  • Handling workplace diversity
  • Inclusion in human resource policies
  • Advocacy for elimination of discrimination and inequitable outcomes

HR Analytics and Technology

  • Function of an HRIS (Human Resource Information System)
  • Making decisions based on data
  • Key HR metrics and report dashboards

Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM)

  • Human resource strategies associated with mergers and acquisitions and aligned with organisational objectives
  • Functions of human resource mobility and organisational change management
  • Global human resource management and intercultural leadership

Weekly Breakdown / Session Plan

Week - 1: Topic: Introduction to HRM
Objectives: Critically discuss the goals and roles of HRM in a business setting.
Activities: Lecture, icebreaker, group discussion.
Key Readings: Armstrong and Taylor (2020), Ch. 1

Week - 2: Topic: Strategic HRM
Objectives: Examine the relationship between HR strategy and business objectives.
Activities: Review of business case studies, alignment of strategies and strategic mapping.
Key Readings: Boxall and Purcell (2016), Chapter 2

Week - 3: Topic: Recruitment and Selection
Objectives: Develop the skills necessary for effective recruitment and selection.
Activities: Mock interview and CV screening activities.
Key Readings: Torrington et al. (2020), Chapter 5

Week - 4: Topic: Employment Law and Ethics
Objectives: Analyze the relevant legal issues and ethics applicable to human resource management.
Activities: Group work, sharing, collaborative debate, written report.
Key Readings: Taylor & Emir (2022), Employment Law Essentials

Week - 5: Topic: Performance Management
Objectives: Gain the abilities required to evaluate and supervise worker performance.
Activities: Role play, performance appraisal, feedback.
Key Readings: Armstrong (2020), Ch. 9

Week - 6: Topic: Training and Development
Objectives: Recognise learning and development strategies in HRM.
Activities: Training needs analysis workshop.
Key Readings: Torrington et al. (2020), Ch. 7

Week - 7: Topic: Compensation and Benefits
Objectives: Recognise employee reward and compensation systems.
Activities: Job evaluation and total rewards analysis.
Key Readings: Armstrong (2020), Ch. 11

Week - 8: Topic: Employee Relations and Engagement
Objectives: Investigate employee relations and motivation and engagement mechanisms.
Activities: Employee survey analysis and motivation case study.
Key Readings: Beardwell & Thompson (2020), Ch. 8

Week - 9: Topic: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Objectives: Advocate for equity and handle workplace diversity.
Activities: Risk of bias activity and design an inclusive policy.
Key Readings: CIPD (2023), Inclusion and Diversity Guide

Week - 10: Topic: HR Technology and Analytics
Objectives: Implement relevant technological tools in HR and use metrics for decision-making.
Activities: HR dashboard demonstration and exploration of human resources information systems.
Key Readings: Bassi (2011), HR Analytics Handbook

Week - 11: Topic: HR in Global Remote Work Setting
Objectives: Analyse human resources functions in multinational and remote teams.
Activities: Group discussion, cross-cultural HRM scenario.
Key Readings: Dowling et al. (2017), Ch. 3

Week - 12: Topic: Exam Review and Preparation
Objectives: Consider everything and prepare for the last assessment.
Activities: Consider everything and prepare for the examination of competence.
Key Readings: Module materials and past papers

Reading Materials

Core Textbook 

  • Title / Description: Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice
  • Author / Source: Michael Armstrong
  • Description: A complete manual discussing every facet of HRM theory as well as its practical instruments.
  • Title / Description: Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice
  • Author / Source: John Bratton & Jeff Gold
  • Description: Studies the core principles as well as the strategic contours of HRM application.

Supplementary Text 

  • Title / Description: Human Resource Management
  • Author / Source: Gary Dessler
  • Description: Shares practical information as well as global perspectives on HR practices and recent developments.
  • Title / Description: Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Author / Source: Jeffrey A. Mello
  • Description: Concentrates on integrating HR activities with the business strategy of the organisation.

Journal Articles 

  • Title / Description: Selected articles from top HR journals
  • Author / Source: The Int. Journal of HRM, HRM Journal, Harvard Business Review
  • Description: Critical and primary HR research articles and leadership essays on advanced HR issues.

Case Studies 

  • Title / Description: Business case scenarios from real companies
  • Author / Source: Curated by course team
  • Description: Case studies to evaluate the complexity of HR strategy formulation, implementation, and decision making.

Online Resources 

  • Title / Description: Webinars, tutorials, and digital tools
  • Author / Source: Academic and Industry Platforms
  • Description: Audio and video materials to stimulate active and individual study.

Module Specific Reading 

  • Title / Description: Curated reading lists per module topic
  • Author / Source: Compiled by instructors
  • Description: Customised materials on defined HR module parts for greater mastery.