Unit information: International Human Resource Management in 2021/22

Unit name	International Human Resource Management
Unit code	EFIM30024
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Peter Turnbull
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Introduction to Management (EFIM10015) or Management Research Methods (EFIM20025) or Organisation Theory (EFIM10013) or International Business Management (EFIM20003)
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores all three interpretations of international human resource management (IHRM), namely: (i) cross-cultural management, (ii) comparative employment systems and HRM, and (iii) the HR policies of trans-national and multi-national enterprises. The first approach focusses on the deep-seated cultural values that organisations need to recognise if they are to management people effectively in different countries. The second highlights how differences between nations, most notably institutions such as the body of local employment law, education systems, trade unions, employer associations and the like, will influence management practice in general and the management of human resources in particular. The third approach focuses on key areas of HR practice that influence the performance of international companies, such as recruitment, training, remuneration strategies and the like.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the process of managing human resources in international organisations.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the context of IHRM, including the strategies and structure of firms, the institutions of host countries, the international regulatory environment, and international trade unionism and the new social movements.
3. Review and critically evaluate the effectiveness of IHRM, the impact of cultural values and ‘institutional embeddedness’.
4. Apply social, economic and political theories to questions pertinent to the management of human resources in an international context.
5. Read and interpret theoretical and research-based literature on IHRM and demonstrate an ability to communicate such information effectively.
6. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and formulate policies relating to the management of workforces in international organisations, including conformance to international labour standards.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions including lectures, tutorials, drop-in sessions, discussion boards and other online learning opportunities.

Assessment Information

Summative 1 2500 word assignment (60%). Summative 2: timed open book assessment 1 question from 3. 1,000 word essay plus references (40%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIM30024).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.