Human Resource Management in an International Context

Course Content:

This module considers the issues concerning managing people in an international
context. Students will identify the human resource challenges and opportunities that face
international enterprises and how national and regional differences in political, economic
and social contexts impact on the employment relationship, and evaluate international
human resource management in a range of operational areas.

In addition to analyzing the impacts of the global context on managing people, the
module compares human resource management in different countries/regions such as
USA, Europe and Asia, and explores the relationship between national context and HRM
systems and practices.

Topics covered include:

Autumn Semester:
? Introducing HRM and the global context
? National cultures and institutions
? HR Strategy and the Multinational Corporation (MNCs)
? Staffing in the multinational corporations
? International assignment and management
? HR and labour relations issues in the international context such as employee
voice and employee relations.
? Corporate social responsibility and labour standards.

Spring Semester:
? HRM in developing countries
? Comparative HRM systems in different countries, e.g. The USA, China, South
Africa, Scandinavia and Germany.

Teaching: Lectures, tutorials and workshops

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Exam (60%)
? Coursework: Group Essay (25%)
? Coursework: Group presentation and summary of evidence (15%)
STUDY OPTION 2 Group assignment
STUDY OPTION 3 Group assignment

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer