International Human Resource Management module (BU52021)

You will explore various people management challenges in a multicultural workplace and gain a deep understanding of the factors that influence people management within international organisations. You will develop the capability to navigate the complexities of cross-cultural management, enabling you to communicate and lead effectively in an International business environment.

Learning aims:

• achieved knowledge and understanding of different approaches to the management of people within organisations
• achieved the intellectual skills to understand the forces driving the current patterns of human resource management in an increasingly globalised economy
• achieved the practical skills to analyse the effects of economic and legal factors on the development of human resource management in multinational companies

Example topics include:

• introduction to International Human Resource Management: get a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of managing an international workforce.
• cross-cultural management: learn effective strategies to bridge cultural differences and foster a harmonious work environment.
• comparative HRM: analyse HRM practices across different regions, including the UK, continental Europe, the USA, China, India, and many more, to understand their impact on employee management.
• international talent management: discover techniques for sourcing, attracting, assessing, selecting, and retaining the right talent on a global scale.
• international rewards management: explore the intricacies of designing and implementing international remuneration policies to motivate and retain employees.
• international human resource development: develop skills in training and nurturing employees within multinational organisations.
• international working: understand the challenges and opportunities that arise when working in diverse cultural contexts.

What you will learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• frame business and management problems within a broader economic, social, political, and historical context
• apply people management principles to practical scenarios, including designing international remuneration policies and developing training strategies within multinational companies
• enhance your ability to effectively communicate and visually represent business ideas and analysis
• interpret numerical and graphical data, especially labour market information, to gain a better understanding of HRM practices in different countries
• analyse and synthesise published work on various business and management topics, fostering critical thinking skills
• contribute confidently to policy design and evaluation from a business and management perspective

Assignments / assessment

Group project (30%)

• given in week 1
• due in week 5
• 20 hours (individually) of effort expected

Individual Coursework (70%)

• 2,000 words
• given in week 1
• due in week 12
• 48 hours of effort expected

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

Weekly Lectures

• interactive lectures delivered by subject experts
• lectures are conducted through online sessions to accommodate larger class sizes and provide flexibility
• hands-on practical classes where you can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios

Weekly Seminars

• engaging seminars that encourage active learning and practical application of concepts
• seminars focus on problem-solving, case studies, group discussions, and collaborative activities

You are expected to engage in self-directed learning, in which you will independently explore course materials, recommended readings, and additional resources to enhance your understanding of the topics covered.

There are 11 weeks of teaching. For this module, the exact dates of teaching and/or reading weeks are to be confirmed.