Human Resource Management and Development

This module is designed to prepare students to undertake the role of a HR manager in an international context. To enable you to do this, you will examine the changing nature of organisations in a global context, and the debates around whether HR policy and practice is becoming truly global or whether national and cultural sensibilities prevent this. You will also be equipped with the skills needed to apply theoretical concepts relating to organisation design and development in practice.

In addition to understanding how you may organise and manage people, it is essential to develop a critical self-awareness and understanding of different leadership styles and skills and how these can be applied to a range of situations. This module will develop your self-awareness and understanding of leadership skills and behaviours and how these can motivate and engage employees - including those from different cultural contexts - and secure their commitment in times of both stability and change. This will include learning how to manage inter-personal conflict and how to create cohesive and effective teams for the benefit of both organisations and employees through the use of different strategies such as flexible working.

On this module, you will compare and contrast different approaches to handling employment disputes in different national settings, examining the role of trade unions and other non-union groups in different countries. You will look at employment law in a variety of national contexts, and how this impacts on multinational organisations, reviewing contemporary industrial disputes for how these have affected organisations’ processes including employee engagement, diversity management, employee communication and involvement and participation and change management. This module will include two industry visits and links to the annual programme of speakers at Manchester Industrial Relations Society.

You will look at the changing nature of the workforce and the way in which increasing diversity can be an organisational asset. You will develop your strategic skills, looking at analysis of trends, developing effective, legally compliant resourcing and retention strategies and evaluating process, policies and practices for recruitment and performance. As you develop your interviewing skills, you will be encouraged to reflect on your own performance. You will use class-based performance management scenarios with fellow students to analyse real-world performance management scenarios and discuss different approaches to handling performance conversations. An important part of this module looks at a critical understanding of performance and performance management, including high performance work practices, and the boundary between motivation for performance and abuse. You will also consider how to advise business managers in their setting of performance priorities, objectives and targets.

The paid Work Placement gives you the chance to undertake a six month project with an organisation located regionally, nationally or internationally. By exploring a key issue impacting an organisation, you will apply the theoretical knowledge gained through your studies and develop and use appropriate problem-solving skills in a real-world environment.

You will create an initial 1,500 word research proposal then compile an 8,500 – 10,000 word portfolio of evidence that shows the work undertaken, the deliverables created, the impact achieved, the theories and concepts applied, the data gathering activities undertaken and a critical reflection by the student of their work practices and learning. In addition, you will share your findings with key stakeholders. This will generally be a presentation to an audience but might be a poster presentation or a video recording.

Assessment:
10% project proposal
80% portfolio
10% presentation

The unpaid Internship option of the Industry Collaboration Project aims to equip you with the relevant practical skills to critically identify and evaluate key issues impacting organisations and their environments either in the UK or overseas.

Over a three month period, you will work alongside an organisation to identify and explore a real organisational issue.  You will have specified learning goals and will need to actively reflect on what is being learned throughout the experience.

You will create an initial 1,500 word research proposal then compile an 8,500 – 10,000 word portfolio of evidence that shows the work undertaken, the deliverables created, the impact achieved, the theories and concepts applied, the data gathering activities undertaken and a critical reflection by the student of their work practices and learning. In addition, you will share your findings with key stakeholders. This will generally be a presentation to an audience but might be a poster presentation or a video recording.

Assessment:

10% project proposal
80% portfolio
10% presentation

An advanced-level applied research pathway based on a real-world business problem and examining an issue important to an organisation.   The Dissertation path gives you the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained from the taught elements of the programme to a current organisational issue and deploy and effectively use appropriate problem-solving skills through critical self-reflection and methodical, systematic research.  It is an excellent option if you are considering moving into academic research and PhD studies.

You will create an initial 1,500 word research proposal consisting of research questions, aims and objectives, and the rationale for undertaking the study.  The 12,000 – 15,000 word dissertation will include literature review, research methodology, analysis of findings, conclusions, recommendations and a critical reflection of your learning. In addition, you will share your findings with key stakeholders. This will generally be a presentation to an audience but might be a poster presentation or a video recording.

Assessment:

10% project proposal
80% portfolio
10% presentation

Through this option you will apply the theory and concepts you have learnt from the taught elements of your programme. With the help of mentors you will develop the skills and thinking that supports entrepreneurial action will working on the development of your own innovative business idea. You will horizon scan for business opportunities, assess the external challenges and consider available strategies that will support your aim of establishing a new businesses, or let you incorporate entrepreneurial thinking into an existing organisation. The three month Entrepreneurship path is assessed through an Initial Business Proposal and an 8,500 word Comprehensive Business Proposal accompanied by a 30 minute presentation.