Main Aim(s) of the Unit:

Human Resource Management is principally about identifying and making effective use of a range of methods and techniques for providing human resources for an organisation and ensuring their optimum utilisation whilst Human Resource Development is principally about enabling individuals to plan, conduct and evaluate a range of development interventions effectively within their own organisation.
This unit aims to provide the students with a critical understanding of the theories, frameworks and practices of Human Resource Management.

It is primarily concerned with the policies, processes and procedures which make up the Human Resource Management function and which are applied in the management of people in organisations.

Main Topics of Study:

Introduction to Human Resource Management:

• The Origins & the Recent Changes & Development in the Employment Field
• The Nature of HRM & the Different Perspectives of It – Existing Personnel Practices, Management
• Disciplines, Resource Based Model
• Evaluation of Models, Frameworks & Theories of HRM

Human Resource Management in Context:

• The Nature of Organisation & Management
• The Historical Context
• Changing Management Attitudes
• Changing Labour Management Techniques
• Perception
• Knowledge & Thinking

Resourcing the Organisation:

• Labour Markets
• Institutional Theories
• Labour Market Theories

Human Resource Planning:

• Definitions & Scope of HR Planning
• Who, What, Why of HR Planning
• Creating an HR Plan & Supply & Demand
• Managing Change & Teamwork

Job Design:

• Taylorism & Braveman
• Human Relations & Multi-Skilling

Recruitment & Selection:

• The Systematic Approach
• Job Descriptions
• Person Specifications
• Shortlisting
• Testing & Interviewing
• Key Legislation
• International Perspectives
• Ethical Issues

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

At the end of this Unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the function of human resource management its duties and discharge
2. Identify the characteristics and organisational advantages of well designed jobs
3. Recognise and articulate the importance of motivation, conflict, power and negotiation in the work place
4. Identify and evaluate alternative approaches to organisational entry, managing performance and rewards and organisational exit
5. Explain the significance of change and develop appropriate strategies and skills to cope with change
6. Distinguish the legal principles which govern the relationship between employer and employee.

Learning and teaching  methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Learning takes place on a number of levels through lectures, class discussion including problem review and analysis.  Formal lectures provide a foundation of information on which the student builds through directed learning and self managed learning outside of the class.  The students are actively encouraged to form study groups to discuss course material which fosters a greater depth learning experience.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

Examination: 3 hours duration 100%

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

Human Resource Management: A Contemporary Perspective – I Beardwell & L Holden (Pitman)
Chapters 1-6 inclusive

Alternative Texts and Further Reading:
Employee Resourcing – D Torrington, L Hall, I Haylor, J Myers (Pitman)
Management & Organisational Behaviour – L Mullins (Pitman)
Personnel Management – S Tyson & A York (Heinemann)
Personnel & HR Journals

Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)

50 hours Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops

Tutorial support includes feedback on assignments and may vary by college according to local needs and wishes.

50 hours Directed learning

Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading / Group study / Portfolio / Diary etc

100 hours Self managed learning

Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time.  In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.