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 module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding, from both an academic and a practitioner perspective, of the critical role human resources play in the achievement of organisational objectives and the issues and processes involved in effectively managing those human resources. The module will seek to show the likely importance to organisations in adopting a true/soft Human Resource Management approach to the management of its people.

Main Topics of Study:

Individuals & Groups:

• Individual Differences
• Perceptions
• Communications
• Motivation
• Industrial Psychology
• Behavioural Theories
• Research Studies
• Groups
• Group Dynamics
• Personal & Group Goals

Manpower Planning:

• Recruitment & Selection
• Interviewing
• Selection Testing
• Validation of Testing Procedures
• Training
• Systems Approach to Training
• On-Job Vs Off-Job
• Induction Programmes
• Personnel Records
• Use of Computers

Job Analysis:

• Job Description
• Job Specification
• Person Specification
• Job Rotation
• Job Enlargement
• Job Enrichment
• Job Evaluation

Development of a Human Relations Approach:

• Role of Personnel Department
• Nurturing Human Assets in a Business
• Career Development
• Counselling
• Welfare
• Participating in Decision-Making
• Supportive Management Styles

Industrial Relations:

• The Role of the Trade Union
• Moves Toward Industrial Democracy
• Strikes, Cause, Effect & Avoidance

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

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

1. Distinguish between different approaches to the management of human resources.
2. Understand the potential strategic role of the Personnel/Human Resource Management department.
3. Appreciate key forces at work in any attempt to achieve equality in the workplace.
4. Develop a detailed plan for the effective resourcing of an organization’s human requirements.
5. Identify and evaluate the ways in which performance management systems contribute to the development of the individual and enhance organizational performance.
6. Discuss how effective working relationships, with employees and/or their representative bodies, are created, maintained and enhanced with an understanding of organisational pressures associated with these organisational relationships.
7. Critically assess the effectiveness of human resource policies and practices in their organisational setting.

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:

Management & Organisational Behaviour – L Mullins (Pitman)

Alternative Texts and Further Reading:
Human Resources Management: Perspectives & Issues – G Ferris & K Rowland (Allyn & Bacon)
Human Resource Planning – John Bramham (l P M)
Personnel Management – S Tyson & A York (Heinemann)
Management & Motivation – Vroom & Deci (Penguin)
People in Organisations – P Armstrong & C Dawson (Elm)

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.