HRM20050 Comparative Human Resource Management

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module is an introductory course in comparative human resource management (HRM). It examines forms and approaches to human resource management in a comparative context. Its concern is the HR strategies deployed by HR managers and the manner in which they are shaped by the national and organizational context in which the firm operates. The role and experiences of HR managers in different countries will be explored. It is important to emphasize that the module is not a techniques course. Rather it is designed to develop an informed and critical understanding of how the management of people at work is undertaken in various national business systems, and with what consequences for all stakeholders involved. The module is intended to introduce students to debates in the field of HRM and, in particular, to equip them with a multi-level analytical framework to critically appraise the normative literature which is abundant in this area of management. That there is a gap between prescription and practice may not surprise, but the challenge of understanding why is considerable. Inevitably answers pivot on being sensitive to the context within which employers and employees work. Thus, a key element of this module will be to help students understand how organisational, national and international factors influence the management of people at work. The focus of analysis is the multinational company where these various factors come into play.

This module is delivered fully online via synchronous sessions. The lecturer will present a new topic every week, followed by instructions for a small group activity.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. To acquire a critical understanding of HRM in a comparative context;

2. To identify key specific HR practices used by HR managers in the MNC across different geographic locations;

3. To compare the role of HR managers across countries and evaluate their capacity to make a strategic contribution to the organisation;

4. To explore the debate around HRM in the MNC by applying both a critical lens and a multi-level perspective;

5. To approach the management of people at work from a multi-stakeholder perspective

Indicative Module Content:

Lecture 1. Module introduction - module’s focus, assessment and expectations
· The importance of culture and institutions

Lecture 2. Multinationals as employment relations actors

Lecture 3. Culture at work
· Managing people across countries

Lecture 4. Institutions and HRM
· Varieties of capitalism (VoC)

Lecture 5. Flexibility in LMEs and CMEs
· Flexibility in different contexts: opportunities and constraints for HR managers

Lecture 6. International integration of HRM Practices
· Do MNCs integrate their HRM practices across countries?

Lecture 8. People’s voice at work

Lecture 9. Pay and performance at work
· The business case for pay for performance

Lecture 10. HR Analytics
· What is HR Analytics? How does HR Analytics add value to the HR function?

Lecture 11. Managing diversity

Lecture 12. End of term coursework.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

114
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will be asked to critically reflect on the lectures' material and engage in group work and individual in-class activities. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
HRM20020 - Employment Relations, HRM30070 - HRM in Multinationals, HRM30100 - International HRM, HRM30120 - People at Work


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of Semester Examination Coursework (End of Trimester) Yes Graded No

70
Continuous Assessment: Group Assignment
Class-test		 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Maria Belizón Lecturer / Co-Lecturer