School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

MN30054 Strategy & human resource management

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW30EX70

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take MN10070 or take MN20080 or take MN20312 or take MN20313

Aims: The purpose of this unit is to develop a clear understanding of the theories and practices in sophisticated organizations linking people management to organizational performance, and the interconnections between business strategies and strategic human resource management. The unit aims to elucidate the connections between, and the tensions within, the requirements of the modern firm in managing people simultaneously to maximize labour productivity, organizational flexibility and social legitimacy.
Learning Outcomes:
Through lectures, videos, case studies and self reflection on employment experiences the unit's learning objectives are to achieve:
* an understanding of the interconnection between business strategies and HRM
* A critical appraisal of models of HRM especially universal, contingency and configurational models
* An appreciation of the components and validity of the 'HR bundle' and the problems with diffusion of best practice
* An ability to debate and model the value of the resource-based view of strategy, different types of HR architecture and knowledge management
* A critical appraisal of key policy issues in HRM and their link with organisational and HR strategies
* Understanding the centrality of employee responses to HRM in terms of perceived organisational support, organisational citizenship behaviour and the psychological contract
* A critical awareness of the role of line managers in the implementation of HRM practice
* An understanding of organisational culture and climate and their role in HRM effectiveness
* An appreciation of the ambiguous and changing roles of HR professional managers.
Skills:

* getting to grips with cognitive complexity F
* analysing qualitative and quantitative data T.F
* verbal reasoning F
* self motivation F
* integrating theory and practice in written assignments T,F,A
* cooperative working with other students F.
Content:
See Learning Outcomes.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07