Universität Wien

040227 KU Organization and Human Resources in International Firms (MA) (2021W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
MIXED

Summary

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Registration information is available for each group.

Groups

Group 1

service email address: opim.bda@univie.ac.at

max. 52 participants
Language: English
LMS: Moodle

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The first session on 5.10.2021 is planned to be held onsite. Depending on the epidemiological situation, this can be changed to online form on a short notice.
The final exam is taking place on 26.01.2022. It is to be held onsite.
If the attendance of the onsite sessions is not possible for the reasons related to the student's situation, this should be communicated to the instructor before the session and supported by the relevant evidence (as defined by the University of Vienna).

Tuesday 05.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 14 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock (Kickoff Class)
Tuesday 12.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Digital
Tuesday 19.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 09.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 16.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 23.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 07.12. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 11.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 18.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Tuesday 25.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 26.01. 18:30 - 20:00 Hörsaal 4 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Participation - 10%
In-class assignments - 20%
Team-based case study project - 40%
Final Exam - 30%
(open-end questions)

Group 2

service email address: opim.bda@univie.ac.at

max. 52 participants
Language: English
LMS: Moodle

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The first session on 6.10.2021 is planned to be held onsite. Depending on the epidemiological situation, this can be changed to online form on a short notice.
The final exam is taking place on 26.01.2022. It is to be held onsite.
If the attendance of the onsite sessions is not possible for the reasons related to the student's situation, this should be communicated to the instructor before the session and supported by the relevant evidence (as defined by the University of Vienna).

Wednesday 06.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 1 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß (Kickoff Class)
Wednesday 13.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Digital
Wednesday 20.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 10.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 17.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 24.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 01.12. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 15.12. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 12.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 19.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Digital
Wednesday 26.01. 18:30 - 20:00 Hörsaal 4 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Participation - 10%
In-class assignments - 20%
Team-based project - 40%
Final Exam - 30%

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The main goal of this course is to draw students’ attention to the importance and specifics of international dimension in modern HRM, to analyze the ways of dealing with challenges arising in the way of successful implementation of HRM policies as well as to learn the best-practice examples in the field.
Starting with the introduction of the specific features, distinguishing the international HRM from a broader field of HRM, the course consequently introduces the participants to the external and internal factors influencing the HRM practices of international firms. Further the discussion highlights the cross-cultural complexity and multidimensional nature of such fundamental practices as stuffing, recruitment, selection, as well as training and development of personnel in international firms. Also the subsequent analysis of performance management, motivational techniques and compensation policies in global firms gives an overview of the problems and best-practice solutions offered both by academics and practitioners in the field of international HRM. The discussion of the role of ethics and CSR in links the course to its final point where we look into the future in anticipation of the coming trends and challenges related to the management of human resources in global firms of XXI century.
Upon the completion of this course the students should be not only aware of the importance of international dimension in today’s HRM, but they should also be able to analyze the relevant activities of the firms operating in international environments and to come up with solutions to the existing or potential problems related to cultural, institutional and other aspects of global HRM. Managing expatriates, inpatriates and international employees means dealing with the differences in values, attitudes, expectations of both employees themselves, and the members of their families, and their larger communities. The international assignments can end up in disappointments and re-entries can face resistance. At the end of the course, the students should possess the knowledge about both general approaches and specific tools of managing these and other similar situations, and, moreover, they should be able to apply this knowledge in order to analyze the problems and offer efficient, theory-backed solutions for the real-world firms.
The core feature of this course is a strong focus on the link between theoretical concepts learnt during the lectures and their practical applications in the real world environments by real firms. In order to highlight this link, the theoretical concepts are being consistently explained using the multiple examples of international firms currently operating in the global environment. Even more importantly, during the course the students are supposed to work in small groups on the business cases illustrating the challenges and opportunities related to the HRM decisions of the international firms. Working through the histories of internationally well-known companies, analyzing the reasons for their failures and successes, students can use their knowledge in order to test the applicability of theoretical concepts and come with viable and scientifically-based solutions for the future.

Assessment and permitted materials

In the WS2021 the course is delivered primarily through online lectures and online team-based presentations.
Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in online discussions. Attendance is registered via an online tool and the participation is evaluated through the public chat function in the webinar tool. The participation is an important part of evaluation.
Students are strongly advised to read the assigned material from the reference books and articles, and to express opinions, comments, and insights relative to the discussion topic.
The overall level of students' knowledge is tested at an open-questions exam taking part at the end of the semester.

Examination topics

Final exam consists of several open-end questions covering all main topics discussed in the course.
The main sources for the preparation to the exam are the recordings of the lectures, lecture slides and handouts, as well as the presentations of the team projects and academic papers relevant for individual topics.

Reading list

Academic papers relevant for individual topics will be made available in the beginning of the semester.
REICHE, B. S., HARZING, A.-W. K., & TENZER, H. (2018). International human resource management. Los Angeles, SAGE.
DOWLING, P. J. (2013) International Human Resource Management, 6th Edition. Cengage Learning EMEA
Additional Readings:
HARZIG, A.K. (2014) International Human Resource Management, 4th Edition. Sage Publications Ltd (UK)
REES, G. (2014) Strategic Human Resource Management: An International Perspective. Sage Publications Ltd (UK)
Other Materials: Other class materials such as lecture slides and handouts are to be made available before the actual start of the classes / particular sessions.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:12