040608 UK Human Resource Management (2015S)

This course is designed to provide the opportunity for undergraduate students to gain the knowledge which can be employed within a variety of business contexts.

Human resources are key aspects to organizational success or failure. General managers are concerned with setting and implementing overall strategy. Achieving strategic objectives of the firm is only possible with an effective and efficient management of human resources. In this context general managers have leading role to set and implement the HR strategy. The implementation of the firm`s HR policies is best done with at least the participation of line managers in the field, rather than being left to HR specialists. Therefore we focus on the role of general (and other top-level) managers and on the wider spectrum of organizational implications in forming and implementing strategies. Related topics such as the operational details of personnel administration that concern HR specialist will be neglected. Emphasis will be put on the links between human resource practices of managers and strategic objectives of their firms.

More specifically, the first part of the course consists of a basic frameworks and ideas of the subject. We discuss different perspectives on strategy and the central importance of International HRM and Strategic HRM. Besides, we consider a multidisciplinary orientation to the subject, especially by including economic, sociological and psychological contributions and insights. The purpose of illustrating a broader vision (not only restricted to one perspective) should develop a more comprehensive understanding enabling students to increase their ability to adapt this knowledge to real problems. In the second part, we touch on some significant elements that constitute an HR system such as performance evaluation and pay for performance.

Attendance:
Given the limited number of available places I strongly recommend all of you interested in attending the course to attend the first introductory meeting, otherwise vacant places will be fulfilled.

Other information:
Other relevant information regarding the detailed structure of the course, group assignments, office hours, suggested readings will be provided in class.