This exciting programme will give you a thorough grasp of current theory and practice relating to the management of human resources and employment relations. Teaching and Assessment Teaching As a research intensive university, international level research findings by Brunel Business School tutors are regularly used in student lectures. Tutors on this programme are leaders in the field of HR and active researchers within the school’s Human Resource Management and Organization Behaviour Research Group (HRM - OB). Examples of tutor research used in MSc Human Resources & Employment Relations include: Professor Neil Anderson Professor Anderson provides several of his seminal review papers, empirical studies, and theoretical models for consideration by the students and additional readings are also provided. Students are asked to present back in small groups, having critically assessed research findings for themselves. As the findings are both confirmatory and non-confirmatory, the ensuing debate is used to improve their understanding of whether high-performance HRM practices do indeed contribute to organisational performance and profitability. Professor Anderson is also an Academic CIPD Fellow. Professor Mustafa Ozbilgin The programme’s Global Diversity Management module is designed around Professor Ozbilgin’s research in diversity management in multi-national organisations within the public private and voluntary sectors. In particular, Professor Ozbilgin’s book Global Diversity Management: An Evidence Based Approach (2008) co-authored with Dr Ahu Tatli is used as the core text on the module. The book is the only empirical research based text in the field, and provides original field work on diversity management that spreads across eight years. Other Business School research by Professor Ozbilgin is used for the practice of literature reviews. Further to this Professor Ozbilgin is Academic CIPD Fellow and regularly uses CIPD reports that he has co-authored. Students also receive case studies and case reports by the tutor.
Modality
ON-CAMPUS: LONDRES
Entry requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas) Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores) BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)
SYLLABUS
Compulsory
HRM in Context - Resourcing, Performance and Assessment - This module introduces human resources management as a field of science and as a framework for analysis of how organisations manage their people. In particular the module examines the rise of HRM, what it involves in contemporary organisations, the strategic nature of HRM and its practices, its impact on organisational performance and the changing in employment practices.
International and Comparative Human Resource Management - The HRM practitioner is in a position to make a substantial contribution to helping the organisation and its managers understand and apply the knowledge and skills needed for success in an international context. This module examines human resources strategy and practices for organisations operating across national boundaries, including the European Union (EU) and its member states, the USA, Japan and South East Asia.
Issues in Employment Relations - This module reviews the scope, issues and development of systems of employee relations with primary focus on the UK sphere, referenced also by international influences and developments. In addition, the module explores potential issues of conflict in employment relationship and the processes used to resolve these conflicts and manage the relationship. Reference is made to the legal framework of employment in the UK.
Understanding Business and Management Research - The module is predicated on the dominant role of both quantitative and qualitative methods in management research. It is based on the need to enable the understanding of research reports and use this information to improve the quality of work, decision-making, and the understanding of complex management problems. The latter will be instrumental in applying existing management theory and research to practical management problems as action researchers.
Organisational Behaviour: - This module explores the main theories and key functions of leadership and management and their application. You will be able to critique these as well as appreciate the contemporary issues facing leaders and managers. You will also be able to critically evaluate characteristics of effective management and how this differentiates from leadership. You will discuss and assess relative strengths and limitations of key approaches to developing leaders and managers in organisations.
Contemporary HRM: Policy, Development and Evaluation - This module aims to further explore HRM issues particularly the functions, values and actions associated with contemporary human resources management practice. It will also explore key issues and debates in respect of HRD (Human Resource Development), with a particular focus on organisational impacts and outcomes.
Dissertation - A research-based dissertation is an integral and particularly important element of the programme. Students are required to base their dissertation on empirical research into a management problem or issue of their choice (subject to approval).
Optional
International Management:
The module has six main aims. These are to:
- examine the important trends impacting international business and the major developing players in the international economy - explore the issues and challenges of managing in an international environment and with reference to particular countries and regions - understand the nature and forms of interaction between an international organisation, managerial decisions and the external environment, especially the effects of globalisation upon MNCs in both developed and developing countries - facilitate understanding of the theories and concepts of international management and how to use them to diagnose and solve managerial problems - equip students with the analytical tools, techniques and models of negotiations, communication, and conflict resolution in international contexts - explore the theories and concepts relating to the management of human resources in international context.
International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance - This module focuses on business ethics and corporate governance in the international context. Both areas will be addressed from the perspective of the dual business models of the shareholder and the stakeholder approaches. Further the broader societal impacts of business activities will be considered in-depth. The full range of businesses will be considered â€" from large corporations through to SMEs. Empirical studies will be used to apply the theoretical resources of moral philosophy, CSR and corporate governance.
Global Diversity Management - To get insight into Global Diversity Management by examining how organisations plan, coordinate and implement a set of management strategies, policies and initiatives. These include training and development activities that seek to accommodate diverse sets of social and individual backgrounds, interests, beliefs, values and ways of work in organisations with international, multinational, global and transnational workforces and operations.
Entrepreneurship - This module introduces entrepreneurship as a field of study and as a framework of analysis. It focuses on the nature of entrepreneurship and its importance in society. In particular the module examines: i) the person, through the analysis and understanding of the psychological and behavioural characteristics of the entrepreneurs. This is achieved by examining and reflecting upon the major theories in the field (psychological theory and cognitive theory) ii) the process â€" through the review and analysis of the main approaches to entrepreneurship. In addition, the module shows how entrepreneurship unfolds in a wide range of contexts.
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