Units
Human Resource Management Issues
Unit code: GSZ406
Credit points: 6
Information about fees and unit costs
There is increasing recognition internationally of the
critical contribution of effective people management in obtaining and sustaining a strategic advantage in an increasingly globally competitive business environment.
This unit provides students with the opportunity to examine the challenges faced by managers and leaders in achieving effective human resource management in the complex business environments of today and tomorrow. The unit adopts an issues-based approach, designed to build awareness of the human resource management issues and build contextually specific solutions to those issues in diverse industry contexts.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 6TP1 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
There is increasing recognition internationally of the need for managers to be competent managers of people. In addition, there is clear evidence of the critical contribution of effective people management in obtaining and sustaining a strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive business environment. This unit has been designed to amplify this need and to begin to lay the foundation for competencies in this critical management domain. The unit is intended to build on preceding core units, particularly those relating to strategic management. The unit prepares the way for more detailed examination of human resource management policies, practices and strategies in later elective units.
Aims
The mission of the MBA and associated programs is to provide world class graduate business education and a stimulating learning experience to current and future business leaders and managers. The aim of this unit is to provide managers with an understanding of some of the key factors affecting managing human resources internationally.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)
The Faculty of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools.
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action
Unit Objectives
At the completion of the unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify and analyse HRM implications of environmental and organisational changes.
2. Identify and evaluate contemporary HRM issues confronting managers and broad frameworks for addressing them.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of HRM theory and research and the ability to apply this to contemporary business practice.
4. Identify the unique HRM skills and knowledge required by individual class members in order to master these challenges as managers.
5. Demonstrate awareness of the relevant theoretical and practical dimensions of human resource management in the international context.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Students will acquire a deeper appreciation of the important role of effective HRM in contemporary organisations. Central to this will be an understanding of theories of strategic HRM, and the way these are applied to improve workforce and organisational effectiveness. Students will understand in a practical sense the link between HRM strategy and practice, and the impact this has on organisational outcomes. Students will have an opportunity to examine and reflect on their own approaches as managers of people.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
· The unit presented to students as being based on the text with support from additional readings and lecture slides (on Blackboard).
· There is a commitment to critical inquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered, and students are encouraged to relate the theories and research discussed to situations known to them. Expanding the awareness of Australian management policies and practices into intercultural and international perspectives is fostered.
· Students are expected to have read the written material before each class meeting, to facilitate discussion.
· Typically, students enrolling in this unit have extremely varied backgrounds. There is diversity of professional background and sociocultural backgrounds. Students are reminded that this is to their advantage and they have much to learn from one another. To this end, students are strongly encouraged to be sensitive to cultural, gender-related and international issues.
· A home computer with a modem is highly recommended for students who wish to get a 'student dial in account' and access the unit notes, and other resources that are available online. Not least of these 'other resources' are members of the GSZ406 class, and the instructor, all of whom are available via e-mail.
· To access the GSZ406 Blackboard site, simply bookmark the following URL: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au
· Note: The GSZ406 Blackboard site can only be accessed with the use of your QUT access username and password.
Assessment
At the end of semester student grades are determined by the Faculty Academic Board. The Unit Coordinators provide the detailed assessment results to the Board, working through the relevant School. These results are advisory in nature and do not necessarily constitute the final grades awarded by the Board. In its decision the Board compares results both within units and programs, using as a guide a set of standard distribution criteria. These criteria enable the Board to systematically compare student performance, but are not applied in a prescriptive fashion.
Rules regarding deferred and special examinations and special consideration are available in the relevant section of the QUT Handbook.Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Contemporary Issues Written Article.
An article written by the student on a contemporary HR Issue of their choice.
Length: 2,500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Relates to learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5
AOL goals: KS 1.1, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
After Module 4
Assessment name:
Contemporary Issues Fact Sheet
Description:
Produce an easily consumed, informative factsheet about a contemporary HR Issue.
Length: 400 words in a required format.
Relates to objectives:
Relates to learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4
AOL goals: KS 1.1, CTA 2.1 and PC 3.1
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
After Module 6
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Prescribed text
Holland. (2007). Contemporary Issues and Challenges in Human Resource Management, Tilde University Press, Australia.
Recommended readings
Davidson, P. and Griffin, R. W. (2003). Management: An Australasian Perspective, 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane (chapter 14).
Pinnington, A. and Lafferty, G. (2003). Human Resource Management in Australia, South Melbourne, Oxford University Press.
Stone, R. (2003) Human Resource Management, 5th edition, Brisbane: Jacaranda Wiley.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the >Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 23-Nov-2012
