The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage people in contemporary organisations. The programme of study will develop knowledge of (1) how people management can support organisational performance by using practices that are fair, transparent and promote employee wellbeing; (2) the core HR models and practices that form the ‘toolkit’ used in managing people and; (3) how these HR models and practices can be applied to address contemporary issues, such as managing diversity and  inclusion, attracting (recruitment and selection), employment relations and employee participation.

A. Knowledge and Understanding:

• Discuss and apply the principal models and practices used in dealing with people-related issues.
• Demonstrate an understanding of key contemporary issues involved in managing people,
• Undertake evidence-based choices when applying theory and practice to address these issues.
• Describe and evaluate the principal debates in the field of human resource management.
• Assess the impact of new approaches to human resource management on workers.

B. Intellectual Skills:

• Analyse and synthesise information.
• Sustain a logical argument and defend conclusions.
• Compare, contrast and evaluate theoretical explanations.
• Use empirical evidence to debate how certain approaches to management practice can be applied.
• Discuss the relevance of theory on the basis of empirical research.
• Identify formal and informal structures and cultures within organisations and analyse the effects of these on management and the efficiency of organisations.

C. Discipline Specific Skills:

• Consider a broad range of views in dealing with specific people-related issues.
• Analyse organisational context and work-place settings in making informed decisions.
• Anticipate the impact of decisions on employee relations and performance.
• Recognise the potential implementation issues facing managers when addressing people-related issues.

D. Transferable Skills:

• Find, manage, appraise and utilise information and data.
• Work individually and as part of a team.
• Negotiate with others.
• Write effectively for a management audience.

The module will be delivered through a mix of large & small group face-to-face sessions, including, where relevant, supporting digital learning activities and/or recordings

There are two assessment points. There is one formal,1,600 word assessment in Semester 1 and one formal 2,400 word assessment in Semester 2.

The assessments are designed to assess the extent to which students have achieved the module learning outcomes. The assessments will therefore require students to (1) identify and discuss key contemporary people-management issues facing managers in organisations; (2) describe and evaluate appropriate theoretical models for addressing these issues and; (3) identify and discuss the HR practices required to support appropriate interventions.   The essay assignments will each include reflective questions based on lecture and tutorials materials.

Analytic and verbal presentation skills are applied during the tutorial sessions. The tutorial programme is designed to support and assist students with their assignment preparation. 

(1) The origins and development of people management, including the relationship between HR and organisational performance, and strategic human resource management; (2) HR practices including recruitment and selection; training and development; performance management and; reward management and; (3) Contemporary people management issues including organisational culture; managing contemporary work; diversity management and managing workers in an international environment. (4) Employee responses to HR practices (commitment, motivation and citizenship behaviours). (5) Changing nature of work and its impacts on HR practices.