| Unit name | Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MGRCM0067 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Pesterfield |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides students with an understanding of the issues facing human resource practitioners in the contemporary workplace. Some of these challenges arise because of technological change, such as the introduction of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and telecommunications technologies leading to a rise in people working from home. Environmental sustainability has also led to the expectation that organisations will be able to develop a strategy for operating sustainably. Other contemporary issues arise from the challenges of recruiting and retaining workers, and ensuring considerations for their needs and wellbeing are embedded in organisational practices and policies. This unit explores the role HR practitioners can play in implementing organisational change to address these issues. In doing so, the unit explores the meaning of ethical or responsible leadership, as well as relevant employment laws and regulations.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit introduces students to some of the most pressing issues many HR practitioners will face in the workplace. As such, this constitutes a core unit on the Human Resource Management MSc. The unit also provides foundational knowledge about responsible leadership, relevant employment laws and regulations, and managing organisational change.
An overview of content
This unit covers a range of contemporary workplace issues which are experienced by workers across the globe. This includes, but is not limited to, the impact of artificial intelligence on HR practices; recruitment and retention of workers; work-life balance and overwork; flexible work arrangements and work from home practices; and green HRM. Relevant laws and regulations are explored throughout the unit because these are a key way of understanding an organisation’s responsibilities. In addition, the unit focuses on how to implement change to organisational practices, and specifically within an understanding of responsible business practices. A range of appropriate theories are applied to these issues in order to enhance critical thinking and explore and explain them in depth.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Through studying this unit students will be able to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills in relation to contemporary HRM issues. Included in this is the development of responsible leadership skills, in terms of making decisions that protect and enhance workers’ wellbeing. Additionally, students will develop the ability to design effective and appropriate policies and organisational changes to address contemporary workplace issues.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching is conducted through lectures and seminars. The seminars are student-centred and interactive. This provides opportunities for students to actively engage with the ideas and themes explored in lectures. Seminars utilise a variety of teaching methods and activities. These include using real-world case studies, discussions, debates, and other exercises. Additionally, the formative assessment provides an opportunity to begin work on the summative assessment, and receive feedback on progress.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
For the formative assessment students will submit a 500 word proposal outlining the organisation chosen for the summative assessment, along with a brief plan for the report’s structure and content, and an annotated indicative reference list of relevant academic articles.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The summative assessment is coursework. Students will produce a strategic HR advisory report for an organisation, which is a contemporary human resource management issue. The strategic report element is 2,000 words. Additionally, a 500 word personal reflection will detail the rationale for choosing the organisation, and how personal values influenced the choice of issue and proposed solutions. This is 100% of the unit mark and covers ILOs 1-3.
When assessment does not go to plan:
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis. The assessment will be the same: a 2,000 word HR advisory report with 500 word reflection, 100%, ILOs 1-3. However, students must choose a different workplace issue to the previous submission.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MGRCM0067).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
