Discussion of theory and practice. Contributing, adding value & promoting understanding to presentations and tutorial case study discussions. 

Assessment #1:Tutorial Participation and Presentation (20%)

Participation (10%)

The tutorial programme is an integral part of this unit.  Tutorials give students an opportunity to clarify material covered in lectures and readings, explore and apply key concepts in discussion, exercises and case studies, and prepare for the assessment for this unit. 

Participation can be achieved by preparing to respond to questions in the tutorial and contributing to discussions after the presentations. Your mark will be calculated from the first tutorial through to the last tutorial in week 12.  Key issues in relation to expectations of students in tutorials are outlined in brief below.

1.  Quality of contribution: Students should endeavour to make a regular and informed contribution to discussion.

2.   Preparation: In order to make an informed discussion,students should complete their recommendedreading and relevant chapters of the textbook.

3.  Tolerance: Group members should allow fellow students to express contrary views and be  prepared to debate points in a reasoned and tolerant manner.

  4.   Attendance: In order to participate,studentsmust attend tutorials. However you should note also that silent attendance is not sufficient to earn marks for participation.

Presentation (10%)

Each group will be required to present an overview of the set topic for the wrrk on issues pertaining to their case study (see case schedule on Tutorial Guide) to the rest of the class. Groups will be alocated in week 4. These groups will present and work together to complete the group report.

The presentation will require students to consider the SHRM issue(s) in their case study (allocated company), together with the company on which their group project is based and the literature on the particular strategic HRM topic that their case study involves. Students should provide a preliminary set of recommendations to address the issue(s) the company is facing, with a reasoned explanation. Note, the presentation should be designed to provide other students in your tutorial with an understanding of the case study that your particular group is researching. Your final report will still be a work-in-progress and the presentation is not intended to provide the depth of detail and analysis that is expected in the final report.

Groups should also view the Q & A period following the presentation as an opportunity to canvass views about the practicality of recommendations, implementation issues that may arise and so forth, and experiences that other class members may have with policies being proposed.

The presentation should take the form of a Fifteen (15) minute presentation to be followed by a short Q & A (approx 10 mins). The group should hand a summary of the presentation to the lecturer at the beginning of the talk. 

This assessment item consists of 5 short answer questions linked to a journal article. The Tutor will provide more details in tutorial. This assessment item will enable teaching staff to provide students with feedback on progress in the first half of the session. A journal article wil be provided to students on ilearn by week 3. They will be advised to read the article and consider course material in relation to it. The quiz will ask five short answer questions concerning material covered in the course in prior weeks and students will be asked to answer with reference to the journal article they are expected to have read.

 Assessment # 3:  Group assessment - Case Study research report (30%)

Aim:

In the tutorials, students will be formed into groups for the purpose of completing a case study exercise. Each student group will be allocated a case study (organisation) and required to look at specific strategic HRM issue(s) which require research and practical recommendations. The allocated organisation provides an opportunity to research key strategic HRM capabilities that align with business strategy.  It is important that students note, this is a strategic HRM project and NOT a detailed research project into the broader aspects of the allocated organisation.  Company Case allocation will occur during the week 4tutorial.

Group Report (30%)

The group will research and present a Report on key issue(s) that face the allocated Company, analysing the issues in relation to the organisation’s internal and external environment and provide recommendations for how the company should address the key HRM issue(s).  The recommendations should provide an intellectual rationale based on theory and context.    Students/groups should position themselves as external consultants providing advice to the firm.

Students’ research, communication, analytical, integrative and critical thinking skills will be developed by the presentations and reports involved in this assessment item.

Research on the SHRM Issue(s)

 The primary objective of this report:

1.     To research and present a clear understanding of the overarching business   strategy of the allocated company.

2.     To analyse and evaluate three (3) key SHRM strategies that contribute to the strategic organisational performance of the company.

3.     To analyse and evaluate the relevant policies and practices of the functional areas of SHRM that support the three (3) key SHRM strategies. 

4.     To analyse and evaluate concepts and principles of the company’s business strategy together with discussion on limitations and strengths associated with various practices/initiatives the company employs as part of the business strategy.

5.     Students should provide a minimum of 3 recommendations which are intellectually justified, practical and specifically target the ongoing strategic direction of the company.

6.     In preparing this report Students will act as SHRM consultants to provide strategic advice to their allocated company.  The advice will include knowledge of SHRM theory, relevant frameworks and legislation. Students are encouraged to consider leading edge, innovative practices such as flexible work practices, reward and recognition programs etc. Business magazines such as Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and the Australian Financial Review, as well as HR Monthly (from AHRI) and journal articles are often a great source of such practices! But, groups must remain practical - and consider such issues as cost, labour skills, market, politics and other challenges in implementing SHRM practices.

Research on the Company

In  the research for  their  report  students  should  draw  on  sources they can obtain about the company both online and in print eg the company's annualreport, articles in business magazines, newspaper and other press articles and any other independentreports which can build an understanding of the company and the environment in which it is operating. You may also find if you search the library database, that there are articles which contain research on the relevant company in academic journals as well as in HR practitioner journals and business magazines. When using practitioner journals, student should remain conscious that articles generally express particular views rather than being balanced, researched scholarly publications. Please note, you must not approach a company directly - unless of course you are an employee there already.

The Report should:

·        Use report structure which includes Macquarie Student front page with student names, index, headings, statistics, conclusion and a minimum of 3 recommendations. For this report there should be not be an executive summary.  Headings should be used to present information in a logical and integrated manner.  However, the discussion part of the report should take the form of essay style.  Critical discussion in this part of the report should include the issues, limitations and analysis of policies, processes, initiatives and three key strategies including supporting in-text referencing.

As a minimum the report should contain:-

·       a minimum of 10 academic references.

·       background and statistical information about the company relevant to the issue(s) raised. (remember this is a SHRM report) provide an understanding of the firm's business strategy as well as its general approach to SHRM and the way its strategies are influenced by internal and external factors.

·       evaluate the significance of the SHRM issue raised.

·       consider options for addressing the issue.

·       make a minimum of 3 recommendations that are practical and address the  issue.

 Hand-in Report (30%):

The maximum report length is 3500 words, excluding references. Include the word count at the end of the report. Groups may attach appendices  to the Report. Please note however that if attaching appendices - the attachment must be directly relevant to the report; the report must make specific mention to the attachment and explain its relevance. 

Due date:

The report is to be handed in by Wednesday 21 May(week10) in your tutorial. No extensions will be granted. Late assignments will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. A penalty of 20% of the awarded mark will apply for each complete 24 hours period that the submission is late. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made.

Note: electronically submitted assignments will not be marked.

Assessment #4: Final Exam(40%)

A two hour exam will be held during the university exam period.Students will be required to answer a combination of short questions and longer essay-style questions. As a guide, these essay-style responses are expected to be a minimum of 2 pages in length.  Note: Exam questions will be assessing students' understanding of both the theoretical concepts covered in the first section of the course and functional areas of SHRM.

Exam attendance: The university exam period in Semester 2014 is from 16 June to 4 July. You are expected to present yourself for examinationat the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approx 8 weeks before the commencement of examinations and in Final form approx 4 weeks before the commencement of the examinations.   http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam

The only exceptions to sitting an examination at the designated time are cases of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. The University’s policy on special consideration process is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

  If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process    theexamination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. 

The Macquarie University examination policy details the principles and conduct of examinations at the University. The policy is available at:  http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/examination/policy.htm

IT  IS  NOT  POSSIBLE  FOR  THE  LECTURER  TO  MOVE  THE  EXAM  TIME.

PLEASE DO NOTASK.

PLAGIARISM                                                                                                                                  

These policies and procedures explain what plagiarism is,how to avoid it,the procedures that will be taken in cases of suspected plagiarism,and the penalties if you are found guilty.  Penalties may include a deduction of marks, failure in the unit and/or referral to the University Discipline Committee.

ACADEMIC HONESTY                                                                                                                                    

The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependant as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University Community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that: all academic work  claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim. When the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledge appropriately.  

Further  information  on  the  academic  honesty  can  be  found  in  the  Macquarie University Academic HonestyPolicy at:

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

GRADES

Please refer to relevant Bachelor Degree rules in the Handbook of Undergraduate

Studies.

GRADING APPEALS AND FINAL EXAMINATION SCRIPTVIEWING                                                          

If at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script, please refer to the following website whihc provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes valid grounds for appeal before appealing your gade.  

http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/new_and_current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/grade_appeals

SPECIALCONSIDERATION                                                                                                                           

The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where as student is prevented by unvoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A special consideration policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is located at: 

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/procedure.html

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

Students are expected to arrive on time, certainly before five minutes past the hour and not to leave until the class ends. If you have a problem that makes you late or forces you to leave early, have the courtesy to discuss this with your lecturer/tutor.  Students must be quiet during lectures unless, of course, class participation is required. Mobiles should be turned off during classes - not simply set to 'silent', 

IT CONDITIONS OF USE                                                                                                                               

Access to all student computing facilities within the Faculty of Business and Economics is restricted to authorised coursework for approved units.Student ID cards must be displayed in the locations provided at all times.

Students are expected to act responsibly when utilising University IT facilities.The following regulations apply to the use of computing facilities and online services:

1.  Accessing inappropriate websites or downloading inappropriate material is not permitted;
2. Material  that  is  not  related  to  coursework  for  the approved  unit  is  deemed in appropriate.

Downloading  copyright  material  without  permission  from  the  copyright  owner  is illegal, and strictly prohibited.Students detected undertaking such activities will face disciplinary action,which mayresult in criminal proceedings. Non-compliancewith theseconditions may result in disciplinary action without further notice.

Studentsmust use their Macquarie University email addresses to communicate with staff as it isUniversity policy that the University issued email account is used for official  University communication.

STUDENTSUPPORTSERVICES                                                                                                                                            

Macquarie  University  provides  a  range  of  Academic  Student  Support  Services. Details of these services can be accessed at   http://www.student.mq.edu.au