Students

BUS 851 – Comparative Human Resource Management

2019 – S2 Evening

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Candy Lu
candy.lu@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Please view via iLearn - https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BUS651 or MKTG696
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit has two central themes: (1) How to think systematically and strategically about aspects of managing an organisation's international human assets, and (2) What really needs to be done to implement policies and to achieve a competitive international advantage. The unit will examine the difficulties of blending of exogenous and endogenous factors in more than one country while planning and coordinating vital human resource policies and practices.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Assess the challenges facing multinational corporations when implementing HRM practices in various international settings
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Research and compare HRM policies and practices in various countries
  • Develop management solutions for implementing HRM practices in an international context

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Individual Report 30% No Week 7
Case Presentation & Report 30% No Weeks 7-12
Final Exam 40% No University Examination Period

Individual Report

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

Individual Report Assessment Summary Task Description Individual Report  Type of Collaboration Individual Submission Please Submit Via Turnitin Link on iLearn Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length At least 2,000 words (excluding references) and must not exceed 2,200 Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Late tasks must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% made from the total available marks for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% deduction). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assess the challenges facing multinational corporations when implementing HRM practices in various international settings
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Develop management solutions for implementing HRM practices in an international context

Case Presentation & Report

Due: Weeks 7-12
Weighting: 30%

Case Presentation & Report Assessment Summary Task Description

Student groups will be formed in Week 2. Groups will pick a research topic area and present their findings verbally and in a written report. The assessment mark will not be a common mark but will be based on individual contribution to the case presentation and report.

The assessment consists two parts: Case presentation- 15% individual mark & Case report- 15% individual mark.

Type of Collaboration Individual and Group Submission Please Submit Via Turnitin Link on iLearn Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page Length

Case presentation- 40 minutes (including 25-30 minutes presentation and 10-15 minutes questions/discussions)

Case report- at least 3,000 words (excluding references) and must not exceed 3,300 words Inherent Task Requirements Case presentation requires physical attendance to complete. Late Submission

Case Presentation: Students who have not participated in case presentation will be awarded a mark of '0' for the task.

Case Report: Late tasks must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% made from the total available marks for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% deduction). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time.

 This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Research and compare HRM policies and practices in various countries
  • Develop management solutions for implementing HRM practices in an international context

Final Exam

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

Examination Assessment Summary Task Description A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that the product belongs to the student and the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam. Type of Collaboration Individual Submission You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length 2.5 hours closed book exam with 10 minutes reading time Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Please see  Assessment Policy Schedule 4. The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time in the University Examination Timetable is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for special consideration.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assess the challenges facing multinational corporations when implementing HRM practices in various international settings
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Research and compare HRM policies and practices in various countries
  • Develop management solutions for implementing HRM practices in an international context

Delivery and Resources

Required text

  • Dowling, P., Festing, M., & Engle, A. D. (2017). International Human Resource Management (7th ed.). London: Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781473719026.

    Obtainable from Macquarie University Coop Bookshop

The text is available from the Co-Op Bookshop. Copies are held in the Library's Reserve section.
Unit web page The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Technology Used and Required
  • Students will need to be familiar with a web browser to access the unit web page.
  • Library databases to source materials for the research reports, which are accessed electronically for conducting research for assignments;
  • Microsoft word and Power point (where applicable) for the research reports and presentations.
Delivery Format and Other Details
  • Number and length of classes: This course involves 3 hours of face-to-face teaching per week in a seminar format, unless indicated otherwise in the lecture schedule. Classes may vary due to public holiday(s)
  • Seminars will commence in Week 1
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Recommended readings
  • Harzing, A.-W., & Pinnington, A. (2011). International Human Resource Management (3rd ed.). London: Sage.
  • Nankervis, A., Baird, M., Coffey, J., & Shields, J. (2014). Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice (8th ed.). South Melbourne: Victoria Cengage Learning Australia.
  • Hayton, J. C., Biron, M., Christiansen, L. C., & Kuvaas, B. (Eds.). (2012). Global Human Resource Management Casebook. New York: Routledge.

 

 

Unit Schedule

WEEKS

Seminar Topic

Seminar Readings and Activities

Week 1

Introduction to Unit and IHRM

Read Chapter 1 of textbook Getting to know you

Start organising student groups

Individual assignment topic question handed out and discussed

Week 2

The Cultural Context of IHRM

Read Chapter 2 of textbook

Groups formed for group case presentation and report

Small group activity

Week 3

The Organisational Context of IHRM

Read Chapter 3 of textbook

Case Study: Wolfgang’s Balancing Act (p. 289)

Week 4

IHRM challenges in Cross-Border Mergers & AcquisitionsM&As, and International Alliances and SMEs

Read Chapter 4 of textbook

Small group activity Individual assignment discussion

Week 5

Staffing International Operations for Sustained Global Growth

Read Chapter 5 of textbook

Case Study: Strategic Forecasts and Staffing Formulation (p.298)

Week 6

Recruitment and Selection

Read Chapter 5 of textbook

Case Study: Local or International? (p.305)

Week 7

International Performance Management

Individual assignment due

Read Chapter 6 of textbook

Case presentations

 

Mid Semester Break

 

Week 8

Training and Development

Read Chapter 7 of textbook

Case presentations

Feedback on individual assignment

Week 9

NO CLASS (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)

 

No activity

Week 10

International Careers - Expatriation and Repatriation

Read Chapter 7 of textbook

Case presentations

Week 11

International Compensation

Read Chapter 8 of textbook

Case presentations

Week 12

Global Industrial Relations, Ethics, and Future Challenges

Read Chapters 9 and 10 of textbook

Case presentations

Week 13

Unit Review and Exam Preparation

Exam review

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assess the challenges facing multinational corporations when implementing HRM practices in various international settings
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Research and compare HRM policies and practices in various countries

Assessment tasks

  • Individual Report
  • Case Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assess the challenges facing multinational corporations when implementing HRM practices in various international settings
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Research and compare HRM policies and practices in various countries
  • Develop management solutions for implementing HRM practices in an international context

Assessment tasks

  • Individual Report
  • Case Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Assess the challenges facing multinational corporations when implementing HRM practices in various international settings
  • Evaluate the impact of contextual factors on the management of people in multinational corporations
  • Research and compare HRM policies and practices in various countries
  • Develop management solutions for implementing HRM practices in an international context

Assessment tasks

  • Individual Report
  • Case Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Changes from Previous Offering

Group report component (15% group mark) is removed. Instead, case report will be marked based on individual contribution to the report.

Global Contexts and Sustainability

Issues of sustainability are integrated throughout the unit. Examples of practices from different countries will be discussed in the seminars.

Research and Practice

The unit uses research from several external sources namely academic journals below, to support your learning of IHRM concepts and theories:

  • Human Resource Management
  • Human Resource Management Journal
  • Human Resource Management Review
  • International Journal of Human Resource Management
  • Journal of International Business Studies
  • Journal of International Management
  • Personnel Review

 

A list of research articles from these sources will be posted on iLearn, which will allow students to keep up-to-date with current trends and practices in IHRM and considerably expand their knowledge of this subject.

This unit gives you opportunities to conduct research and gives you practice in applying research findings in your assessments.