Course Resources Archive

This module aims to provide students with a rigorous framework of knowledge and understanding concerning people management and development that they will need whatever the degree of specialisation they later elect to follow. It has a number of distinct learning objectives. First, the module seeks to familiarise students with major contemporary research evidence on employment and effective approaches to human resource (HR) and learning and development (L&D) practice. Research focusing on the links between people management practices and positive organisational outcomes is covered, as is research that highlights major contemporary changes and developments in practice. Second, the module introduces students to major debates about theory and practice in the specific fields of leadership, flexibility and change management, the aim being to help them become effective managers as well as effective HR specialists, managing others fairly and effectively and increasing levels of engagement, commitment, motivation and performance.   The module also introduces the major aims of HR and L&D and explores how these are achieved in practice in different types of organisational scenario. Finally, the module requires students to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.

1         Review and critically evaluate major contemporary research and debates in the fields of HRM and HRD.

Major research studies on contemporary developments in the HRM and HRD fields published in the UK and overseas, including those carried out or sponsored by the CIPD; evidence on links between HR practice and business outcomes; measuring the value of the HR function; HRM and HRD practices in the most successful organisations; developing an effective interface between HR and line management through partnership working.

2         Evaluate major theories relating to motivation, commitment and engagement at work and how these are put into practice by organisations.

Understand, explain and evaluate major theories relating to motivation, commitment and engagement at work and how these are put into practice by organisations; major motivation theories and their critics; the significance of effective leadership, reward, performance management and career development opportunities.

3         Debate and critically evaluate the characteristics of effective leadership and the methods used to develop leaders in organisations.

Types of leadership and management styles and their impact; characteristics of successful and unsuccessful leaders; developing effective leaders in organisations.

4         Contribute to the promotion of flexible working and effective change management in organisations.       

Understand and contribute to the promotion of flexible working and effective change management in organisations; the growing significance of flexibility; different types of flexibility; the contribution made by HRM and HRD specialists to the promotion of flexible working; effective approaches to change management and major theories in the field; the central role played by people management practices in the effective management of change.

5         Critically discuss the aims and objectives of the HRM and HRD functions in organisations and how these are met in practice.

Organisation and job design; attracting and retaining people; motivating and managing performance; efficient administration of the employment relationship; managing employee relations; training and developing people; rewarding people.

6         Assess the contribution made by HRM and HRD specialists in different types of organisation.

Major contemporary developments in HRM and HRD practice in larger private sector companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, public sector organisations, voluntary sector organisations and international corporations.

7         Promote professionalism and an ethical approach to HRM and HRD practice in organisations.

Major debates about professionalism and ethics in organisations; common ethical dilemmas faced by managers and ways of resolving these; equity and fair-dealing; managing within the expectations of the law.

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Review and critically evaluate major contemporary research and debates in the fields of human resource management (HRM) and human resource development (HRD).
2. Evaluate major theories relating to motivation, commitment and engagement at work and how these are put into practice by organisations.
3. Debate and critically evaluate the characteristics of effective leadership and the methods used to develop leaders in organisations.
4. Contribute to the promotion of flexible working and effective change management in organisations.      
5. Critically discuss the aims and objectives of the HRM and HRD function in organisations and how these are met in practice.
6. Assess the contribution made by HRM and HRD specialists in different types of organisation.
7. Promote professionalism and an ethical approach to HRM and HRD practice in organisations.

Staff/student contact – 45 hours
Student directed learning – 105 hours as directed by tutors/module guide

Work Based Learning delivery students will devise an agreed work plan with their Advisor to meet their individual learning needs to achieve the module learning outcomes

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.