THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Business School : Business Studies

Undergraduate Course: Applications of Human Resource Management (BUST10129)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe aim of this course is to enhance our understanding of the intricacies and complexities of managing people in the modern workplace. It is intended to build on existing knowledge of the subject area from Organisational Behaviour 2 and/or Human Resource Management 2. The course will focus on the policy, adoption and outcomes of contemporary HRM. Throughout, the course will take a critical perspective on the implications of human resource policies and practice for all stakeholders: managers at all levels, employees of all types, and society as a whole.
Course description The course will begin by considering the different theoretical approaches to understanding human resource management. It will then consider a range of contemporary and ongoing issues in depth, for example, recruitment and selection, diversity, the psychological contract, the impact of technology, evidence-based management, and HRM in an international context.

Outline Content

Topics on this course reflect contemporary issues and are therefore updated on an annual basis. Indicative topics include:

- Objectives, adoption and outcomes of contemporary HRM
- Recruitment and Selection
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Trust in the workplace
- Performance Appraisal
- Technology and HRM
- Training and Development
- Sustainable HRM and corporate social responsibility

Student Learning Experience

The course comprises a mixture of formal lectures, group discussions and class exercises. The lectures will provide an overview of key issues, supported by a range of suggested readings. Group discussions will focus upon understanding of the study and practice of HRM and its implications for organisational stakeholders. Depending on student numbers, students may be given responsibility, as individuals or in groups, for analysing a particular topic, practice or research contribution. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions.

The course project is integrative in nature, bringing together insights and understanding from more than one topic in order to encourage the development of stronger evaluative, rather than descriptive, skills.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Organisational Behaviour 2 (BUST08028) AND Human Resource Management 2 (BUST08027)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students must have at least 4 Business courses at grade B or above. This MUST INCLUDE one course equivalent to BUST08028 Organisational Behaviour 2 AND/OR BUST08027 Human Resource Management 2. This course cannot be taken alongside BUST08028 Organisational Behaviour 2 or BUST08027 Human Resource Management 2. We will only consider University/College level courses.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 20, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 172 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 70 %, Coursework 30 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 70% Written Exam (Individual)
30% Project (Indivdual) - 2,000 words
Feedback Formative: Feedback will be provided throughout the course.

Summative: Feedback will be provided on the assessments within agreed deadlines.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Describe and discuss critically key issues and controversies associated with current debates in human resource management.
  2. Critically assess the objectives, rationales, uses and limitations of various managerial policies and practices in human resource management.
  3. Identify and discuss critically the scale and nature of adoption of specific human resource policies; Identify and critically evaluate the perspectives of key stakeholders in the theory and practice of human resource management.
  4. Understand and discuss critically the nature of contemporary HRM research.
  5. Discuss the longer term consequences of current trends in HRM.
Reading List
There is no required text-book for this course. Given the expansive nature of the topics covered, book chapters and academic journals will be primary material used. All required readings will be available online.

Additionally, students should be familiar with the University Library's electronic journals system. In addition, students will be expected to keep up-to-date with developments in the area through newspaper and business reports.

Relevant Journals
- Human Resource Management Journal (available in electronic form)
- Employee Relations (available in electronic form)
- People Management (available in hard copy in the library)
- Personnel Review (available in electronic form)
- International Journal of Human Resource Management (available in electronic form)
- Journal of Managerial Psychology
- Journal of Management
- Work, Employment & Society (available in electronic form)
- Journal of Business Ethics (available in electronic form)
- Organization (available in electronic form)

Relevant Websites

- www.bis.gov.uk
- www.cbi.org.uk
- www.cipd.co.uk
- www.equalityhumanrights.com
- www.theworkfoundation.com
- www.tuc.org.uk
- www.bestcompanies.co.uk

Resource List: https://eu01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44UOE_INST/lists/18388715850002466?auth=SAML
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Cognitive Skills

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Understand how to manage and sustain successful individual and group relationships in order to achieve positive and responsible outcomes, in a range of virtual and face-to-face environments.

Practice: Applied Knowledge, Skills and Understanding

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Work with a variety of organisations, their stakeholders, and the communities they serve - learning from them, and aiding them to achieve responsible, sustainable and enterprising solutions to complex problems.

Communication, ICT, and Numeracy Skills

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Critically evaluate and present digital and other sources, research methods, data and information; discern their limitations, accuracy, validity, reliability and suitability; and apply responsibly in a wide variety of organisational contexts.

Knowledge and Understanding

After completing this course, students should be able to:

¿Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of contemporary organisational disciplines; comprehend the role of business within the contemporary world; and critically evaluate and synthesise primary and secondary research and sources of evidence in order to make, and present, well informed and transparent organisation-related decisions, which have a positive global impact.

Identify, define and analyse theoretical and applied business and management problems, and develop approaches, informed by an understanding of appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative techniques, to explore
and solve them responsibly.
KeywordsAHRM
Contacts
Course organiserDr Lucia Cervi
Tel: (0131 6)50 4307
Email: Lucia.Cervi@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Sean Reddie
Tel: (0131 6)50 8074
Email: Sean.Reddie@ed.ac.uk
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