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21306 Employment Relations in the Global Context

UTS: Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 21129 Managing People and Organisations OR 22157 Australian Corporate Environment OR 48260 Engineering Project Management OR 16910 Project Management 1
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject introduces the theories, issues and practices involved in the management of employment relations within an increasingly competitive global market. As well as gaining a broad understanding of the context and nature of different systems of international employment relations, students are encouraged to explore the cross-national similarities and differences between Australia and its geographical neighbours and trading partners through the completion of case studies and the research of current literature on the topic. The subject exposes students to the human resources policies and practices of multinational corporations, and explores how they are utilised for competitive advantage.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  1. describe how national culture and differences in management style impact upon the development and implementation of employment relations policies and practices
  2. explain how industrial and labour relations systems operate in differing national contexts
  3. have the ability to effectively communicate current issues relating to the area of employment relations in the global context
  4. identify appropriate employment relations strategies to help accomplish differing organisational objectives in national and international contexts
  5. explain the employment relations issues facing organisations in a global environment.

Contribution to graduate profile

Employment Relations in the Global Context is designed to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles of human resource management and industrial relations in a complex and rapidly changing global environment. The subject contributes to the aims of the Bachelor of Business through its focus on a wide range of critical concepts and issues concerning the management of people across international boundaries. The subject places a strong emphasis on ensuring students develop critical thinking and analytical skills. The subject also assures students are able to effectively communicate and maintain collaborative relationships with peers through a group assessment task.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is delivered through a combination of face-to-face teaching strategies, discussions, videos and student centered reading. A typical three-hour session involves approximately a one-hour face-to-face presentation. The balance of the time is taken with case studies, student presentations and debates to link theory and application. The reading of appropriate course material is an essential component of the teaching strategy. Group leadership and team skills are developed in class through the student-led discussions and presentations. Students are further supported through the use of UTSOnline offering subject material and information. Where possible, a Field Trip to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission is incorporated.

Content

The aim of the subject is to provide an introduction to the nature and management of employment relations from a global perspective.

The major elements of human resource management and the industrial relationship, including key forces, parties and processes, are introduced at a conceptual level.

The impact of culture, history and other variables upon the development of employment relations practices and processes are examined and several national systems of employment relations analysed.

The nature and impact of international labour standards and the role of bodies such as the International Labour Organisation, the European Union and ASEAN are considered.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Assignment (Individual)

Objective(s): 2, 3, 5
Weighting: 30%
Task: The assignment requires the students to identify and analyse the impact various situational factors have on a country's employment relations system. The idea is to identify the key situational factors and analyse their significance in an allocated country by utilising the theory and their own ideas. The assignment is presented in a report format. The assignment addresses objectives 2, 3 and 5 and assures the Bachelor of Business learning goals for students to 'acquire foundation knowledge' and 'have well developed critical and analytical skills'.

Assessment item 2: Test – Mid Semester (Individual)

Objective(s): 2, 3, 4, 5
Weighting: 40%
Task: A 90-minute test will be held during normal class time. The test will be unseen, closed book and will be based upon the content of the subject, including the lecture and class activity materials. The examination will consist of multiple choice, true/false and short answer essay questions. A randomised selection of multiple choice questions will be taken from large item bank each semester, any questions re-used will have the responses re-ordered. All true/false and short answer essay questions are new each semester. The mid semester examination assures objectives 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Assessment item 3: National Systems Presentation and Report (Group)

Objective(s): 1, 2, 4, 5
Weighting: 30%
Task: Focusing upon a particular national system of employment relations, groups of students will be required to select a particular industry within an assigned country and present to the class on its distinguishing employment relations features. A text version of the oral presentation is to be submitted the week following the presentation as well as a peer assessment sheet evaluating the individual contribution to the group. The presentation and report assures objectives 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Required text(s)

Nankervis, A, Chatterjee, S and Coffey, J, 2006, Perspectives of Human Resource Management in the Asia Pacific, Pearson Education Australia

e-readings — a collection of articles, to be read before the relevant classes, will be available from UTS Online. Additional relevant materials may be handed out in class, as appropriate.

Students are also encouraged to purchase or download the Faculty of Business, Guide to Writing Assignments (2006). This guide has been developed to help students prepare their assignments and develop an effective writing style.

Recommended text(s)

Alexander, Robyn, Lewer, John., Gahan, Peter. (2007), Understanding Australian Industrial Relations, 7th Edition, Thomson, Australia.

Bamber, GJ, Lansbury, R.D, Wailes, N. (eds), (2004), International and Comparative Employment Relations: Globalisation and the Developed Market Economies, 4th Edition, (New Fully Revised Edition), Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

Bamber, GJ, Park, F., Lee, C, Ross, PK and Broadbent, K (2000) Employment Relations in the Asia-Pacific: Changing Approaches, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

IERA (2001) Employment Relations Record, International Employment Relations Association, Vol 1, No. 1. Editor Keri Spooner

Teicher, J, Holland, P, and Gough, R, (2006), Employee Relations Management – Australia in a Global Context, Pearson Education Australia.

Waring, Peter. And Bray, Mark, (2006), Evolving Employment Relations: Indsutry Studies From Australia, McGraw-Hill Irwin: Australia.

Indicative references

Balnave, N. and Brown, J. and Maconachie, G. and Stone, R. (2007) Employment Relations in Australia, John Wiley & Sons, Australia.

Bamber, G.J. and Lansbury, R.D. (eds), (1993), International and Comparative Industrial Relations: A Study of Industrialised Market Economies, (2nd Edition), Allen & Unwin, Sydney

Bean, R, (1994), Comparative Industrial Relations: An Introduction to Cross-national Perspectives, (2nd Edition), Routledge, London

Bray, M, Deery, S, Walsh, J, and Waring, P (2005), Industrial Relations: A Contemporary Approach, McGraw-Hill, Australia.

Brewster, C. and Hegewisch, A. (eds) (1994), Policy and Practice in European Human Resource Management: The Price Waterhouse Cranfield Survey, Routledge, London.

Deery, S., Mitchell, R., (1999), Employment Relations: Individualisation and Union Exclusion an International Study. The Federation Press, Australia.

Deery, S., Plowman, D. and Walsh, J. (2001) Industrial Relations: A Contemporary Analysis, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, Sydney.

Dowling, P J, Welch, D E & Schuler, R S (1999) International Human Resource Management, International Thomson Publishing, Cincinnati, OH.

Dowling, P. J., Schuler, R. S. and Welch, D. E. (1994), International Dimensions of Human Resource Management (2nd Edition), Wadsworth, Belmont, California.

Frenkle, S. (1993), Organised Labour in the Asia Pacific Region, ILR Press, Ithica (CR 331.88095 FREN)

Gollan, P. (1997), Employee Relations in the Press: Issue One, Longman, Melbourne (CR 331.0994 GOLL)

Harbridge, R. (ed) (1993), Employment Contracts: New Zealand Experiences, Victoria University Press, Wellington

Hickson D. & Pugh D. (1995), Management Worldwide: The Impact of Societal Culture on Organisations around the Globe, Penguin, London. (CR 658)

Hollinshead, G. and Leat, M. (1995), Human Resource Management: An International and Comparative Perspective on the Employment Relationship, Pitman Publishing, London.

Hyman, R. and Ferner, A., (eds), (1994), New Frontiers in European Industrial Relations, Basil Blackwell, Oxford.

Kakabadse, A. and Tyson, S. (eds) (1994), Cases in European Human Resource Management (2nd Edition), Routledge, London.

Keenoy and Kelly, D., (1996), The Employment Relationship in Australia, Harcourt Brace, Sydney (CR 331.0994 KEEN)

Kramar, R., McGraw, P. and Schuler R. (1997), Human Resource Management in Australia, (3rd Edition), Longman, Melbourne.

Kirkbride, P. S. (ed) (1994), Human Resource Management in Europe: Perspectives for the 1990s, Routledge, London.

Lindsay. (2002). Federal Constitutional Law (Lbc Nutshell Series), Lawbook Co., Australia.

Moore, L. And Devereaux Jennings, P. (eds) (1995), Human Resource Management on the Pacific Rim: Institutions, Practices and Attitudes, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.

Mylett, T, Boas, C, Gross, M, Laneyrie, F & Zanko, M (2000) Employment Relations Perspectives: Globalisation and Regionalism, University of Wollongong Press, Wollongong.

Ogawa, N., Jones, G. W. and Williamson, J. G. (eds) (1993), Human Resources in Development along the Asia-Pacific Rim, Oxford University Press, Singapore.

Riley, J. (2005) Employee Protection at Common Law, Federation Press

Rose, Ed. (2004) Employment Relations, 2 Edition, Prentice-Hall, London.

Rothman, M., Briscoe, D.R. and Nacamulli, R.C.D. (1993), Industrial Relations around the World: Labour Relations for Multinational Companies, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.

Sappy, R., Burgess, J., Lyons, M. and Buultjens, J. (2006) Industrial Relations in Australia – Work and Workplaces, Pearson Education Australia.

Torrington, D. (1994), International Human Resource Management: Think Globally, Act Locally, Prentice-Hall International, Hertfordshire (CR 658.3 TORR)

Verma, A., Kochan, TA and Lansbury, RD, (1995), Employment Relations in The Growing Asian Economies, Routledge, London

Recommended Journals

International Employment Relations Review

Employment Relations Record

Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources

Journal of Industrial Relations

British Journal of Industrial Relations

European Industrial Relations Review

International Journal of Human Resource Management

New Zealand Journal of Industrial Relations