21555 Human Resource Management
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2015 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to the theory and practices utilised to manage an organisation's human resources. It establishes the nature and function of the various components of typical human resource management (HRM) practices, and exposes students to the skills of HRM through the use of structured exercises. It also considers the future direction and strategic application of HRM within Australia and overseas.
Subject objectives
| 1. | discuss the purpose, scope and development of HRM in Australia and the strategic role played by HRM in contemporary organisations |
|---|---|
| 2. | explain how factors in the external and internal environments influence the development of HRM theories and functions |
| 3. | discuss the relationship between human resource practice and organisational strategy |
| 4. | competently apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge of HRM through a series of decisional exercises. |
This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:
- Demonstrate work-ready disciplinary knowledge (5.1)
- Apply technical skills necessary for professional practice in business (5.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This unit contributes to the Bachelor of Business by examining the structures and processes of human resource management (HRM) from the points of view of the employer, employee, government and other stakeholders. It examines the relationship between human resources practices and organisational strategy, and utilises the flow model concept to introduce some of the key processes of people management, which are treated at a theoretical and skill level. The subject aims to provide an introduction to the formal employment relationship, the relevant legislation and practical application of competencies in order to establish a fundamental basis of HRM.
This subject will develop students' competencies in relation to the following Faculty Graduate Attributes:
- Business knowledge and concepts
- Critical thinking, creativity and analytical skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Develop work-ready knowledge, technical competencies and values in disciplinary specialisation.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject comprises one 90-minute lecture and one 90-minute tutorial on a weekly basis. The lecture generally involves presentation of theoretical material as a basis for more general discussion in the tutorial. The tutorial focuses on practical application of the various HR functional areas in the 'Living Case' Workbook Modules. It involves students working in small groups on a semester-long project in the form of a case study. After setting up a simulated organisation complete with identification of strategies, structure and culture, students are required to make and defend a series of human resource (HR) decisions in which they apply theory and classroom learning about HRM to their 'living case' organisation.
Students are expected to have read any prescribed reading articles (including the relevant text chapter) prior to class sessions and engage in necessary group discussions during tutorials.
Content
- The evolution and context of human resource management
- Analysing and designing jobs
- Attracting and retaining talent
- Effective employee selection and development
- Performance and reward management
- Perspectives of occupational health and safety, understanding the law and managing occupational health and safety programs
- The evaluation of human resource management and the future workplace, and social challenges for human resource management
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Tutorial Quiz (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 5.1 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 25% |
Assessment task 2: Workbook Modules (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 5.2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 25% |
Assessment task 3: Final Examination (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% |
Minimum requirements
To pass the subject, students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks and complete all items of assessment. A minimum of 80% tutorial attendance is also necessary to fulfil the subject requirements.
Required texts
Nankervis, AR, Compton, RL and Baird, M, 2014, Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice, 8th edition, Southbank: Thomson.
UTS Business School (2010) Guide to Writing Assignments, Faculty of Business, University of Technology, Sydney.
Recommended texts
Kramar, R., Bartram, T., De Cieri, H Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J., Gerheart, B. and Wright, P. (2011), Human Resource Management: Strategy, People, Performance (Edition 4), McGraw-Hill North Ryde
Other resources
Recommended Journals
In addition to the above resources, students should scan referred journals for content relevant to this subject. The UTS Library subscribes to most of the academic journals listed below in either paper-based (hardcopy) or electronic (online) form. Students should consult the library on the process to access electronic journal subscriptions. The following academic journals and publications are likely to prove relevant and useful for this subject:
- Academy of Management Journal
- Academy of Management Review
- Asia Pacific Journal of Human
- British Journal of Industrial Relations
- California Management Review
- Harvard Business Review
- Human Resource Planning
- Industrial Relations Journal
- International Journal of Human Resource Management
- International Journal of Manpower Studies
- Journal of Applied Psychology
- Journal of Industrial Relations
- Personnel Review
- Personnel Psychology.
UTSOnline
UTSOnline is an integrated teaching and learning component of this subject. It is an internet platform which utilises software called Blackboard. As a UTS student you are required to become familiar with this software, which is now used in most subjects in the Bachelor of Business degree.
In this subject, UTSOnline will be used for the following purposes:
- as a noticeboard for announcements relating to the subject
- to provide subject support materials such as the subject outline and lecture slides
- to provide external links to useful web pages.
