MAN 647: Strategic and International Human Resource Management
Contents
This course is intended to expand students’ knowledge on basic human resource management (HRM) processes and instruments by adding an international and a strategic dimension. In the first part of the module (international dimension), we examine the impact of national context on HRM and discuss basic HRM functions in international organizations. Topics include international recruiting and selection, training and development, compensation, and employee relations.
In the second part of the module (strategic dimension), we focus on the dynamics of HRM systems. Various approaches of how singular HRM practices conceptually and empirically form bundles are considered. We review how HRM practices can be aligned with respect to other HR practices (horizontal fit) as well as organizations’ objectives (vertical fit) to form HRM systems that help improve organizations’ performance.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- understand the impact of culture and national context on HRM,
- analyze differences in international HRM systems,
- design basic HRM practices in international organizations,
- align HRM practices with regards to their horizontal and vertical fit,
- comprehend the processes translating HRM systems into organization’s performance, and
- consider contextual factors’ impact on the alignment of HRM systems.
Necessary prerequisites
–
Recommended prerequisites
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| Forms of teaching and learning | Contact hours | Independent study time |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 SWS | 8 SWS |
| Exercise class | 2 SWS | 5 SWS |
| ECTS credits | 6 |
| Graded | yes |
| Workload | 180h |
| Language | English |
| Form of assessment | Written exam (60 min) |
| Restricted admission | yes |
| Further information | – |
Examiner Performing lecturer |  | Prof. Dr. Torsten Biemann Prof. Dr. Torsten Biemann |
| Frequency of offering | Spring semester |
| Duration of module | 1 semester |
| Range of application | M.Sc. MMM, M.Sc. WiPäd, M.Sc. VWL, M.Sc. Wirt. Inf., LL.M., MAKUWI |
| Preliminary course work | – |
| Program-specific Competency Goals | CG 1, CG 2 |
| Literature | Boxall, P., & Purcell, J. (2015). Strategy and Human Resource Management (Fourth ed.): Palgrave Macmillan. Brewster, C., Sparrow, C., Vernon, G., & Houldsworth, E. (2011). International Human Resource Management (3rd ed.). CIPD, London. Dowling, P. J., Festing, M., & Engle, A. D. (2013). International Human Resource Management (6th ed.). London: Cengage Learning. Harzing, A.-W., & Pinnington, A. H. (2014). International Human Resource Management (4th ed.). Sage, Los Angeles. |
| Course outline | Introduction HRM, strategy, and strategic HRM HR strategy and competitive advantage HR practices, HR bundles, HR systems The black box: Micro vs. macro perspective Delivering HR strategy: Current topics Basic concepts in International HRM International HRM and culture Approaches to International HRM Practices in International HRM 1/ Practices in International HRM 2/ Q&A session |