MSc Human Resource Management

This module has a focus on change management and people analytics and importantly contributes towards a greater understanding of how to manage change and the key levers which support the successful implementation of change projects. People analytics plays an important part in this and this module explores how to develop people measures to diagnose potential areas of concern and to measure and track progress of change projects to inform current and future organisational strategy. The ability to manage change is a key HRM skill and often it is people professionals who lead and support both the diagnosis and implementation of organisational change projects. This module is focussed upon helping you to understand the complex nature of change, the different strategies that can be employed to manage it, the issues that people management professionals involved in the implementation of organisational change can face, and the key levers and mechanisms that can be used to both implement change successfully and to maintain change over the longer term. The module begins with consideration of the nature of the different types of organisational change which take place and the change models available to support both the diagnosis and management of change. It then goes on to consider how to identify and manage resistance both before and during change, as well as an examination of the key levers and mechanisms that can be utilised to help overcome resistance and sustain change over the longer term. Communication and participation are then studied in the context of leading change and overcoming resistance with a focus on how HRM professionals can involve people in the implementation of change and facilitate buy-in to different change outcomes.Reflecting on how culture change is altered over the longer term is a core aspect of sustainable change programmes and the theory is presented and discussed. Finally, the latter half of the module has a focus on people analytics and how measures can be developed to diagnose strategic activity and manage change, it also looks at how the presentation of data through a scorecard approach can be utilised to inform and measure the pace of change over the short and long term as well as informing both current and future strategic direction.

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During this module, you will acquire knowledge and understanding of key aspects of Employment Law as they relate to Human Resource Management. These will include statutory and common law rights, as well as the continuing influence of European Law. In addition to the core legal provisions, you will also be introduced to the practical elements of Employment Law in the form of Employment courts and procedure; the institutions of employment law and Human Rights. Other legal provisions that are essential for HRM will additionally be covered, such as Intellectual Property; Data Protection; confidential information and 'whistle-blowing'. Health and Safety law.

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The Masters Research Project module provides you with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project and develop advanced skills in planning and conducting the research, analysing the data, reporting on the results and writing evidence-based conclusions. You will also develop skills in writing practice-based recommendations and writing a concise extended abstract outlining key learning and findings/conclusions and practice-based recommendations. The module is undertaken in Trimester 3 (from early May to August). It builds upon the learning and academic work previously completed as part of the Research Methods in HRM module, but work previously completed, will be marked only on the basis of enhancements and improvements made. You will complete a practice-based research project, collect primary research data, and analyse and complete your project ‘write-up’ within a predetermined timeframe, which from start to finish lasts approximately 4 months (May through August). Undertaking the project requires you to develop a deep level of analysis and understanding of a clearly defined issue within the field of HRM. It allows you to develop your experience and expertise in planning, designing, executing and reporting a significant piece of individual applied HRM research. The module also provides you with experience of the practical, analytical and academic processes involved in research, such as obtaining primary data/information from respondents, securing their cooperation, and analysing and evaluating that data using a method appropriate to the research design, drawing conclusions and framing practice-based and theoretical recommendations. You will learn how to communicate complex ideas to an academic and practitioner audience and build information and arguments in a coherent, succinct and structured manner.

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The module establishes a theoretical framework for the critical analysis of the employment relationship. Whilst critically assessing the ways in which the rules that govern work and employment relationships are made and remade, the module also examines workers’ experiences of and responses to such relationships. Viewing workers as an active agent within the employment relationship the module considers both individual and collective challenges to workplace arrangements and a range of management responses. In doing so the module moves beyond explicitly managerialist understandings of the employment relationship in order to deepen understanding of the broader environment in which labour relations is practiced. The module adopts a thematic approach to labour relations and begins by considering the nature of the employment relationship and labour relations as a field of study. The module then covers a range of contemporary labour relations issues such as casualization, the platform economy and migrant labour. In the next part of the module conceptual frameworks for better understanding these contemporary issues are presented. Considering the roles of unions, management and the State in shaping such outcomes, the module assesses the causes, consequences and means of remedying critical workplace and societal labour relations problems. Given the explicit focus on the employment relationship being a contested one the module finishes by examining conflict and ways of resolving it. Key skills and competences are identified in developing policies and procedures and handling conflict (employee voice, negotiation).

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Framed within the wider context of strategic HRM, this module includes critical examination of the impact of people management practices on organisational and individual behaviour. The module begins with an exploration of the managerial and business environments within with HR professionals work and evaluates how HR
strategy is shaped by and developed in response to internal and external environmental
factors. The focus then narrows to examine the changing role of the HR function, its
influence on achieving competitive advantage, and the broader context in which it operates. Further to this, you will explore the application of key contemporary people practices relating to fields of Organisational behaviour (motivation, engagement, employee wellbeing etc...) and Organisational Development, and their impact on both individuals and teams. The module is also concerned with your development as a learner, of a business orientation, a concern with adding value through HR practice, and a range of
skills pivotal to successful people management practice and effective leadership. This
includes critical reflection, problem solving and decision-making skills; enhanced IT
proficiency; a range of team working and interpersonal skills and others associated with
developing personal effectiveness and credibility at work.

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The Research Methods in HRM module is delivered across 2 trimesters (Trimester 1 and Trimester 2) to the MSc HRM students (full-time and part-time) as a long-thin module, and is designed to provide a thorough introduction to research philosophy, methodology and design and how this can be applied in researching HR and people management issues. The assessment comprises a research proposal (2500 words) where you plan and justify your topic area and evaluate the best methodological approach and design, considering both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This is followed by a scoping Study (7,000 words) which forms the first 3 chapters of your subsequent masters research project (the introduction, the literature review and the research design/methodology chapters). The module is divided into 3 parts. The first part of the module examines the research process, deciding on your dissertation topic area and writing your aim and objectives and the research ethics and research integrity requirements and processes, to enable you to apply these principles at every stage of the research process; The second part of the module covers how to prepare for and write a literature review and critically analyse relevant literature. In the third part, the module explores research design, philosophy and methodology. You will examine both quantitative design, collection and analysis of data (using SPSS) and qualitative design, collection and data analysis (coding qualitative data, thematic analysis and other approaches).The module will prepare you to complete an independent practice-based research project in Trimester 3, and develop your knowledge and skills in critical reading, writing and evaluating research and other relevant materials, within your chosen field of study.

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Module is designed to ensure you are equipped with a longitudinal induction which ensures ‘How to be here’ foundation moves through Professionalism in classroom and beyond to Careers awareness and guidance as part of pass/fail attended module. This ‘levelling-up’ will provide an you with an enhanced experience if you have an identified skills gaps, and provide more skills balances for you within individual cohorts.

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The module focusses on the theory and practice of contemporary organisational people management. It examines underpinning theory and core concepts and considers people management skill development trends, processes and practices. The module provides advanced content exploring academic/theoretical understandings of self awareness, self management, individual and organisational relationship management and social and environmental awareness to enable you to reflect on generic and vocational skill enhancement.

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