Acknowledging many of the grand challenges facing organisations today, the module focuses on human resource management and employment as fields of intellectual study. It exposes students to a range of theoretical frameworks and critical perspectives on how HRM policy is enacted and what it means for organisations and groups of workers. More specifically, the module examines how organisational strategy informs HRM practice and how HRM, in turn, impacts on organisational performance, not just from a narrow economic perspective but also in terms of its impact on workers, stakeholders and the wider global society.

The module covers contemporary strategic HR and labour market concepts in key areas such as: Decent work; Tensions of control and commitment; Recruitment and selection; Talent management, Pay and performance management; Fair treatment; Employee voice; Diversity; Downsizing; Ethics; The future of work and sustainable HRM.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Evaluate key contemporary issues and debates for the theory and practice of HRM as a field of study Analyse the effects of various contexts on employment, work relationships and HR practices Evaluate claims about the links between HR strategy, employment practices, contextual forces, and organisational performance Review and critique academic debates and practice applications in a range of selected areas of HRM

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Justify their own role as a team member and their future potential to impact positively on the world of work and broader society

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Drawing on research, theory and practice, this module explores several processes and issues associated with the strategy and context of human resource management. It develops a critical approach to learning to embed deeper reflective understanding and knowledge of lived contemporary employment and HR experiences. The content provides opportunities for in-class interaction, especially during tutorials. The module promotes collaboration, proactivity and action learning on the part of students as a means of stimulating critical evaluation of management practice and to encourage creativity and innovation in the student experience, encouraging them to become articulate (strong inter and intra-personal skills, empathetic, collaborative) and courageous (tenacious, resilient, robust, transformative, enterprising, innovative). The students are expected to actively participate in class discussion and analyses and are encouraged to draw from previous learning and any workplace experience as appropriate. They enhance their skills of communication, influencing, writing and presentation, research and inter-cultural knowledge and awareness, and are encouraged to reflect on the impact they can have on people, work, organisations and society in their future employment. Thus, students will also have the opportunity to develop the UL graduate attributes of curious (problem-solver, critical, knowledgeable, inquisitive, imaginative) and responsible (personally, socially, professionally, sustainably and ethically responsible).