1.0 About this module
Managing human resources in today’s organisations is varied, challenging and exciting. Organisations have to deal with complex and problematic issues if they are to get the best from their people.
For example, take a look at events and topics featured on:
- The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development: http://www.cipd.co.uk/
- HR Magazine: http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/
In this module we will investigate a selection of issues, based on their contemporary relevance and on the expertise of the teaching team.
You will need to conduct your own research into a selection of those issues for a project-based assignment in which you are asked to provide advice about the strategic relevance of HR to an organisation. You will be rewarded principally for:
- Accurate and critical knowledge of contemporary human resource issues
- Your ability to review research evidence and contemporary practice in the discipline
- Your ability to formulate reasoned, research-informed advice.
2.0 Assessment
The module is assessed 100% by coursework. There are two elements of assessment:
- An Assignment Plan of 500 words (10% of the module mark).
- AResearch Report of 2,500 words (90% of the module mark).
3.1 Assignment Plan (Assignment 1, 10% of the module mark)
The main purpose of the Plan, which is submitted part way through the module, is to provide written formative feedback on your progress towards Assignment 2 (the Research Report – see below for details).
It also contributes towards the final grade.
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In Assignment 1 we are looking for evidence that you are preparing for the Project Report (Assignment 2) by specifying:
- The organisation for which you wish to write your report (sector, approximate size, geographical location, etc.)
- Three HR issues from the module.
- Nine journal articles (i.e. at least three per HR issue) with commentary on their relevance to Assignment 2.
The aim of Assignment 1 is to show that you have done some initial researchand have viable ideas for producing the Research Reportto a high standard. Assignment 1 is neither an outline of the structure of, nor a summary of the proposed contents of, your Research Report (among other things you’re unlikely to know at this stage what your conclusions will be).
3.1.2 Format
500 words (+/- 10%) excluding title page and reference list.
Word processed. One-and-a-half spaced.
Font size 12.
Given the word count, you need to be concise. You may use bullet points.
The plan should use the followingheadings. Word count guidelines under these headings are approximate and advisory, not obligatory:
- Cover page (from the VLE), Title: IHRM Assignment Plan
- Organisation and HR issues (100-150 words)
- Specify the sector, approximate size and geographical location of the organisation to which your report applies.
- State which three HR issues, chosen from the nine presented in the module, you intend to address in Assignment 2; and why these are relevant to your chosen organisation.
- Journal articles (100-150 words for each of the three HR issues):
- Comment briefly on the relevance and potential contribution of three academic journal articles for each Issue.
- Self-assessment (on the supplied form – download from VLE System; not included in the word count).
- Reference list in Harvard style. A list of references cited in the text (not included in the word count).
3.1.3 Assessment criteria
Assignment 1 is assessed on the following basis:
| Element | Baseline | Mark/10 |
| Organisation | Specifies a suitable organisation.
|
1
|
| HR Issues | Specifies three module HR issues chosen in accordance with the guideline stated below. | 1 |
| Journal articles | Comments on nine specified journal articles (three for each issue) | 3 (1 mark per HR issue) |
| Self-assessment | Provides a completed self-assessment, including text in response to the questions on the form. | 2 |
| Reference list | Provides a list of references cited in the text in Harvard style. | 2 |
| Word length | Text is within the range 450-550 words (excluding self-assessment and reference list) | 1 |
| 10 |
This assignment must be submitted both in hard copy to the locker to the Student Support Helpdesk and by VLE System. The submission will not count as completed until the assignment has been submitted by both methods by the deadline to avoid late penalties.
3.1.4 Choice of Organisation – Guidelines
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This applies to both assignments.
You must choose a large organisation, i.e. one with 250 or more employees. This definition of a large-sized enterprise is the one adopted by the United Kingdom.
Beyond this you can choose any organisation – private or public sector, national or multi-national, in any sector and based anywhere in the world. You can choose an organisation based on personal experience (e.g. a placement organisation) or interest.
NB studentson B.Sc. International Business Management mustchoose an international organisation. This is to meet the requirement of the IBM degree, i.e. that all assignments must have an international focus.
3.1.5 Choice of HR Issues – Guidelines
This applies to both assignments.
You must choose three Issues from the nine addressed in weeks 2-10 inclusive, as follows. Any combination of the issues presented in the module is acceptable provided that it conforms to this requirement.
| One of: | Plus one of: | Plus one of: |
| Week 2: Why training leads to better outcomes | Week 5: Managing Resistance to Change | Week 8: Organizational Learning (or How to Live for a Hundred Years) |
| Week 3: Motivation and Team Working
|
Week 6: International HRM 2:International Employee Resourcing, Expatriates and Expatriation
|
Week 9: Negative Behaviour. |
| Week 4: HRM in the Public Sector and Non-profits | Week 7: Employee engagement and commitment | Week 10: Work and Family (Life) Balance |
Remember that core readings (Writer: Please see file “Core Reading”)and some supporting materials for each HR issue are in the relevant VLE System folder from the start of the module.
You do not have to discuss every aspect of an HR issue that has been covered in a lecture. It would be extremely difficult to cover everything effectively within the word count allowed in Assignment 2. You could choose to focus on a theme of interest within the Issue presented. You should explain what you’ve chosen to focus on, and why, as indicated in the assignments.
4.0 Research Report (Assignment 2, 90% of the module mark).
The Chief Executive of your chosen organisation is reviewing the HR function. She/he wants to know what contemporary research says about the contribution HR makes to organisational success. You have been commissioned by the Chief Executive to write a report titled:
4.1 Can HR make a strategic contribution to this organisation?
Your brief is:
- To select three contemporary HR issues (from the nine covered in the module);
- To review recent research evidence and contemporary practice relating to these Issues;
- To advise the Chief Executive on whether and how HR can make a strategic contribution to their organisation in relation to these Issues.
Note that you may argue for or against the idea that HR can make a strategic contribution. You are not required to make a case in favour of HR; whatever your stance, though, your argument must be informed by evidence.
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See the guidance above on the choice of organisation and the choice of issues for the Assignment Plan. The same applies to Assignment 2.
NB you may change the organisation and/or one or more of the HR issues you selected for Assignment 1 when you come to write Assignment 2. Normally we recommend that you keep to the same organisation and Issues.
4.2 Format
2,500 words (+/- 10%) excluding title page and reference list.
Word processed. One-and-a-half spaced.
The font size should be 12.
Sections:
- Cover page (from the SurreyLearn site)
- Title page and contents (not included in the word count)
- Assignment text (subheadings are permissible, but optional)
- A reference list in Harvard style on a separate final page(s) (not included in the word count).
You may use or adapt the suggested subheadings below, or you may choose your own structure for the report.
Suggested structure:
| Section | Words (approx.) | Notes |
| Cover page | n/a | IE the standard Cover page for all assignment son your degree |
| Title page | n/a | With contents list (optional) |
| Introduction | 500 | Set out your choice of organisation and three HR issues in the light of the organisation you have chosen |
| HR Issue 1: | 500 | Critical review of research evidence and contemporary practice |
| HR Issue 2 | 500 | Critical review of research evidence and contemporary practice |
| HR Issue 3 | 500 | Critical review of research evidence and contemporary practice |
| Recommendations | 500 | Your research-based advice for the Chief Executive |
| References | n/a | In Harvard style |
| 2500 |
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- Text in any headings, diagrams, figures, tables, footnotes and endnotes does count for word count purposes.
- Suggested word lengths for sections are advisory.
- Please do not include any appendices. In any case, any material surplus to the maximum word count will not be marked.
For one example of a report written in a suitable style, in the sense that it is both scholarly and accessible for practitioners, see the CIPD report`Using the head and heart at work: A business case for soft skills’ (CIPD November 2010), which is posted on VLE System.
4.3 References
In your Assignment 1 you were required to identify at least nine academic journal articles. It is likely that Assignment 2 will need to draw from more than nine articles in order to achieve a distinction grade. However, you should focus on quality not quantity.
- Aim to review at least three but no more than seven journal articles for each HR Issue.
- You will be given credit for using relevant, recent (i.e. published after 2005) articles from peer-reviewed journals.
- You will be given credit for using relevant empirical studies; that is, peer-reviewed journal articles that use data from studies of HR practice, as distinct from articles that are purely conceptual.
- You may use other sources where relevant, including books, practitioner journals and internet sites.
- You are allowed a maximum of 25 references in total, including all journal articles, books, practitioner journals, internet sites etc.
- The assignment must be written using full academic referencing in the Harvard style (use the standard guidance on VLE System).
- You may include articles from the reading lists for the HR Issues presented in the lectures. However, credit will be given for evidence of relevant research beyond the references given in the module.
4.4 Criteria for assessment2
| Criterion | Marks available |
| Selection and effective specification of the chosen organisation and three HR issues |
10 |
| Knowledge and critical evaluation of research evidence
|
40 |
| Knowledge and application of relevant examples of contemporary HR practice |
10 |
| Formulates cogent, reasoned, research-based advice
|
30 |
| Quality of presentation and referencing (using the Harvard system); observing word count. |
10 |
| Total
|
100 |
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