Course Title: International and Comparative Employment Relations

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: International and Comparative Employment Relations

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
JUST1004	City Campus	Undergraduate	630H Management	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Dr Malcolm MacIntosh

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5935

Course Coordinator Email: malcolm.macintosh@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BUSM 1080 Employment Relations

Course Description

This course adopts a critical perspective on human resource management and employment relations in an international context. The unit explores theories, concepts and research that frame international human resources management  and analyses their application in selected firms. IHRM policies and practices will also be examined in a number of geographical regions and countries drawing comparisons and noting national and cultural differences. The course will trace the emergence of multinational and transnational organizations in a globalized context and analyse the challenges facing these firms and the management of their resources.  Emerging issues, trends and challenges will also be discussed.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capabilities

The course will contribute to your ability to:
• analyse decisions within diverse political, economic, environmental and social contexts
• understand  the management of business in contemporary global organisations
• integrate academic theories with business case studies
• work collaboratively

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this course you will be able to:
1. Understand the national and international political, social, economic context which shapes the employment relations practices of organizations;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the main characteristics of industrial relations systems in selected countries;
3. Consider the role played by multi- and bi-lateral economic and trade agreements on companies and the management of their human resources ;
4. Critically review theoretical frameworks, studies, issues and challenges in international human resources management ;
5. Examine the application of human resource management policies and practices in multinational and transnational firms in targeted regions and countries.

Overview of Learning Activities

Individual assignments, group assignments and presentations and class discussions will provide students with an array of learning opportunities to enhance their understanding of the course material.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will have access to the lecturer in person and on online. Through the RMIT Learning Hub, you will be able to access the course outline, timetable and assessment requirements, lecture notes, digitised readings, external internet links and access to RMIT Library online. You are also free to add to these resources with materials and readings (via RMIT library) that you think would be of benefit to other students. Additionally you will be encouraged to attend topical workshops available at RMIT.

Overview of Assessment

There will be four major assessments in this course:
  1. Country report (to be done in pairs)
  2. Oral presentation of the country report (pairs) 
  3. Essay (individual)
  4. Examination (individual)
Marks are also allocated for active engagement in class discussions and exercises.