Course Title: Human Resource Management A

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Human Resource Management A

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM1051

City Campus

Postgraduate

630H Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007

Course Coordinator: Marianne Gloet

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5913

Course Coordinator Email: marianne.gloet@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Admission into Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations or Master of Business Leadership or equivalent


Course Description

This is an introductory course designed to give you an overview of the strategic role of Human Resource Management (HRM). This unit introduces managers to the basic principles that underpin the human resource management function of an organisation. The aim of this course is to facilitate the learning of concepts and practices of human resource management as a mechanism for translating business strategies into the operational aspects of HRM. This aim is achieved by 1) exploring various theories and models of strategic HRM; 2) examining the links between business strategy and HRM; and 3) exploring some of the techniques used for workforce planning, strategic staffing, training and development, performance management, compensation and evaluating the effectiveness of the HRM function.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:

• Discuss the strategic significance and purpose of HRM in organisations, its links with strategic business planning processes and the influence of the environmental context;
• Discuss current issues and emerging trends relevant to to HRM and management issues, such as internationalisation and the growth of knowledge work;
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of HRM models and frameworks and be able to use them appropriately;
• Identify and begin to use frameworks that demonstrate “added value” from HRM;
• Understand the ways in which the HRM function can impact on bottom-line performance;
• Analyse an organisation’s workforce profile and staffing strategies;
• Analyse models for outsourcing and downsizing and the supporting change management strategies and processes;
• Evaluate the HRM capability/effectiveness of an organisation by conducting an audit of the HRM function.



Overview of Learning Activities

The course will be conducted in a manner which facilitates learning by experienced students who can largely take responsibility for their own learning. It is accepted that learning can be most effective when based on individual needs and so there is scope for you to discuss and write about issues related to your needs. This course is designed to allow you to develop the professional foundations for HR practice by offering opportunities to explore and consider the theories, models, and research which underpin professional practice.


Overview of Learning Resources

The resources for the course comprise books and relevant journals – hard copy and electronic.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks may include the preparation and presentation of a topic paper, an online case study and discussion, as well as an HRM audit/capability analysis of an organisation of the student’s choice.