MM297-Managing Work and People: Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Management

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Rita Fontinha
Email: r.fontinha@henley.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Sahar Omary
Email: s.a.omary@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines the main concepts, principles and practices concerning the management of work and people in organisations.  The module is intended to be both intellectually stimulating and practically relevant.

This module is also delivered at the University of Reading Malaysia.

Aims:

The module lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Dr Sio-Hong Tih (siohong.tih@henley.edu.my), who will be co-convening the module with Dr Elsie Fong (s.fong@henley.edu.my).

This module will explore two related bodies of knowledge concerning human resources management and organisational behaviour. 

First, students will examine the range of practices used by organisations to strategically manage work and people, with a focus on human resources management. Students will explore contemporary practices in managing work and human resources, and critically examine key assumptions and principles underlying these practices. Students are expected to understand the objectives and nature of practices in managing work and human resources and anticipate their potential outcomes.

After understanding the more observable practical elements of managing people in organisations, students will explore in greater depth the theoretical contributions from mainstream and critical approaches to organisational behaviour and management studies. Students are expected to develop an understanding of organisational behaviour and analysis through their existing knowledge of organisations as well as social and human sciences such as management, psychology, and sociology. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

The learning outcomes are based on QAA subject benchmark requirements and AACSB 2018 Business Standards. For further information see the Programme Specification which shows all the learning outcomes of the programme.

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Additional outcomes:

The module content should help students navigate the graduate labour market, and by gaining a better understanding of what future employers are likely to expect of them during the recruitment process, they should be better prepared as they enter the professional workplace. 

Students will learn to make their way in new or more complex organisational settings and become more sensitive to the political aspects of organisations.

Outline content:

The link between Human Resource Management Practices and Individual Performance

Strategic staffing and development 

Performance management and reward system design 

Organisational Culture 

Management and leadership

Organisational Design 

Motivational theories and individual differences

Global context:

The module examines a range of practices illustrating examples and case studies from around the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module uses a combination of lectures and seminars, with a strong emphasis placed on student participation, activities and discussions in the classroom. 

Lectures are designed to provide a strong theoretical grounding and students are encouraged to participate in discussion. Lectures will also feature small group activities and case studies where companies’ practices will be presented and discussed to provide an opportunity to learn from real examples.

In tutorials, students will work in small groups through activities designed to increase their understanding of the core topics, including using creative problem-solving techniques.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The autumn term coursework has a weight of 50%. Students will be required to submit a 1500-word assignment at the end of the autumn term. Students will be required to critically analyse a firm's approach to managing its work processes and human resources. 

The spring term coursework has two components which have a total weight of 50% of the module mark. Students will take an individual class test (20%) and will also deliver group presentations based on a critical analysis of a case study (30%). 

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback will be provided on informal group work in tutorials. Students as a group will be required to present their discussion outcomes in tutorials and feedback will be given to improve the performance of coursework. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Conveners will apply the following penalties for work submitted late: 

- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day [1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days; 

- where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found:

at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A weighted average of 40% or more.

Reassessment arrangements:

Students will be required to produce an individual essay submitted at the end of the August University resit period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required textbooks: Both main textbooks are available online via University Library.

Last updated: 5 September 2023