Brunel Business School

MG5617 HRM in Context: Resourcing,

Performance and Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

Introduction to module & learning objectives 1
Core Reading List and Supplementary Reading 1-2
Lecture/Seminar Programme 2-4
Assessment 4

APPENDIX
Problems with your Study, and Extenuating Circumstances 5
Coursework Submission - Important Details 5
Feedback on Coursework 5
Re-assessment Details 5
Employability and 'Graduate Identity' 5-7

INTRODUCTION TO MODULE & LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Credits 15
Module Leader Dr Didem Taser-Erdogan
Other Staff n/a
Term Term 1/
Lectures 11
Seminars 11
Contact and Private Study Time
Private Study 128
Total 150
Coursework 100%
Assessment Examination

The learning objectives of the module are:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding regarding key theories and concepts pertaining to HRM as field
of science. Interpret and critically discuss the theoretical underpinning of HRM strategy and policy
development.
• Develop awareness and understanding of strategic HRM thinking and its importance to organizational
performance taking into account its principal environments and the changing nature of work and
employment.
• Understand recruitment and selection as longitudinal processes with several decision points Demonstrate
competence of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis including accessing and evaluating published research
evidence, and developing and justifying original arguments.
• Critically evaluate methods of selection and individual assessment (e.g. interviews, psychometric testing,
assessment centres) according to reliability and validity standards.

This study guide should be read in conjunction with the College Student Handbook, the Senate Regulations,
and the Appendix of this study guide. More information about your programme can be found at the
‘Programme Documentation Repository’. The School assumes that you familiarise yourself with this
information, so you will need to look at these pages carefully at various times throughout your studies. These
policies and procedures might change from one academic year to another and it is in your own interest to
keep yourself aware about them and their possible changes. Any queries about this module should be
directed to the module leader, who you can contact either by way of ‘feedback and consultation hours’ or by
email.

CORE READING LIST AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING

Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 1 of 7

Brunel Business School
You will likely be directed to study aspects of the following texts in your out-of-classroom time, that is, in your
private study.

 Core Reading List

 Wilkinson, T., Redman, T. and Dundon, T. (2021). Contemporary Human Resource Management, Text
and Cases. 6th edition, London: Pearson.

Supplementary Reading
 Gupta, Ananda Das. (2020) Strategic human resource management: Formulating and implementing
HR strategies for a competitive advantage. New York: Taylor & Francis Group,
 Bratton, J. and Gold, J. (2017). Human Resource Management: A Critical Approach. 7th edition,
London: Bloomsbury.
 McKenna, E. and Beech, N. (2012) Human Resource Management: A Concise Analysis. 3rd edition,
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education.
 Fisher, John G. (2015). Strategic Reward and Recognition: Improving Employee Performance Through
Non-Monetary Incentives London: Kogan
 Beardwell, J and Claydon, T (2014). Human Resource Management: A Contemporary Approach
Pearson Education: UK
 Heery, E., & Noon, M. (2017). A Dictionary of Human Resource Management: Oxford University
Press.
 Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2008) Cite them right: the essential guide to referencing and plagiarism.
Newcastle upon Tyne: Pear Tree Books.

Go to Library

LECTURE/SEMINAR PROGRAMME

 The teaching term starts 18 September 2023 and ends 15 December 2023. Effective Learning Week
in Term 1 is w/c 30 October 2023 and no lectures/seminars/labs are scheduled for this week.
Employability week taking place w/c 11 December 2023.

For full details of terms, holidays, and examination periods and the full list of University weeks/week numbers
and the rest, go to:
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/campus/term-dates

The various study themes of the module are as shown below.

TERM 1
Study Week Lecture Seminar
Study Theme
Week Commencing

Introduction to the What is the Short case study,

module and lecture structure and exercise or
structure content of the discussion
1 18/09/23 module? How is the questions will be
Key concepts in module assessed? posted on
Human Resource Brightspace
Management What are the key
concepts of HRM?
What exactly is the Short case study,
deal offered by the exercise or
employer and discussion
Contract at Work
accepted by the questions will be
2 25/09/23 employee? What posted on
rights and Brightspace
responsibilities do
both parties have?
Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 2 of 7
Brunel Business School
Short case study,
What is employer
exercise or
branding and how is
discussion
it used to recruit
Recruitment and questions will be
employees?
Selection (1) posted on
3 02/10/23
What makes a Brightspace
selection technique
effective?

What makes Short case study,

applicants apply for exercise or
a job in a particular discussion
Recruitment and
4 09/10/23 organisation? What questions will be
Selection (2)
is the impact of posted on
their reactions for Brightspace
organisations?
Why should
Short case study,
managers care
exercise or
about equality and
discussion
diversity? What
Equality and Diversity questions will be
policies should be in
posted on
5 16/10/23 place and how does
Brightspace
the law influence
what managers can
do?

What techniques
Short case study,
can managers
exercise or
deploy to manage
discussion
employee
questions will be
performance?
Performance posted on
6 23/10/23 What are challenges
Management Brightspace
of performance
management?

Effective Learning
Week – Use this week
for extending your
7 30/10/23
reading, making notes
and (if relevant)
examination revision.
What are Short case study,
appraisals? Why are exercise or
they considered discussion
vital for the questions will be
8 06/11/23 Appraisals
organisation? Why posted on
are they disliked by Brightspace
managers and
employees?

Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 3 of 7

Brunel Business School
What forms of Short case study,
rewards are exercise or
Reward Management available? Can discussion
9 13/11/23 reward systems be questions will be
managed to posted on
motivate Brightspace
employees?
How can workplace Short case study,
conflict be exercise or
Managing workplace managed? discussion
10 20/11/23
conflict questions will be
posted on
Brightspace

What is SHRM and Short case study,

how does it relate exercise or
Models of Strategic
to HRM? discussion
11 27/11/23 Human Resource
questions will be
Management
What are different posted on
models of SHRM? Brightspace

Reflections and
12 04/12/23
Module Conclusion
Employability Week –
Use this week to
13 11/12/23
boost your
employability skills.

ASSESSMENT

This module is assessed with Individual Coursework (100% of final mark). This will involve students
writing a 2500 word report on a specific HRM issue.

The assessment focuses on students’ knowledge and ability to critically discuss, undertake literature
research and present their views in the area of human resource management. The specific learning
objectives set are to enable student development and subsequent understanding of the topic at a
Masters level of competence and the assignment is designed in order to achieve these goals.

See the Appendix, below, for further details about coursework submission(s). You may find
coursework submission policy Coursework-Submission-Policy.pdf (brunel.ac.uk) useful.

Full details regarding the module’s coursework requirements can be found via the Coursework Brief
on WISEflow, including the submission date and time.

The submission deadline for coursework is by 12.00 UK time (midday, lunchtime) on 4/12/2023

The clear expectation is that you will submit your coursework by the submission deadline stated in
the coursework brief. In line with the University’s policy on the late submission of coursework,
coursework submitted up to 48 hours late will be accepted, but capped at the pass grade (D- for
Undergraduate and C- for Postgraduate). Work submitted over 48 hours after the stated deadline will
be graded as an NS (non-submission).

This is the end of the study guide. Below is the Appendix, which informs and supplements the above.
APPENDIX

Problems with your Study, and Extenuating Circumstances

Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 4 of 7

Brunel Business School
You may feel that your ability to study is being affected by personal problems, illness or any other matter, or
you miss an assessment because of extenuating circumstances (or you feel that the quality of an assessment
you have taken may have been affected by extenuating circumstances). If so, you should first read the
relevant sections in the College Student Handbook. If, after reading this, you have further queries, you are
encouraged to get in contact with your Personal Tutor.

Coursework Submission – Important Details

As per the College Student Handbook and College Coursework Submission Procedure, formal coursework
submissions must be made via WISEflow in which you must use the College’s electronic coursework
coversheet. On no account will we accept any coursework (‘coursework’ includes the Final Year
Project/Masters Dissertation) via any other means. So, if you attempt to, or actually submit it to, a lecturer,
the Taught Programmes Office (TPO) or to anyone else, either in person or via email, we will not accept it, and
we will not look at it or mark it. This is the case for those with extenuating circumstances and for those
without extenuating circumstances. Any coursework not submitted via WISEflow will be deemed to have not
been submitted.

Please note that we will not accept coursework submitted in any other file format than this/those prescribed
on the coursework brief’s submission instructions section. Therefore, your files should be converted to the
approved format. After submitting your coursework to WISEflow, please check that it is actually there. Do not
rely on simply pressing the ‘submit / upload’ button hoping that it has been submitted and it is on WISEflow.
Go back in, and check, that it is actually there. Because, if you discover, later, that it is not then this will be an
error on your part for which the university cannot be held accountable.

Feedback on Coursework

The School is committed to providing you with feedback on all assessed coursework and will do so normally
within 20 working days from the submission deadline. You will get feedback on your performance via various
means, including face-to-face. If you do not receive feedback within this time, then you should first contact
the module leader. If it proves necessary, you should then contact the Programme Leader or the Director of
Undergraduate / Postgraduate / MBA Studies. Submitted coursework, including your Final Year Project /
Masters Dissertation, will not be returned to you. This is true for all coursework, in all modules and at all
levels, and does not apply only to this module.

Re-Assessment Details

The Board of Examiners is responsible to make decisions about ‘progression’ (or not) or ‘recommendation of
an award’ (or not). After the board’s meeting, students are able to see their results on eVision. The Board of
Examiners meets only at the end of a Level (undergraduate) / the taught part of the programme
(postgraduate). The Board of Examiners may have decided that you have been given an opportunity to be re-
assessed. This might be for a capped mark/grade (so this will be counted as a ‘second attempt’) or for a full
mark / grade (this will be counted as a ‘first attempt’), depending on whether or not there are / were
extenuating circumstances. You will know whether you need to be (re-)assessed by looking at eVision.

Employability Skills and your ‘Graduate Identity’

The Confederation of British Industry and Universities UK (CBI/UUK) has described employability skills as: “A
set of achievements skills, understandings and personal attributes that make individuals
more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which
benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy” (CBI/UUK, 2009, p.
13)1. When CBI/UUK asked employers from various sectors to rank the attributes they consider most
important when recruiting graduates “employability skills came out on top” (p. 21).

The Brunel Business School Employability Framework (below) integrates academic

programme learning outcomes with employability skills and support activities. At the
centre of the framework sit the six graduate attributes and skills (critical thinking,
communication skills, digital and information literacy, business acumen, professionalism
and wellbeing, sustainability and ethics), that are mapped against learning outcomes
across degree programmes. The attributes are surrounded by the five practices that
1
Confederation of British Industry and Universities UK (2009), Future fit: Preparing graduates for the world of work. London: CBI and
Universities UK.
Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 5 of 7
Brunel Business School
support graduate employability (placement, internship and volunteering; curriculum
development; programme accreditation; employer engagement and co-curricular
learning). Finally, supporting the framework the five steps of an annual review process
(discuss attributes and skills, auditing and mapping, action, review, and disseminate and
promote), indicating that the objective of graduate employability is an ongoing process.

In the table below employability skills indicated as most important by industry partners are listed beneath
general graduate attribute descriptions. From this, you can see what employability skills are being introduced
or practiced and, naturally, how engagement in this module will help you develop the capability to be
effective in the workplace.

Employability Skills This Module

Critical thinking skills: Understand how to critically analyse and
question sources, facts, and situations and how to reflect and report
upon them.
1 X
Application: Analysing business problems (case studies/vignettes),
facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop
appropriate solutions
Communication skills: Demonstrate an understanding of effective oral
and written communication.
2 X
Application: Report writing, minutes taking, emails, written and oral
presentations
Information Literacy: Recognise the use of a variety of information
and data sources relevant to business and management activities.

3 Application: Basic IT capacities, including familiarity with word X

processing, spreadsheets; interpreting graphs, charts, diagrams,
statistics, estimates and percentages; file management and use of
internet search engines.
4 Business acumen: Comprehend the structure, culture and practice of X
business and management.
Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 6 of 7
Brunel Business School
Application: Leadership, initiative taking, business and customer
awareness and risk management.
Professionalism and wellbeing: Demonstrate awareness of wellbeing,
and an understanding of work-life balance, emotional intelligence, and
relational awareness dealing with others responsibly and
professionally.
5 X
Application: Evaluating work practices within the context of health
and wellbeing, mental health, job satisfaction and engagement, as well
as the demonstrating personal qualities of collegiality, team work,
etiquette, punctuality and responsible practice.
Sustainability and ethics: Demonstrate a knowledge and
comprehension of socially responsible, ethical and sustainable
business and management practices.
6 X
Application: Defined as the UN PRIME Sustainable Development
Goals.

This is the end of the Appendix / this study guide.

Approved BBS Study Guide Template 2023/24 7 of 7