Introductory description

Organisations achieve their objectives through people. The strategic and operational management of people is therefore a critical concern for any organisation and its leaders and managers who are keen to succeed as more complex business models and organisation structures emerge. Understanding how to gain the engagement and motivation of an organisation's most important resource is crucial for modern leaders and managers as they shape and reshape organisations to meet business need. The module equips candidates with knowledge and appreciation of a broad range of core concepts, theories and models. It also equips them with a range of practical skills including problem solving, critical thinking and team working. It is a generic module and therefore is applicable across a range of courses. Relevance is achieved through case studies, relevant examples and reading materials.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Strategic Human Resource Management and theoretical models.
Organisational behavioural theory on: motivation, personality, teams and groups and
organisational structure and culture.
Exploration of the wider organisational context (organisational strategic intent and competitive
business strategies, changing forms of organisations and wider themes of corporate responsibility
and ethics) as it relates to contemporary people management.
The employment relationship, engagement and employer branding as key themes in the creation
of a High Performing Organisation.
Human resource practices and their role within a Strategic Human Resource Management approach.
Organisational change and transition as part of an SHRM approach to business effectiveness.
Leadership theory and action both related to self and others.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Recognise and define the key characteristics of a Strategic Human Resource Management approach and analyse and evaluate organisational approaches in a range of contexts.
• Evaluate the contribution of people management practice to the achievement of individual and organisational performance.
• Evaluate organisational and behavioural theories within a strategic organisational context and critically evaluate the contribution of these approaches to creating organisational success.
• Critically evaluate a range of leadership approaches including their own and its contribution to the creation and management of a positive employment relationship.

Indicative reading list

Buchanan, D. and Huczynski, A. (2019) Organizational Behaviour. Harlow: Pearson

Mullins, J and Lees, G. (2023). Management and Organisational Behaviour. Harlow: Pearson

Torrington, D., Hall, L., Atkinson, C and Taylor, S.. (2020). Human Resource Management. Harlow: Pearson

Whittington, R., Angwin, D., Regner, P., Johnson, G. and Scholes, K. (2023). Exploring Strategy. Harlow: Pearson.

Subject specific skills

Case study analysis and critical identification and evaluation of people management or required interventions in an organisational setting.

Transferable skills

Organisational awareness; Teamworking, Problem solving, Critical thinking; Communication.