HRM30120

This module is an introductory course in employment relations. Its primary concern is to examine what management does when they manage people and its implications for decent work. It is not a techniques course, rather it is designed to develop an informed and critical understanding of how the management of people at work is undertaken, and with what consequences.

The relationship between labour, capital, and the state within its broad political, historical, economic, and social context is experiencing dramatic changes. These changes raise important questions. Are traditional forms of labour market regulations sustainable? Will unions continue to play an important role in helping to protect the interests of workers? Is conflict at work intensifying or abating? What role will new business practices such as algorithmic management and the rise of the gig economy have on managing people at work? Do national institutions, actors and policymakers have an important role to play in shaping employment relations? What part do new governance actors at the international level have to play? Are new forms of employee voice developing and will they be as effective? Is work getting better or worse?

The module is intended to introduce students to academic debates in the field of employment relations and HRM and, in particular, to equip students with the means to critically appraise the normative prescriptive literature which is abundant in this area of management. A gap between prescription and practice may not be surprising, but understanding why is considerably challenging. Being sensitive to the context within which employers and employees work is particularly important. Thus, a key element of this module will be to help students understand how the national and international contexts of the enterprise influence the management of people at work.

Further, we emphasise that, just as in the ‘real’ world of work and business, there will be no ‘easy answers’ to some of the questions raised in this module. The nature of the phenomena under study is complex and their implications for people at work are uncertain. You will be expected to evaluate competing claims and evidence, establish and present your line of analysis, and provide coherent reasons for your conclusions.