Human Resource Management - BA (Hons)

Getting the right person in the right role at the right time is a key priority for organisations as they look to recruit and select new staff. Recruiting and selecting employees are usually seen together in practice and academia, however they are really separate HRM activities. You will learn the meaning of the two constructs and explore the two processes underlying them and how they inter-relate.

This module will provide you with the foundation and understanding of the function of Performance and Reward Management and its role in promoting organisation competitive advantage. In it, you will examine various performance management systems and total reward approaches in an organisational and international context, and, through this examination, you will gain a strong understanding of specific tools and practices.

A major focus of the course will be on contemporary theories and practices of performance and reward management and more specifically on the process of designing an internally aligned and externally competitive total rewards package to attract, retain and engage talents. Also, a special emphasis will be given on the contribution of performance and reward systems on HR sustainability and overall business sustainability.

This module looks at the important contribution that an efficient and effective human resource management capability can add to an organisation. The purpose of this module is to introduce you to human resources (HR) activity and to the role of the HR function in organisations in general terms. It focuses on the aims and objectives of HR departments in contemporary organisations and particularly on the ways that these are evolving. Different ways of delivering HR objectives and emerging developments in the management of the employment relationship are explored, as well as the methods that can be used to demonstrate that the function adds value for organisations. 

This module aims to enable you to build a strong understanding of the legal issues that impact on the “people” aspects of the business within the context of the wider employment relationship. Studying this module will provide you with a deep insight into the practical steps employers need to consider when dealing with employment issues in order to minimise the risk of employment tribunal claims.

This module progresses on from the Level 4 module Introduction to Data Analytics and AI. Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the business world and personal lives, and ‘Big Data’ is everywhere.

This module will demonstrate how organisations apply analytical tools and techniques by harvesting and leveraging data to gain a competitive edge. Machine Learning (ML) is an analytical technique that delivers practical value for both organisations plus consumers and is embedded within modern products and services. Business processes, workflows and systems have been revolutionised via automation achieved from machine learning algorithms. You will be exposed to best practice approaches for building, training and evaluating machine learning algorithms such as neural networks, agent-based modelling, reinforcement learning and logistic regression.

You will also build your data literacy by developing the highly in-demand skill of programming, tailored for business analysts. The problem-solving experience gained from adopting AI tools and techniques for solving real-world problems will minimise human error. Additionally, unnecessary human intervention will be eliminated to facilitate more precise data-driven decision making using logical and evidence-based approaches.

This module examines the critical role of leadership in the global business context. It explores diverse leadership styles and key attributes for global leaders. The module also delves into prominent cultural models, analysing how cultural factors shape leadership perceptions and behaviours across borders. Additionally, the module provides strategies for navigating the complexities of multinational organisations, leading high-performing global teams, and aligning business objectives with the dynamic, interconnected global marketplace. Through case studies and practical applications, this module equips you with the knowledge and skills to become effective leaders in the evolving global business landscape.

The assignment will be presented as a structured case study analysis, in which you are expected to demonstrate critical thinking, application of theoretical concepts, and in their evaluation.

In this module, you will develop a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial process, focusing on the evaluation of the feasibility of new business ventures. You will explore how businesses are formed, structured, and strategically developed to achieve long-term sustainability.

Through the application of a range of tools, techniques and theories, underpinned by contemporary academic research in business model innovation and market analysis, you will identify and assess potential market gaps, enabling you to formulate innovative and feasible business ideas. This will allow you to assess the viability of business concepts in various contexts, including new ventures and spinouts.

There are many similarities between the roles of managers and management consultants.   In fact, managers are often considered to be ‘internal consultants’, as Butler (2010) comments “An effective manager is increasingly an effective consultant”.  

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.    The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.  Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace. 

This module will to provide you with a broad understanding of how HR professionals work to ensure that once employees are hired they stay in their organisations and do not leave. You will learn that this is a strategic matter for any type of organisation in all sectors and it is closely related with increased performance. Employee turnover and retention is managed not only by HR specialists, but all organisational members, so you will learn how HR professionals facilitate the right actions of everyone who manages people. Retaining employees is an orchestrated concern which begins from the time an employee joins an organisation. You will be introduced to theories of Person-Organisation fit and Job Embeddedness.

Individuals and organisations find themselves in a rapidly changing environment. The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to the field of Work and Organisational Psychology (sometimes referred to as Occupational, Occupational Health, Organisational or Industrial Psychology). Work and Organisational Psychology (WOP) is an academic subject that focuses on human behaviour related to organisations, work, and productivity. It applies psychological principles to the workplace. The WOP module will cover the importance of how the workplace can impact upon people’s health (in both negative and positive ways) and how the workplace can also be used to improve the well-being of its employees.

The module will provide you with an understanding of the sometimes complex links between workplaces and health, and an appreciation that physical health, psychological health, the quality of working life, job satisfaction and well-being are all intrinsically related. The module will cover health issues such as stress, mental health, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory and cardiovascular related conditions. Emphasis will be made of the tensions between the needs and functions of both organisations and of individual workers. In exploring the conflicting needs that sometimes exists between workers and organisations, you will understand how workplaces (can) utilise psychological processes in order to obtain maximum effectiveness of workers and the organisation; to promote the design of better working and how jobs are done; and to ensure appropriate selection processes.

This module provides a framework with which to undertake a substantial, disciplinary-relevant, research project. This is dependent on the subject you are studying or degree pathway you are pursuing. For example, it may be a study into marketing and public relations, human resource management, accounting and finance, or strategy. The module provides a framework for integrating the principles, tools and methods of your programme, developing your practitioner skills via research methods, analytical tools and techniques. The project requires a high degree of professionalism in time management and managing the supervisory relationship. It is a requirement that the project adheres to the framework of ethical approval applied in the Business School in the year of study.

Beyond the learning outcomes of this module, and as an alternative to a more traditional business research project , studying this module allows you to develop and explore a business problem in a live environment. This is a useful experience for employment, graduate schemes, or further study. As you are in control of the process, the project allows you to refine and consolidate your research and communications skills. The format of the Project is dependent on the subject you are studying, or degree pathway you are on. For example, it may be a study of an organisation’s marketing and public relations strategy, human resource management, or accounting and finance practices. This is a negotiated project, the details of which will need to be agreed with your supervisor and client. The brief can be supplied through the Schools business engagement team or you can source you own. Where you do source your own (such as from a placement), this will need to be approved by an academic member of staff. It is a requirement that the project adheres to the framework of ethical approval applied within the business school in the year of study, and it requires a high degree of professionalism in time management and managing the client and supervisory relationship.

This module enables you to build an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of learning and development within the workplace. Studying this module encourages you to offer critical insight into the practical uses of Learning and Development (L&D) and Human Resource Development (HRD) interventions, specifically coaching, mentoring and reflective practice. The module facilitates the considerations employers need to make when planning, delivering and evaluating coaching and development activities as part of delivering L&D strategy within organisations.

International Human Resource Management is designed to give you a broad outline of the nature of managing human resources in the global context. It explores the complexities of international human resource management (IHRM) and compares them against domestic HR practices. As globalisation accelerates, human resource professionals must rethink their organisational roles and strategies from an international perspective. This module aims to expose you to the complexities of IHRM. You will discuss the important issues that a manager in today’s globalised business setting must consider when managing HRM in different countries and cultures. The main objective of the module is to provide an understanding of the theoretical concepts, strategic view and practical implications of IHRM.

A major focus of the module will be on contemporary theories and practices of global staffing approaches, expatriation, repatriation, cross cultural issues, international training and development, international performance and reward management and international industrial relations. You will be able to comprehend the relationship between IHRM strategies and the organisational global business strategies. Finally, you will engage with critical reflection concerning theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and for enhancing continuous professional development.

This module builds on the previous modules (Introduction to Data Analytics and AI and Data Analytics and AI in Practice). The module offers hands-on experience of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solution development for addressing a particular business challenge. The module is designed for those of you willing to understand the process of AI solution development with detail analysis of its cost-benefit analysis and impact on the organisation. The module is ideal for those of you pursuing careers in data science, business analytics, or AI development, and it equips you with essential skills that are highly in demand in today’s as well as the future employment market.

This module will expose you to the process of AI solution development using AI development framework and ecosystem that include Microsoft Azure AI, Google AI and others. You will learn AI problem formulation and solution development through real-life business-related problems. The process of ML model development, training and fine-tuning will be experimented by you through a semester long individual project. The module will also expose you to the cost benefit analysis of AI adoption in a business including the impact analysis of implementing AI solution in an organisation.

Following from the discovery (L4) and practice (L5) phases of your journey into developing enterprise skills, this module focuses of the application phase (L6), where you are encouraged to learn and apply different techniques to launch a technology startup.

You will learn to recognise interesting opportunities and convert the opportunities to attractive business propositions. You will validate and test the digital business ideas and transform it into a viable business model. You will develop a business plan for a tech-startup and will pitch your working business propositions to academics with a final pitch being delivered to the university’s STEAMHOUSE investor panel.