It is widely accepted that for modern, complex, organisations the route to competitive advantage is through the successful management of people, in terms of their engagement, development, and wellbeing. Therefore, an understanding of how and why people behave in the workplace the way that they do and how to unluck the human capital of employees is essential.

This module will examine issues such as personality, perception, motivation, engagement and wellbeing, using the most up to date research and theory. Starting with recruitment the module will follow the route of the employee through the modern workplace, looking at how managers can use their knowledge of motivation and engagement, linked to emotional intelligence, to unlock the capacity of employees and gain competitive advantage through this.

The module will look at:-

The Employment relationship.
Recruitment and selection practices.
Motivation.
Perception.
Engagement.
Management of Performance.
Wellbeing.
Development.
Diversity

Assignment on recruitment and selection and unconscious bias (based on a Case study). (1000 words) (30%) (LOs 1-3)

Assignment on motivation and engagement (based on a Case study). (1000 words) (30%) (LOs 1-3)

Assignment on wellbeing, diversity and development (based on a Case study). (1,500 words) (40%) (LOs 1-3)

The module will utilise a mixture of activities including lectures, group discussion and debate, web-based activities and case study analysis. Students will be involved in individual and group problem solving and some self-directed learning will be expected.

You will undertake ‘formative’ assessments during the module to help you monitor your learning and provide you and us with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the summative assessment that take place during the module.

Understanding how organisations are resourced and able to unlock the potential of their employees human capital.

Apply effective human resource management techniques in the process of employee engagement, employee development, and performance management.

Demonstrate an understanding of key theories that underpin effective human behaviour in the workplace, and how they are applied.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development: www.cipd.co.uk
The Chartered Management Institute: www.managers.org.uk
Institute of Leadership and Management: www.i-l-m.com

Burchill, F (2014) Labour Relations (4th Edition) Basingstoke: Palgrave, Redman, T. and Wilkinson, A (2006) Contemporary Human Resource Management: text and cases (2nd edition) London: Prentice Hill.
Bach, S and Edwards, M. (eds) Managing Human Resources: Human Resource Management in Transition (5th Edition), Wiley.
Purcell, J. and Hall, M. (2012) Voice and Participation in the Modern Workplace: Challenges and Prospects, ACAS Discussion Paper. ACAS: London.