Module Catalogue

NBS8287 : Global Employment Relations

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Martí Lopez Andreu
  • Lecturer: Dr Judith Watson, Dr Martí Lopez Andreu
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of employment relations perspectives and debates, both national and global, from a theoretical and behavioural competency perspective. It will enable students to understand, analyse and evaluate competing theories and perspectives associated with managing employment relations strategies and their outcomes on organisational climate, employees and management.

Students are provided with opportunities to critically apply the activities, knowledge and behavioural competencies required for managing employment relations practices in union and non-union, small and large, private, public and indigenous and multinational organisations in a host of different national settings. Students will also be able to assess the impact of contextual changes on employment relations practices and organisational performance from a managerial perspective, and gain insights into the creation and implementation of effective employment relations procedures and policies. Students are required to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint, and given opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.

Outline Of Syllabus

1 Introduction to the study of comparative employment relations
2 Theories and perspectives of employment relations
3 European models of employee involvement, participation and engagement
4 Communication, consultation and negotiation
5 Employment relations in international companies
6 Strategic global employment relations
7 Global Labour Standards
8 Global Labour market participation and regulation

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture122:0024:00Pip lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion401:0040:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading122:0024:00Seminar preparation and reading
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching61:006:00PIP seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery61:006:00online drop-in surgeries (whole cohort)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1001:00100:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module encourages students to critically analyse the theory and practice of employee relations, with particular emphasis on the skills both managers and HR practitioners are required to demonstrate in effecting change in organisations. Teaching focuses on the key elements of the CIPD syllabus with an emphasis on both international and comparative aspects of employee relations and teaching is highly inter-active with emphasis placed on relevant case study material.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Case study2M20Group report (2000 words)
Essay2M802500 word essay focussing on theory and perspectives of ER.
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise2Mbring an essay plan to class, discuss in groups and receive feedback
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The group assignment gives students the opportunity to work as part of a group in tackling a current employee relations issue in depth. The coursework essay enables the theory and perspectives elements of the syllabus to be assessed individually.

Reading Lists

Timetable