A postgraduate course in Business and Management.

This course is designed to meet the needs of managers who wish to understand and be able to influence decisions regarding the management of human resources within organisations. BB845 considers the different aspects of human resource management at a strategic level in the organisation and how this differs from the more operationally-focused personnel management. You will work collaboratively with others on strategic human resource management (SHRM) issues and problems and find, review and evaluate information relevant to key aspects of SHRM in your own professional context.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

What you will study

The outline content of the course is as follows:

• an introduction to the theory and practice of strategic human resource management (SHRM)
• managing employee performance
• building employee engagement
• the ethics of managing people
• international aspects of SHRM
• evaluating HR policies and practices
• the future of HRM and work.

The nature and function of the human resource management (HRM) department and how it is implemented all depend on the culture and structure of the organisation and the priority given to ‘people’ issues. In this course the different factors, local and international that can influence SHRM decisions are considered.

You will explore the premise that the astute management of people can improve competitive performance. In addition to developing strategic thinking about HRM policies and issues, BB845 is designed – through media such as learning activities, online collaboration and readings - to encourage you to engage critically with both theory and practice. Our aim is to promote reflection and, through practice-based and online learning, enable you to both understand and influence SHRM.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• articulate and evaluate the ideas, principles and issues that are central to SHRM
• draw appropriately on theories, models and case studies in the area of SHRM and compare and contrast their use in organisational practice
• critically appraise examples and ‘solutions’ for the management of people
• think creatively about the different dimensions of SHRM and how they impact upon each other and upon the business
• appreciate the internal and external factors which can affect people management strategies
• anticipate some of the changes in work and organisations that will impact upon the HRM function into the future
• work collaboratively with others and engage in debates and discussions about SHRM
• find, review and evaluate a variety of information relevant to topics in SHRM
• compile reports that are robust in both intellect and practice-relevant terms
• make appropriate use of ICT.

Entry

This course is an optional module in stage 2 of the MBA (F61). You will need to have already completed MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716) and the compulsory stage 2 module Corporate finance (B831). You should also have completed or be currently studying the compulsory stage 2 module The dynamics of strategy (B835).

The course requires 150 hours of study over six months.

You will also need an appropriate facility in English language, sufficient to be able to work effectively at postgraduate level; generally this means capability equivalent to an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies you can visit the IELTS website. If you are unsure whether your skill level in English is adequate you may find it helpful to look at our Skills for OU Study site.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Qualifications

BB845 is an optional module in our:

• MBA (F61)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change. 

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

Elements of this course are delivered online and include the use of real-time online discussions and an interactive whiteboard space; consequently time spent using a computer and the internet will be extensive. If you use assistive technology or have a hearing or speech impairment and have concerns about accessing this type of virtual environment and materials you can visit the system provider's website for information and contact the Open University to discuss it further before registering.

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.

Study materials

What's included

An extensive variety of specially-written resources presented in different media (print and online) and designed exclusively for this course, audio-visual material, published articles, case-studies, a set of interactive tools to help you develop your management thinking abilities and access to the Open University library.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your assignments and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You will contact your tutor by telephone, email or via your tutor group forum on the BB845 website.

Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignment (TMA) and end-of-module assessment (EMA).

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2013 and May 2014. We expect it to be available twice a year.

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

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