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Unit of study_

WORK3201: International Human Resource Management

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit considers the opportunities and challenges associated with managing employees in international and cross-cultural contexts, with specific emphasis on international recruitment, selection, preparation, placement, management development, performance management, reward and remuneration in the international, multi-national and trans-national corporation. Within the context of global labour markets, the unit considers the implications of internationalisation and globalisation for human resource management (HRM), the difference between domestic and international HRM, and the challenges of cross-cultural management. This unit provides students with a theoretical understanding of IHRM and cross-cultural management, as well as a practical understanding of the issues and challenges associated with managing employees in international, global and cross-cultural contexts.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK3201
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
WORK2217
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of at least 48 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

WORK1003

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nate Zettna, nate.zettna@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final Exam
Extended response questions based on Case Study
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Reflective Journal
Students choose 3 out 5 weekly questions and submit all entries in Week 8
30% Week 08
Due date: 14 Apr 2022 at 11:00

Closing date: 28 Apr 2022
Weekly entry 500 words each/ 3 entries
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Case Analysis
Team presentations (10%) in Week 10 or 11; Team Report (20%) in Week 12
30% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2022 at 11:00

Closing date: 01 Jun 2022
10min + 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

The course contains 3 key assessments:

  1. A Reflective Journal
  2. A Case Anaysis – team presentation and report based on case analysis (team assessment). Presentations done in Week 10 or Week 11, report due in Week 12.
  3. A Final Exam consisting of extended response questions.

Detailed information about each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Any assessment submitted after the due time and date will incur a late penalty of 5% of the total marks per 24 hour period, or part thereof, late (note that this is applied to the mark gained after the submitted work is marked). Since submission is electronic, weekends and public holidays count as days in the same way as working days. Any assessment submitted after the due time and date will incur a late penalty unless excused by special consideration, special arrangement or disability services adjustment. Any assessment submitted after the “Closing Date” noted in the Unit of Study Outline will not be marked or assessed.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 L1. Introduction to International Human Resource Management: A Strategic Outlook Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 L2. Understanding the International Context 1: MNEs, Regulation and the Impact of National Systems on International Human Resource Management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T1. Understanding the International Context 1: MNEs, Regulation and the Impact of National Systems on International Human Resource Management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 L3. Understanding the International Context 2: Shaping people management in MNEs, Culture and Cross-Cultural Management in International Human Resource Management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T2. Understanding the International Context 2: Shaping people management in MNEs, Culture and Cross-Cultural Management in International Human Resource Management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 L4. The Expatriate Lifecycle 1: International Recruitment and Selection Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T3. The Expatriate Lifecycle 1: International Recruitment and Selection Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 L5. The Expatriate Lifecycle 2: International Training and Development Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T4. The Expatriate Lifecycle 2: International Training and Development Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 L6. International HRM in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions and Emerging MNEs Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T5. International HRM in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions and Emerging MNEs Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 L7. Decent work in MNE Supply Chains: An issue of Ethical HRM, Corporate Social Responsibility or Industrial Relations? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T6. Decent work in MNE Supply Chains: An issue of Ethical HRM, Corporate Social Responsibility or Industrial Relations? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Reading week (no lectures and tutorials): Reflective Journal due in Week 8 Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 L8. International Assignments & Fraud risks (Guest Lecture) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T7. International Assignments & Fraud risks Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 L9. The Expatriate Lifecycle 4: Managing International Employee Knowledge and Performance Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T8. In-class presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 L10. The Expatriate Lifecycle 4: Managing International Employee Knowledge and Performance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T9. In-class presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 L11. Managing Contemporary Complexities International Human Resource Management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T10. Managing Contemporary Complexities International Human Resource Management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 L12. The Expatriate Lifecycle 5: Repatriation and Expatriate Retention + Course Review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
T11. The Expatriate Lifecycle 5: Repatriation and Expatriate Retention + Course Review Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

In Semester 1 2022:

  • In order to undertake the individual reflective journal assignment, tutorial participation is essential.
  • Weekly tutorials are synchronous online (zoom) classes or on campus.
  • Tutorials start in Week 2.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Textbook: Dowling, P., Festing, M. and Engle, A. D. (2017) International Human Resource Management: Managing People in a Multinational Context, Seventh Edition, Cengage Learning.

For other readings for this unit, refer to reading list.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explain the economic, social, cultural and political context of international human resource management
  • LO2. draw upon existing and new knowledge to identify and evaluate relevant issues in managing employees in an international environment
  • LO3. apply relevant processes in managing employees in an international environment
  • LO4. demonstrate evidence through readiness assurance tests and team application exercises of respectful, ethical and professional behaviour in diverse settings.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback from previous in-semester Unit evaluations have been incorporated into the design of this UOS.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.