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Unit of study_

WORK6017: Human Resource Strategies

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines the theoretical foundations of strategic human resource management and then critically analyses the empirical evidence related to a range of HR strategies deployed in contemporary workplaces, both in Australia and internationally. In doing so, the unit explores the issues underpinning emerging HR strategies, their implementation and the outcomes experienced within the organisation and the wider environment. The HR strategies studied involve those that focus on managing a contemporary workforce and may include human resources strategies associated with: the management of front line workers, teams, non-standard forms of employment, job quality and work-life balance, and gender and diversity at work, for example.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK6017
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
WORK5002 or WORK5003
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sunghoon Kim, sunghoon.kim@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Final supervised exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Individual writing assignment
Written essay
40% Week 08 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation Video presentation
Video presentation
20% Week 10 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Individual Written Assignment: You will be given a case to analyse in the individual essay. 
  • Video presentation: You will make a video presentation on anallocated topic.
  • Final exam: This final exam is an two hour supervised exam covering a broad range of material covered in the unit.

Detailed information for 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.

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 Introduction to human resource strategies Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Strategic HRM and HR actors Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 HR systems and firm strategy 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 HR systems and firm strategy 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Talent mgmt and strategic workforce planning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 HRM & Innovation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 HRM & Financial intelligence 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 HRM & Financial intelligence 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 HRM & Marketing insights Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 HRM & Technological change Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 International and comparative HR strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Unit Review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Exam preparation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: Recorded lectures will be made available on Canvas, athgouh students are strongly recommended to attend the live zoom lectures rather than rely on recordings.

Tutorials Students should ensure they are up to date with the weekly lectures before they attend the tutorial classes.  Tutorial topics run a week behind lecture material.

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

Readings consist of journal articles and book chapters. Students are advised to read the required materials for each topic in advance of the day when this topic is scheduled. Students should go to Canvas to access these resources. 

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. evaluate how theories of human resource strategies are supported by research
  • LO2. evaluate the implications of human resource strategies in workplace situations in relation to employees, the organisation and the wider environment
  • LO3. apply human resource strategies in order to enhance individual, team and organisational performance.

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         

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

This unit has received very positive feedback throughout 2022. therefore, apart from updating content, no major revisions have taken place. The examination format has been changed in line with university requirements

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.