Human Resource

Management and Development

product: 4388 | course code: c302

 Human Resource Management and Development
Centre for Financial and Management Studies,
SOAS University of London
First Edition 1998, revised 2001, Second Edition 2003,
Third Edition 2006, revised 2007, 2008, 2010, Fourth Edition 2013, revised 2014, 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this course material may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, including photocopying and recording, or in information storage or retrieval systems, without written permission from the
Centre for Financial & Management Studies, SOAS University of London.
Human Resource Management and
Development
Introduction and Overview

Contents
1
Content and Objectives 2

2
The Course Author 3

3
An Overview of the Course 3

4
Learning Outcomes 5

5
Study Materials 5

6
Studying the Course 5

7
Assessment 5

 Human Resource Management & Development

1 Content and Objectives

This module is concerned with the management and development of staff in
public organisations, known popularly as Human Resource Management
and Development (HRM). The basic idea is simple that all organisations,
and not just those in the public sector, can improve their performance if they
manage their staff properly. Very often, HRM is also associated with a series
of practices related to the main activities of managing people and that we, as
employees, experience directly. This may include recruiting new staff or
training and developing existing staff.
An important focus is the organisation where the management of people
takes place. This element of HRM is particularly interested in how people
behave in formal work settings. This module takes the public sector organi-
sation as its primary formal work setting, but as you will quickly discover,
HRM as a field of management study is derived from the private sector,
primarily in the US. It is worth bearing this in mind throughout this module.
Thus, the concept of HRM did not really begin to be applied to the public
sector until the second wave of New Public Management during the 1990s
in the mainly Anglophone developed countries (UK, United States, Canada,
New Zealand and Australia) and some other countries in western Europe.
Typically, prior to the 1990s, people management was referred to as per-
sonnel administration/management or establishments in some civil
services and regarded as a discrete staff functional area.
This module will also concentrate on HRM issues in public sector organisa-
tions, rather than in the economy as a whole, or in society. In addition, we
will be looking at HRM from a management perspective although there will
be times, especially as the focus is on the public sector, when HRM will be
viewed as a political activity. An example of this are the Gulfization
policies of the Middle East oil states whereby nationals are encouraged to
work in the private sector rather than the public sector to improve the
economic performance of the country as a whole. There will be similar
illustrations of this nature later in the module.
The main objective of this module is to develop a critical appreciation of the
strategic role of HRM not only in a public sector context, but within the
overall constraints of different political, cultural and institutional envi-
ronments. Although the module introduces you to the main features, or
good practice in HRM, we hope you can develop a critical awareness of its
applicability to a given organisation. In addition, HRM is not a field of study
independent of other modules in your MSc programme; it is related to many
other areas including the management of change, project management and
policy implementation.

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 Introduction and Overview

2 The Course Author

Richard Common is a senior lecturer at Manchester Business School, the
University of Manchester, UK. He was awarded a DPhil., from the Univer-
sity of York, a MSc (econ.) from the London School of Economics and a BA
(Hons) from the University of Lancaster. Richard has many years of of
experience lecturing at Masters level, including MBA programmes, in the
fields of public management, human resource management and professional
development. He has also lectured extensively outside the UK in the Middle
East and Asia. Richard has a variety of publications in this area, including an
edited volume with Peter Carroll (Tasmania) Policy Transfer and Learning in
Public Policy and Management: International Contexts, Content and Development,
soon to be published by Routledge.

3 An Overview of the Course

Unit 1 Strategic HRM for the Public Sector
1.1 Introduction to HRM
1.2 The Activities of HRM
1.3 The Context of HRM
1.4 Strategic HRM
1.5 Strategic HRM in the Public Sector
1.6 Conclusion and Summary
References and Websites
Notes on Readings

Unit 2 Employee Resourcing

2.1 Recruitment
2.2 Selection
2.3 Retention
2.4 Contracts of Employment
2.5 Summary and Conclusion
References and Websites
Notes on Reading

Unit 3 Performance
3.1 Introduction Organisational Performance
3.2 Performance Management
3.3 Performance Evaluation
3.4 Leadership
3.5 Teams
3.6 Conclusions and Summary
References
Exercise

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 Human Resource Management & Development

Unit 4 Development
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Management Learning
4.3 Organisational Learning
4.4 Creativity in Public Organisations
4.5 Conclusion
References
Notes on the Reading by Binyamin and Carmeli

Unit 5 Employee Relations

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Employee Involvement and Participation (EIP)
5.3 Managing Diversity
5.4 Formal Employee Relations
5.5 The Role of Trade Unions
5.6 Conclusion and Summary
References
Answers to Exercises

Unit 6 Reward
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Setting Rewards
6.3 Pay Structures
6.4 Human Resource Aspects of Public Sector Pay Problems
6.5 Paying by Performance
6.6 Rewards Other Than Pay
6.7 Summary and Conclusion
References
Notes on Readings

Unit 7 Contemporary Issues in HRM

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
7.3 Work-Life Balance
7.4 Alternative Forms of HR Service Delivery
7.5 Conclusion
References and Websites

Unit 8 Applying HRM

8.1 Introduction Applying Best Practice
8.2 Convergence and Divergence between Countries
8.3 The Limits of Strategic HRM in the Public Sector
8.4 Challenges and Prospects for HRM in the Public Sector
8.5 Conclusion
References
Notes on the Reading by Warner

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 Introduction and Overview

4 Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this module and its readings, you will be able to:
present a strategic model of human resource management and
development (HRM/D)
assess the main functions of strategic HRM/D primarily, but not
exclusively, in public sector organisations
discuss the main contemporary issues for HRM/D in the public sector
analyse the role of HRM/D as a managerial activity, while
appreciating institutional and cultural constraints
apply the main features of HRM/D to the public sector of developing
and transitional countries with an understanding of its weaknesses
and limitations

5 Study Materials
The textbook for this module is:
Catherine Truss, David Mankin and Clare Kelliher (2012) Strategic Human
Resource Management, Oxford: Oxford University Press
The text was selected not only because it was contemporaneous but because
it offers the right and consistent blend of theory and practice commensurate
with Masters level study at a world-leading University. However, it is a
generic book in that it considers all sectors of the economy. Unfortunately,
there is no single textbook currently on the market that focuses on HRM in
the public sector and is of sufficient quality and with attributes that meets
your needs as SOAS students. Most dedicated HRM textbooks on the public
sector also focus exclusively on US organisations.
The course textbook is supplemented by articles, book chapters, etc. re-
printed in the Course Reader. Taken together, we hope that these sources
will equip you to understanding and applying HRM in a range of contexts
and institutional settings, while being aware of the pitfalls surrounding
best practice approaches.

6 Studying the Course

When you work through the materials, there are various exercises, from the
textbook or based on the readings, that are designed to consolidate your
knowledge and skills. We recommend that you do the exercises, most of
which take half an hour or less, before you look at the model answers, where
they are provided, at the end of the unit.

You will be asked to submit your assignments and receive feedback

through the Online Study Cenre, and to ask questions of your tutor. The

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 Human Resource Management & Development

OSC will also be the main way that we will communicate with you about
administrative matters.
At certain points we will also ask you to reflect on various aspects of HRM
in the context of where you work. It will be valuable for you and your fellow
students to share these reflections on the OSC. Short notes setting out the
issue and the approach will enrich your and your fellow students experi-
ence of the course.

7 Assessment
Your performance on each course is assessed through two written as-
signments and one examination. The assignments are written after week four
and eight of the course session and the examination is written at a local
examination centre in October.
The assignment questions contain fairly detailed guidance about what is
required. All assignment answers are limited to 2,500 words and are marked
using marking guidelines. When you receive your grade it is accompanied
by comments on your paper, including advice about how you might im-
prove, and any clarifications about matters you may not have understood.
These comments are designed to help you master the subject and to improve
your skills as you progress through your programme.
The written examinations are unseen (you will only see the paper in the
exam centre) and written by hand, over a three hour period. We advise that
you practise writing exams in these conditions as part of your examination
preparation, as it is not something you would normally do.
You are not allowed to take in books or notes to the exam room. This means
that you need to revise thoroughly in preparation for each exam. This is
especially important if you have completed the course in the early part of
the year, or in a previous year.

Preparing for Assignments and Exams

There is good advice on preparing for assignments and exams and writing
them in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of Studying at a Distance by Talbot. We recommend
that you follow this advice.
The examinations you will sit are designed to evaluate your knowledge and
skills in the subjects you have studied: they are not designed to trick you. If
you have studied the course thoroughly, you will pass the exam.

Understanding assessment questions

Examination and assignment questions are set to test different knowledge
and skills. Sometimes a question will contain more than one part, each part
testing a different aspect of your skills and knowledge. You need to spot
the key words to know what is being asked of you. Here we categorise the
types of things that are asked for in assignments and exams, and the words

6 University of London
 Introduction and Overview

used. All the examples are from CeFiMS exam papers and assignment
questions.

Definitions
Some questions mainly require you to show that you have learned some concepts, by
setting out their precise meaning. Such questions are likely to be preliminary and be
supplemented by more analytical questions. Generally Pass marks are awarded if the
answer only contains definitions. They will contain words such as:

Describe

Define

Examine

Distinguish between

Compare

Contrast

Write notes on

Outline

What is meant by

List

Reasoning
Other questions are designed to test your reasoning, by explaining cause and effect.
Convincing explanations generally carry additional marks to basic definitions. They will
include words such as:

Interpret

Explain

What conditions influence

What are the consequences of

What are the implications of

Judgment
Others ask you to make a judgment, perhaps of a policy or a course of action. They will
include words like:

Evaluate

Critically examine

Assess

Do you agree that

To what extent does

Calculation
Sometimes, you are asked to make a calculation, using a specified technique, where the
question begins:

Use the single index model analysis to

Using any financial model you know

Calculate the standard deviation

Test whether
It is most likely that questions that ask you to make a calculation will also ask for an
application of the result, or an interpretation.

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 Human Resource Management & Development

Advice
Other questions ask you to provide advice in a particular situation. This applies to policy
papers where advice is asked in relation to a policy problem. Your advice should be based
on relevant principles and evidence of what actions are likely to be effective.

Advise

Provide advice on

Explain how you would advise

Critique
In many cases the question will include the word critically. This means that you are
expected to look at the question from at least two points of view, offering a critique of
each view and your judgment. You are expected to be critical of what you have read.
The questions may begin

Critically analyse

Critically consider

Critically assess

Critically discuss the argument that

Examine by argument
Questions that begin with discuss are similar they ask you to examine by argument, to
debate and give reasons for and against a variety of options, for example

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of

Discuss this statement

Discuss the view that

Discuss the arguments and debates concerning

The grading scheme

Details of the general definitions of what is expected in order to obtain a
particular grade are shown below. Remember: examiners will take account
of the fact that examination conditions are less conducive to polished work
than the conditions in which you write your assignments. These criteria are
used in grading all assignments and examinations. Note that as the criteria
of each grade rises, it accumulates the elements of the grade below. As-
signments awarded better marks will therefore have become comprehensive
in both their depth of core skills and advanced skills.

70% and above: Distinction As for the (60-69%) below plus:

shows clear evidence of wide and relevant reading and an engagement
with the conceptual issues
develops a sophisticated and intelligent argument
shows a rigorous use and a sophisticated understanding of relevant
source materials, balancing appropriately between factual detail and
key theoretical issues. Materials are evaluated directly and their
assumptions and arguments challenged and/or appraised
shows original thinking and a willingness to take risks

60-69%: Merit As for the (50-59%) below plus:

shows strong evidence of critical insight and critical thinking

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 Introduction and Overview

shows a detailed understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical

issues and directly engages with the relevant literature on the topic
develops a focussed and clear argument and articulates clearly and
convincingly a sustained train of logical thought
shows clear evidence of planning and appropriate choice of sources
and methodology

50-59%: Pass below Merit (50% = pass mark)

shows a reasonable understanding of the major factual and/or
theoretical issues involved
shows evidence of planning and selection from appropriate sources,
demonstrates some knowledge of the literature
the text shows, in places, examples of a clear train of thought or
argument
the text is introduced and concludes appropriately

45-49%: Marginal Failure

shows some awareness and understanding of the factual or theoretical
issues, but with little development
misunderstandings are evident
shows some evidence of planning, although irrelevant/unrelated
material or arguments are included

0-44%: Clear Failure

fails to answer the question or to develop an argument that relates to
the question set
does not engage with the relevant literature or demonstrate a
knowledge of the key issues
contains clear conceptual or factual errors or misunderstandings
[approved by Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee November 2006]

Specimen exam papers

Your final examination will be very similar to the Specimen Exam Paper that
follows. It will have the same structure and style and the range of question
will be comparable. We do not provide past papers or model answers to
papers. Our courses are continuously updated and past papers will not be a
reliable guide to current and future examinations. The specimen exam paper
is designed to be relevant to reflect the exam that will be set on the current
edition of the course.

Further information
The OSC will have documentation and information on each years examin-
ation registration and administration process. If you still have questions,
both academics and administrators are available to answer queries. The
Regulations are also available at 

 

, setting
out the rules by which exams are governed.

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 Human Resource Management & Development

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

CENTRE FOR FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES

MSc Examination

Postgraduate Diploma Examination

for External Students
91DFM C302

PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management & Development

Specimen Examination

The examination must be completed in THREE hours.

Answer THREE questions. The examiners give equal weight to each
question; therefore, you are advised to distribute your time approxi-
mately equally between three questions.

DO NOT REMOVE THIS PAPER FROM THE EXAMINATION ROOM.

IT MUST BE ATTACHED TO YOUR ANSWER BOOK AT THE END OF THE
EXAMINATION.

University of London, 2013 PLEASE TURN OVER

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 Introduction and Overview

Answer THREE questions:

1. What is strategic HRM and can it be applied to the public sector?

2. With reference to your own organisation, or one with which you

are familiar, critically examine approaches to recruitment and
selection. What improvements, if any, would you make and
why?

3. Evaluate the importance of teams in the workplace. Are they

feasible within public sector organisations?

4. Can we dismiss management development as a perk, or does it

bring genuine benefits to the organisation?

5. What methods of employee involvement and participation

have you observed? Do they result in genuine employee
empowerment?

6. Reward systems in the public sector are anything but.

Discuss.

7. What are the challenges to the implementation of public sector

ethics within different cultural contexts?

8. Is convergence on best practice HRM possible or even

desirable, for the public sector? Discuss.

[END OF EXAMINATION]

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12 University of London