Introduction

This module introduces human resource management (HRM) and specifically examines the nature of work in the service industries. The nature of the service relationship is examined critically as being essential to the successful growth of organisations in the visitor economy.  It is therefore necessary to understand the requirements for effective HRM.

There is no doubt that the visitor economy has been affected by the outbreak of Covid-19 and this is a very good time to discuss the resultant range of issues for HRM both presently and those that are predicted going forward.  As such, this module will provide insights into this, and the other HRM challenges, for organisations operating in the visitor economy.

The module will also seek to engage students in critical debate about the implications of sustainability in employment as part of the commitment to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, you should be able to:

L01   Examine the key principles and practices involved in HRM in the visitor economy

LO2  Analyse and apply specific HRM activities in the visitor economy

LO3  Identify work related issues/challenges within the visitor economy and analyse a range of HRM inspired solutions

Employability Skills / Skills for your Future

The module enhances your employability by developing the following transferable Work Ready skills:

Organisation

• Structuring and managing time and priorities – short, medium and long-term
• Defining work objectives, outcomes and performance standards
• Developing a realistic action plan

Communication

• Expressing things clearly in writing
• Presenting ideas or proposals to technical and non-technical audiences

Learning and Adaptability

·          Setting personal goals and objectives, balancing work and personal life

·          Evaluating and monitoring own performance

·          Meeting deadlines and working to high personal standards

·          Adhering to formal standards and procedures

·          Knowing own strengths, limitations and values

Perseverance and Initiative

·          Maintaining performance under pressure

·          Demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in response to changing situations

·          Managing multiple concurrent tasks or projects

·          Coping with uncertainty or ambiguity

·          Demonstrating energy, drive, enthusiasm, passion

·          Acting on own initiative

Commercial Awareness

• Using word processing packages to produce, format and present written work professionally
• Managing personal online identity

Principles for Responsible Management Education

LIBS is committed to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to develop future leaders that are socially responsible who will create sustainable environmental and economic value.  PRME is framed around 6 principles which place sustainable development at the core of responsible management education and is based on the premise that graduates with sustainability skills are in high demand.  This module contributes to the PRME agenda as follows:

·          Principle 1: Purpose – this module develops the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society by identifying the following key sustainable development goals in relation to HRM in the visitor economy:

–          Goal 3: Good Health – Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all  ages

–          Goal 5: Gender Equality – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

–          Goal 8: Decent Work & Growth – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

–          Goal 10: Reduce Inequality – Reduce inequality within and among countries

·          Principle 2: Values – this module incorporates global social responsibility by assessing how ethical values are assimilated into the culture of exemplar institutions.

·          Principle 3: Method – the module enables effective learning experiences for responsible leadership by encouraging students to recognise examples of ethical leadership behaviour in organisations.

·          Principle 4: Research – the module advances understanding about the role, dynamics, and impact of organisations in the creation of sustainable, social environmental and economic value by encouraging students to research trends of ethical behaviour in exemplar organisations.

·          Principle 5: Partnership – the module will extend students’ knowledge of the challenges business managers face in meeting social and environmental responsibilities by considering the work of organisations such as the Institute of Business Ethics and their partnerships with ethical organisations.

·          Principle 6: Dialogue – this module will engage students with stakeholders on critical issues related to global social responsibility by encouraging students to research organisations that promote the sustainable development goals and the module will promote open discussion on sustainable development goals in seminar settings.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This module is structured around a number of key themes related to HRM in the visitor economy.

Module Delivery

The module will be delivered as a weekly two-hour lecture, complemented by a weekly one-hour seminar throughout the term. The schedule of activity is available in Appendix 1.  The lectures will introduce key themes and explore their development. The seminars will be used to underpin the lectures and a variety of methods will be used to allow students to apply the management themes. These methods will include role play, simulations and case study analysis.  It is important that you attend all of the sessions regularly.

Directed Study

Students will be required to prepare for and participate in seminars, sometimes this may involve group work.  Students are requested to take responsibility for their own learning and be mindful of the learning experience of others.

Independent Study

Students are required to study independently on this module in order to prepare for one  assessment at the end of the module.

Contact Time

Students will receive three hours per week of learning activity, typically set to acquire subject content, also to discuss, investigate and collaborate on set tasks and activities.

Module Delivery	Total Hours
Lectures	24 hours
Seminars	12 hours
Workshops	2 hours
Directed Study	24 hours
Independent Study	88 hours
Nominal Total (15 CATS)	150 hours

Feedback Strategy

Receiving formative feedback during your learning is essential to ensure students are prepared for their final assessments. To support their learning throughout the module the following formative feedback strategies are used:

·          Assessment workshops

·          Dedicated assessment support lectures

·          Feedback on draft work

·          One-to-one meetings with tutors.

Assessment Rationale

The assessment will reflect the lecture and seminar content delivery and will require recommended reading and research.

Assessment Method	Weighting (%)	Week Due	LO’s Assessed
1	2	3
Report	100%	18	x	x	x

The module is assessed by means of one assessment.  This assessment will take place in week 18 and will take the form of a report.  Full assessment details are available in Appendix 2.

Formative Assessments

Formative assessments will consist of student-led and student-delivered seminars which will develop students’ abilities to work together in groups to communicate and take the role of trainers – a key HRM activity.  This seminar work is an essential part of preparation for the summative assessment in week 18 therefore participation is strongly advised.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria Grids will be used to provide feedback on Blackboard and indicate how marks will be allocated, they are included in Appendix 3.

Dishonesty and Plagiarism

The University Regulations define plagiarism as ‘the passing off of another person’s thoughts, ideas, writings or images as one’s own. Examples of plagiarism include the unacknowledged use of another person’s material whether in original or summary form. Plagiarism also includes the copying of another student’s work.

Plagiarism is a serious offence and is treated by the University as a form of dishonest means in assessment. Students are directed to the University Regulations for details of the procedures and penalties involved. Plagiarism is, however, easily avoided by the full and correct use of referencing.

When available, always check your ‘similarity’ rating index on Turnitin submissions to ensure you percentage rating is in the ‘green’. Please note however, that such a rating is indicative only and tutors will consider other evidence in assessing the academic integrity of your work.  Where there are doubts about your work you may be called in for an interview.

 

Learning Resources

Reading

The key text(s) for this module are:

Baum, T. (2006) Human Resource Management for Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure. London: Thomson Learning.

Van Der Wagen, L. and White, L. (2015) Human Resource Management for the Events Industry, second edition.  London: Routledge.

Other recommended reading for the module is:

Beardwell, I., Holden, L. and Claydon, T. (2010) Human Resource Management, A Contemporary Approach, sixth edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall.

Bratton, J. and Gold, J. (2007) Human Resource Management: theory and practice, fourth edition.  Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Mallen, C. and Adams, L. (eds) (2008) Sport, Recreation and Tourism Event Management: theoretical and practical dimensions. Oxford: Elsevier.

Nickson, D. (2011) Human Resource Management for the Hospitality and Tourism Industries. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Trenberth, L. and Hassan, D. (eds) (2012) Managing Sport Business an Introduction. Oxon: Routledge.

Journals

·          Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly

·          Event Management

·          International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

·          The International Journal of Human Resource Management

·          People Management

·          Tourism Management

• Sport, Business and Management