Academic Theory

The assessment requires students to produce a comprehensive and detailed 4,000 word essay that focuses on a current but different area of people and organisations in a global context. The student will chose from the five essay titles provided below. Each essay title relates to material covered in the syllabus. The essay title chosen should relate to a different topic to that chosen for the student’s blog in assessment 1. Your answers should demonstrate familiarity with the relevant issues, a critical orientation, detailed analysis and clear conclusions.

The students’ submissions should also include a short reflective statement of personal learning and the contribution made by the module to the student’s professional development. The statement should include any learning in the context of digital and information literacies. Within the personal statement, students should:

•  plan the development of these skills, supporting their plan with appropriate use of academic theory and learning theories e.g. Kolb’s learning theory
•  Place their plans in an organisational or industry context creating clear links to organizational strategy/strategies
•  Incorporate appropriate professional reflection at relevant intervals
•  Support this report with appropriate theoretical referencing and evidence of wider investigation and research.

Those who successful complete of this assessment will achieve of the following learning outcomes:

• Ability to understand, evaluate and critically assess issues, debates, models and theoretical perspectives, relevant to the topic.

• Ability to apply concepts, frameworks and evidence to develop analysis and argument.

• Coherent, logical structure with well supported conclusions.

• Ability to communicate in a clear, unambiguous manner.

Essay titles for assessment 2:

1. ‘People are an asset not a cost’ (Beer et al, 1984). Discuss this with reference to the resource based theories of strategy and HRM.

2. HR managers can ‘help make capitalism human’ (Holbeche, 2007). Evaluate the arguments for and against this assertion.

3. ’HR should not be defined by what it does but by what it delivers’ (Ulrich, 1998). Discuss.

4. Globalisation represents the biggest challenge facing HR professionals in the 21^st Century. Discuss, giving your rationale and evidence.

5. Explore the significance of culture in the context of global HRM

There is a twofold rationale underpinning the generic coursework assessment criteria.

1. First, postgraduate level study requires students independently to explore the themes and issues raised by phenomena they identify within their ‘case audit’ organisation. Analytical focus is given by the choice of specific questions from the list of essay titles listed below, supported by undertaking extensive reading.

2. Secondly, this is a module designed to develop in students the ability to think critically: to appraise and evaluate from alternative perspectives the issues, problems and themes in question. The coursework tests such ability and, therefore, non-directive, non-prescriptive criteria are considered appropriate. In summary, the coursework requires students to produce an analytical and coherently structured paper, evidencing wide reading of relevant academic literature to inform the answer. A range of perspectives and possible interpretations should be weighed; arguments should be appropriately located within relevant theory, and substantiated with empirical evidence, as appropriate. Evidence of insightful understanding and some originality in the use of argument and evidence will attract the highest marks..