Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module BUSI4BH15: International Human Resource Management

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4BH15: International Human Resource Management

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap None.
Tied to N2PD09

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To enable students to comprehensively engage with the complexities of dealing with a global workforce.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to critically understand international human resource management.

Content

  • The lectures and practical classes within this module will be organised around the following themes/topics:
  • International human resource management and strategic international human resource management.
  • Macro influences on the international human resource management.
  • Motivational theories.
  • International employment in MNEs – the structure of the MNE, international mergers, acquisitions, and alliances.
  • Global workforce planning, forecasting, and staffing – expatriation and repatriation.
  • Selection of international assignees.
  • Training and development in the global company.
  • International performance appraisal.
  • Global compensation, benefits, and taxes.
  • The future of international human resource management.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have:
  • Understand the difference between domestic HRM and international HRM.
  • Understand the influence of home and host countries’ institutions and culture on HRM policies and practices.
  • Understand the powerful resources MNEs and workers have available.
  • Understand the different types of workers.
  • Understand HRM subsystems in international environments (recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal, reward management, and employment relations).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to:
  • Critically assess the recent changes in international labour and the differences between emerging and developing economies.
  • Critically assess the influence of globalisation, the emergence of new players, and its influence on MNEs and labour markets.
  • Critically assess the importance of having a sound International Human Resource Management guideline with employees’ inputs.
  • Critically evaluate the processes, procedures and practices of contemporary HRM.
  • Critically discuss power relations enjoyed by MNCs and workers.
Key Skills:
  • Develop critical thinking.
  • Building and developing teams.
  • Effective written communication skills.
  • Planning, organising and time management skills.
  • Problem solving and analytical skills.
  • Advanced skills in the interpretation of data.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, guided reading and discussion of case studies.
  • The assessment of the module, by written assignment, is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge, conceptual understanding and evaluation of the literature learned in class.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly 2 hours 20
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4
Preparation and reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 2,500 words (maximum) 100%

Formative Assessment:

Group discussion on global workforce planning and talent management.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University