UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

COLLEGE/FACULTY
SCHOOL
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION / AISM/HRM DIVISION
MODULE OUTLINE

MODULE CODE AND MODULE NAME INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT – HRM 3005
Credits: 3
Semester and year: Semester 2, 2023-24
Schedule: Wednesdays 6-9 PM and Thursdays 8-11 AM

Location: Wednesdays- Utech Online and Thursdays -22B1

Module Coordinator and Instructor: Instructor: Mrs. Myrtle Weir

Mrs. Gillian Mitchell Tutorial: Thursdays
Tutorial: Thursdays Phone Number: -
Phone Number: 876-381-5521 Email Address: mweir@utech.edu.jm
Email Address: gillian.mitchell@utech.edu.jm Office hours:
Office hours: Thursdays 2.00 – 3.30 Location: By Location: Building 22 Level C
appointment - Room E Building 22 Level 2 /
Online via Zoom

Module Description
This module is designed to introduce the international dimensions of the core aspects of Human
Resource Management. Upon successful completion students should be able to evaluate the
linkages between international business strategy and structure with core H R functions of
recruitment, compensation and reward management, training and development, performance
management, and industrial relations.

MODULE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the module, the students should be able to:
2.1 Discuss the International HRM environment that supports competitive advantage
2.2 Identify issues involved in organizing international organizations
2.3 Discuss approaches to staffing, training and evaluating, and compensating employees in
organizations involved in international business.
2.4 Examine repatriation and labour relations in IHRM
2.5 Analyze issues, challenges and theoretical developments in IHRM
2.6 Discuss ethical issues faced by HR in an international environment
2.7 Compare and contrast the impact of culture on the expatriate and HR strategies

Content

UNIT 1: APPROACHES TO IHRM (3 Hours)

Specific Objectives
By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Define key IHRM terms

ii. Outline the differences between domestic HRM and international HRM
iii. Discuss the issues and challenges being experienced by international Human Resource
Managers

Unit Topics
 Definitions for; international HRM, strategic HRM and review the core functions of
HRM
 The groups of employees and countries involved in international HRM
 The differences between domestic and international HRM
 Define the variables that moderate these differences
 Strategic view of IHRM
 The enduring context of IHRM

UNIT 2 - THE ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEST OF INTL BUSINESS (3

Hours)

Specific Objectives

By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

 Differentiate between the various structural responses to international growth

 Determine the control and coordination mechanisms used for IHR
 Examine the effect of responses of human resource management approaches and
activities
 Examine the models of culture

Unit Topics

 The path to global status

 The types of control mechanisms used
 The various organizational structures that may be utilised
 The role of HRM in Cross-border alliances – mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures
 International SMEs and the challenges faced
 Understanding culture
 Major Models of National Culture

UNIT 3 - STAFFING INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (9 HOURS)

Specific Objectives

By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

 i. Analyse the myth of the global manager and expatriate failure
ii. Discuss the criteria for international assignments
iii. Analyse the issues pertaining to Dual career couples and female expatriates
iv. Analyse various issues relating to staffing foreign operations.
v. Discuss and contrast types of international assignments and the reasons for utilizing them
vi. Compare and contrast the role of expatriates and those of the non-expatriate
vii. Explain what determines the Return on investment of international assignments
vii. Discuss the role of corporate HR in the MNEs

Unit Topics

 Review of approaches to staffing

 General factors affecting global staffing
 Transferring of staff
 Standardization of practices and managing off-shoring resources
 Roles of the expatriate and non-expatriate
 Return on investment of international assignments
 Corporate HR functions
 Global recruitment of human resources
 Global selection of human resources
 Factors moderating the performance of expatriates
 Dual career couples
 Female expatriates

UNIT 4 INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT (3 HOURS)

Specific Objectives

By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Examine the purpose of a performance management system in the International context

ii. Analyse multinational performance management at the global and local level
iii. Discuss the factors associated with expatriate and non-expatriate performance

Unit Topics

 The performance management process

 Multinational performance management
 Performance management of international employees
 Important considerations for global performance management
 Performance appraisal of international employees
 Factors that impact the assessment of performance – unit and employee

UNIT 5 - CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT (6 HOURS)

Specific Objectives
By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Discuss the role of training as a support to expatriate adjustment and performance.

ii. Discuss concepts and principles of global training and development
iii. Analyse the components of an effective pre-departure programme.
iv. Analyse the development methods of aspects of international assignments
v. Discuss trends in international training and development

Unit Topics

 The difference between training and development

 The strategic role of training and development in the Global marketplace
 The role of expatriate training
 Training imperatives of the global workforce
 Fundamental concepts and principles for guiding global training and development
 Components of pre-departure training programmes
 Effectiveness of pre-departure training
 Development of staff through expatriate assignments
 Trends in training and development

UNIT 6 - INTERNATIONAL COMPENSATION (3 HOURS)

Specific Objectives

By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Explain the similarities and differences between compensation at the domestic and
international levels.
ii. Detail the components of an international compensation program
iii. Compare and contrast the main approaches to international compensation
iv. Discuss the various issues and developments affecting international compensation

Unit Topics

 Objectives of international compensation

 Key components of an international compensation programme
 Approaches to international compensation
 Complexity and challenges
 Objectives of international compensation
 Key components of an international compensation programme
 Approaches to international compensation
 Complexity and challenges

UNIT 7 - REPATRIATION AND CAREER ISSUES (3 HOURS)

Specific Objectives

By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Evaluate the components and process used in a repatriation programme

ii. Discuss the factors affecting re-entry and multinational responses to these factors
iii. Discuss issues relating to the career of the expat and organizational ROI

Unit Topics

 The repatriation process

 Individual reaction s to re-entry
 Multinational responses
 Designing a repatriation programme

UNIT 8 -INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (3 HOURS)

Specific Objectives
By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Discuss the key issues in international industrial relations and the policies and practices
of multinationals
ii. Examine the potential constraints that trade unions may have on multinationals
iii. Discuss the key concerns for trade unions
iv. Discuss recent trends and issues in the global workforce context

Unit Topics

 Current Employee Relations issues

 Key issues in international industrial relations
 Trade unions and international industrial relations
 Response of trade unions to multinationals
 Regional integration – the European Union

UNIT 9 – TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE (3 HOURS)

Specific Objectives

By the end of this unit of instruction, students should be able to:

i. Establish the relationship between international business ethics and HR

ii. Evaluate the issues relating to international operations of family-owned firms and NGOs.
iii. Discuss the issues that relate to safety and security in an international business
environment.
iv. Examine employment options for multinationals
Unit Topics

 Business ethics and HRM

 Global developments
 Challenges for the multinational firm, family-owned businesses and NGOs
 Challenges with safety, security and counterterrorism
 Emergence of Contingent workforce
 Offshore sourcing

Instructional Approaches
Module Delivery:
The module will be taught both Face- to Face and online. We will use a combination of lecture,
and classroom activities for interaction and to encourage participation. Please note the following:
1. Teaching contact will consist of approximately THREE (3) hours per week; 1 hour for
lecture and 2 hours for tutorial.
2. Activities may include classroom discussion of case studies, individual and group
exercises, peer teaching and other activities, to develop the skills needed for
understanding and creating a compensation programme.
3. Students are expected to read, complete all assignments and come to class prepared to
contribute.
4. Students should ensure that they build time into their schedules to, attend / listen to the
weekly lectures, read the assigned material and complete set tutorial activities and
assignments.
5. Tutorial activities will be advised in class and sheets will be available on the module
page.
6. ALL Tests and Final Examinations will be Face-to-Face.

INSTRUCTIONAL/LEARNING APPROACH
The module will be taught using a combination of lecture, in tutorial activities and research
activity outside of the classroom. Teaching contact will consist of approximately three (3) hours
of contact time per week one hour of lecture and 2 hours for tutorial activity. Classroom
discussion of the case studies in the required text, group and individual exercises will be used
extensively to develop the skills and techniques needed for the development, and understanding
of Human resource needed in the international context. Students are expected to make time to do
the necessary reading and preparation for class.
Sample Learning Activities
1. Quiz: a set of questions about a particular subject that people try to answer as a game or
competition (oral/written)
2. Individual/group presentations-; an activity in which someone shows, describes, or
explains something to a group of people.
3. Research: This is a careful study of either existing material of data collected in order to
find out information about a topic.
4. Question and answer discussion: Question and answer discussion as an instructional
methodology that sees either the instructor or students asking questions and having others
think about such questions than offer an answer. The aim is to allow students to think
critically about issues and seek to arrive at principles, strategies, processes on their own.
Incorporated into all units.
5. Online Discussion forums: the act of talking about, sharing knowledge about something
with another person or a group of people, a conversation about something that will
happen online or in class.
 6. Case studies: This is the process of analysing issues related to one situation or
organization or training programme in order to identify the positives and/or negatives that
can be used for learning correct procedures for adopting.
7. Lecture: A lecture provides opportunities for instructors or students to provide a body of
knowledge to students all at once. Lectures will always be coupled with anther more
student-centred learning methodology. All Units will have a lecture component.
8. Large and small group discussion: This discussion format is where small groups of
students have a discussion about components of a larger issue posed by the instructor. At
the end of the time period allotted to the groups, they all come together and report to the
larger group the approaches, strategies or recommendations as decided on by the small
group.
9. Independent learning: This methodology sees students being assigned a question by the
instructor (this may be one student of a small group of students). Their task is to review
literature or collect primary data in order to answer the question posed by the instructor.
All Units will be taught using this methodology.
10. Simulation and Role play: Students are given a scenario and asked to imagine that they
are performing the respective roles of persons within the scenario. Having thought it
through they act out the scene with a view to resolving the problem as posed by the
scenario.
11. Demonstration and practice: The demonstration and practice methodology happens when
the instructor demonstrated the correct procedure for students to observe and discuss.
After the demonstration, students practice carrying out the same set of responses to the
scenarios posed. During the practice session, the instructor reviews and provides
feedback to students as is necessary.

Recommended text(s)/web links/readings:

Required text:
International Human Resources Management 5e by Peter Dowling, Marion Festing and Allen D.
Engle
Support text:
Global Human Resource Management - Concepts and Cases. Edited by Amitabh Deo Kodwani
and S. Senthil Kumar
Managing a Global Workforce by Charles M. Vance and Yongsun Paik
Additional Material: Additional readings will be made available during the semester.
Human Resources Professional Organizations

Organization memberships, surveys, research, jobs/internships.

1. www.shrm.org Society for Human Resources Management
2. www.worldatwork.org World at Work (Formerly the American Compensation Assoc.)
3. www.astd.com American Society for Training and Development
4. www.hrmaj.org Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica
5.www.https://cshrpteam.com/ Caribbean Society of Human Resource Professionals

Weekly Schedule – HRM - 3005

WEEK/
Tutorial
Lecture Schedule Assignments / Tutorial
Activities

1. Jan 8 Unit 1 - Approaches to International HRM Orientation

2. Jan 15 Unit 2 - The Organizational Context of IHRM Unit 1 Tutorial

3. Jan 22 Unit 3 - Staffing International Operations Unit 2- tutorial

4. Jan 29 Unit 3- Staffing International Operations Unit 3 tutorial

Project workplan due

5. Feb 5 Unit 4 - International Performance Unit 3 Tutorial

Management

6. Feb 12 Ash Wednesday – Feb 14

Unit 5- Cross Cultural Training and Unit 4 – Tutorial
Management Development

7. Feb 19 Unit -5 Cross Cultural Training and Test 1 all Groups - Units
Management Development 1-3

8. Feb Unit 6- International Compensation Unit 5 tutorial

26
9. Mar 4 Unit 7 - Repatriation and Career Issues Unit 6 Tutorial

10. Mar 11 Unit 8- International Industrial Relations and Unit 7 Tutorial

Global Institutional Context
11. Mar 18 Unit 9 - Trends and Challenges for the Future Test 2 All Groups Units
4–5
PROJECT TOPICS (No lecture)

12. March Holy Thursday Mid-day March 28- April 1 Unit 8 Tutorial
25
Easter

13 April 1 Hand in Project April 5, by 4 PM

April 8 Revision for the Final Examination

Final Examination – TBA Units – 6-8

Assessments and Schedule

Description Weighting Due Date
(%)
Test 1 15 Week of Feb 19 - All groups face-to-face- in tutorial time
Test 2 15 Week March 18 – All groups face-to-face in class time
Class Participation 10 On going
Group Project 20 Hand in Project April 5 by 4 PM

Final Examination 40 TBA

Total 100%
Grading system
Grade Grade point Percentage Scale
A+ 4.3 90.00 - 100
A 4.0 80.00-89.99
A- 3.67 75.00-79.99
B+ 3.33 70.00-74.99
B 3.0 65.00-69.99
B- 2.67 60.00-64.99
C+ 2.33 55.00-59.99
C 2.00 50.00-54.99
D+ 1.67 45.00-49.99
D 1.3 40.00-44.99
U 0.00 0.00-39.99

Specific Requirements
NOTE: Students are to consult UTech, Ja. Student Handbook AY2021/22 for details on
Academic regulations pertaining to such issues plagiarism, academic integrity, etc.)

Extract from: University of Technology, Jamaica – Revised Testing and Assessment Policy
- d. d. August 29, 2013
The Academic Board is requested to RATIFY the Revised Policy
Re-Submission of Coursework Assignment
A student who fails a coursework assignment and is given the opportunity to re-submit same
should not receive a grade higher than the minimum pass.

Missed Coursework (Assignment Submission/Test)

A student can request (in writing) a re-schedule of assignment submission or test date if
he/she is unable to meet the scheduled date due to the following:

- The student will be representing the University in approved activities.

- The student will be involved in activities of statutory and national importance,
for example, jury duty, special mission, and national emergencies.
- Illness.

Appropriate documentation indicating the service duty must be submitted to the Programme
Director for approval. In the case of illness, a medical certificate is to be submitted to the
Registrar through the University’s Health Services Administrator.
Prior approval from the Programme Director is required before the submission or test date
is re-scheduled.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

Students will be assessed progressively over the course of the module. This module has multiple
in-course opportunities for assessments. There is a final examination.
Coursework tests/assignments will be graded and returned to students within two weeks of
submission. All in-course assignments will be completed within the online environment unless
advised to the contrary by your tutor.
The assessment pieces are designed to assess the competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude)
in the discipline as well as critical thinking skills and ability to formulate solutions. The group
project includes the work of each student and is in addition to the aforementioned competencies
will also facilitate team work and independent research. Assignments will be accompanied by
rubrics to communicate expectations of quality around the task set for students and to delineate
consistent criteria for grading.

School contact information:

Mr Jordon McClare - Administrative Support

Gillian Mitchell - Programme Director

HRM & AISM Division
Email:gillian.mitchell@utech.edu.jm