Managing People in a Global Economy

Students study important and interrelated aspects of international and comparative employment relations (ER). Students analyse international human resource management (IHRM) and industrial relations (IR) terms, concepts and theories from an international perspective and examine how Multinational Corporations (MNCs) may adapt and coordinate human resource management HRM and industrial relations IR programs to better integrate them into overall firm strategies in a competitive global environment. Students further examine how globalisation is impacting on traditional employment practices within countries as local governments and firms attempt to increase labour productivity to better compete in the global marketplace. At the macro-level students study institutions and legislation associated with HRM and IR. They further examine how socio-political settings, culture and levels of economic development influence HRM and IR practices. Factors such as local labour skill levels and labour costs impact on an MNC's investment decisions; for example, where to locate or relocate their production processes. At the micro-level students analyse case studies and other material that demonstrate how these concepts are applied in practice.