Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Welcome to the course Strategic HRM in a Globalized World. Please read this document carefully as it contains important information regarding the structure, delivery, and assessment of the course. The course leader is Professor Wouter Vleugels and his contact details are:
Email: w.vleugels@uliege.be
Office number: N1D 5ème étage
In today's increasingly interconnected world, Human Resource Management (HRM) transcends national boundaries, making the strategic management of people in multinational enterprises (MNEs) more crucial than ever.
This course on International HRM emphasizes the importance of adopting a global perspective on people management in international firms and delves into the key areas of cross-cultural management, comparative HRM, and HRM in multinational firms. Key topics include international labor laws and ethics, global talent acquisition and retention, global compensation strategies, and the critical role of HR in international mergers and acquisitions.
Students will explore the complexities that arise when organizations expand into different cultural, legal, and economic environments, gaining a deeper understanding of the unique HR challenges and opportunities that accompany international operations.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Analyze the role and significance of international HRM in today's global business environment.
- Recognize the skills and competencies required to manage a multicultural workforce and promote inclusivity.
- Gain knowledge of international recruitment, selection, compensation, and talent management strategies.
- Explore the complexities of HR decisions within an international context.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
"Gestion stratégique des ressources humaines (Strategic HRM)" or any other basic course in HRM
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course includes one 2-hour lecture per week. Class lectures will take place on Thursdays from 13h00-15h00 in classroom N3a 0/27 [Liège centre - Sainte-Julienne].
The course is divided into three modules, each focusing on a different temporal aspect-past, present, and future-of International Human Resource Management (IHRM). These include the history and development of the field (Module 1: The context of IHRM), contemporary practices in IHRM (Module 2: Managing people globally), and a forward-looking perspective on the future of the discipline (Module 3: The future of IHRM).
Module 1: The context of International HRM
- The internationalization of HRM
- The cultural context
- The institutional context
- The organizational context and strategic IHRM choices
Group presentations (Assessment 1: Field project) are scheduled for weeks 5-10.
- Global staffing, recruitment, and selection
- Global performance management
- Global training, development, and careers
- Global talent management
- Global compensation management
- Trends and future challenges in global HRM
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
The core text for the course is:
Dowling, P., Festing, M., & Engle, A. (2023). International Human Resource Management (8th Edition). Cengage Learning EMEA.
It is recommended to buy the textbook. However, students should be able to pass the course by relying on the weekly PowerPoint slides and by actively participating in class. All PowerPoint presentations will be made available to students via the MyUliège student platform "eCampus".
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire ) AND oral exam
Further information:
Your knowledge about this course will be tested and evaluated via two separate assessments, one group assessment and one individual assessment.
Assessment #1: Field project (40% of total marks)
The aim of the group field project is to provide the opportunity to apply theory to real-world situations, particularly within actual organizations. Each group will analyze an organization's HR strategy from an international HRM perspective, focusing on one of the contemporary HRM practices (e.g., staffing, performance management, careers, talent management, or compensation management). This analysis will apply the concepts and models discussed during the course. The objective is to illustrate how these practices in large international firms differ from those in organizations operating solely at a local level. Group presentations are scheduled for weeks 5-10 and will be based on each group's independent research, including the assigned book chapter. Students are also expected to incorporate relevant articles and insights gained from a company visit or interviews into their presentation. Detailed instructions for the field project will be provided during the first lecture.
Assessment #2: Multiple choice exam (60% of total marks)
In this assessment, students will be required to answer a set of multiple-choice questions. These questions will evaluate your theoretical understanding of key concepts, theories, and models, as well as your ability to identify and analyze critical issues and challenges relevant to international HRM.
Work placement(s)
Not applicable.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
This cours will be taught in English.
Contacts
Email: w.vleugels@uliege.be
Office number: N1D 5ème étage
Association of one or more MOOCs
There is no MOOC associated with this course.