Human resources management and innovation

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

 THIS COURSE IS TAUGHT ON THE CAMPUS OF ESFAM IN SOFIA (BULGARIA)

The course is structured around two complementary main themes:

1. The strategic dimension of human resource management (HRM) policies and their contribution to innovation

In this first part, the objective is to raise students' awareness of the diversity of HRM practises implemented in organisations. In contrast to the universal and normative approach often promoted in textbooks, especially those of North American origin, the course emphasises the importance of context. Through the contingent approach, students will be led to understand how HRM practises vary depending on contextual factors such as culture, legislation, and organisational structure. This part aims to enhance their ability to analyse HRM from a strategic perspective and appreciate its contribution to organisational innovation.

 

2. The digitalization of HRM

The digital transformation profoundly impacts all functions of society, including HRM. This second part of the course explores the increasing integration of digital technologies in HR practises and the evolution of roles within the HR function. In addition to presenting key technological innovations (such as automation, HR platforms, and data analysis tools), this section encourages critical reflexion on the challenges and issues of this transformation. Students will be invited to adopt a nuanced perspective on the impacts of digitalization on organisational performance and the role of HR professionals.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to:

1. Understand and analyse the contemporary issues in human resource management
The student will be able to master the major current debates and issues in HRM, with particular attention to recent transformations, especially those related to digitalization. They will be able to identify the strategic and operational implications of new trends in human resource management.

2. Identify and evaluate HRM practises
The student will be able to identify, analyse, and compare the main HRM practises in various organisational contexts. They will be able to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the associated opportunities and risks, taking into account the cultural, legal, and structural specificities of each company.

3. Analyse the coherence of HR policies in concrete cases
The student will develop the ability to evaluate the internal coherence of different HR practises within an organisation, by identifying synergies or contradictions. They will also be able to analyse the external coherence, taking into account the influences of the environment (economic, social, technological) on HR policies of companies.

4. Develop a critical sense
The student will be encouraged to adopt a reflective and critical approach to management practises. They will be able to evaluate the concrete implications of HR decisions on employees and the organisation, and will be able to take a critical look at the digitalization of HR, taking into account its impacts on work relationships and the evolution of HR roles.

5. Solve complex HR issues autonomously
The student will be able to analyse complex situations related to human resources management, identifying relevant information and formulating diagnoses. They will be able to propose solutions adapted to the issues encountered, relying on the theoretical approaches and practical tools acquired throughout the course.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is based on a participatory methodology that puts students at the heart of learning. They play an active role in acquiring concepts and achieving pedagogical objectives. The sessions combine various approaches to allow for a deep understanding of the issues and challenges of human resource management and its digitalization process.

Teaching methods include:

• Preparatory readings: students will have to do readings before certain sessions, which will then be discussed and commented on in class to promote collective reflexion.
• Lectures: theoretical presentations on key concepts of human resource management will be given to ensure a solid knowledge base.
• Case studies: written and video case analyses will allow students to connect theoretical concepts to real-life situations in companies and public organisations.
• Interactions with professionals (to be confirmed): interventions by practitioners from private companies and/or public organisations will offer students a concrete and diverse perspective on human resource management in different organisational contexts.
• Multiple choice questions (MCQs): exercises in the form of MCQs will be offered to students throughout the course to test their understanding and integration of the taught concepts. These exercises will serve to reinforce their learning and prepare them for the format of the final assessment (see details below).

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- LOL@


Further information:

The educational materials (reading files, links to videos, multiple-choice questions, etc.) will be made available to students before each session via the institutional platform Lol@. This platform centralises all the resources necessary for course preparation and deepening.

Furthermore, for a better understanding of the concepts discussed, it is recommended to consult the book on which the first part of the course is based:

PICHAULT F. and NIZET J., Human Resource Management Practises. New contexts, new controversies, Paris, Points, 2024, EAN 9791041419210.

A request has been made for this book to be accessible for free in e-book format via the Graulich University Library.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- Remote

oral exam


Further information:

First session:

The assessment will take the form of a written exam covering all the material covered in class, distributed as follows:

• Multiple-choice questions, based on the SMART system of the University of Liège.
• Open question(s) of case analysis.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

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Contacts

Frédéric NAEDENOEN,
LENTIC  /  HEC Liège, Ecole de Gestion de l'Université de Liège,
Bâtiment N1d (HEC) / LENTIC,
Tél.: + 32 4 366 30 70,
E-Mail: FNaedenoen@uliege.be

Before contacting the teacher regarding the content or terms of the course, students are invited to follow the following steps independently:

1. Consult the course materials and their own notes to check if the answer to the question is already there.
2. Exchange with fellow students via the discussion space on the course page (LolaHD) to benefit from peer collaboration.
3. Ask their question during class sessions so that the entire class can benefit from it and the exchanges can enrich collective learning.

For any individual request by email, a response time of five working days should be expected. If no response is received after this period, students may consider sending a follow-up.

Association of one or more MOOCs