International Human Resource Management

^BEMM850Z

Explore the challenges and opportunities of managing people across international organisations. Develop an understanding of global HR practices, cultural differences, international staffing, and managing multicultural teams.

This course is suited to:

This short course is ideal for HR professionals, managers and business leaders who work in, or aspire to work in, international organisations. It is particularly relevant for those interested in global workforce management, international recruitment, expatriate management, and leading culturally diverse teams.

What will I learn?

This online short course explores the key principles and practices of international human resource management within multinational organisations. You'll examine how cultural, institutional and organisational differences influence HR practices across countries and consider the strategic challenges of managing a global workforce.

The course covers topics including international staffing, expatriate management, multicultural teams, comparative HR systems and strategic decision-making in international contexts.

You'll also explore employment relations, sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethical issues affecting people management across the world.

Drawing on both theory and practice, the course provides insights into the complexities of managing people in diverse international environments.

By the end of the course, you'll have a broader understanding of how organisations develop and manage effective global HR strategies.

Learning outcomes

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of international human resource management (IHRM) by exploring cultural and institutional theoretical frameworks
• Appraise and compare HRM practices in selected countries to interpret the complexities and challenges of managing diverse global staff
• Advance appropriate strategical and practical solutions to address and resolve organisational problems in the international arena
• Evaluate the importance of the competitive environment (in relation to management generally and international HRM specifically) and how changes in the external social and economic environments influence international HRM decisions
• Critically engage in debates on cultural and contextual environments and their effects (in relation to management generally and international HRM specifically) with multicultural and multilingual groups of peers
• Think analytically and conduct critical analysis of practical challenges in international human resource management
• Practise independent study skills, including research, critically assessment of the credibility of (electronic) data obtained from various sources
• Demonstrate professional communication skills
• Apply theory and conceptual frameworks to resolve practical problems as to advise colleagues and senior managers about making improvements to management systems and thinking in international organisations
• Develop awareness and be able to advise colleagues and senior managers about the value of IHRM decisions which are sustainable and ethical

How is the module assessed?

For this course, you should expect to engage in structured learning activities for 10-15 hours per week on average, plus additional time spent on self-directed learning (such as further reading or preparing for assessments).

The taught course can be completed in 12 weeks, with the final submission in week 11. Marking and feedback are provided after this, in line with University policy.

Module staff

Entry Requirements

While there are no specific academic entry requirements, this course is delivered at Masters level so you’d usually have at least 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) OR relevant work experience related to the area of study.

Should you not have the relevant background described the University of Exeter cannot be held responsible for any failure to attain an award from this course.

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.

The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.