Study information

Reward Management

Module titleReward Management
Module codeBEMM803
Academic year2025/6
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Francesca Andreescu (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

75

Module description

This module prepares you for all aspects of the human resources area that deal with reward - sometimes termed "pay and benefits" or "benefits and compensation", which is a vital aspect of any HRM professional's work. Managing this aspect of human resources has become more complex as businesses look increasingly for value for money, have growing expectations of what employees can contribute to the business, and engage in competition for talent. This module helps you to understand this important process of reward management within employing organisations. You will learn about the key decisions that employers face when managing reward, such as deciding rates of pay or whether or not to use pay for performance, the factors that shape reward practice and the challenges of reward management in international organisations. There has never been a more interesting time to study reward, with the controversies surrounding equal pay and gender pay gap, living wage, executive pay, low growth in cash pay and sustainable rewards.

Module aims - intentions of the module

  • To critically discuss  reward management strategies, policies and practices appropriate to an organisation's business strategy.
  • To introduce major debates in current research and practice on reward.
  • To develop essential knowledge and subsequent analysis of reward issues.
  • To develop the know-how and skills to be able to design a reward plan and conduct a job evaluation.

Learning in this module is designed to appeal to a range of learning styles, and to integrate argument, action, and reflection. The teaching involves a variety of methods of delivery and student participation and will be offered through classroom-based lecture, seminars and workshops. A variety of teaching methods will be adopted including formal lectures, guest lectures, individual reading, and applied exercises including seminar group work on case studies, workshops and group presentations. In line with the ‘thinking, ‘ethical performer’ ethos, reflective involvement in the learning process is regarded as essential.                                                                                                                                        

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Critically evaluate the underlying concepts and theoretical debates informing Reward Management.
  • 2. Develop knowledge about contemporary reward approaches.
  • 3. Examine the legal and institutional context of reward.
  • 4. Design internally consistent reward structures that recognise labour market and equity constraints and are appropriate to an organisation’s business strategy and its external context

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Analyse the relationship between the environment, strategy and systems of reward management, critically evaluating the key issues in reward management against the background of research on current and emergent theory and practice in the field of reward
  • 6. Be analytically aware of the impact on, and implications of, diversity of people for reward policies and practices.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. Review and critically assess academic literature, undertake secondary research on a contemporary reward issue, analyse the findings using reward concepts, and communicate these to senior management
  • 8. Advise senior management on the relative advantages and disadvantages of different options of Reward practices and processes.

Syllabus plan

The module will discuss reward strategies, policies and practices in the context of UK as well as more globally and will explore the strategic role of reward processes in developing organisational policies and practices. Sessions will focus on the following:

• Reward concepts – theoretical framework - motivation and economic theories, procedural & distributive justice, psychological contract
• Reward strategy, evaluation and communication of reward practice
• Pay determination, the pay market and use of surveys
• Assessing the institutional context for reward practice
• Pay structure and Pay Progression systems
• Job evaluation
• Pay equality and reporting – Pay ratios, Gender Pay, Ethnic Pay, living wage, equal pay audit
• Pay for performance, Individual and team based variable reward, bonuses and commission
• Recognition, Meaningful work, Total Reward
• Top management and directors’ remuneration and link with organisational performance
• Benefits packages, including pensions, flexible benefits, voluntary benefits; Generational difference and benefits
• International pay issues, expatriate reward, cultural dimensions and Reward, examples of reward practices across different countries

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
331170

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 22Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 11Seminars
Guided Independent Study117Guided preparatory reading on ELE; Reading prior to lectures and seminars; Individual reading and research for assignments;

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
In-class exercises and discussion of case studies11 hours1-8In-class verbal tutor feedback
In-class discussion of work-in-progress with peer group for assessment one1 hour1,2,3,4In-class tutor and peer feedback
One-to-one feedback through individual meetings for assessment two19 hours1-8Verbal tutor feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Coursework: Individual assignment- Report30Individual report of 1500 words1,2,3,4Written tutor feedback
Coursework: Individual research-based report70Case study-based individual report of 2500 words1-8Written tutor feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Coursework: Individual assignment- ReportIndividual report of 1500 words (30%)1,2,3,4Referral/deferral period
Coursework: Individual research-based reportCase study-based individual report of 2500 words (70%)1-8Referral/deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

 

  • A full reading pack is supplied to students for this module (on ELE). Selected readings include:

 

Core text

Jones, S. and Perkins, S.J. (2024) Reward Management: Alternatives, Consequences and Contexts, 5th edition, London: CIPD -Kogan Page.

Essential Reading

  • Lupton, B., Rowe, A. and Whittle, R. (2015). Show Me the Money! The Behavioural Science of Reward. London: CIPD.
  • Perkins, S. J. (2022) The Routledge Companion to Reward Management. Abingdon/Oxon: Routledge.

Recommended Reading

  • Armstrong, M. and Brown, D. (2023), Armstrong's Handbook of Reward Management Practice: Improving Performance Through Reward. 5th Edition, London: Kogan Page.
  • Wright,  A. (2004) Reward Management in Context. London: CIPD.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Websites

  • www.e-reward.co.uk
  • www.cipd.co.uk
  • www.employmentstudies.co.uk - Institute for Employment Studies
  • www.ons.gov.uk
  • www.managers.org.uk - Chartered Management Institute
  • www.ilo.org - International Labour Organization
  • www.bis.gov.uk - Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
  • www.europa.eu/employment - European Union Employment and Social Affairs

Select Journal publications and periodicals

  • Compensation and Benefits review
  • Employee Benefits
  • Employee relations
  • Human Resource Management Journal
  • People Management
  • International Journal of Human Resource Management
  • Personnel Review
  • Work, Employment and Society

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

You will have access to an online searchable and resources database, with links to several eBooks and eResources (eJournals) available through the Exeter Learning Environment(ELE). Within this environment, you will also be supported through online discussion forums and activities. Furthermore, lectures and seminars will include formative quizzes. 

 

Other resources:

As provided and recommended during classes and via ELE

Key words search

Employee reward, benefits, pay, compensation, reward system, managing rewards

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

22/01/2024

Last revision date

22/01/2024