Studies of International Human Resource Management

Knowledge and understanding
After completing this course, the student shall be able to:
- understand and explain the role of International Human Resource Management (HRM), (1)
- understand and explain the analytical contribution of different theoretical perspectives applied in studies of International HRM. (2)

Competence and skills
After completing this course, the student shall be able to:
- analyse, discuss and present, orally and in writing, relevant academic texts within the field of International HRM studies, (3)
- identify and evaluate strategic and operational challenges faced by HR professionals in transnational organisations, (4)
- critically review and evaluate the practice of International HRM, including identification of contextual factors (economic, institutional and cultural) that international HR professionals need to consider when making decisions. (5)

Judgement and approach
After completing this course, the student shall be able to:
- show critical awareness of consequences of globalisation on the design of HRM policies and practices in international organisations, (6)
- show critical awareness of how local variations in social and economic conditions affect the management of work relationships, (7)
- show critical awareness of how decisions made by international HR professionals impact on various stakeholders, considering also ethical aspects. (8)

The first course module focuses on the role of International HRM, from various perspectives (global integration vs. local responsiveness, industrial and employment relations, links to overall business/organisational strategy, etc.). Furthermore, various theoretical perspectives applied in studies of international HRM, such as resource-based view, economic theories of firms, institutional theory, social network/social capital theory, critical approaches (including gender theory),  are elaborated.
The second module focuses on research conducted within the field of International HRM studies, concentrating on topics such as global staffing, performance and talent management, international assignments and global career management, international teams, mergers and acquisitions.
The third module develops understanding of strategic challenges in International HRM, considering various contextual factors (economic, institutional, cultural, industry and/or organisational), and how these contexts matter in the actual strategy practice and decision-making.

Module 1: Presentations and active participation in seminar discussions, 5 credits (examines outcomes 1, 2 and 6)
Module 2: A written literature review and an oral presentation of this in a seminar + opposition of reviews of other students, 3 credits (examines outcome 3)
Module 3: A written study and an oral presentation and defence of this in a seminar + opposition of papers of other students, 7 credits (examines outcomes 4, 5, 7 and 8)

Lectures, seminars, and independent work with tutoring possibilities as specified in the Course Guidelines.

The Swedish grades U–VG.

Examination of module 1: U, G
Examination of module 2 and 3: U, G, VG
To pass the course with distinction (VG), VG is required in the examination of both module 2 and module 3.

Written tasks must be submitted no later than the dates specified in the Course Guidelines.
Students receive tuition and/or supervision only during the course weeks.