University of Essex

MSc Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management

 

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The MSc in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management offers a thorough understanding of the nature and role of organisations and the management of people at work. It places emphasis on an international perspective of leadership and the management of human resources, and on social and ethical criteria that foster the sustainability of entrepreneurial organisational structures and processes, collaboration, learning, and innovation. This programme will be attractive to students who plan to develop their careers as managers in the private and public sectors, HRM professionals, consultants, training experts and to entrepreneurs and company owners wishing to expand their own business venture internationally. The one year programme for full time students is also available ton part-time students on a modular format (available over a maximum period of 5 years).

Course Structure

The programme has three parts – the certificate level, the diploma level and the dissertation.

Stage One – the Postgraduate Certificate Level

Entrepreneurship: Theories, Policies, and Practices – economic, sociological and psychological theories of entrepreneurship; forms and typologies of entrepreneurship; enterprise culture and attitudes; national and international policy issues and imperatives; entrepreneurship in practice; international entrepreneurship

Organisation, learning and collaboration in a globalised world - The nature and role of today’s organisations and their impact on contemporary society. Internationalisation and globalisation processes that influence organisational structures, change, and culture; discusses the historical development of organisational theories, explains learning processes, knowledge creation and sharing, project work, teams and collaboration, strategy-as-practice, organisational politics and power relations, emotions and storytelling in organisations. Emergent organisational forms and typologies, and the impact of technology and virtual processes on business practice and cooperation.

Ethics, governance and sustainability - Ethics in relation to the management of human resources, the sustainability of organisational processes and governance decisions in the private and public sectors, and the enhancement of international business practice. Classical theories of ethics and alternative views, responsibility and accountability, the merits and limitations of applying ethical codes of practice in organisations and business across cultures, the role of trust and its impact on ethical behaviour and negotiations with stake holders, examples and case illustrations of ethical dilemmas, misconduct in business activities and management, the role of intellectual property rights, reputation and integrity, implications of breach of business ethics, the notion of business ethics for new ventures and small firms, the impact of technology and globalisation on ethical practice.

Stage Two – the Postgraduate Diploma

International Human Resource Management - Understanding the process of recruiting and allocating human resources and their management in the international context; identifying training and development needs; measuring performance and setting up appraisal systems, utilising and motivating human resources internationally; recruiting talent and global leaders, developing cross-cultural understandings in the management of business process and people at work; diversity and difference; building a corporate culture; policies and practices for managing international operations; managing information systems; strategic international human resource management.

Business research methods - In-depth understanding of the research process and applications of a range of research techniques. Key contents include a) defining and managing a research project with reference to business and management in general and entrepreneurship and small business in particular: identifying a research topic, developing a research proposal, and searching for information; b) designing research: research designs, survey design and administration, case studies, and multi-method design; c) doing research: practical and ethical considerations for conducting research, analysing quantitative data, analysing qualitative data, and applications of pertinent software packages; d) communicating research: interpreting research findings and making recommendations, writing up research project report.

Leadership and Management Issues in International Business - cross-cultural issues in marketing, human resource management and finance; business prospects for entrepreneurs in emerging and developing markets; generating and managing international social capital; diversity and the successful business enterprise; understanding ethical behaviour in different contexts; promoting corporate and social responsibilities in an international context; international entrepreneurial opportunity and cultural and ethical values; leading and managing sustainability of international ventures; social responsibility in an international business context.

Innovation Management - Managing innovation for creative competitive advantage. It provides students with knowledge and skills to manage innovation at the strategic and operational levels. Specifically, it integrates the management of market, organizational and technological change to improve the competitiveness of entrepreneurial ventures. The module is structured to cover six broad and interrelated issues: a) defining innovation management, b) developing an innovation strategy, and c) establishing effective external linkages, d) managing the internal processes, e) building innovative organisations and f) managing innovation performance. Therefore, the module explores innovation and competitive advantage, innovation processes, and capabilities in the context of entrepreneurship. The module draws on material from the literature on entrepreneurship and innovation, creativity management, strategies and organisational behaviour to provide a basis for a critical understanding of the value of effective innovation management for initiating and developing entrepreneurship.

Stage Three – The Masters (MSc) Level

Dissertation or Comprehensive International Business Plan

Research methods course preceding Dissertation
Understanding and doing research in marketing; Secondary research for scoping markets, countries, competition, industry analysis; Primary research - Quantitative and qualitative research methods for data collection and data analysis

Dissertation topic addresses issues of Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management in a specific context by drawing upon the learning from previous stages. Students will have the option of exploring in greater detail a specific topic covered in the whole programme.

Student may opt to do the Comprehensive International Business Venture Plan in lieu of the dissertation. This option should suit those students who wish to explore in depth the development of a business plan for an international new venture, a new product or service, or indeed the preparation of a broad business development strategy for any organisation planning to explore or extend their business in international markets.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The programme will be taught through a mix of traditional and innovative learning methods, workshops, presentations by entrepreneurs and research inputs. Action learning or direct interaction with ‘real life’ business situations will be a key component of the learning method used in the programme. International case studies will be used for teaching and learning and students will be encouraged to make direct links with entrepreneurial organisations in order to test and validate their own learning in the ‘real world’.

Full time and part-time students will be studying together in intensive learning settings. Guided self-learning will be feature of the programme, enabling students to explore, investigate and research into the various topics, interact with practitioners, and work with peers on projects.

Future opportunities

Successful completion of the postgraduate programme should enable students to see rewarding future careers in

a) management in large organisations, specialising in marketing/ international business development/ new venture management/project management ;
b) management in internationally-oriented small businesses, such as high technology ventures;
c) the development of new international or ‘born global’ ventures operating in international markets;
d) the public sector especially in national or regional government departments or agencies providing support for international business/marketing activity or the development of international economic and business policy;
e) non-governmental organisations operating in international environments; and
f) research and education.