This course explores strategic global human resource management, emphasizing its role in shaping organizational success across multinational contexts. Learners gain insight into historical developments, models, and policies that drive effective HR practices worldwide.

Strategic Global Human Resource Management

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What you'll learn
Analyze global HR policies and models for effective multinational management.
Implement strategies for diversity, inclusion, engagement, and employee well-being.
Apply change management and ethical practices to real-world HR challenges.
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July 2026
11 assignments
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There are 11 modules in this course
This module explores the evolution and strategic dimensions of international human resource management (IHRM) within multinational corporations. Learners will examine key models, cultural adaptation, global workforce policies, and the challenges of managing international assignments. Practical case studies and frameworks provide insights into effective people management across borders.
What's included
1 video12 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
12 readings•Total 57 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- The Mindsets of Senior Leaders•5 minutes
- Competitive Challenges and International HRM Configurations•7 minutes
- Global Expansion of MNCs and International HRM Implications•4 minutes
- Strategic International HRM in MNCs•4 minutes
- The broad context: Drivers of international work•4 minutes
- Pre-departure: Resourcing, admin support and preparation•3 minutes
- Selection Systems•5 minutes
- Adjustment to the Local Environment•6 minutes
- Career Capital During the Assignment•7 minutes
- International Assignments in Hostile Environments•4 minutes
- Case Study 9.1: International HRM – aiming to practice transnational people management, achieving cognofederate IHRM•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Global HR Management and Organizational Strategies•16 minutes
This module explores the global landscape of human resource management by examining theories of convergence and divergence, cultural and institutional influences, and the role of multinational corporations. Learners will analyze real-world case studies to understand how HRM practices vary across countries and contexts. The module provides tools to critically assess the diversity and adaptation of HRM systems worldwide.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 45 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Convergence or Divergence in HRM Systems?•7 minutes
- Divergence: The Endurance of National Systems•4 minutes
- HRM in practice – Hoftstede's dimensions of cultural difference:•4 minutes
- Institutionalist perspectives•11 minutes
- Empirical Ways of Understanding Diversity•5 minutes
- Case Study 10.1: HRM in mozambique•4 minutes
- Case Study 10.2: Ireland and the multinationals•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Comparative Human Resource Management Concepts•16 minutes
This module explores the strategic role of diversity and inclusion in human resource management, examining demographic trends, business cases, and global perspectives. Learners will assess the effectiveness and critiques of diversity initiatives and analyze real-world case studies to understand their impact on organizational performance and fairness.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 51 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- A business case for equal opportunities and managing diversity•6 minutes
- A Move to Inclusion•7 minutes
- International and Cultural Contexts: Managing Diversity Globally•7 minutes
- Do Diversity Initiatives Deliver?•6 minutes
- Critiquing diversity initiatives•7 minutes
- Conclusion•8 minutes
- Case Study 11.2: CMC retailing•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Exploring Diversity and Inclusion in Organizational Management•16 minutes
This module explores the complexities of workforce downsizing, including its global context, the role of HRM, various methods and alternatives, and the outcomes for organizations and employees. Learners will gain insights into best practices, challenges, and the strategic considerations involved in managing organizational restructuring. Real-world case studies provide practical perspectives on the impact and management of downsizing.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 49 minutes
- Introduction•11 minutes
- The role of HRM in downsizing•7 minutes
- Methods and Forms of Downsizing•4 minutes
- Alternatives to Redundancy•8 minutes
- The Redundancy Process•5 minutes
- Outcomes of downsizing•4 minutes
- Conclusion•5 minutes
- Case Study 12.1: Nowa huta/arcelor mittal (Poland)•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Downsizing and Organizational Change•16 minutes
This module explores the key elements of organizational change, including its drivers, processes, agents, and recipients. Learners will examine the pivotal role of HR in facilitating change, managing resistance, and supporting those affected. Practical strategies for navigating and leveraging change within organizations are also discussed.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
10 readings•Total 54 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- First Cornerstone: Change Drivers (Why change?)•5 minutes
- Internal drivers of change•6 minutes
- Emergent Change Processes•4 minutes
- HR professionals as agents of change•4 minutes
- Fourth Cornerstone: Change Recipients (Who is Affected by Change and How Can They be Supported?)•5 minutes
- Managing resistance to change•5 minutes
- From managing to celebrating resistance•5 minutes
- HR's Role in Change Management•4 minutes
- Conclusion•11 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Organizational Change•16 minutes
This module explores the frameworks and mechanisms of employee involvement and participation, examining their historical evolution, practical applications, and impact on organizational performance and employee well-being. Learners will analyze how contextual factors such as national policies and organizational structures shape participation schemes, with real-world case studies illustrating challenges and best practices.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 41 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- The Context for Employee Participation•5 minutes
- A Framework for Analysing Employee Participation•12 minutes
- The Meanings and Impact of Participation•3 minutes
- Employee Participation and the EU•7 minutes
- Case Study 14.1: Re-designing employee involvement in a small family-run business•4 minutes
- Case Study 14.2: Managing participation – easier said than done•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Employee Involvement and Participation in Organizations•16 minutes
This module explores the concept of employee engagement, examining its definitions, measurement tools, and practical applications within organizations. Learners will analyze how engagement impacts organizational performance and retention, and distinguish engagement from related constructs. Real-world case studies provide insight into challenges and strategies for fostering engagement, especially in dynamic environments like startups.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 44 minutes
- Introduction•7 minutes
- Measuring work and organisation engagement in research•6 minutes
- Measuring employee engagement in practice•4 minutes
- Engagement and related constructs•10 minutes
- Outcomes of Employee Engagement•7 minutes
- Conclusion•5 minutes
- Case Study 15.2: Tackling employee engagement in a startup•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Exploring Engagement in Work and Learning Environments•16 minutes
This module explores the ethical foundations of human resource management, examining key moral philosophies, stakeholder impacts, and the complexities of employment relationships. Learners will analyze ethical dilemmas, compare HRM models, and consider the role of sustainability and collective bargaining in shaping responsible workplace practices.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 42 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Defining Business Ethics and HRM•8 minutes
- The Employment Relationship•4 minutes
- HRM Rhetoric and Reality•4 minutes
- Shaping Ethical Work Contexts•7 minutes
- Sustainable HRM•4 minutes
- Conclusion•11 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Ethical Dimensions of Human Resource Management•16 minutes
This module explores the concept of emotional labour in customer service roles, examining its effects on employee well-being and organizational outcomes. Learners will investigate the influence of customers on emotional work, strategies for emotional regulation, and real-world case studies highlighting challenges and coping mechanisms in HR contexts.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 43 minutes
- Introduction•15 minutes
- Harmful Aspects of Performing Emotional Labour•7 minutes
- Adding in the Customer into FLSW Research•7 minutes
- Coping Strategies•5 minutes
- Case Study 17.1: Emotions and the changing HR profession•4 minutes
- Case Study 17.2: Adding the customer into an analysis of HRM and emotions in electrical retailing•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Emotion in the Workplace•16 minutes
This module explores the various forms of workplace flexibility, examining both employer-driven and employee-driven approaches. Learners will analyze the implications of flexible work arrangements and discover strategies for aligning organizational and individual needs. Practical considerations for implementing flexible policies are also discussed.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 46 minutes
- Introduction•9 minutes
- Approaches to Flexibility•13 minutes
- Flexibility for employees•5 minutes
- Implementation and Outcomes•10 minutes
- Matching Employer and Employee needs•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Workplace Flexibility and Labor Management•16 minutes
This module explores the multifaceted concept of well-being within Human Resource Management, examining its definitions, dimensions, and the impact on both individual and organizational performance. Learners will investigate psychological and physical well-being strategies, competing perspectives on HRM outcomes, and practical approaches to fostering well-being in the workplace. Real-world case studies and current challenges provide context for applying these concepts.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
10 readings•Total 57 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Well-being – What's in a Name?•5 minutes
- Meanings and Dimensions of HRM and Well-being•5 minutes
- Workplace Well-being and HRM•5 minutes
- Competing Perspectives: Mutual Gains or Conflicting Outcomes•8 minutes
- Macro and Micro Factors Shaping HRM and Well-being•5 minutes
- Mindfulness•5 minutes
- Physical health, diet and exercise•7 minutes
- HRM well-being practices•4 minutes
- Case Study 19.1: Bronze standard – Well-being at a local authority•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Exploring Workplace Well-Being and Its Influences•16 minutes
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