7BSP1303-0105 International and Comparative HRM 

Module Title:

International and Comparative HRM

Module Code:

7BSP1303-0105

Assignment Format & Maximum Word count

Individual coursework portfolio including:

• Individual report (2500 words) – 80% of marks
• Individual reflection of a group work activity (750 words) – 20% of marks

Assignment weighting

    100%

Coursework Submission:

Time:
Method: Canvas

Coursework return Date returned to students:

Module Leader 

First marker  

Internal Moderator

Approved ☐
Date:

Module Board name

External Examiner

Approved ☐
Date:

Module Board date

Module eligible for an extension on submission date (subject to UPRs)

Yes

Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding assessed in this assignment:

Successful students will typically...

1. Critique the theoretical and empirical work of key writers (classical and contemporary) on different aspects of international human resource management as a distinctive field of study and practice
2. Examine strategic orientations of multinational corporations (MNCs) and analyse the HR policy/employment considerations related to them
3. Evaluate comparative and diverse contexts impacting HRM and its related practices in various regions
4. Critically appraise, evaluate and synthesise different writers` theoretical and empirical contributions to the study of international human resource management

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes assessed in this assignment:

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes
Successful students will typically...

1. Relate theory to practice to the complex interrelationship of human resource factors within multinational corporations.
2. Work effectively in diverse groups

Transformational Opportunities:
E.g. Use LinkedIn Learning to improve skills

• Developing a research evidence based evaluation of a people management issue
• Developing report writing skills
• Understand their own cultural communication style and empathise more with others

Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment

• Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric)
• Feedback for improvement will be given in writing via your Canvas module site within 4 weeks of submission
• Lateness Penalty: For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches the minimum pass mark (UG 40/PG 50).  Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than the minimum pass mark no lateness penalty will be applied.  If the coursework is submitted more than 5 days after the published deadline, it will not be marked and a grade of zero will be awarded. Please note: Referred coursework submitted after the published deadline will be awarded a grade of zero (0).”
• Extensions: Students do not have an automatic right to an extension.  If you require an extension, this must be requested in advance of the submission deadline.  Please give your reason(s) for needing an extension.

Detailed Brief for Individual / Team Assignment

Task 1

Assignment Title:
Individual Assignment – Report (80% of the marks) due by -------------. Max 2,500 words

Description of the assignment, task, content and structure:
You have been assigned the role as ICHRM consultant. The company is looking to expand overseas and wants to understand whether they would need to adapt their HRM best practices to the local culture and institutional environment.  

Students will be provided the home and host country they will be comparing via Canvas communication from the module team.
The company has provided you a number of areas they want you to cover as part of your research and reporting:
a) Critically compare and contrast the key similarities and/or differences in terms of how culture impacts on workplace behaviour between the home and host country (500 words)
b) Critically compare and contrast the key similarities and/or differences in equality (or anti-discrimination) law between the home and host country (500 words)
c) Critically compare and contrast the key similarities and/or differences in terms of how staff may expect to be performance managed OR rewarded from a cultural perspective (500 words). To reiterate - you can choose to focus on performance management or pay and reward here.
d) Based on the above research, critically evaluate the potential for convergence of HR best practices around the home country model. If you conclude that divergence is likely, you must clearly identify what areas of HRM best practices will need to be adapted to the host country model (500 words)

Grades will be capped at 20% if students do not compare the countries individually allocated to them by the module team.
Please see guidance notes (portfolio document and answer booklet) which provide the suggested structure and requirements for the answer.

Any specific instructions:
The HBS Grading Criteria (rubric) will evidence how marks are awarded for individual parts of the assignment i.e. Presentation and Structure, Intellectual Curiosity and Referencing, Content, Analysis, Discussion

Task 2

Assignment Title:
Individual reflection of a group work activity (20% of the marks) - due by ---------------.

Description of the assignment, task, content and structure:
Drawing on Gibb’s (1988) Reflective Cycle model, please reflect on your experience of cross-cultural working in relation to the group task in week 9 developing ‘a cross-cultural team communication map’. Your reflection should be no more than 750 words in total (+/- 10%)
Please see guidance notes (portfolio document and answer booklet) which provide the suggested structure and requirements for the answer.

Student Support and Guidance

• For further help on module content and assignment details, contact your Module Leader in his or her drop-in / office hours or by email.
• Use the Learning Outcomes and HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric) to help inform you of the expectations of the assessment.
• Use CASE (Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement) website resources: http://go.herts.ac.uk/CASE . Attend CASE workshops and drop-ins to develop academic skills to meet HBS expectations (see timetable on CASE website homepage or drop-in to CASE in L064, in the LRC).
• Visit the Academic English for Business Programme Site for tips on developing your academic English and contact hbsacademic-english@herts.ac.uk if you have any questions.
• For help with Turnitin, look for the “Check your work (Turnitin Originality Report)” practice assignment in the Assignment section of all of your modules.  For help with understanding plagiarism and how to make changes to your assignment, contact hbsacademic-english@herts.ac.uk.
• Use the Online Library to access quality business information resources:
• Library Search will help you find books, journal articles and more.
• Use the Subject Toolkit for Business to access to industry standard databases.
• Use Library SkillUP for guidance for searching and referencing.
• Get help: use SkilIUP module chat, visit the Study Success Hub, or book an 1:1 with a librarian.