Management School – Undergraduate Coursework Specification 2020-2021

Module Code: MGT226 Coursework Code: MGT226-2
Module Title: Human Resource Management
Date Available: 07/02/2022
Submission details: 27th May, 12pm (noon)

Electronic submission only through Blackboard.
You are now allowed to utilise the Turnitin Check before the assignment deadline which can be accessed via the information room.
This allows you to generate an originality report and use this to improve your referencing and citation skills.
Please note: Turnitin Check is NOT the final submission – you still need to submit your work to the Assignment Link on the
module Blackboard site, otherwise it will be marked as Not Submitted.
You should note that the time of submission is taken from once the document has been successfully uploaded and confirmed – this
may take more than five minutes during busy periods. Late penalties will be applied to any work submitted from 12.01pm on 27th
May onwards. Details of how to calculate a late penalty can be found in your programme Handbook. It is your responsibility to
ensure the correct document/file has uploaded successfully.
When submitting students must:
1. Include a completed cover sheet (available from Blackboard (MOLE))
2. Use ‘Student Number, MGTXXX-1’ (e.g. 190011001 MGT226-2) as the document’s file name and also as the Assignment
Title in Turnitin.
Contribution to Final Mark for Module: 60%
Maximum Word Length: 2000 words
The word count is for the main body of the text and ignores the reference list and appendices. If you exceed the word length you will
be penalised. For details see the Management School Handbooks.
Please note that SUMS does not have a word count tolerance - it is a stated maximum as outlined above.
Requirements:
You are required to pick ONE of the following questions and write an essay answer of 2,000 words.
Please note that you must choose a topic different from Assignment 1. For example, if you chose Recruitment for assignment 1, you
cannot choose question n. 3 for Assignment 2.
For all questions, the model answer will be structured in three sections: introduction, main body and conclusions.
The introduction will briefly outline the main relevant issues and explain how the answer is structured.
The main body will define and critically examine key relevant concepts and theories and it might also include examples from case
studies or personal work experience. This section will provide arguments both for and against the theories analysed.
The conclusion will summarise key issues and provide an overall critical reflection.

Questions
1) Critically discuss the terms integration and responsiveness in the context of IHRM. What effect can these have on how organisations are
structured, the nature of the parent-subsidiary relationship, and the flow of knowledge across them?

2) Diversity management theories, policies and practices can be based on arguments of social justice or business needs. Compare and
contrast these two perspectives and explore whether there are overlaps and similarities between the two.

3) The use of psychometric testing in selection has attracted numerous criticisms. Critically discuss them and identify what HR managers
could do to address and mitigate the limitations of psychometric testing.
4) “According to some, there is little point in training and developing employees if the jobs they are to undertake are tightly controlled with
no trust or discretion given” Critically discuss this statement, making references to two learning theories, and exploring their effectiveness
in training programmes for highly standardised jobs and for jobs with high level of autonomy and discretion.

5) Performance can be measured in different ways. Some of them focus more on employee control, others on employee development.
Critically discuss two different approaches to performance, examining whether they are more inclined toward control or toward
development.

6) Critically discuss ethical absolutism, ethical relativism, and ethical pluralism, explaining how these different perspectives might impact
HRM strategies, policies and practices of an organisation operating in different continents.


Assessment
criteria
<40%
(Fail)
40-44%
(Pass)
45-49%
(3rd class)
50-59%
(2.2 )
60-69%
(2.1)
70-79 %
(1st class)
80 % and above
(1st class)
Reference to
relevant
theoretical
frameworks
Lacks any
reference to
theory
Refers briefly to
theories, but
does not show
how they are
relevant to the
topic covered.
Refers briefly to
theories, but
does not
fully/clearly
explain how they
are relevant to
the topic
covered.
Refers briefly to
relevant theories
and broadly
shows how they
are relevant to
the topic
covered.
Refers to
relevant theories
and shows
carefully how
they are relevant
to the topic
covered.
Explains and
critically
evaluates
relevant
theories,
relating them
to the topic
covered.
Deep and
comprehensive
explanation of
relevant theories,
with clear
indications of
substantial
independent
reading and
reflections.
Evidence of critical
and original
thinking in linking
theories and the
topic covered.
Analysis of
the chosen
topic
Insufficient
information is
given OR the
description is
very long, with
no analysis
OR no
references to
relevant
literature
Very rudimentary
analysis, with
major omissions
and/or flaws.
Superficial
references to the
literature.
Rudimentary
analysis, with
some omissions
and/or flaws.
Superficial
references to the
literature.
Satisfactory
analysis
demonstrating
some knowledge
of the topic and
the ability to
make some
reference to
relevant theories
Good analysis,
demonstrating a
reasonable
understanding of
the topic and the
ability to engage
with relevant
theories.

Very good
analysis,
demonstratin
g a sound
understandin
g of the topic
and ability to
engage with
relevant
theories in a
critical and
reflective
manner.
Outstanding and
insightful analysis,
demonstrating
sophisticated
understanding of
the topic and ability
to engage with
relevant theories in
a critical, original
and reflective
manner.
Clarity of
Arguments
Lack of clear
arguments

Unclear,
confusing
arguments
throughout the
assignment.
Unclear,
confusing
arguments in
some sections of
the assignment.
Generally clear,
but some sketchy
and
underdeveloped
arguments
throughout the
assignment.
Clear arguments
throughout the
assignment.
Clear and
well-
constructed
arguments
throughout
the
assignment.
Convincing, fully
developed and
consistent
arguments
throughout the
assignment.
Structure and
Presentation
Unclear written
English and
grammatical
errors. Poor
presentation
and structure.
English is
understandable,
but there are
several
grammatical
errors. Weak
presentation and
structure.

English is
understandable,
but some aspects
could be
explained more
clearly. Weak
presentation and
structure.

Presentation
competently
structured and
generally
acceptable
grammar and
spelling

Presentation
logically
structured, using
acceptable
grammar and
spelling

Excellent,
well directed
presentation,
logically
structured,
and using
acceptable
grammar and
spelling
.
Exceptional
presentation,
logically structured,
using acceptable
grammar and
spelling. Superb
skills in
communicating
knowledge and
complex
information
Criteria
Referencing
Inadequate
reference to
sources.
Some references
are correct, but
many presents
mistakes and
inaccuracies,
The referencing
is quite carefully
carried out but
should be refined
further.
Referencing is
generally
carefully carried
out, but there are
a small number
of minor
mistakes.
Referencing is
carefully carried
out.

Referencing
is very
carefully
carried out.

Excellent use of
the Harvard
referencing system
and an outstanding
level of
competence

Referencing: you must reference your work correctly using the Harvard method. Failure to do so will result in the deduction of marks
and possible proceedings under the University's Regulations as to the Use of Unfair Means
Independence of working:
You are reminded of the University's Regulations on the Use of Unfair Means and academic integrity which are outlined in the School's
Handbooks. If there is a suspicion that your work is not your own and that you have used unfair means or there is suspicion of a breach
of academic integrity in writing this assessment then you may be referred to our unfair means officers to consider your work. Therefore,
you are advised to ensure that you undertake the relevant guidance on the module site or programme level sites that you have access
too. If you cannot access these, please contact the Student Experience Office.
Other Submission Details:
• Use the standard Management School cover sheet
• Have the word count given on the cover sheet
• Be presented with 2.5cm margins all round
• Use Times New Roman or Arial, 11 or 12 point for the main body text
• Use 1.5 line spacing
• Have all pages numbered except the first
• Be properly spell checked
• Be made attractive with suitable use of headings, paragraphs and sections
• Be properly referenced to the Management School version of Harvard referencing
Resit:
The resit will be based on the specifications outlined in this document, but students must choose a topic different from the original assignment.