Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management Descriptions
Unit outlines will be available through Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.
Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
1000-level unit of study
WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
This unit draws on concepts from industrial relations and human resource management to examine the interests and strategies of workers, unions, managers, employers and the state. It explores the relationships between these parties as they seek to manage their environments and workplaces and to exercise control over each other. The unit enables students to understand how and why the organisation, regulation and management of work are changing in Australia and globally. As well as providing an introduction to all aspects of the study of the employment relationship, this a foundation unit the industrial relations and human resource management and management majors.
WORK1004 Foundations of Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prohibitions: WORK2201 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
This is a foundational unit in the Management and IR and HRM subject areas. An introductory overview of management methods and approaches is provided which forms the basis of study for an advanced specialisation in management. The unit examines management as a process of planning, organising, leading and controlling the efforts of organisational members and discusses how recent trends such as globalisation, economic change and the effects of new technology have led to profound changes in how organisations are managed. The unit explores these issues with respect to both large and small, public and private, and domestic and foreign organisations.
2000-level units of study
WORK2203 Work and Industrial Relations Policy
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Completion of 24 credit points of 1000-level units of study Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
The aim of this unit of study is to provide an understanding of the institutions and processes engaged in the regulation of work and labour markets. At times of intense change and debate such as today, it becomes all the more important to develop understandings of industrial relations policy which are intellectually rigorous; that is, which are evidence-based, theoretically-explicit and historically-informed. This unit is framed by these considerations. Particular topics may include: the development of policy; the nature of regulation; state and federal government policies; arguments for change; the influence of lobby groups; employer and union strategy; work-family debates and policies; the working of tribunals and courts; dispute settling procedures; the development of wage determination; the outcomes and implications of policy change.
WORK2205 Strategic Human Resource Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Completion of 24 credit points of 1000-level units of study Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Building on the foundational coverage of Human Resource Management (HRM) issues and concepts provided in WORK1003, this unit provides a more focused understanding of key HRM concepts, processes, strategies and practices. The unit covers the way HR concepts, such as the employee psychological contract, might shape HR strategies and practices and highlights the interplay between the strategic approaches to HR and the practices of HR including talent attraction and selection; talent retention and development; managing performance and rewards; diversity and inclusion strategies, workplace health and well being to name a few. It concludes with an investigation of how the HRM system can be effectively evaluated to capture the long term sustainability of the HR processes and strategies adopted.
3000-level units of study
IBUS3104 Ethical International Business Decisions
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Completion of at least 48 credit points Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
In order to succeed in international business, both corporations and individuals need broad decision-making abilities. Business decision-making tools yield more coherent and justifiable results when used with an understanding of the ethical, social and environmental aspects of the process. This applies to various situations in the international business setting including business relations with government, customers, employees, and NGOs. This unit is designed to look at these non-financial elements in the decisions made within the international business context. Following the completion of this unit, students will have enhanced skills and knowledge relevant to the understanding of ethical issues and ethical decisions making in international business organizations.
INFS3050 Business Intelligence for Managers
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assumed knowledge: INFS1000 or INFO1000 or INFO1003 or INFO1903 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
To gain or maintain their competitive edge, more than ever before, organisations need to rely on high-quality information to support decision making processes at all organisational levels. Business Intelligence (BI) is now being recognised as one of the top business priorities world-wide. While in the past, the term BI was used to describe a very broad range of software applications, the latest thinking in this field emphasises IS support for human intelligence, in the context of business decision making. In this unit, students learn how BI helps information discovery and how to analyse multidimensional data. Students gain hands-on experience in using a commercial BI platform. These practical skills, combined with in-depth analytical skills enable students to assist any organization (regardless of its size and industry domain) to derive more intelligence from its data, improve its performance and ultimately, compete on analytics. Issues are explored from the business rather than the technology perspective. This unit does not require prior programming experience.
WORK3201 International Human Resource Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 1.5 hr lecture and 1x 1.5 hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: Completion of at least 48 credit points Prohibitions: WORK2217 Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 Assessment: quiz (readiness assurance test) - individual (20%); quiz (readiness assurance test) - group (5%); team strategy exercise (20%); written assignment (30%); exam (25%)
Note: The Intensive June session is restricted to Study Abroad students only. All other students enrol in the Semester 1 session.
This unit considers the opportunities and challenges associated with managing employees in international and cross-cultural contexts, with specific emphasis on international recruitment, selection, preparation, placement, management development, performance management, reward and remuneration in the international, multi-national and trans-national corporation. Within the context of global labour markets, the unit considers the implications of internationalisation and globalisation for human resource management (HRM), the difference between domestic and international HRM, and the challenges of cross-cultural management. This unit provides students with a theoretical understanding of IHRM and cross-cultural management, as well as a practical understanding of the issues and challenges associated with managing employees in international, global and cross-cultural contexts.
WORK3203 Gender, Diversity and Inclusion at Work
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Completion of at least 48 credit points Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
The unit explores the strategies and initiatives implemented at the workplace and corporate level to manage a diverse workforce with a particular focus on the impact of gender on individuals' experiences of the world of work. While drawing on the intersecting elements of gender and other diversity dimensions (such as cultural diversity; LGBTIQ+; indigeneity; people with disabilities; age), the unit seeks to introduce students to a number of gender perspectives, highlighting how each perspective conceptualizes the issue of gender; provides a different lens to accounting for gender inequality and proposes different "solutions" to the "problem of gender diversity" in organizations. The unit takes a multi-level and multi-disciplinary approach to examining the management of gender and diversity, focusing on live case studies and practical examples.
WORK3206 Workplace Law and Regulation
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Completion of at least 48 credit points Prohibitions: WORK2227 Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
This unit of study examines the regulatory framework that exists around paid work in Australia. It examines the development of employee and employer rights and responsibilities through the employment contract and labour law. It focuses on both individual and collective regulation of work in Australia paying particular attention to the industrial sphere, as well as discrimination and termination of employment. Both the aim and purpose of industrial regulation and the impact of this regulation on workplace relations is analysed.
WORK3210 Climate Change and Work
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Completion of at least 48 credit points Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 and (WORK1004 or WORK2201) and WORK2203 and WORK2205 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Climate change presents fundamental challenges to the organisation of work and industrial relations. Beginning with the British industrial revolution and then through the long and continued reliance on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive production methods in industry, supply chains and transportation systems, work-based actions have changed the climate. Recognizing the impacts of climate change, some workplaces are shifting to low-carbon and sustainable forms of production, and new 'renewable' industries are emerging. These developments are prompting a re-thinking and re-evaluation of work. To explain these issues, this unit explores theories of work, capitalism and nature, exploring concepts such as the Anthropocene, just transition, green jobs, and the 'green new deal'. It goes on to examine the relationships between business, government and civil actors like trade unions, and community groups in both resisting and driving changes in work amid the climate crisis. It does so attentive to the differences within and between countries in how work, industrial relations and climate change itself are experienced and understood.
WORK3400 Industry and Community Project
Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive February,Intensive July,Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: 72 credit points Prohibitions: BUSS3110 or ACCT3400 or BANK3400 or CLAW3400 or FINC3400 or IBUS3400 or INFS3400 or MKTG3400 or QBUS3400 or WORK3401 Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 and WORK1004 and (WORK2203 or WORK2205) Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
This interdisciplinary unit provides students with the opportunity to address complex problems identified by industry, community, and government organisations, and gain valuable experience in working across disciplinary boundaries. In collaboration with a major industry partner and an academic lead, students integrate their academic skills and knowledge by working in teams with students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. This experience allows students to research, analyse and present solutions to a real-world problem, and to build on their interpersonal and transferable skills by engaging with and learning from industry experts and presenting their ideas and solutions to the industry partner.
WORK3600 IR and HRM in Practice
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1b,Semester 2a Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: Students commencing from 2018: completion of at least 120 credit points including WORK1003, WORK1004, WORK2203 and WORK2205. Pre-2018 continuing students: completion of at least 120 credit points including WORK2203 and WORK2205. Prohibitions: WORK2215 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Note: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
This capstone unit bridges the gap between theory and practice in human resource management and employment relations by integrating knowledge and consolidating key skills developed across the major. It aims to provide students with practical experience in identifying, analysing, and solving contemporary business problems. The unit covers critical issues and builds skills in negotiation and influence, managing in a diverse environment, implementing practices to enhance diversity, equality and inclusion and building sustainable organisations. It contextualises this material in relation to the self, the organisation and institutions. Much of this unit is dedicated to a problem-based/experiential approach to learning. Students ensure their career-readiness by demonstrating their ability to apply concepts, theories, frameworks, methodologies, and skills to authentic problems and challenges faced in the field of human resource management and employment relations.