The course offers an introduction to core HRM activities. Student will develop knowledge key areas of HRM, and will be enabled to appreciate the main areas of HRM, in a comparative and international perspective. This includes an understanding of national business systems and culture as they interrelate to HRM and an understanding of the influence of employers, employees, trade unions and the state in shaping of HRM practices.

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to - develop an understanding of the issues arising in management of human resources in both smaller organizations and large multinational companies - critically assess a variety of contemporary, policy-relevant issues and perspectives which inform the study of HRM such AI, green and sustainable HRM practices - make informed evidence-based decisions about the creation of HRM practice bundles and will be able to critically assess their potential outcomes - be knowledgeable about the conditions that create decent work environments in which individuals can thrive More specifically: 1) Knowledge and understanding: The course will offer a tour on HR problems commonly encountered by small and large firms alike. Understanding of key theoretical concepts has to be acquired in order to approach the cases discussed in the course. This course provides advanced knowledge and analytical resources that will enable students to understand the processes, content and consequences of different HRM strategies, their international and ethical dimensions, and their similarities and differences in the context of a volatile and uncertain environment. 2) Applying knowledge and understanding: The students will be able to: • apply HR concepts to specific cases • select the best configuration of HR practices under given circumstances • examine evidence and make evidence-based decisions on HR problems • develop an understanding of how institutions shape, constrain and enable HR work in different countries 3) Making judgments: On the back of cases and in-class activities students are regularly asked to make decisions, and explain their rationale for arriving at the decision taken. Students are expected to take an evidence-based approach such they will be able to make informed decisions on people related aspects of selection, recruitment, change management and other HR related matters. Students are asked to demonstrate critical understanding by evaluating decision option from various angles thereby identifying the advantages and disadvantages of the preferred and alternative options. 4) Communications Skills: This course will give the students the possibility to acquire and understand major terms and concepts in order to communicate their ideas, proposals, analysis and critical reasoning with respect to Human Resource Management issues in organizations in the most effective and appropriate way. Through the various activities, group presentations and case discussion students are challenges each week to explain their rationales and viewpoints thereby practicing and enhancing communication skills. 5) Learning skills: This course will contribute to empower learners and their ability to understand HRM problems in organizations. It will give them the tools to assess the alternatives in the design of HRM systems. The course promotes an evidence-based approach for HR decision making and provides many opportunities for student to learn through applying this approach to HR cases and other activities (see details in the syllabus).

The course consists of several parts relating to the management of human resources in an international context: (1) The first part will introduce the primary functions of HRM and identify considering key organizational issues and major environmental factors they confront. (2) The second part will contextualize these matters in the context of the contemporary challenges faced by HR managers. (3) The third part deals with comparative HRM, in other words it looks at major systems of HRM across countries. The session plan is indicative an maybe subject to changes in function of availability of guest speakers.

All readings will be made available on the learning platform and are indicated in the syllabus. The course is based on articles and not a single textbook in order to guarantee coverage of the topics from many different angles. Single studies on focused aspects of single topics are included in order to showcase evidence and methods for the generation of evidence. Students need to make an effort to understand the analyses presented in the readings.

Each session will blend theory with practice: Theory parts provide overview of key topics using traditional through interactive lectures and we will set the theoretical scene of real HRM issues. Practice parts are focused on the discussion of relevant studies, in-class activities or cases: students will be challenged to apply principles, concepts, and frameworks to real organisational challenges and / or they will be exposed to live cases – i.e. from time to time industry keynote speakers will share their real life experiences with them and explain challenges faced and implemented solutions. The class discussion is going to be guided by the inputs provided by students through their active involvement, by which we mean that for each session (but the first one), students are expected to: Before each session, study the material – usually one/two papers and / or case studies – suggested in the reading list; During the session, actively discuss papers.

There is no mid-term exam on this course Attendance tracking: Compliant Status: Students who actively participate in at least 70% of the classes (recorded through the BEACON system) Not-Compliant Status: Students who do not meet the minimum threshold of 70% classroom attendance Exemption from compulsory attendance: Students with proven health issues, documented work commitments/internships, or competitive sports activities recognized by the University can ask to be exempted from mandatory attendance. Exemption’s requests need to be sent to and will be assessed by the Graduate School. Exempted students will be reported to faculty members via MyLuiss. Students participating in an international mobility program (e.g., Double Degree, Erasmus) are also exempted from compulsory attendance. Assessment: Compliant Students (Attending): Continuous Assessment (1/3 of the overall grade): Mandatory activities done throughout the semester. In the event of absence and/or withdrawal from one or more assessment tasks, the mark is 0 and it is included in the calculation of the final grade. The evaluation obtained cannot be rejected. Details of continuous assessment activities including in-class contributions tracking will be explained in week 1. Throughout the course in-class activities, case discussions and individual contributions will be used to monitor student progress. A group work opportunity contributing to the continuous assessment will be made available. Again, details will be provided in week 1. Final Exam (2/3 of the overall grade): Individual final exam taken during the exam dates scheduled in the examination session at the end of the semester in which the course is taught. The evaluation obtained cannot be rejected. The course will assessed through a mandatory 1-hour exam consisting of both closed and open-ended questions (weight 2/3). Please note: The combination of continuous assessment (one-third of the overall grade) and the final exam (two-thirds of the overall grade) is valid only during the exam dates scheduled in the examination session at the end of the semester in which the course is taught. In subsequent examination sessions (retake sessions), the assessment is based only on a final exam (100%). The evaluation obtained cannot be rejected. Non-compliant Students & exempted students: The course will be assessed through a mandatory 1-hour exam consisting of both closed and open-ended questions (100%). The study program for non-compliant and exempted students will be made available on the learning platform (myLuiss). It includes all readings relevant for attending students plus several additional materials.

Participation in class and interest in a relevant subject. The instructor will create a priority list considering the annual workload related to supervising students. Hence, ‘the sooner the better’, but also ‘the better the student the better’. The student needs to submit a project proposal.