LUBS5322M – Strategic Human Resource Management
University of Leeds | Leeds University Business School
🎯 Course Overview
This module explores how human resource strategies can be developed and implemented to support organizational objectives. Students will learn to analyze business strategies and design aligned HR approaches, considering contextual factors like industry conditions, workforce characteristics, and labor markets. The course emphasizes practical application through real company case studies.
📅 Weekly Seminar Topics
- Week 1 : Foundations of Human Resource Management
- Exploring the core principles and functions of HRM
- Understanding HR’s role in organizational success
- Week 2 : HRM in Evolving Business Environments
- Analyzing how external factors shape HR practices
- Adapting HR approaches to changing workforce dynamics
- Week 3 : Ethical Considerations in HR Practice
- Examining moral dilemmas in human resource decisions
- Framework for ethical decision-making in HR
- Week 4 : Aligning HR with Organizational Strategy
- Strategic human resource management approaches
- Creating HR-business strategy integration
- Week 5 : Workforce Planning and Job Architecture
- Techniques for effective human resource planning
- Principles of job analysis and design
- Week 6 : Talent Acquisition and Workplace Diversity
- Best practices in recruitment and selection
- Developing inclusive hiring strategies
- Week 7 : Employee Learning and Growth
- Designing effective training programs
- Career development and succession planning
- Week 8 : Compensation and Performance Systems
- Developing fair and motivating reward structures
- Performance management methodologies
- Week 9 : Organizational Restructuring Strategies
- Managing workforce reductions responsibly
- Legal and ethical aspects of redundancy
- Week 10 : Fostering Employee Relations
- Building positive workplace cultures
- Strategies for enhancing employee engagement
- Week 11 : Practice Exam Session
- Optional mock exam preparation
- Exam technique and question practice
📝 Assessment Information
The module is assessed through an open-book exam:
- 48-hour submission window
- Answer 3 questions total (1 from each section)
- Section A: 1,000 words (40 marks)
- Section B: 1,000 words (40 marks)
- Section C: 500 words (20 marks)
- Recommended completion time: 2 hours
📚 Core Concepts
- Strategic Alignment: Linking HR practices to business objectives
- HR Architecture: Differentiating approaches for workforce segments (Lepak & Snell)
- Contextual Factors: Industry conditions, labor markets, workforce characteristics
- Ethical Considerations: Applying ethical theories to HR decisions
- Implementation Challenges: Practical barriers to strategic HRM
📝 Exam Preparation
Section A/B Question Structure
- Business Strategy Analysis: Summarize the company’s strategic objectives
- HR Strategy Development: Propose HR objectives that support the business strategy
- Policy Recommendations: Specific HR practices to implement the strategy
- Contextual Considerations: Address industry, labor market, and workforce factors
Section C Question Focus
Ethical analysis of HR/business strategies using theories covered in the module.
📝 Sample Exam Question (Section A)
Redrow Case Study
Given Redrow’s overall strategy, what would the key objectives of an HR strategy developed to implement this strategy be? How could different HR policies and activities be used to achieve these objectives?
Your answer should include:
- Summary of the overall business strategy
- Key objectives of a supporting HR strategy
- Analysis of specific HR policies and practices
- Critical evaluation of proposed approaches
🔍 Marking Criteria Highlights
- 70+ (Distinction): Clear strategy alignment, contextual analysis, theoretical application
- 60-69 (Merit): Good strategy alignment but may lack specific contextual details
- 50-59 (Pass): Basic understanding but limited strategic analysis or contextual application