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People Management in an International Context

Module description

This module is designed to provide people practitioners with the necessary knowledge and understanding to effectively manage people in an international context.

Module aims - intentions of the module

You will examine contextual factors relating to managing people from an international perspective and assess the drivers and benefits of employment in an international context. You will explain how convergent and divergent approaches can shape policy and practice and learn about the factors relevant in selecting and resourcing people with a specific skillset, as well as the challenges and cultural differences to consider. Additionally, you will evaluate the reasons expatriates are used for international working and the formation of appropriate policies and processes for selecting, preparing, and managing overseas repatriation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe people practice from an international perspective.
• 2. Explain the challenges of people practice in an international context.
• 3. Describe the role and function of people practice in an international context.
• 4. Explain the process and benefits of managing expatriates.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Advise on application of policy, regulation, and law for HR issues.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Communicate information through appropriate channels to enable key stakeholders to understand what is required.

Syllabus plan

• Introduction to module including key terms and assessment criteria.
• An examination the contextual factors of an international organisation.
• An assessment of the drivers and benefits of employment in an international context.
• Explain the convergent or divergent approaches to inform people management policy and practice choices.
• An assessment of the factors to be considered when selecting and resourcing staff for international assignments.
• Why people practices can vary across international boundaries.
• The cultural and institutional differences to be considered when managing international people practice.
• The role and function of people practice in an international organisational context.
• How people practices and policies are shaped by the international context.
• The reasons that companies use expatriates for international working.
• The process for selecting, preparing, and managing expatriates for overseas relocation for work.
• How people practice can support re-entry and resettlement of overseas workers.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment. 

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Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Taylor, S. and Woodhams, C. (eds). (2022) Studying human resource management. 3rd ed. London: CIPD Kogan Page.

Armstrong, M. Taylor, S. (2020) Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. 15th Ed Kogan Page.

Brewster, C. Houldsworth, E, Sparrow, P and Vernon, G (2023) International Human Resource Management. 5th Ed Kogan Page.

Edwards, T. Rees, C. (2017) International Human Resource Management: Globalization, National Systems & Multinational Companies. 3rd Ed. Pearson.

Hofstede, G. (2001) Comparing Values, Behaviours, Institutions and Organizations Across Nations. 2nd Ed. Sage.

Web-based and electronic resources:

 www.cipd.co.uk Website of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Knowledge Hub.

Other resources:

Exeter University Electronic Learning Environment (ELE)

Key words search

HRM, international people management, international HRM