HRM-31119 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module provides students with specialist analysis on pay as a central element in the study of human resource management (HRM). Crucially, the module examines both the external market for labour and the internal operation of pay determination within the organisation. The module explains variation in pay levels between occupations, the role of the State in shaping pay policy and the problems associated with grading and pay systems which seek to link pay to performance. Recent developments, notably the impact of the Government spending cuts, are examined in the context of theories of pay and pay negotiations.

To provide students with an analysis of pay and labour markets, pay determination processes, systems and structures related to general theories of pay. The module examines how reward strategies and policies are influenced by business context and how pay determination is relevant to labour market trends, government regulations and management decisions to promote employee performance. The module also focuses upon the importance of negotiating theory and practice in understanding pay determination.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify pay as a complex cluster concept and part of a theory of income: 1
identify and analyse pay statistics drawn from appropriate HR sources (e.g. ASHE data) with reference to relevant pay theories and labour market trends: 1
evaluate various pay structures and job evaluation methods: 2
critically analyse a range of payment systems and the link between pay and performance: 2
assess the role of line managers in pay determination: 2
analyse the concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic reward: 2
explain government policy in relation to pay and its regulation: 2
analyse negotiating theory and practice: 2
analyse the context of pay and evaluate the key elements of reward decision making, including the labour market, trade unions, state regulation and organisations¿ pay strategies: 2

Study hours

15 hours lectures
5 hours tutorial work
4 hours of tutor led activities
15 hours lecture preparation
5 hours tutorial preparation
36 hours assignment preparation
70 hours private study

School Rules

Students must have completed Year 1 module Foundations of HRM (Dual Honours or single honours Management HRM pathway) or Year 2 module Employment Relations or Managing Human Resources as a pre-requisite

Description of Module Assessment