Overview
This unit critically examines the human resource functions, operations, policies, and practices pertaining to the transfer of employees across national borders for work purposes. The aim is to identify, analyse, and discuss the issues that human resource practitioners face when selecting, employing, and deploying staff in diverse organizational, cultural, and national contexts. This is an advanced unit that applies and builds upon the knowledge acquired in the foundation unit - Managing Human Resources. This unit equips students with the skills needed to effectively manage human resources in international business environments across countries.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Co-requisite: HRMT20024 Managing Human Resources
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator's Response, In-Class Students' Comments, and Self-Reflection
Simplify content delivery and enhance coordination
Simplify Content Delivery: Tailor lectures and workshops to accommodate non-business students by breaking down complex concepts into more accessible language and using relatable examples. Ensure consistent communication and support throughout the term, offering additional resources and guidance to help students from diverse academic backgrounds better grasp the material. Finally, to improve HRMT20025 for future terms, simplify lectures and workshops to better support non-business students by using clearer language and relatable examples.
- Research and apply the theories that inform the study and practice of international human resource management in a variety of international settings
- Communicate knowledge of international human resource management for a range of purposes and discuss the significance of international organisations adopting human resource management policies and practices
- Critically analyse the implementation of human resource management policies and practices in international organisations in a way that is relevant to all management practitioners
- Identify and critically evaluate the most important issues that impact the practice of international human resource management
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Report - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
International Human Resource Management
- Edition: 8th (2023)
- Authors: Peter Dowling, Marion Festing PhD, Allen D. Engle, Sr. D.B.A
- Cangage Learning
- ISBN: 978-1-4737-7379-0
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.haque@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Introduction
Chapter
Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content introduces key concepts in IHRM, including expatriate assignments, domestic vs. international HRM, and the complexities of managing HR globally.
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025Module/Topic
The Context of IHRM – Culture and Institutions
Chapter
Chapter 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers definitions of culture, key intercultural studies like Hofstede and GLOBE, evolving cultural approaches, and the development of cultural research in the IHRM context.
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025Module/Topic
The Organizational Context: Structure, Merger and Acquisition and Global Small Business
Chapter
Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content explores standardisation vs. localisation, structural responses to international growth, control mechanisms, their impact on HRM, and the complexities of equity-based cross-border alliances like mergers and joint ventures.
Week 4
Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Global Work
Chapter
Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers global work concepts, including worker types, expatriates, and emerging trends such as digitalisation, sustainability, diversity, and the future of global work.
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Sourcing People for Global Markets –Global Staffing, Recruitment and Selection
Chapter
Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers staffing foreign operations, recruitment for international roles, selection criteria, challenges for dual-career couples, and the situation of female expatriates in global work.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025Module/Topic
There is no topic covered in workshop this week. The group presentations
and discussions will be completed in class (i.e., face to face).
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
There is no topic covered in workshop this week. The group presentations and discussions undertaken during the workshop.
Presentation (Group) Due: Week 6 Monday (21 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7
Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Global Performance Management International
Chapter
Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content explores performance management systems in international contexts, multinational performance aspects, expatriate performance factors, and issues in appraising international employees and HCN managers.
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 May 2025Module/Topic
Training, Development and Careers
Chapter
Chapter 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers the repatriation process, factors affecting work adjustment, MNE responses to repatriate concerns, career issues, ROI, knowledge transfer, and designing a repatriation program.
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 May 2025Module/Topic
Global Talent Management
Chapter
Chapter 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers the global relevance of talent management, key terms like ‘global talent’, GTM approaches and practices, drivers and outcomes of GTM, context-specificities in cultural settings, macro talent management, and challenges like talent analytics and virtual talent management.
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 May 2025Module/Topic
International Compensation
Chapter
Chapter 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers the complexities of transitioning from domestic to international compensation, key components of an international compensation program, approaches like going rate, balance sheet, and the emerging Local Plus approach, alongside challenges such as taxation, living cost data, and managing TCN compensation.
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 May 2025Module/Topic
IHRM Trends and Future Challenges
Chapter
Chapter 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week, the content covers international business ethics and HRM, IHRM activities for non-wholly owned subsidiaries, ownership issues in family-owned firms and NGOs, safety and security planning, and research in IHRM to better understand its link to firm internationalisation and strategic goals.
Week 12
Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Revision and Q&A Session
Chapter
Chapters 1-10 & Q&A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Last week’s revision and Q&A session is instrumental in consolidating key concepts and addressing any uncertainties, ensuring students are well-prepared for the upcoming assessments.
Report (Individual) Due: Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation
The Assessment 1 task requires a group presentation (15 minutes + 5 minutes for Q&A) and a complementary group report (2000 words, excluding references and appendices). Your group, consisting of 3-4 students, will be given a case study on the HR policies of a multinational organisation. Each member adopts the role of an HR Director for a specific country the organisation operates in. The task is to analyse the HR strategy provided by the organisation’s headquarters and apply it to your respective country. The presentation for Assessment 1 will be scheduled during the Week 6 workshop.
Key components of the assessment:
- Group Report: The report should synthesise each member’s analysis of how the HR strategy applies to their specific region/country. You need to cite at least 8 recent (eg. after 2019), peer-reviewed academic journal articles.
- PowerPoint Presentation: In Week 6, your group will present the key findings from your report in a professional manner.
- HR Strategy Analysis and Adaptation: This task tests your ability to collaboratively interpret and analyse HR strategies and adapt them to specific international contexts, along with your presentation and report writing skills within the group.
Make sure to:
- Align the analysis to your country's specific HR challenges and context.
- Use relevant, recent peer-reviewed sources to support your points.
- Practice the presentation for clarity and professionalism within the 15-minute timeframe.
Important: For this assessment, students must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). You are permitted to use AI tools for planning, idea development, and research. However, your final submission should clearly demonstrate how you have developed, refined, and critically engaged with these ideas. Failure to properly disclose the use of AI tools or any misuse will be regarded as a breach of academic integrity and handled in accordance with the university's academic misconduct policies.
Week 6 Monday (21 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website
Week 8 Monday (5 May 2025)
Presentations will be graded and feedback will be given in two working weeks.
The marking rubric, available on the unit Moodle site, will evaluate the following:
Presentation (60%):
- Quality of PPT Presentation (20%): High-quality design, effective use of visual aids.
- Content (20%): Accurate representation of HR issues, effective HRM strategies and recommendations for the region.
- Presentation Style, Competency, and Teamwork (20%): Clear presentation skills, teamwork, adherence to the time limit.
Report (40%):
- Analysis (10%): Critical engagement with contemporary IHRM practices.
- Recommendations (10%): Justified, effective HR strategies and recommendations.
- Research (10%): Use of at least 8 recent, peer-reviewed journal articles beyond course material.
- Written Communication (10%): Overall quality, including formatting, grammar, and referencing style.
Additional Notes:
- Late Submission: A penalty of 5% per day applies without prior approval.
- Plagiarism: Any detected plagiarism will be reported to the Academic Services Centre and may result in a “zero” mark.
- Research and apply the theories that inform the study and practice of international human resource management in a variety of international settings
- Communicate knowledge of international human resource management for a range of purposes and discuss the significance of international organisations adopting human resource management policies and practices
- Critically analyse the implementation of human resource management policies and practices in international organisations in a way that is relevant to all management practitioners
- Identify and critically evaluate the most important issues that impact the practice of international human resource management
2 Report
This assessment 2 requires researching an Australian-based organisation with international operations, focusing on HR issues and policies.
Objective:
- Investigate how the company’s HR practices have been influenced by recent external environmental factors (e.g., Impact of AI, COVID-19, political/economic instability in host countries).
- Provide recommendations on how the organisation can adapt its HR strategy in response to these environmental factors, both within Australia and in its host countries.
Research Requirements:
- Conduct a thorough analysis supported by strong justifications, drawing on at least 8 recent (eg. after 2019) and relevant peer-reviewed journal articles and other credible literature sources.
- Word Limit: 2000 words (Excluding reference list and appendices)
Key Points:
- Focus on HR practices and policies affected by external factors.
- Provide clear, actionable recommendations for future HR strategies.
- Draw insights from a minimum of 8 recent academic sources.
Important: For this assessment, students must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). You are permitted to use AI tools for planning, idea development, and research. However, your final submission should clearly demonstrate how you have developed, refined, and critically engaged with these ideas. Failure to properly disclose the use of AI tools or any misuse will be regarded as a breach of academic integrity and handled in accordance with the university's academic misconduct policies.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
All assignments must be submitted through the Moodle site. No email submissions will be accepted.
As this is the final assessment item for this unit, submissions, along with marks and comments, will not be returned until the Certification of Grades date.
A full marking rubric will be available on the unit Moodle site. The following criteria will be the basis of this rubric:
- Knowledge (10%): Demonstrates a solid understanding of concepts and theories relevant to the unit throughout the report.
- Analysis (25%): Shows the ability to critically analyse, synthesise, and apply concepts and theories effectively throughout the report.
- Research (25%): Exhibits the ability to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the organisation and its IHRM activities, supported by at least 8 recent, relevant peer-reviewed academic journal articles.
- Recommendations (20%): Provides well-founded strategies with clear justification for the recommended actions.
- Referencing (10%): Applies correct APA referencing style consistently.
- Communication (10%): Demonstrates proficiency in academic writing conventions, ensuring clarity and coherence.
Late Submission:
- A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions without prior approval.
Important: Plagiarism will be reported to the Academic Services Centre and may result in a “zero” mark.
No submission method provided.
- Research and apply the theories that inform the study and practice of international human resource management in a variety of international settings
- Communicate knowledge of international human resource management for a range of purposes and discuss the significance of international organisations adopting human resource management policies and practices
- Critically analyse the implementation of human resource management policies and practices in international organisations in a way that is relevant to all management practitioners
- Identify and critically evaluate the most important issues that impact the practice of international human resource management
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
