Module Directory

This module draws together the knowledge and understanding gained during a student's participation in the BSc Business and HRM degree, providing a ‘capstone’ or completion marker indicating their program's culmination. It will enable each student to demonstrate their subject knowledge and apply their research skills through critically investigating a contemporary and critical issue in HRM.

The Autumn term will feature a series of research-led lectures outlining current and critical topics in HRM and project design sessions. In addition, students will prepare their own topic of study and take this forward into the final year project in the Spring term.

As an independent and self-directed module, students have the option of undertaking two different types of projects to complete in their final year, which can be selected based on their employability and academic objectives:

• HRM Consultancy Report – addressing a professional or institutional HRM problem (for example, from a placement experience) – 5000 words.

or

• Independent HRM Research Project – addressing an academic or conceptual issue in HRM - 5000 words.

All students will be able to meet their Programme Director and module leader to discuss the most suitable project option for their final year.

The aims of this module are:

• To enable students to develop a deep understanding of critical HRM issues of interest. The module will rely on the knowledge and skills imparted in core and compulsory modules and reinforce the research-led environment that is a hallmark of Essex graduates.


• To provide the opportunity for final-year students to analyse a range of literature, documentary evidence and/or other available primary source material to demonstrate a critical understanding of the particular issues facing businesses and society today.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1.  Identify, plan, organise and pursue a research-oriented project or study.


2. Exercise a range of research and transferable skills and methods to produce a research-oriented dissertation.


3. Analyse and reflect critically on theories and/or conceptual/analytical frameworks in addressing real-life management, marketing or business problems.


4. Utilise transferable skills, including those related to accessing documentary evidence and academic literature and analysing data from primary sources.


5. Analyse, synthesise and critically appraise knowledge from a variety of sources.


6. Effectively communicate findings and analysis while generating appropriate recommendations.

In the autumn term, the module will combine lectures focusing on research-led critical and contemporary topics in HRM with those that address the mechanisms of the research process and the production of a final-year project. The EBS Learning Team and the Library will also deliver support sessions to develop students’ research skills further.

The critical HRM topics will vary from year to year, in line with the changing nature of what could be considered topical in HRM and research expertise within the teaching team, but would likely feature themes such as:

• Net zero and sustainability in the workplace.


• New technology and the transformation of work.


• Hybrid working patterns and the work-life interface.


• Conflict in contemporary workplaces.


• Worker voice in contemporary organisations.

The project will be independent and self-directed. However, during the spring term, compulsory supervisory sessions will be provided.

Indicative Lecture Programme

Autumn Term

• Lecture: Introduction to Critical HRM and the Final Year Project


• Lecture: Overview of the Research Process


• Lecture: New Technology and the Transformation of Work (Indicative)


• Support Class: Searching and Evaluating Academic Literature – Library staff


• Support Class: Ethical Approval (ERAMS) – Research Ethics Officer


• Lecture: Hybrid Working Patterns and the Work-Life Interface (Indicative)


• Support Class: Reference Management Software and Referencing - Library staff


• Lecture: Net Zero and Sustainability in the Workplace (Indicative)


• Support Class: Finding News, Media and Commercial/ Industry Sources – Library staff


• Lecture: Conflict in Contemporary Workplaces (Indicative)


• Support Class 5: How to Write a Literature Review - EBS Learning Team


• Lecture: Worker Voice in Contemporary Organisations (Indicative)


• Support Class: How to Read Critically (EBS Learning Team)


• Assignment: Submit Research Proposal


• Support Class: Time Management for Capstone Projects – EBS Learning Team

Spring Term

• Group supervision meeting: Students discuss their research proposals with peers and supervisors.


• Individual supervision Meeting (1) - Contact the supervisor for details – individual meetings will be set up by the supervisor.


• Individual supervision Meeting (2) - Contact the supervisor for details – individual meetings will be set up by the supervisor.


• Lecture: Writing up the Final Year Project.


• Individual supervision Meeting (3) - Contact the supervisor for details individual meetings will be set up by the supervisor.


• Assignment: Submit Research Project or Consultancy Report.

Critical Issues in HRM is an independent, self-directed project that builds on earlier modules, particularly research methods and skills.

Lectures, support research skills classes, and meetings with assigned supervisors will guide the work process and the structure and format of the coursework assignments. Key information on the module and assignments will be made available on Moodle.

The module leader will also periodically email further guidance and reminders. Supervisors provide the primary point of contact and support during the process. Students must seek their advice during official meetings and academic support hours during term time. Students are ultimately responsible for the project's scheduling, development and completion.

The taught component of the module consists of eight lectures, seven in the autumn term and one in the spring term. The autumn term lectures introduce the module, provide an overview of the research process, and address themes in HRM deemed critical and current.

The spring term sessions and meetings provide support and detailed advice on the structure and sections of the dissertation. There will be altogether four supervisory meetings, one group-based, and three individual. The three individual supervisory sessions will comprise around 30 minutes. In addition, supervisors must read and comment on one final report or project draft.