MGB131 Introducing Human Resource Management


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:MGB131
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:48 credit points of completed study
Equivalent:MGB214
Anti-requisite:MGB207
Coordinator:Rebecca Langdon | r2.langdon@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces you to the strategic perspective on human resource management and the growing use of evidence based human resource decision making, such as HR analytics, to increase organisational effectiveness. This unit explores how the core roles and functions of HRM, including recruitment and selection, learning and development, and performance and reward management, need to be aligned with organisational strategy to achieve business goals.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of HRM theories and functions. [KS 1.1, KS 1.2]
  2. Interpret HRM analytics data to assist with strategic HRM decision making. [HO 2.2]
  3. Evaluate the effectiveness, ethical implications, and social impact of HRM strategies and functions and make evidence based recommendations. [HO 2.1, SE5.1, SE5.2]
  4. Communicate knowledge and ideas in written and oral forms. [PC 3.1, PC 3.2]
  5. Reflect on your own learning and professional practice while applying teamwork knowledge and skills to collaborate effectively across diverse contexts. [TS 4.1, TS 4.2]

Content

  • Strategy, strategic management and strategic HRM
  • HR planning
  • Job analysis and job design
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Performance and rewards
  • Learning and development
  • Employee health and safety
  • International HRM
  • HR analytics, technology, and evidence based decision making

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgment and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

The learning approaches used in this unit encourage active participation. Activities may include exercises, case studies, real-world examples, scenarios and group activities.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
• Indirect: to whole class

Assessment

Overview

This unit includes two assessment items designed to develop your understanding of strategic HRM and evidence based decision making. In the first assessment, you will work in a group to deliver an oral presentation analysing an organisation’s HRM approach and presenting strategic recommendations, supported by an individual peer review. The second assessment is an invigilated examination where you will apply HRM theories, frameworks, and analytics to organisational scenarios.

 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: HRM Strategy Presentation

Groups will prepare and deliver an oral presentation to analyse the approach to SHRM in a case organisation. Assessment will include a peer review.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assessment item requires your attendance at your scheduled tutorial/session.

The late submission period does not apply, and no assignment extensions are available.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (Aol goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.2)

Weight: 40
Length: 20-30 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment: Invigilated Exam

This invigilated examination assesses your ability to apply strategic human resource management concepts, workforce design frameworks, and analytical reasoning to organisational scenarios. You will demonstrate your understanding of key theories, diagnostic tools, and evidence-based HR strategies. It will also assess your ability to reflect on your own learning and professional practice.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

This invigilated examination requires attendance on campus or at an assessment centre, regardless of your attendance mode for the unit.

This assessment item is a Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.

Formative or Summative:  Summative

Business Capabilities (Aol goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.1), TS (4.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)

 

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:40 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resources will be provided on the unit Canvas site. 

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with learning and teaching activities in this unit. 

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, HRM Strategy Presentation

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Invigilated Exam

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO1, HRM Strategy Presentation

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO4, Invigilated Exam

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: ULO4, HRM Strategy Presentation

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam

TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability

Relates to: ULO5, Invigilated Exam

TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills

Relates to: ULO5, HRM Strategy Presentation

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Invigilated Exam
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, HRM Strategy Presentation
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam
  5. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, HRM Strategy Presentation
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Invigilated Exam
  7. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, HRM Strategy Presentation
  8. Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
    Relates to: ULO5, Invigilated Exam
  9. Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5, HRM Strategy Presentation
  10. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam

BS06 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Invigilated Exam
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, HRM Strategy Presentation
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO3, HRM Strategy Presentation , Invigilated Exam
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Invigilated Exam
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, HRM Strategy Presentation , Invigilated Exam
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4
  7. Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
    Relates to: HRM Strategy Presentation
  8. Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5

BS08 Bachelor of Business - International

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Invigilated Exam
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, HRM Strategy Presentation
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam
  5. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, HRM Strategy Presentation
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Invigilated Exam
  7. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, HRM Strategy Presentation
  8. Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
    Relates to: ULO5, Invigilated Exam
  9. Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5, HRM Strategy Presentation
  10. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Invigilated Exam