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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2011 - 2012

Module Title International Employee Relations
Module Code HR568
School DCUBS

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

To provide an understanding of the breadth and depth of the similarities and differences in the structure of international industrial relations in selected areas. This module will help students make sense of what is happening in the field of industrial relations and its interactions with an increasingly competitive business settings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Enumerate the difficulties of undertaking international industrial relations comparisons e.g. terminology & functions, voluntarism & legalism, industry effect & national effect, first world, newly industralised and developing countries.
2. Summarise the main areas of similiarity and difference between national systems of industrial relations.
3. Assess the role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) especially the influence (or lack of it) of its conventions, recommendations and follow up monitoring system amongst the affiliated member countries.
4. Dissect in detail the national industrial relations system of a selected country (other than Ireland) in a class presentation to one's peers.
5. Competently analyse the convergence / divergence debate in international industrial relations in a personally researched term paper.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24One two hour weekly lecture
Assignment Completion16Essay on a relevant selected topic
Group work15Class presentation on some selected areas of a country's industrial relations system
Independent Study70Private study
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Comparative / International Industrial Relations
Definitions and distinctions, Difficulties in undertaking international comparisons, Convergence or divergence and related industrial relations theories.

National Industrial Relations Frameworks
International trends in trade union membership, Examine frameworks (employers, trade unions, governments, legislation, collective bargaining, dispute resolution) in selected countries - UK, USA Canada, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy.

International Industrial Relations Organisations
The International Lanour Organisation (ILO), International trade Union / employer confederations and federations (i.e. ICFTU, ETUC, Business Europe)

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment30% Examination Weight70%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Bamber, G.J. & Lansbury, R.D.: 2004, International and Comparative Employee Relations, 4th, Sage,
  • Morley, M.J., Gunnigle, P. & Collings, G.: 2006, Global Industrial relations, Routledge,
  • Croucher, R. & Cotton, E.: 2009, Global Unions Global Business, Middlesex University Press,
  • Erne, R.: 2008, European Unions: Labor's Quest for a Transnational Democracy, ILR Press (Cornell University Press),
Other Resources

2259, Lecture Handouts, J-K Barrett, 0, Class MateriaLS,
Programme or List of Programmes
GDHRMGrad Dip in Human Resource Management
MHRMMSc in Human Resource Management
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