Bachelor of science honours degree in human resource management (bsc hrm) sshrm

( human resource management DEPARTMENT)

INTRODUCTION

These regulations shall be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and the General

The global economy among other changes in the business community has continued to transform the shape, structure and form of modern industries. Likewise, interest in the study of both Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations has enormously continued to grow. Judiciously, proper management of the most fragile organizational resource (People Resource) has necessitated much interest in the subject in Zimbabwe and this culminated in the introduction of a degree in Human Resource Management at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences.
World over, one of the key challenges confronting organizations is the ability to optimally resource and utilize the labour resource to push forward the performance agenda thereby providing the productive effort needed to achieve organizational goals. In reality, an organization can only be able to leverage its existence through building key competencies in its people and the much-desired sustainable competitive edge can never be achieved without their honest effort, commitment, engagement and loyalty. This can never be fully guaranteed since we are dealing with the most unpredictable resource; the human resource.

The overall task of Human Resource Management therefore, is to develop strategies, policies and procedures, which will facilitate employee effort, commitment and loyalty.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry

For normal entry into BSc Human Resource Management Honours Degree programme, candidates, additional to satisfying the minimum conditions prescribed under the General Regulations, must;

- Have obtained at least five ‘O’ Level subjects including English Language and Mathematics
- Have obtained at least two `A’ Level passes in any Commercial subjects or Humanities (Arts).
Special Entry
- Holders of the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe (IPMZ) National Diploma or its equivalent qualification may apply for admission into BSc Human Resource Management Honours degree programme.
- Candidates admitted under 2 may be exempted from certain modules at the discretion of the department.
- Normally, candidates admitted under regulation 2 may not complete the degree programme in less than three years.

Mature Entry

Persons who are at least 25 years of age for males and 23 years for females on the first day of the academic year in which admission is sought and who are not eligible for entry under either the Normal or the Special Entry regulations may apply for Mature Entry provided that:

- Such applicants have passed at least five (5) approved ’O’ level subjects including English Language and Mathematics. Applicants must have demonstrated potential suitability for university studies by virtue of their attainments and/or relevant work experience;
- Normally, such applicants should have completed their full-time school or college education at least five years before the start of the academic year in which admission is sought.

Applicants who wish to be considered under the Mature Entry provisions may be required to attend interviews and/or special tests at the University designed to assess their command of the English Language, numerate and reasoning ability and general suitability for admission to Bachelor’s degree studies;

Applicants who have previously attended Mature Entry tests and/or interviews without success will not be considered for admission under this form of entry unless in the intervening period they have acquired relevant additional qualifications and/or experience.

Visiting School

The aim of the visiting school programme is to provide academic support to those Human Resource Management practitioners who are already in the field of practise but need to upgrade their skills in the area. Ordinarily, these individuals hold qualifications lower than BSc in Human Resource Management studies.

The degree programme will be completed in three years with academic levels 2 and 3 running
To qualify for normal entry into the BSc Human Resource Management Studies Programme (Visiting School), candidates should have obtained at least five `O’ level passes including English Language and Mathematics. In addition, a candidate must have;

Either

A Diploma in Human Resource Management OR
Any other relevant tertiary qualification And
– At least 2 years working experience in the relevant field. (Production of proof of employment or HR practice a must).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the programme, the graduate should be able to:

Explain fundamental concepts of Human Resource Management (HRM).
Articulate the HR-firm performance
Implement applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the management of people at
Demonstrate effective interpersonal
Demonstrate a clear understanding and application of green
Demonstrate the ability to respond to the organisation’s internal and external environment in an innovative way and for competitive advantage.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Employee Relations Management, performance management, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, payroll administration, talent management, knowledge management and HR information systems.
Evaluate and implement different HRM policies, systems and practices to ensure efficient and effective attainment of organizational goals.
Apply acquired competencies to promote high employee commitment and organisational
Apply e-Resourcing skills/ digital HRM

CAREER PROSPECTS

The degree programme aims to produce innovative graduates crowned with entrepreneurial skills to match with the demands of the technologically driven work environment of modern times. Additional to adding value to their organisations, our graduates can serve as equal strategic partners equipped with flexible skills that drive change in their organisations for sustainable competitive advantage. Graduates of MSUASs HRM degree programme will find rewarding careers as:

Human Resource Officers/Managers/Executives/Directors General Management/Business Partners
Training Officers/Managers/Trainers/ Facilitators. Industrial Relations Officers
Payroll Administrators/ Officers/ Managers. Research Officers/Research fellows
Public Relations Practitioners. Public Sector Officers.
HR Consultants/Business Consultants. Labour Movement Advocates Academics.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Bachelor of Science Human Resource Management Honours Degree is a four-year
Students shall be required to go for work related learning for duration of a whole academic year during their third level of study.

ASSESSMENT

Methods of assessment shall include continuous assessment, examinations, work related learning supervision and
The weighting will be computed as follows:
- Continuous Assessment 30%
- Examination 70%

MODULE SYNOPSES

BASIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS

This module introduces learners to the fundamentals of communication skills in an academic setting – speaking, listening, reading and writing. These include style and appropriateness, formal and informal styles of writing, organisation of writing, paragraphing, developing an argument, referencing and editing.

MANAGEMENT & LABOUR

The module serves as the basis of introducing students to key theories and concepts of the evolution of management. At the end of the module, students are expected to understand the essence of planning, organizing, controlling and motivation in pursuance of the organizational mandate. Again, students are expected to analyse the innate conflict between management and labour, come up with solutions to managing the conflict and appreciate the need for embracing change in organisations. Students will appreciate the origins of various approaches and models that shape the discipline of people management.

PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS

The objectives of this module is to encourage students to develop a facility for self-expression not only in writing but also in using additional aids such as statistics and diagrams where appropriate, the habit of using works of reference as sources of data specific to economics, the habit of reading critically to gain information about the changing economy we live in and an appreciation of the methods of study used by the economist and of the most effective ways economic data may be analyzed, correlated, discussed and presented. Lastly the module will allow students to evaluate economic information, arguments, proposals and policies taking into consideration relevant information and theory and distinguishing facts from hypothetical statements and value judgments.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

This module is intended to enable students to clearly understand and appreciate the employment relationship; understand the origins of industrial relations and interpret the `worker problem’; understand the theoretical issues underpinning the collective bargaining role of trade unions.

LABOUR ECONOMICS

This module is intended to enable students to; examine how labour markets operate in practice, introducing the concepts of unemployment and wage rigidity; analyse labour market theories in relation to human resource management with a focus on the `flexibility’ notion.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

The objective of the module is to expose students to concepts and theories of business communication and to assist them to develop into good and competent communicators. It focuses on the development of student’s ability to communicate effectively and concisely in written, oral and any other forms of communication. It also considers different styles in the use of English in business settings, communication skills, letter writing, business reports, note taking, meetings, minutes, summarizing and referencing.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

The module is intended to enable the students to; understand and appreciate the essence of training of employees in organisations. Additionally, they are expected to underscore the importance of carrying out training needs analysis (TNA), training audits, evaluations and assess the skills requirement in different organizations.

INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY

This module is intended to enable students to; understand the human being as a social entity and understand the influence of formal and informal relationships on the human being as well as understand the role of the organization as a social entity in shaping human behavior. It basically explains how individual behaviour is shaped and constrained by the culture of the organisation.

PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The module is intended to enable students to understand and appreciate the origins and current role of human resource management and the academic debates around the future direction of the profession. Students will appreciate the distinction between the Industrial Relations model and the HRM model with regard to the relationship between workers and their unions on one hand and the management and owner of businesses on the other hand. The module exposes students to some of the key theories and approaches to HRM. It also explores the philosophy of Human Resource Management vis-a-vis Traditional Personnel Management.

INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module introduces students to the fundamental principles of Psychology. It is designed to not only provide the tools necessary to study human behaviour and mental processes but to also present a sample of the major areas of Psychology as a discipline. The module explores the integrative domains of Psychology inclusive of the biological, evolutionary, cognitive, developmental, social and clinical psychology. There will be a comprehensive coverage of core concepts, which are grounded in both classic studies, and in current and emerging research, including reference to the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological disorders. The emphasis of the module is two-fold: Firstly, to enable students to appreciate the diversity and richness of the discipline of Psychology; Secondly, to acquaint students with important principles, theories, concepts and findings in Psychology.

ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

This module is intended to enable students to; understand and appreciate the behavioural and management science evolution, appreciate that the organization itself is a mega system composed of various other sub-systems, analyse individual behavior, underscore the need for human motivation and leadership; understand the meaning of organizational culture and how it influences the way employees behave in the organization.

HUMAN RESOURCE POLICY AND PRACTICE

This module is intended to enable students to clearly define these key concepts; understand the meaning and differences between human resource policies and procedures. Students will appreciate the nature and content of human resource strategies and how to develop them, e.g. employee resourcing, employee reward, etc. students will therefore familiarize with key human resource policy areas and the respective procedures.

PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING

The module introduces students to the basic principles, concepts, and theories of the marketing discipline. Students are oriented to the marketing mix and practices. Moreover, students get to appreciate the important role of marketing in a corporation, be able to distinguish marketing from a novice’s perception of the discipline as selling and the need for organisational leadership to have marketing knowledge.

COMMERCIAL LAW

The module is designed to equip students with basic but concise legal knowledge to enable students to make legally sound and informed business decisions at work or managers. The module is an introduction to general principles of law and its interpretation, law of contract, purchase and sales, agency, negotiable instruments, insurance, partnership, law of derelict, insolvency and consumer protection.

GENDER AND THE WORLD OF WORK

This module introduces students to the appreciation of the impact of gender issues in employment circles including how employees are made to relate at the work place. It also analyses issues such as discrimination, equal employment opportunities, sexual harassment, workplace romance, work and family responsibilities, work -life balance etc. It also gives students an appreciation of the international legal framework governing gender issues in Zimbabwe and abroad.

GLOBAL PANDEMICS AND WORK ORGANISATION

This module is intended to enable students to; understand the devastating effects of global health pandemics such as HIV AIDS and COVID 19 at the workplace and craft comprehensive policy frameworks and proffer workable strategies to help the infected and affected for the benefit of the organisation and society at large. Students will also appreciate the various statutory instruments, regulations or labour laws on such pandemics to safeguard against possible litigation on discrimination in resourcing, promotion, termination of employment, etc. of both the affected and infected.

LABOUR LAW

This module is intended to enable students to; highlight the basis and significance of the contract of employment guiding the employment relationship. It enables students to analyse the contract of employment in terms of the legal regulations of economic activity within the labour market.

RESEARCH METHODS

In this module the students will become acquitted with sample research methodologies such as survey and field research, questionnaire design, content analysis, analysis of existing data, individual and group observation e.t.c. The module will also introduce students to the safeguards against errors in both data collection and data analysis and reporting. In addition the module will draw the attention of students to an important but often neglected aspect of social research i.e. the ethical issues in social research, covering topics such as voluntary participation, anonymity, confidentiality and the need to adhere to professional code of ethics. Practical experience from studies in other countries will be used to expose the student to practical issues in research. The student will also be introduced to the basics of analysing research data. The module offers an overview of different approaches, considerations and challenges involved in social research.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

This module is intended to enable students to; to appreciate the need for effective management of health and safety programmes in the workplace; conceptualize issues of environmental health and safety and occupational health; examine various theoretical strands to issues of environmental and occupational health; identify and discuss different forms of health and subsequent occupational intervention strategies; outline various organizational stressors among employees in Zimbabwe and strategies for managing such; familiarize with various statutory requirements governing occupational health and safety and identify causes of occupational hazards and accidents and methods of dealing or preventing such.

TALENT MANAGEMENT

This module focuses on the task of making sure that organizations are rightfully resourced with key people skills needed to drive forward the performance agenda for organizational productivity. Areas to be covered include staffing, career management, employee orientation, employee retention, performance management, talent retention challenges among others.

REWARD MANAGEMENT

The module analyses the concept of Reward, the Total Reward model, the link between Performance and reward, the Reward Strategy, Reward management in a hyper-inflationary environment as well as International issues in reward management.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

The module seeks to examine the nature and value of strategic management, the business environment, strategic planning, functional goals and strategies. It also examines strategy implementation, the role of leadership in implementing strategy, resource deployment in implementing strategy, designing organization to implement strategy effectively, control, factors influencing strategy implementation.

EMPLOYEE RESOURCING

This module focuses on the task of making sure that organizations are well resourced with rightful people skills with correct competencies needed to drive forward the performance agenda for organizational success. Areas to be covered include approaches to employee resourcing, hiring, performance management, organizational resourcing, labour market flexibility, ethics in resourcing, international issues in labour use, strategic significance of organizational resourcing, resourcing challenges in the Zimbabwean context among others.

PUBLIC SECTOR HRM

The module explores HR practices in governmental and quasi-governmental organisations like local authorities and parastatals. The role of government policy influencing such practices is articulated since government provides the legal framework for such HR practices. The themes to be covered include the legal framework of HR practice in governmental and non-governmental organisations, resourcing practices, staff retention practices, talent management practices, HRP, performance management, reward management, disciplinary procedure and organisational ethics.

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This module is intended to enable students to; understand the need for transformation in organisational systems and procedures in the context of business uncertainty, assess organizational level of preparedness to embrace change, interpret various OD models, interventions and learning organisations.

STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

This module is intended to enable students to; understand the development of policies and strategies, describe the basic types of strategies and policies at management disposal, show how these strategies may be implemented in practice and suggest guidelines to help evaluate the strategies and policies in practice.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The module is intended to enable students to; explore how managers can invest in their workforce to achieve both individual and organisational effectiveness. Students will also get exposed to such issues as career development, succession planning, management development programmes, etc.

HR ANALYTICS

The module is intended to enable students to embrace digitalization in the management of the people resource. Areas covered include data gathering, capturing and interpretation for managerial decision making. Additionally, this module is intended to address productivity challenges, translation of workforce data into real financial impact, interrogate the link between HR and business strategy, quantifying HR decisions and predictive analytics.

HR REPORTING

This course provides the basis for informed decision making within the confines of people related issues. It seeks to cover HR monitoring and management ofkey information within organisations. Indisputably, regular reporting enables HR to keep a finger on the pulse of the organizations by tracking key workforce metrics including performance. By tracking problem areas, like employee turnover, HR can leverage its position to drive improvements.

COMPARATIVE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

This module is intended to enable students to; understand the global conception of labour, extent to which globalization has brought about similarities in industrial Relations systems between countries and in particular countries in the SADC and EU and examine the difficulties in framing, interpretation and enforcement of social legislation.

RESEARCH PROJECT

This module shall prepare students in areas of proposal writing, conducting of research, data interpretation and publication. The primary objective of this module is to give students an opportunity to engage in an independent study, with limited supervision and guidance. This shall be achieved through a programme designed to expose students to the following: research proposal writing, data collection and organization, data analyses and statistical competence, data interpretation and presentation, quality scientific writing, verbal presentation of research proposals.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY & PRACTICE

This module provides student with the tools to identify opportunities, how to screen the various opportunities, developing a business concept, translating ideas into business opportunities, financing a business, growing a business, the management team and harvesting of a business. Thus, the module focuses on ways in which entrepreneurs recognize opportunities, generate ideas, and organize resources to plan successful ventures that enable them to achieve their goals. Students will create a business plan for a student-run business. Through hands-on experiences, students will have opportunities to develop the values, traits, and skills most often associated with successful entrepreneurs. By the end of this module, students will be able to; analyse the characteristics and contributions of enterprising people; compare the characteristics and contributions of various entrepreneurs; assess their personal entrepreneurial and enterprising prospective; analyse various methods of generating ideas and identifying opportunities to satisfy needs and wants; and generate realistic novel ideas and identify possible opportunities for a student-run business.

HR INFORMATION SYSTEMS

This module advocates for the creation of an intact HRIS and well managed database in response to the business environmental push trend towards a paperless society. The impact of information technology on organizational productivity can never be overemphasized in this modern-day business community; hence this module further explores depth into commercial HR Information System and Packages.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR BUSINESS 1A

This module is intended to equip the student with the necessary skills which should enable the student to apply the basic principles of accounting and keep proper records required to ascertain the financial results and financial position of the sole proprietors and non-profit organisations, as well as prepare proper books from incomplete records. The Module covers at the basic accounting equation, the double entry system, inventory valuation, the trial balance, Books of original entry, capital expenditure and revenue expenditure, depreciation of non-current assets, bad debts and provisions for bad debts, accruals and prepayments, control accounts, suspense accounts. The Module also covers incomplete records, receipts and payments accounts, income and expenditure accounts, manufacturing accounts, departmental accounts, joint venture accounts

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS

After studying this module, the student should be able to: Understand the mathematical and statistical techniques which are useful for business applications; Solve real life business problems using formal mathematical tools and algorithms; Interpret statistical data for business application; The module cover the following modules: Basic concepts of statistics, Descriptive statistics: grouped & ungrouped data, Introduction to basic probability concepts, Random variables and probability distributions, Confidence intervals, Hypothesis testing, Simple regression analysis and correlation analysis and Time series analysis.

GENDER STUDIES

PUBLIC RELATIONS

The module introduces learners to basic theoretical foundations, practices and philosophy underpinning public relations in organisations. Topics covered include significance of various publics in the execution of the organisation’s mission, crisis management, use of social media as an equal communication channel, PR campaigns, political communication, professional communication, integrated digital communication, role of PR in global business politics & social interactions and communication media.