Master Seminar: Advanced Topics in Global Strategic Management
Sommer Term 2016
Dr. Iris Kollinger-Santer
kollinger@lbcnet.at
Course Objectives
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To enable participants to describe and understand the trends and current
developments business leaders and HR managers face and have to deal with when
managing a global workforce.
To make students familiar with the different options of MNE business strategies and
their linkage to the selection of corresponding IHRM strategies.
To gain insights in and understanding of the conceptualisation of fundamental IHRM
strategies and their impact on selected HRM functions.
To enable students to choose an appropriate structure and design for multinational
companies and deal with the chances and risks of their respective choices.
To get an overview and to create an understanding of the theoretical approaches of
and current practices in global planning & staffing, recruitment & selection,
performance management, training & development and compensation of international
staff, especially in correspondence to the process of IHRM strategy setting.
To provide an understanding of the complexity and impact introduced by cultural
differences and peculiarities of an international environment and especially when it
comes to international assignments.
To gain practical insights and hands-on experience through dealing with real life
examples and cases.
To provide students with a learning environment that allows for reflection on different
issues regarding strategic international HRM from different perspectives and to give
them the chance to improve their social and cross-cultural competencies, particularly
their communication and cooperation skills.
Course Structure
The course includes different types of study processes. The short essay write-up will ensure
that students start to deal with the subject already before the course. Apart from this the
essay results will be reflected and discussed in more detail during class. Students might be
asked to do a short presentation or a poster on day 1 of class with other students.
The knowledge test makes students on the beginning of day 2 reproduce, reflect on and
apply the knowledge which they gain from the preparational reading as well as during class.
In the final group report students will elaborate on and deepen their knowledge on selected
IHRM topics which were discussed during class. Thereby participants should critically
evaluate and challenge their own experiences from a theoretical but also from a practical
perspective.
All students are expected to regularly and actively participate in class discussions and
exercises. Class sessions provide an opportunity for input by the lecturer and for students to
learn from each other, to interact and to consolidate their learning about a wide range of
aspects of IHRM. This class is an interactive class based on theoretical and practical
insights; it uses strategies, such as group discussions, presentations, peer reflections,
supervision and similar methods, which are crucial for achieving the main learning objectives.
The seminar language is English. Attendance is mandatory during ALL class sessions.
Students are expected to stay for the duration of the whole class, and attend all classes.
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Requirements and Grading
The assessment of this course will be made based on three main requirements:
Group Performance (Final Group Paper): 35%
Knowledge test: 30%
Individual short essay write-up before class start: 35%
Attention: The Individual Essay is a Pre-Assignment Due On The First Day Of Class!!
For passing the class you need more than 50 percent in each of the categories; for a final
passing grade you need to earn at least 60 per cent of the total points. The final grade will be
calculated according to the following formula: 0-59 (5); 60-69 (4); 70-79 (3); 80-89 (2); 90100 (1).
Entry Requirements for International Students
Students must be enrolled in the Master program “Global Management” and be assigned to
“Phase 2” by university officials. If this is not the case, the teacher might control the
requirements and decide upon participation.
Readings
The reading package can be purchased at the department secretary’s office (Hochschulfondsgebäude, 2nd floor, room 224) from the beginning of October on.
Attention: Preparational reading material will be subject to the written exam!! Apart from
this, substantial classroom discussion and participation are encouraged and expected so
working through the preparational reading material is absolutely necessary. Short knowledge
quizzes (not announced) and discussion rounds based on the reading material will be part of
the class design and will contribute as well to your final (participation) grade.
Contact
For handing in assignments, questions or problems please contact: kollinger@lbcnet.at
Preliminary Course Dates and Times (please check KUSSS for final times and rooms)
11.05.
24.05.
10:15 - 15:15
10:15 - 15:15
room t.b.a.
room t.b.a.
Discipline Rules
As an academic institution, the Department of International Management does not tolerate
any form of academic dishonesty. All discovered instances involve the negative grading of
the assignment or exam and, as a consequence, may result in a failure of the course. In the
case of group work, the consequences will be extended to the entire team. For details see
our code of conduct at www.jku.at/iim.
Short version
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