Human Resource Management
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What is Human Resource Management?
Human Resource Management (HRM) is an area of management that is concerned with the “people” side of management. HRM is all about ensuring the organisation has the right number of people, with the required knowledge, skills and abilities, at an affordable cost, who are motivated and committed to achieving the strategic aims of the organisation. This involves recruiting and selecting employees, training them, managing their performance and rewarding them through compensation and incentives for appropriate performance. We prepare our students for future managerial roles in which they will contribute to their organisations' performance through ethical and sustainable managerial practices. Our teaching, which is based on current research, is aimed at developing qualities of critical thinking, effective communication, ethical and value-based leadership, and sensitivity to diversity and the environment. Our courses form a significant part of the BCom Majors in Management and Human Resource Management (HRM).
Careers in HRM
As a human resources specialist, you might work primarily in human resources departments and consulting companies, both in New Zealand and overseas, where you will manage the legal and formal processes related to human resources, offer training in social and managerial skills, and facilitate organisational change. A good website to explore the options in this area is click here.
Who should study HRM?
HRM is a discipline that requires a mix of skills and abilities. The ability to manage both people and information is critical, as are good communication and problem solving skills.
To succeed in HRM, you must have good inter-personal skills, respect for people, and be able to adapt to changing circumstances. HRM professionals must be familiar with the economic and legal context in which an organisation operates and be able to communicate effectively.
Preparation
A career in HRM involves working with various specialists whose function might be production, marketing, finance or accounting. If you do not understand the world view of those you propose to work with, you may find it difficult to influence them. The first-year BCom courses (core) will prepare you for the subsequent courses in HRM. Consequently, you would be well advised to undertake some basic study in each of these disciplines.
Courses at Canterbury
Entry is open to all students who have completed the required prerequisites for a given course.
Our courses have several defining characteristics:
- Research based teaching that helps you develop analytical abilities.
- Sensitivity to cultural diversity that will prepare you for an international career.
- Application. You will learn to apply theories and models to cases and actual work situations.
- Writing skills. You will be expected to develop a strong capacity to write succinctly, precisely and grammatically.
- Communication skills. You will learn how to make effective presentations.
BCom with Major in Human Resource Management
100 Level - 75 points prescribed:
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- INFO 123 Information Systems and Technology
- ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics or ECON 105 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management
- MSCI 110 Quantitative Methods or STAT 101 Statistics 1
200 Level - 60 points prescribed:
- MGMT 206 Organisational Behaviour
- MGMT 207 Principles of Human Resource Management
- MGMT 208 Leadership or MGMT 209 Organisations: Structures and processes
- MGMT 230 Business, Society and the Environment
300 Level - 90 points prescribed:
Students must do the following four papers - 60 points:
- MGMT 301 Managing Change
- MGMT 303 Employment Relations
- MGMT 308 Applied Human Resource Management
- MGMT 331 Human Resource Development
Students may choose a further 30 points from the following papers:
- MGMT 304 Managing Diversity
- MGMT 330 Communication Management
- MGMT 333 Business Ethics
- MGMT 339 HR Internship (note this is a limited entry 30 point paper)
(Please note that these descriptions and prescriptions are a guide only. You should look in the University Calendar for all requirements and information.)
Contact Information
For information about courses contact:
Phone: 03 364 2606Fax: 03 364 2020
enquiry@mang.canterbury.ac.nz or e-mail the relevant staff members teaching the courses.
The Department of Management
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
For general information on University courses or enrolment procedures:
University Liaison Officer
Phone 03 364 2993
Freephone: 0800 103 109 in New Zealand
liaison@canterbury.ac.nz