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2025/2026  BA-BHAAV6021U  Global People Management: Human Resource Management & Leadership

English Title
Global People Management: Human Resource Management & Leadership

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course First Quarter, Third Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 100
Study board
Study Board of General Management
Course coordinator
  • Poornima Luthra - Department of Organization (IOA)
Contact information: studenthub@cbs.dk
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Human resource management
  • Management
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 30-01-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
The learning objectives for this course have been mapped to the Nordic Nine. For more information about the Nordic Nine, please visit: https:/​/​www.cbs.dk/​en/​nordic-nine
  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of central theories, concepts and models of global leadership and human resource management. (N1)
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge about intercultural people management and leadership. (N1, N3, N4, N5)
  • Appreciate the implications of the theories, concepts and models of the course for managers, HR professionals and employees of people management. (N5, N6 and N9)
  • Demonstrate insight into the cooperation and interaction between managers and HR professionals in enhancing performance of international organizations. (N1, N5)
  • Analyze and synthesize concrete problems within global people management by applying the concepts, theories, methods, and models of the course. (N2, N6)
  • Apply presented theories in a critical, reflective and analytical manner to real life challenges of organizations. (N6)
  • Engage in evidence-based analysis based on theoretical and practical knowledge using documentation from the course literature as well as from individually chosen articles. (N1, N2)
Course prerequisites
A basic knowledge of organization theory and/or organizational behaviour is advantageous but not a requirement, as is knowledge (theoretical and/or practical) of transnational contexts and processes.
Examination
Global People Management: Human Resource Management & Leadership:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 24 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn and Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The exam assignment consists of 4-5 questions on topics covered in the course. Each question contributes equally to the grade given for the assignment, ie if there are four questions each question contributes with 25%. All questions must be answered. 1-2 questions will require the active use of individually chosen articles, but it is recommended to use this personal part of the syllabus throughout the assignment.

 

Referencing is mandatory. Students must submit the reference list for the 5 individually chosen articles at the end of their answers to the exam questions, not as a separate document. 

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The management and leadership of the global organization's human resources is a key field in today's business world, and is practiced in many different ways. This course focuses on international / intercultural leadership and human resource management. An organization's ability to mediate and integrate a multiplicity of environmental settings is essential to the performance of global organizations.
 
The course will see global people management as exercised by HR managers and professionals through three lenses:

  1. A culturalist perspective: How work life behavior and preferences are influenced by national cultural differences of managers and employees.
  2. A comparative perspective: How people management practices vary in societies depending on national, regional and sectoral differences (eg educational system, legislation, business structure etc.)
  3. A global perspective: How people management is carried out in global organizations working with crossing geographical and cultural boundaries; ie how to coordinate and draw benefit from transnational differences.

This course also provides an introduction to global human resource management and leadership as disciplines or academic fields of study and a realm of corporate or organizational practice. The course introduces a variety of theories, perspectives and approaches to the study and practice of global human resource management and leadership, as well as theories and perspectives on the causes and consequences of international / cultural differences and globalization. Human resource management and leadership issues such as recruitment, talent management, ethics, diversity, team work and performance management are taken from a global perspective.

Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
Topics are discussed and analysed using theory, cases and practical problems. The class will be a combination of lectures, student assignments and presentation in plenary, guest lecturers, group work and plenary discussions. Students are encouraged and required to actively participate in class and an active effort is made to leverage the diversity of the multicultural class room. Students will be working in groups to discuss topics. Identifying indiviually chosen journal articles and relating these to the lecturer chosen course literature is a central activity in terms of prepartion for class as well as for the discussion taking place in class.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is given after group presentations on an assigned theoretical framework. Students may also receive feedback on their 5 chosen articles and its use in answering past exam questions in class. Should students
Student workload
Teaching 38 hours
Synopsis 50 hours
Exam preparation 30 hours
Reading 90 hours
Further Information

For this course it is not possible to substitute the exam with a term paper.

Expected literature
  • Chris Brewster, Paul Sparrow, Guy Vernon, Elizabeth Houldsworth: International Human Resource Management. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel, 5th edition, 2023.
  • Henry W. Lane & Martha L. Maznevski: International Management Behaviour. Global and Sustainable Leadership. Chichester, UK: Wiley & Sons, 8th edition, 2019.
  • 5 individually selected articles from peer-reviewed international research-based journals per student and 5 lecturers' selected journal articles.
Last updated on 30-01-2025