BUSN113 - Managing People and Organisations

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Incompatible

MGMT100 Managing: People, Systems and Culture

Teaching organisation

Unit rationale, description and aim

Anyone working in, or with, business will interact with organisational systems and the people within them. Understanding the characteristics of how people and organisations work, and are practically navigated, is an important part of any business practitioners’ role. This unit provides introductory information about these issues including basic management theory and practice, systems thinking and management, organisational structures, organisational communication, teams and leadership. It also introduces students to disciplines important in managing people in organisations, namely management and human resource management. The unit incorporates the values of global social responsibility. The unit will develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work towards an inclusive and sustainable global economy. Students will have the opportunity to apply basic management models and concepts to organisational problems including international and indigenous perspectives.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a broad foundational base for those working with people and systems in organisations.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Identify and explain the key external and internal factors that impact on the practical management of people and organisations (GA5) 

LO2 - Apply key concepts including planning, organising, leading, and governance in both local and global organisational contexts (GA5, GA8)

LO3 - Analyse HRM concepts, theories, processes, functions and reflect how these contribute to the organisation’s social footprint (GA4, GA5).

LO4 - Show knowledge of communication theory and information literacies by using relevant knowledge, skills and judgement for business and academic audiences, both collaboratively and individually (GA5, GA9).

LO5 - Develop effective collaboration through the use of interpersonal and team communication, conflict management techniques and problem-solving skills (GA5, GA7)

Graduate attributes

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

Content

Topics will include:

• The contemporary workplace, key trends and issues. 
• Managerial functions, practices and its organisational applications
• Ethical theories and frameworks, stakeholders, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability
• The role of HR and contemporary Human Resource Management practices
• Attracting, developing and retaining talented staff
• Impact of organisational behaviour and HR policy on the environment
• Multicultural, multinational and indigenous perspectives
• Creating inspiring workplaces through high performing teams
• Capability management
• Legislative Framework for HR
• Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
• Impactful business communication for individuals and teams

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit takes an active learning approach to guide students in the analysis and synthesis of knowledge associated with managing people and organisations. Students can explore the knowledge base underpinning the ethical management of people and organisations through online learning material and a series of workshops. These workshops are designed to support students to actively participate in the construction and synthesis of this knowledge both individually and in groups. By participating in these workshops, students will systematically develop their understanding of the how and why management is critical to the achievement of sustainable business outcomes, and the substantial contribution that people make to creating competitive advantage. This unit takes an experiential approach to support students in developing the communication skills required to effectively participate in an organisation by tapping into the knowledge of other participants, sharing stories and insights and reflecting on experiences. This approach is designed to interest students who prefer to learn within a social environment.

Mode of delivery: This unit is offered in different modes. These are: “Attendance” mode, “Blended” mode and “Online” mode. This unit is offered in three modes to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants and maximise effective participation for isolated and/or marginalised groups. 

Attendance Mode

In a weekly attendance mode, students will require face-to-face attendance in specific physical location/s. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops, most students report that they spend an average of one hour preparing before the workshop and one or more hours after the workshop practicing and revising what was covered. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for you to prepare and revise.

Blended Mode

In a blended mode, students will require face-to-face attendance in blocks of time determined by the School. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for you to prepare and revise. 

Online Mode

This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of the essential knowledge associated with management and HRM. Students can explore the essential knowledge underpinning organisations and develop knowledge in a series of online interactive lessons and modules. Students are given the opportunity to attend facilitated synchronous online seminar classes with other students and participate in the construction and synthesis of knowledge, while developing their knowledge of organisational and human resource management. Students are required to participate in a series of online interactive workshops which include activities, knowledge checks, discussion and interactive sessions. This approach allows flexibility for students and facilitates learning and participation for students with a preference for virtual learning.

Assessment strategy and rationale

To pass this unit, students are required to complete and submit three graded assessment tasks and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure students’ level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.

The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to demonstrate a critical mindset in evaluating the current trends in managing people and organisations and demonstrate an understanding of how these trends impact on business, society and the environment. Students will also develop analytical and communication skills by creating a presentation in which they analyse and critically appraise management models which allows students to apply their knowledge and understanding. The same assessment strategy applies to all modes of delivery.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Daft, RL 2016, Management, 12th edn, Cengage Learning, Boston

Dwyer, J 2020, Communication for Business and the Professions: Strategies and Skills, 7th edn, Pearson, Melbourne.

Mathis, RL, Jackson, JH, Valentine, S & Meglich, P 2016 Human Resource Management, 15th edn, Cengage Learning Independence.

Robbins, SP, Bergman, R, Stagg, I & Coulter, M 2020, Management, 7th edn, Pearson Education, Sydney.

Schermerhorn, Jr, Davidson, P, Poole, D, Woods, P, Simon, A & McBarron, E 2020, Management, 7th Asia-Pacific edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton. 

Shaw, WH, Barry, V, Issa, T, Catley, B & Muntean, D 2016, Moral issues in business, 3rd Asia Pacific edn, Cengage Learning, Melbourne.