This module aims to:

Provide students with a critical appreciation of performance management as a form of strategic human resource management, and as a cultural and ethical practice;

Enable students to engage with a range of theories and perspectives of performance management practices relating to individual, group and organisational capabilities;

Provide students with analytical and practical techniques required for effective performance management.

(LE1) Commercially aware.
Students will develop an understanding of how performance management contributes to organisational outcomes, and its impact on the organisational bottom line, based on business and management research.

(LE2) Internationally aware.
Students will explore cross-cultural differences in PM and how these differences impact the organisation and employees.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate critical and ethical awareness of the strategic and operational implications for performance management systems within organisations.

(LO2) Students will be able to describe the performance management process and how it is integrated into existing management systems and work.

(LO3) Students will be able to explain the roles and responsibilities for performance management.

(LO4) Students will be able to discuss and critique the implications of contemporary performance management approaches.

(LO5) Students will be able to explain the potential contribution of performance management to the development of individual, group and organizational capability.

(LO6) Students will be able to recognise cross-cultural differences in performance management and the implications for performance management in a global context.

(LO7) Students will be able to critically evaluate the effectiveness of performance management.

(LRE1) A problem solver.
Students will develop their critical and analytical skills about performance management methods and systems, and confidently and creatively reach solutions for potential PM problems.

(LRE2) Organised and able to work under pressure.
This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and coursework and by meeting deadlines.

(LRE3) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have the opportunity to develop written and oral communication skills through virtual group discussions, discussion boards, and individual assessment.

(LRE4) A lifelong learner.
Students will be introduced to the key skills of personal critical reflection, and experiential and reflective learning. Students will understand that they can further develop such skills to build a successful career.

(LRE5) Ethically aware.
Students will develop an understanding of the ethical issues on performance management, by understanding equity in PM, and decision making process following performance appraisal.

The module learning strategy is underpinned by the concepts of active, collaborative and co-produced learning. Students will apply key concepts to their own professional contexts and practice and will be encouraged to determine the direction and focus of discussions according to their own experiences and interests, both individually and through group discussions.

The module will primarily be delivered through eight weekly e-lectures, delivered through a variety of methods, covering key concepts, theories and case examples. These will be supported by individual online tasks, case studies, blogs, collaborative tasks and discussion boards, which will be used to develop and apply learning. These activities will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 10 hours
Description: The e-lectures will equate to 1.25 hours/week over 8 weeks undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Students will also participate in eight weekly e-seminars where they will engage in peer discussion of key concepts and application to their own work contexts. Seminars will be conducted via a discussion board with input from the module instructor.

Unscheduled student hours: 8 hours
Description: The e-seminars will equate to 1 hour/week over 8 weeks undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Self-directed learning hours: 132 hours
Description: This will involve directed and independent reading, and independent research into performance management theories and practices.

The context of performance management, including the international and cross-cultural context of performance management systems.
The performance management process.

Performance management and the development of individual, group and organisational capabilities.

Performance management roles and responsibilities.
Managing poor and outstanding performers as well as their engagement and commitment.

Equity in performance management: rewards and career.

Contemporary challenges in performance management, including topics such as talent management and bias in performance management evaluations.

Cross-cultural differences in performance management systems.