Introduction to People and Labour

The goal of this course is getting students to develop ideas on different perspectives of work in countries from all over the world. This is why the presentations are done in front of the rest of the class.

Presenting to other students broadens insights and contributes to mutual exchange between groups. Furthermore giving or receiving feedback helps students develop their skills in communication, which is already tested since working on the report is a group assignment as well. Last but not least, skills on doing research (literature) is tested. For the report and the presentation, a rubrics is available.

PERFORMANCE

HRM focuses on improving the performance of employee’s, in the assumption that when employee’s performance is optimized, organizations perform better.

P = A x M x O

For managing employee’s performance HRM can choose out of an overwhelming amount of theories, concepts and models. One the most known and used is the AMO-model (officially: AMO-framework) by Appelbaum and Berg (2000).

The AMO- framework provides the science-based notion that Abilities (sufficient knowledge, skills and capacities), Motivation (sufficient drive and motivation) and Opportunities (sufficient chances, possibilities and opportunities) together lead to performance. In other words it offers an explanation for how HRM activities and practices can lead to employee’s performance.

MOTIVATION

This course focuses on one of the three components, motivation. The main question being addressed is ‘ why do people work ? ‘ This question is important, because the answer is not just and only money. In fact there are a lot of reasons for people to work and perform.

The more HRM knows about what makes people tick, the more HRM knows about what motivates employees, the better HRM is able to get the best out of the workers.

This course provides students with insights on meaning, on work, on meaningful work and multiple perspectives on work. The course is build up around the body of knowledge from John Budd’s book ‘ The thought of Work ’and several video’s on relevant topics and themes.

Offered insights are complemented by the results of research by students themselves. The offered and gathered insights together lead to a rich and broad image of what work is, what work means to people and what is necessary to motivate people to do their work in the best way they can.