Exploring Workplace Child Exploitation: A Study on Political and Social Factors

This assignment requires students to conduct research on a specific topic related to International Human Resource Management (IHRM) and Diversity. Students can choose from various topics such as discrimination against ethnic minorities, cross-cultural management, women as international managers, or others. The research study should explore the diversity literature and consider the business case versus the social justice case for diversity. It should also examine how HR draws on research in the field to design management development programs to raise awareness of cross-cultural issues. The assignment requires students to demonstrate command of the topic, creativity, perception, and insight, as well as understanding of contemporary academic debate.

International Strategies for HRM / 44-7785-00S
Assessment -Coursework - 2016_17
You are required to re-visit and re-work the topic [Task 2] which you attempted the first time.
You should take account of the feedback which you have been given and improve;
 The quality of your research;
 Writing and general academic presentation;
 You must write in your own words;
 Provide references to support your work;
 Follow the conventions of the Harvard referencing system;
 Check you work against the marking scheme;
The marking schemes which reflect the context of the research area below are designed to help you
understand the requirements so please check you work as you write against the criteria. At the end
of the assignment and before you write the conclusions go back to the objectives and check you
have addressed them and have the evidence to write the conclusion.
Re-check your work against the assessment criteria before submitting.
Original Assessment Guidelines
The module is assessed by one piece of coursework. These will be based on an investigation into a
contemporary issue in international human resource management.
The research tends to fall into two different areas of International HRM. These are;
 Research into specific aspects of International HRM e.g. selection, rewards, management
development
 Research into aspects of diversity; corporate socials responsibility and ethical behaviour and IHRM
The research should identify a designated country as the basis for the study.
[You cannot carried out the research in your own country of origin]
To help with developing the assignment we will ask you to develop a research proposal. This will
include a research question, research objectives [where appropriate] and a literature review which

explores the critical debates in the field of International HRM or diversity; corporate socials
responsibility and ethical behaviour and IHRM.
The feedback on the proposal will provide guidance and advice to ensure you proposal is at the right
level before you move on to carry out the main research study. This is NOT ASSESSED but is
recommended you submit a proposal
The assignment marking scheme is attached.
Selecting a research topic:
We have listed below some of the general topics that could form the basis for a research study. It is
important that you view these as the starting point for research and that in developing the research
question you expand on these to focus on some specific objectives.
Indicative topics for investigation are as follows:
Ethics and social responsibility for multi-national organisations
A research study on this subject could explore the role of HR professionals in influencing, informing,
designing, monitoring and promoting social responsibility and ethical behaviour in organisations.
Using case study material can you build a case for whether HR has a role of not in CSR?
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions
A research study on this subject might explore the role of international HR in managing the process
of mergers and acquisitions. How successfully do organisations manage the many HR policy areas
that need to be considered when bringing similar industries but possibly different culture together?
Global reward systems
A research study on this subject could explore the nature and variance of reward and compensation
systems and policies in a country of your choice. What factors do HR reward specialists need to
consider in designing a reward policy which has to operate across a multi-national corporation?
Recruitment & Selection of international managers
A research study on this subject could focus on the recruitment of international managers and the
role of HR and line managers in the design of the process. Here choosing a specific sector e.g.
banking or insurance would help in critically analysing the effectiveness of the range of recruitment
policies and processes. You might prefer to explore the selection process using the same criteria or
combine them into one study.
The use of expatriate staff
A research study on this subject could explore how HR professional resource staff to work on
international assignment. What issues and challenges do those working abroad face in terms of
adjustment to new country cultures and how can HR prepare them for this experience. Grounding
you study in good case studies will help apply the research.

The exploitation of child labour
A research study on this subject could study the role of HR in designing, implement and monitoring
policies that ensure sub-contractors so not contravene the employment law requirement of the
country of study. It could alternatively research the economic, political and social factors that give
rise to workplace child exploitation and explore possible strategy to resolve such exploitation.
Whichever approach you choose make sure your research uses examples of organisations who act
ethically and those who make statements on ethical working but allow such exploitation to continue.
Discrimination against ethnic minorities
A research study on this subject could explore the diversity literature and consider the business case
versus the social justice case for diversity. To what extent does discrimination take place in terms of
the employment of those from ethnic backgrounds and how HR does act to ensure that all
employees are treated fairly e.g. organisational justice. Is there a case for affirmative action, can you
manage diversity and should you?
Cross-cultural management & HRM
A research study on this subject could explore the issues of national and organisational culture and
the complexities of managing a diverse workforce. How does HR drawing on the research in the field
help in designing management development programme to raise awareness of cross-cultural issues.
What are the factors and issues that those working on international assignment need to be aware of
and how can HR help in supporting managers? Look for case studies that exemplify the management
behaviours in a multi-national environment.
Women as international managers
A research study on this subject can explore the issues that may prevent women reaching director
and senior management level. Does what is called the' glass ceiling' exist and if so how can HR
influence and support more women in to management roles. Is this an area for affirmative action or
should promotion be based on merit not gender?
Here are some examples of research questions which have been set by past students;
1. Women as international managers: opportunities and challenges they face in today’s
globalized world with special reference to the United States
2. How does the national culture impact on reward practices in Japan?
3. Critically evaluate the business case for an increasing trend in workforce diversity in
Australia.

International Strategies for Human Resource Management: marking scheme
% Grade 80-100 70-79 60-69 50-59 40-49 20-39
Class of Masters
Award Distinction Merit Pass
Knowledge and
understanding: in
terms of its
application to an
organizational
and professional
setting.
Command of the topic,
unusual creativity,
perception and insight,
all suggesting that work
is making a
contribution to
research in the field of
IHRM & Diversity
Demonstrates
command of the
topic by showing
creativity, perception
and insight – a
serious contribution
to the academic
debate.
Demonstrates a well-
informed understanding
of the topic by showing
creativity and insight – a
serious contribution to
the academic debate.
Understanding of
contemporary
academic debate,
with some creative
input and insight.
Descriptive while
demonstrating
reasonable
understanding.
Limited/poor
understanding
demonstrated
Any creative input is
somewhat off the
point.
Content and
Exploration of
theories and
ideas: this
includes research
in the fields of
IHRM, Diversity
and Corporate
Social
Responsibility
Outstanding selection
that makes a
substantial
contribution to
academic debate.
Outstanding
selection from a wide
relevant and
innovative range of
perspectives and
sources.
Selection from a wide and
relevant range of
perspectives and sources
that draws upon
contemporary academic
debate and effectively
integrated into the
academic arguments.
Relevant selection
from a limited and
relevant range of
perspectives and
sources
Sources mostly well-
integrated into the
overall argument.
Relevant but not
wide selection
from a reasonable
range of sources.
Some / minimal
relevant sources and
limited topic
coverage.
Critical
engagement
Analysis and
Synthesis: this is
evidenced
though a detailed
critique of the
literature
relevant to
individual
research study.
Outstanding use of
source material.
Excellent argument
that is of the highest
academic quality.
Excellent level of
critical analysis
consistently applied
throughout the work.
Sources very well
integrated into the
overall argument
Clear, well-structured
argument that is well
crafted and cogent
and shows good skills
in critical analysis.
Sources quite well-
integrated into the overall
argument. Some evidence
of a clear and well-
structured argument.
Evidence of critical
analysis but lacks
synthesis of theory with
practice.
Satisfactory evidence
of structured
argument with
limited and
inconsistent use of
critical analysis. No
real evidence of
synthesis with
practice.
Sources sometimes
properly integrated
into the argument.
Very limited
evidence of a clear
structure; over
descriptive in style
and lacks real
critical analysis.
Sources only
occasionally / not at
all integrated into
the argument
Some / minimal
structure and
argument present.

Clear,
measurable &
achieved
objectives;
Contextualized
the research to a
case study
country.
Excellent objectives
which reflect a well-
defined research
question. There is very
strong evidence drawn
from the country
specific research,
literature review and
case studies which
validates the findings.
Evidence the
researcher has
identified the
limitations of the study.
Clear and well
scoped objectives
which reflect a well-
defined research
question. There is
very good evidence
drawn from the
country specific
research, literature
review and case
studies to show the
objectives have been
achieved. Little
reflection on the
limitations of the
study.
The objectives are clearly
stated and well scoped.
There is some evidence in
the conclusion that shows
the objectives have been
partially achieved through
summarising the findings
but the evidence is not
always cross referenced
to the literature. The
country specific research
is well developed and
applied.
The objectives are
variable in terms of
scope and there is
little evidence from
the study to prove
they have been
achieved. The
country based
research is very
limited and poorly
contextualized.
While objectives
have been set
these are far too
general and
unmeasurable to
be achieved. The
research is not
contextualized to
the study country
There is no evidence
of objectives of a
designated country
of study
Referencing and
general
postgraduate
academic skills
Referencing
impeccable using
appropriate
conventions.
No errors in grammar
or spelling.
Referencing clear and
accurate using
appropriate
conventions.
Virtually no errors in
grammar or spelling.
Referencing clear and
accurate using
appropriate conventions.
Near perfect
grammar and spelling,
with only a few errors.
Referencing clear
and mostly accurate
using appropriate
conventions.
Good grammar and
spelling with some
errors.
References
adequate but
clearer and / or
more references
needed.
Reasonable
grammar and
spelling but with
several notable
errors.
References limited /
inappropriate.
Many errors in
grammar and
spelling, making it
difficult or impossible
to read.