Organisations, People and
Performance (OPP)
Module Introduction
2021-2022
What is OPP?
OPP is about Human Resource Management but
that’s not all. It’s much broader than this!
OPP is about the strategic management of
people within the wider organisational and
business context.
We believe that this more holistic approach
allows a better understanding of the realities,
challenges and context of people management.
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Managing People in a rapidly
changing environment
Organisations operate in changing internal
and external environments. An organisation
must therefore have the capacity, and
capability, to efficiently and responsively
change its operations and manage its
resources, including people, in order to
thrive.
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Multiple & Dynamic Interactions & Linkages
Organisation People
Performance
4
Links between the topic areas
Macro-external
level
Organisational
level
Dept/Group/team
level
Individual
level
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Linkages
OPP starts at the individual level, as it is important to firstly
understand more about ourselves as individuals within an
organisational context,
The group level is also important in order to understand
others and how we, as individuals, can work better with the
people around us,
The organisational level is where we operate within
institutions - and organisational level dynamics affect
individuals and teams,
The business environment and context (macro level)
informs and influences organisations and groups and
individuals within them.
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OPP Module Objectives
By completing this module students will be able to:
1. Apply the principles of Strategic Human Resource Management
contingently within a business context and critically evaluate a range of
Human Resource (HR) strategic approaches.
2. Utilise principles and philosophies that underly an integrated and holistic
approach to people management practice as it relates to the achievement
of effective performance at both organisational and individual level.
3. Understand organisational culture and structure and analyse and evaluate
its importance in determining employee behaviour.
4. Compare, contrast, and apply organisational behaviour and psychological
theories that underpin the practice of people management.
5. Recognise the importance of their future contribution and role as leaders
as they manage themselves and others to reach their full potential.
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Main module themes
The strategic management of people is crucial to business
success and people are not like other organisational resources
SHRM is a tool of change and addresses organisational core
competency and individual capability
SHRM addresses individual capability: can they? (do they
have the skills and know how) will they? (do they have the
appropriate attitudes and behaviours) - both are equally
important
The study of Organisational Behaviour (OB) underpins and
contributes to the theory and practice of HRM
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Main module themes
Organisational culture and management of the employment
relationship are of vital importance to ensure that individual
capability can reach its full potential
What matters is how people behave; what they actually do.
People management is multi-dimensional and complex (individual
v. the collective, predictability v spontaneity, control v.
commitment)
Quality leadership at all levels is crucial to cultivating employee
engagement and organisational success
What’s in it for you? Considering your own perspective and making
informed choices about your own approach to leading others
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OPP Module Assessment
15% of marks - In module activity
This will be a group exercise on the final day
of the module. We will go through the
requirements for this on Thursday.
85% of marks - PMA
This is an individual assignment and will be
discussed in detail at the end of the module.
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In module exercise
In groups, recommend and critically evaluate
a suitable HRM strategy aligned with the
business strategy of the case study
organisation.
10 minute group presentation (PowerPoint).
Case study organisation determined by
module tutor.
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Group Assessment
You will work on your presentations in the same group as
per your seminar pre-work - ie, groups A, B & C, Green or
Blue).
You will start formally preparing this at the end of your
seminar session on Wednesday (although you can begin
researching/analysing/discussing from Monday).
You will present online on Friday morning (see the
timetable for your slot).
Remember that this assignment is worth 15% of your
final mark!
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PMA Question 1
Critically assess how the case study organisation
could increase the motivation of their employees
through a better understanding of their personalities
and emotions. (1000 words approx.). 20% of module
mark.
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PMA Question 2
Critically analyse the organisational culture and
structure of the case study organisation and identify
their impact in determining employee behaviour.
Suggest and justify some recommendations for
improvement. (1000 words approx.). 20% of module
mark.
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PMA Question 3
Choose one of the areas of HR practice below and then, applying concepts
and models from the academic literature, critically assess how the case
study organisation should manage that particular area to enhance
individual and organisational performance. State clearly which area you
are addressing. (1000 words approx.). 25% of module mark.
Areas of HR Practice (choose one):
Performance Management
or
Reward
or
Talent Development
or
Employee Engagement
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PMA Question 4
Identify a specific leadership/management role in
the case study organisation (eg, CEO, project
manager, departmental manager, team leader, etc)
and imagine yourself in that role. Drawing on
relevant leadership theory, explain and justify what
you would do to maximise the performance of your
staff and your own contribution to the organisation.
(1000 words approx.). 20% of module mark.
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OPP module - Core Textbooks
Buchanan, D. and Huczynski, A. (2020). Organizational Behaviour.
London: Pearson Publishing.
Clegg, S., Pitelis, C., Schweitzer, J. and Whittle, A. (2020). Strategy:
Theory and Practice. London: Sage Publications.
Torrington, D., Hall L., Taylor S. and Atkinson C. (2020).
Human Resource Management. London: Pearson Publishing.
Mullins, L. (2019). Organisational Behaviour in the Workplace.
London: Pearson Publishing.
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OPP Module Information
Read the OPP attendance policy (on moodle)
Module supporting material is available on moodle
http://moodle.warwick.ac.uk/ including helpful
video clips! (https://moodle.warwick.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=39969)
Familiarise yourself with the core module text
books and read appropriate journal articles
At the end of the module in class you will all
complete the module review form
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Questions
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