SE-416 Human Resources Economics
- ECTS Credits:
- 7.5
- Responsible department:
- School of Business and Law
- Course Leader:
- Kristin Dale
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- English.
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
Teaching language
English.Recommended prerequisites
SE-105 Introduction to Microeconomics or equivalent
Course contents
The course links human resources management and labor research.
Topics covered:
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Individual labor supply and investment in education
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Firm labor demand as recruitment, training, promotion and firing
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Worker compensation: pay, fringe benefits and measures of productivity
The principal-agent model is used to analyze how different goals by the firm and employees coupled with asymmetric information could impact hiring policies, as well as, incentive pay systems. We analyze how institutions like employment protection, minimum wages, unionization, unemployment benefits impact employment contracts, and discuss how international variation in such institutions influence international business practices. Throughout the course, we maintain a pronounced international focus in presentations and discussions.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: On successful completion of this course, the student will
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understand how labor market regulations impact firms
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be aware of how international variation in such institutions influences firms in various countries
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be familiar with ethical, social and scientific issues encountered in human resources management
Skills: On successful completion of this course, the student will
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know how to apply human capital and signaling models to analyze investment in education and firm training decisions
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know how to apply principle-agent models to analyze recruitment
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know how to design recruitment
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know how to apply principle-agent models to analyze remuneration systems
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know how to design pay systems
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know how to incentivize employees
General competence: Upon completion of the course, students will have learned:
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to design, analyze and evaluate HRS policies like recruitment, competence enhancement and compensation systems
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about international variation in human resources management from international literature and fellow students in class
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and have practiced oral presentation in class as well as writing a paper
Examination requirements
Approved assignment: Students' oral presentation in class (in groups). Further information will be given in Canvas at the start of the term.
Teaching methods
Lectures and students' presentations in class. Exercises in groups, and one paper to be handed in for grading. Estimated student workload is 200 hours.
Evaluation
The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.
Admission for external candidates
No.
Assessment methods and criteria
Group of students write a paper that counts 40% of the grade.
3-hour individual, written, digital examination counts 60% of the grade.
Reduction of Credits
This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:
| Course | Reduction of Credits |
|---|---|
| SE-502 – Personnel Economics | 2.5 |