GBPGBP (Global Business Program)

This course is intended to introduce students to the field of human resource management (HRM). Students learn theories and applications involved in effectively managing people in organizations.
Unlike many other fields in business and economics, practices of HRM are influenced greatly by country-specific factors such as labor law, social customs, economic development stage and workforce structure. So, I will spend most time in explaining practices among Japanese firms. But some common theories and international comparative perspectives are introduced as well.
More specifically, HRM I covers such topics as overview and methodology of HRM, environments of Japanese HRM, recruitment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, pay and benefits.

Successful students will acquire basic knowledge of HRM in Japanese firms, as well as problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in the field of human resources and organizations, both of which are applicable to all types of organizations and jobs in which students will eventually work.

This course is strongly related to the "DP2-2", "DP3" and "DP4" diploma policies and fairly related to the "DP1-1" and "DP1-3" policies.

英語 / English

This is a small-size lecture, so, in principle, it is face-to-face. But, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it may be the case that the lecture uses Zoom. I also use Hoppii for distributing course materials and making announcements. For each lecture time, I explain the basic knowledge of a theme, including legal framework, statistical facts, theory and arguments. Then I encourage students to express their own ideas and discuss them.
The feedback of the assignments will be given in class and in person.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[対面/face to face]：Introduction to HRM

Scope and methodology of HRM

2[対面/face to face]：Basic Principles of Human Behavior

Economic rationality and irrationality

3[対面/face to face]：Criteria to Evaluate Transactional or Organizational Performance

Efficiency and justice

4[対面/face to face]：Outline of Japanese Workforce

Demographic and workforce trends

5[対面/face to face]：Outline of Japanese Economy

Economic growth, prices and wages, and
employment types

6[対面/face to face]：Staffing and Recruitment

Theory and practices, job market of new graduates in Japan

7[対面/face to face]：Human Capital Theory and Training

General and specific training, OJT and Off-JT

8[対面/face to face]：Promotion and Career Concerns

Patterns of career development and roles of promotion

9[対面/face to face]：Performance Evaluation（1）

Theory of performance evaluation

10[対面/face to face]：Performance Evaluation（2）

Practices of performance evaluation

11[対面/face to face]：Wages (1)

Typology and theory of wages

12[対面/face to face]：Wages (2)

Practices in Japan and historical changes

13[対面/face to face]：Fringe Benefits and Social Security

Theory and practices

14[対面/face to face]：HRM as a System

Complementarity among various parts of HRM

I urge students to attend every class and to understand the contents well enough within class. To that end, it is essential to review the lecture at home, and to ask questions at the beginning of the next class. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

I do not use any textbooks which students need to purchase. Instead, I will use my own handouts and data sets. But just for your reference, many of my course materials are based on the followings.

・ Baron, James N. and David M. Kreps (1999) Strategic Human Resources. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This is an MBA level excellent textbook of HRM, whose methodology is blend of economics and organizational behavior.
・ Lazear, Edward P. and Michael Gibbs (2015) Personnel Economics in Practice (3rd edition). Wiley. This is a readable textbook of “personnel economics” by its pioneers.
・ Although contents written in English are limited, you could find useful information in the following site of the Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training:
http://www.jil.go.jp/index.html
・ Some important Japanese laws are translated into English. See the following site:
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/

I will not conduct any formal exams separately. Instead, I ask you to submit 2 or 3 assignments during the semester. The final grade is mainly based on the sum of those assignments (80%). The extent of class participation is also counted (20%).

I want students to ask any questions they may have. Please do not hesitate. I also want to keep more time for discussions, say using case materials.

Since I use Hoppii regularly and may use Zoom in case of the pandemic, a PC and internet accessibility will be required.

HRM I (Fall) and II (Spring) are taught in a sequential manner. So, it is recommended to take both courses in this order if that is possible. Some basic knowledge of economics and organizational behavior is preferred, but not required.

Among GBP subjects, the followings are closely related to this subject although they are not prerequisites: Introduction to Organizational Management, Introduction to Japanese Economy, Organizational Management I/II and Organizational Behavior I/II.

Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at: at level 1, this course will be held on campus, though at level 2, it will be held online.