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International & Comparative Employment Relations - MAN00038H

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

To introduce and apply the theoretical perspectives and concepts for the international and comparative study of employment relations. To compare and analyse the nature of the institutions underpinning employment relations in a number of different countries. To examine the impact of supranational regulation in particular the European Union on different European national employment systems. To examine developments in the international regulation of labour, in particular the increasing activity of multinational enterprises (MNEs), the development of international labour standards and corporate social responsibility and the responses of the global union organisations.

Module learning outcomes

Students will be able to understand, critically evaluate and compare:

1) The nature of the employment relationship and developments in global world of work and employment

2) Different national employment relations systems, in terms of actors, structures, processes and outcomes

3) The efficacy of regional (EU) employment relations regulation and its relative impact on national European employment relations systems, including the development of EU social policy and regulation (focusing on the development and practical outcomes of a variety of relevant EU directives) and the growing influence on national systems of ECJ rulings

4) Multinational enterprises, the challenge for labour and the growth of private voluntary regulatory initiatives; the ILO and international labour standards within the global system of economic governance; the structure and responses of the global trade unions including international union campaigns, international collective bargaining and international framework agreements

The module will prepare and provide the student with a broad understanding of developments in international employment relations within the broader system of global economic governance and the knowledge to enter management roles in international settings

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading

Frege and Kelly (eds.) (2020) Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy

Barry and Wilkinson (2011) Research Handbook of Comparative Employment Relations;

Bamber, Cooke, Doellgast Wright (2021) International and Comparative Employment Relations



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.