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University of Exeter Business School

Talent in Organisations

Module titleTalent in Organisations
Module codeBEMM473
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Rebecca Sage (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

5 and 9

Number students taking module (anticipated)

30

Module description

This block taught module is focused on understanding the important role of human capital and talent management to organisational success. Through a process of exploration and discussion, we seek to identify the exact nature of talent and what managerial skills are needed to make the most of the diverse talent pool underpinning entrepreneurial success. Like any asset, human capital will only deliver its full value if it is properly understood, measured and managed well.


This module will prepare you to deal with the challenges of successfully scaling an organisation, as well as how to identify the right systems and structures that are appropriate to your organisation type. It will encourage a developmental mind-set; equipping you with the enquiry skills to unlock new possibilities, the leadership behaviours necessary to manage Self and others, and the knowledge needed to design inclusive, fair and equitable talent strategies.


This module can only be taken by students on the MSc Entrepreneurship Innovation Management degree.

Module aims - intentions of the module

By the end of this teaching block, students will have a practical and critical understanding of the nature of talent and its role in organisational success. The exercises, discussions and assigned readings will equip you with a fundamental grasp of how to construct organisations and lead people well. Recognising that managing others is a vital part of the entrepreneurial venture we will explore the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary in creating diverse teams and building organisations that ensure all talent is recognised and can flourish. 

Our ambitions within this module are to create entrepreneurs who are sensitive to the organisational and people challenges tied to venture creation/growth. On completion of this module students will be able to analyse and evaluate the role of the entrepreneur in creating viable organisations.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. critically analyse the human resource needs of a given business, using that analysis to define an appropriate recruitment strategy.
  • 2. identify the role of the entrepreneur in designing an employee value proposition that attracts and retains appropriate talent.
  • 3. draw out the significant trends in employment practise that hold relevance to an emerging talent strategy.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. critique relevant organisation/HRM theory through the evaluation of different assumptions and perspectives
  • 5. implement strategic proposals that increase both organisational capacity and capability when building teams.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. develop a viable people strategy for a new or growing entrepreneurial venture
  • 7. present your critical analysis of key trends to an audience of peers
  • 8. produce viable and persuasive arguments towards a defined course of action

Syllabus plan

Indicative content for this module includes:

      The nature and definition of talent

      Purpose, values and personal motivators

      The challenges and opportunities in attracting talent

      The world of work – understanding employment megatrends

      Defining an employee value proposition – winning the war for talent

      On boarding and engaging new employees

      Creating and managing entrepreneurial teams

      The role of equality, diversity and inclusion in multi-racial talent rich environments

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
28122

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity28Live synchronous sessions - Workshops incorporating a variety of delivery methods including lectures, case study activities, group coaching sessions project work
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity32Online blended learning content - A series of online workbooks shape the module, accompanied by video and/or recorded PowerPoint content explaining key concepts and ideas.
Guided Independent Study90To include pre and post session reading and assignment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
As an enquiry group design and lead a session - presenting the findings from group research20 min seminar with accompanying research infographic3,7,8In class peer and tutor feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Compile an employment trends Infographic with an accompanying 1,500 word personal reflection on the group enquiry process.20One PP slide containing group infographic plus 1,500 word personal reflection3,4,7,8Written tutor feedback
A talent strategy proposal for an existing small company of your choice.802,500 word report1,2,5,6Written tutor feedback
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Infographic and personal reflection (20%)Resubmission of original Infographic - One PP slide containing group infographic plus personal reflection (1,500 words, 20%)3,4,7,8August re-assessment Period
Talent strategy report (80%)A talent strategy proposal for an existing small company of your choice, (2,500 words, 80%)1,2,5,6,August re-assessment period

Re-assessment notes

Reassessment will take the form of original resubmission.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Essential resources:

Collings, D. (2012, January 23). Talent management [Video file]. In The Business & Management Collection, Henry Stewart Talkshttps://hstalks-com.uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/bm/2206/.

Collings, D. G., & Mellahi, K. (2009). Strategic Talent Management: A review and research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 19(4), 304–313.

Other useful textbooks:

Bygrave, W and Zacharakis, A (2014). Entrepreneurship (2nd ed.)  John Wiley & Sons.

Collings, D.G., Mellahi,K. & Cascio, W.F. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of Talent Management. Oxford United Press.

Taylor, S. (2010). Resourcing and Talent Management. CIPD: London.

Relevant Academic Journals:

Harvard Business Review

Academy of Management Journal

Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management Journal

Key words search

Entrepreneurship, Talent, Change Management, HRM, Human Resource Management, Organisation Change, Teams

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

Non-requisite BEMM042

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

27/11/2018

Last revision date

25/01/2021