Overview

Originally established as the Department of Industrial Psychology in 1985, the department has recently (in 2002) being renamed as the Department of Human Resource Management and Labour Relations offering tuition in the areas of human resource development, human resource management, industrial psychology and labour relations to undergraduate and postgraduate students. The department has 3 permanent staff members and is supplemented by a part-time lecturer.

Education and Professional Development

A wide range of educational programmes are available at undergraduate, honours, masters and PHD. Our flagship programmes in Human Resource Management is designed to reflect the changing role of HRM in the development and implementation of employment policies and procedures, and skills acquisition and development. Our programme leads to Graduate membership of both the South African Board of personnel practices (SABPP). All our educational and professional development activities are designed to make a significant contribution towards the enhancement of HRM and leadership practice, realising potential and improving employee wellbeing.

Admission Criteria
For admission to the BCoHRM (Human Resource Management), potential student must comply with the following minimum requirements:
• NSC with Bachelor’s endorsement or grade 12 certificate with exemption.
• Minimum Admission Points System (APS) of 26 excluding Life Orientation. Applicants with more than 26 points will be considered first.
• Adequate achievement level of 4 (50%-59%) or above in English.
• Adequate achievement level of 4 (50%-59%) or above in three of the following subjects:
- Mathematics
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Information Technology or Computer Studies
- Mathematical Literacy

Applicants with 23 or less than 26-points will be considered for BCom Extended in Human Resource Management (a 4 year degree programme).

Programmes

The following academic programmes are offered in the department:

• Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management
• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Human Resource Management
• Master of commerce (MCom) in Human Resource Management
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)/Doctor of Commerce (DCom) Human Resource Management

Modules are offered by the Department:

Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management

• HRM1541 Psychological Foundations of Human Resource Management (12)
• HRM 1641 Introduction to Industrial Psychology (12)
• HRM 2521 Occupational Psychology (15)
• HRM 2522 Human Resources Development (15)
• HRM 2621 Research Methodology (15)
• HRM 2622 Psychometrics (15)
• HRM 3521 Human Resources Management (15)
• HRM 3522 Ergonomics (15)
• HRM 3621 Organisational Psychology (15)
• HRM 3622 Industrial Relations (15)

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Human Resource Management

• HRM 5522 Strategic Human Resources Management
• HRM 5523 Industrial and Labour Relations
• HRM 5521 Research Methodology
• HRM 5524 Human Resources Development
• HRM 5529 Collective Bargaining and Dispute Resolution
• HRM 5621 Psychological Assessment
• HRM 5622 Mini-Dissertation
• HRM 5623 Organizational Design, Structure and Change
• HRM 5626 Ergonomics or
• HRM 5624 Occupational Health and Safety
• HRM 5629 Affirmative Action, Diversity Management and Empowerment.

Master of commerce (MCOM) in Human Resource Management

Research Dissertation

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)/Doctor of Commerce (DCom) Human Resource Management

Research Thesis/Dissertation

Research

The department is currently undertaking research projects on the following topics:
i. Factors influencing job satisfaction among government employees in the Vhembe District Municipality
ii. Occupational stress and coping strategies of teachers in schools around Vhembe District Municipalities.
iii. Occupational stress and general health of employees in the department of education in Limpopo province.
iv. Occupational stress and job insecurity of the employees in the Vhembe District Municipality.
v. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment of employees in the provincial department at the Vhembe district.
vi. Motivation and Employees Performance within the departments of Thulamela Municipality.
vii. Impact of job satisfaction on career change amongst educators in the Vhembe district.
viii. Challenges faced by people with disabilities in a work environment.
ix. The impact of remunerative work outside official government employment on the job performance of public employees around Mopani District municipality.
x. Challenges faced by employees with disabilities in the government hospital: A case study of Tshilidzini Hospital.
xi. An impact of occupational burnout on employees’ productivity in the Vhembe District municipality.
xii. Employee recognition, job satisfaction and organization commitment of employees in the public and private organisations.

Research output and publications

Kotze, E., Khashane, E., & Mthembu, O. (2007). Psychological Empowerment in the Military: The Role of Gender and Race. SA Journal of Public and Administration. Vol 42 no.8.

The following is a list of staff members and their contact details in the Department of Human Resource Management and Labour Relations: