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MBA833Management Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Industrial Relations

This course provides an in-depth exploration of industrial relations, covering key areas such as employment regulation, discipline, grievance management, and redundancy. Students will examine strikes, industrial disputes, collective bargaining, and industrial democracy. The course also delves into trade unionism, employer organizations, worker safety, health issues, and employee terminal benefits. Emphasis is placed on group dynamics and effective communication for managing labor-related matters, equipping students with practical skills for workplace administration.

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26h
Study Time
13
Weeks
2h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Industrial RelationsCollective BargainingTrade UnionsEmployee GrievancesWorkplace Safety

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Industrial Relations Framework

2

Employment Contracts and Regulations

3

Collective Bargaining

4

Industrial Disputes and Strikes

5

Industrial Democracy

6

Trade Unionism and Employer Associations

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Human Resources Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industrial Relations Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Labor Relations Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Employee Relations Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Compensation and Benefits Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

ManufacturingPublic SectorHealthcareFinanceEducation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Basis of Industrial Relations

2h

Unit 1: Basis of Industrial Relations

2 study hours
  • Define industrial relations and its importance.
  • Discuss the roles of employers, trade unions, and government in industrial relations.
  • Analyze the conditions necessary for effective industrial relations.
Week
2

Module 1: Basis of Industrial Relations

2h

Unit 2: Nature of Relationship between Employers and Employees

2 study hours
  • Explain the contract of employment and its essential elements.
  • Analyze the master-servant relationship between employer and employee.
  • Discuss conditions of service and termination of employment contracts.
Week
3

Module 1: Basis of Industrial Relations

2h

Unit 3: Regulation of Employment and Duties of Employers and Employees

2 study hours
  • Describe statutory terms of employment.
  • Identify categories of workers and regulations on employing women and young persons.
  • Analyze rights and obligations in employment contracts.
Week
4

Module 1: Basis of Industrial Relations

2h

Unit 4: Framework for Management of Industrial Relations

2 study hours
  • Explain specialisation, devolution, standardisation and formalisation in industrial relations management.
  • Identify decisions for handling collective bargaining.
  • Explain mechanisms for managing industrial relations.
Week
5

Module 1: Basis of Industrial Relations

2h

Unit 5: Typology of Role Players in Industrial Relations Management

2 study hours
  • Explain roles of personnel officers and line managers.
  • Describe roles of supervisors and shop stewards.
  • Analyze Storey's and Brewster and Holt-Larsen's frameworks for specialist functions.
Week
6

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1: Framework for Discipline and Disengagement of Employees from Organisations

2 study hours
  • Explain organisational discipline and differentiate between positive and negative discipline.
  • Explain principles of fair dismissal.
  • Identify reasons for employee disengagement.

Unit 2: Retrenchment and Redundancy

2 study hours
  • Explain retrenchment and redundancy.
  • Discuss principles of retrenchment.
  • Explain conditions for valid redundancy.
Week
7

Module 2:

4h

Unit 3: Management of Employee Grievances

2 study hours
  • Explain grievance and grievance procedures.
  • Discuss grievance interviews.
  • Identify features of a good grievance procedure.

Unit 4: Methods and Styles of Collective Bargaining

2 study hours
  • Identify methods of mutual interaction between management and workers.
  • Explain the meaning and nature of collective bargaining.
  • Identify critical factors for effective collective bargaining.
Week
8

Module 2:

2h

Unit 5: Nature and Principles of Negotiation in Collective Bargaining

2 study hours
  • Explain the concept of negotiation in collective bargaining.
  • Outline principles underlying negotiation.
  • Analyze roles and tasks of negotiators.
Week
9

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: The Process of Negotiation in Collective Bargaining

2 study hours
  • Explain the concept of negotiation in collective bargaining.
  • Outline the phases of the negotiation process.
  • Discuss the use of persuasive communication in negotiation.

Unit 2: Strikes and Industrial Disputes

2 study hours
  • Explain the term strike and outline various types.
  • Discuss strategies for managing strikes and industrial disputes.
  • Explain the role of essential services during strikes.
Week
10

Module 3:

4h

Unit 3: Nature and Types of Organisational Conflict

2 study hours
  • Explain the nature of industrial conflict.
  • Discuss types and levels of conflict.
  • Identify causes of conflict.

Unit 4: Framework for Management of Organisational Conflict

2 study hours
  • Explain the conflict process.
  • Explain the meaning of conflict episode.
  • Identify strategies for conflict management and resolution.
Week
11

Module 3:

2h

Unit 5: Nature and Goals of Industrial Democracy

2 study hours
  • Explain the concept of industrial democracy.
  • Explain the meaning of worker participation.
  • Identify goals of industrial democracy and reasons for worker participation.
Week
12

Module 4:

4h

Unit 1: Forms and Techniques of Workers' Participation in Organisational Affairs

2 study hours
  • Explain elements of worker participation.
  • Explain degrees of power sharing.
  • Identify techniques of worker participation.

Unit 2: Workers' Participation though Workplace Forums

2 study hours
  • Discuss the functions of workplace forums.
  • Explain the functioning of workplace forums.
  • State advantages and disadvantages of workplace forums.
Week
13

Module 4:

4h

Unit 3: Economic and Financial Participation by Employees

2 study hours
  • Explain the nature of financial participation by employees.
  • Identify types of financial participation.
  • Analyze the relationship between financial participation and collective bargaining.

Unit 4: Trade Unionism in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • Explain the meaning of trade union and analyze theories.
  • Explain the nature of trade union movement in Nigeria.
  • Identify requirements for formation and registration of trade unions.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing industrial relations in Nigeria, focusing on the Trade Unions Act and Labour Act.

2

Create detailed outlines for each module, summarizing key concepts, theories, and case studies to facilitate quick review.

3

Practice applying collective bargaining strategies to hypothetical scenarios, focusing on negotiation tactics and conflict resolution techniques.

4

Analyze real-world examples of industrial disputes and strikes in Nigeria, identifying the root causes and potential solutions.

5

Focus on understanding the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in industrial relations, including employers, employees, trade unions, and government agencies.

6

Create concept maps linking different forms of worker participation to specific organizational goals, such as increased productivity or improved employee morale.

7

Review past exam papers and tutor-marked assignments to identify common question types and areas of emphasis.

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