https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/E_BA_CHRMEAcademic and research skills: Students are able to collect and analyse information regarding developments in the external environment. Knowledge: Students have knowledge of the important theories and models related to the management of human resources and the role of the external environment and are able to apply these. Solving complex problems: Students are able to analyse contemporary challenges that organizations are facing due to changes in the external environment and discuss their implications for the management of human resources. Students are capable of providing theoretically-founded solutions to such challenges that take into account organizational and environmental characteristics. Professional and social skills: Students develop their social skills further through working together with others on a group assignment. Additionally, by working on a business challenge students will develop their professional skills. Self-reflection: Students are challenged to critically evaluate their own learning process.This course introduces students to the challenges that organizations face related to the topic of mobilizing people (i.e., HRM). Central to this course is the idea that organizations do not operate in isolation, rather, the external environment impacts organizations in significant ways. In order to effectively manage human resources it is crucial to be able to recognize, analyse, and adapt to these developments in the external organizational environment. Examples of developments that organizations currently face include the need for increased flexibility and the associated legal, social, and organizational challenges. Also, demographic changes resulting in a more diverse workforce might require adaptations in organisational designs and HRM strategies and practices. Finally, individualisation of the employment relationship (as evidenced by the use of individualized/customized work arrangements and increasing numbers of self-employed workers) is discussed and it is analysed how such developments in the external environment impact HRM policies and practices. The course will provide you with in-depth knowledge on these types of challenges that contemporary organizations face and will provide you with the skills required for analysing these contexts and successfully managing human resources. In parallel to this course, students participate in the course Contemporary Careers and Organizations, in which implications of these organizational developments on individual employees are examined in more detail. Together these courses provide insight in both the importance of the legal, political and social environment for HRM as well as the implications for individual employees and their careers.Lectures TutorialsIndividual assessment + Group assessmentSelection of academic papers. To be announced in the course manual.