Course coordinator
Associate Professor Yiqiong Li
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
The aim of this course is to provide students with the fundamental mindset, critical thinking skills, and competencies associated with positive performance enhancing staffing practices and work design in a complex, dynamic world. This course provides essential learning for line managers, those who wish to pursue a career in Human Resource Management, and anyone who wants to know how to make their organisation world class in talent management and workplace integration and engagement.
Welcome to MGTS7612, The Fundamentals of Designing and Staffing Organisations.
This course addresses the different ways an organisation works with people, through a range of employment arrangements, to execute its aims or business objectives. The course takes a holistic perspective on staffing the organisation, covering the design of organisation structures and taking a talent pipeline approach to examine how business needs are matched to individual skills and experience to source, attract, select and appoint the right people to the right roles. The latest research in business ethics and positive and strengths-based approaches to HRM underpins the course.
Students will learn about organisation design, the job analysis process, identifying key selection criteria, employment types and options (e.g., including contracting and outsourcing), developing position descriptions, identifying an employment value proposition to attract the right talent, writing job ads, short-listing processes, selection processes and induction. We will also consider the range of circumstances where staffing processes are needed, such as business expansion, responding to strategic change and restructuring. Legal and ethical considerations (e.g., equity, diversity, wellbeing) will be addressed for each area. A major focus will be equipping you to apply academic evidence to your practice as an HR professional or as a line manager.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS2604
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Yiqiong Li
Mr Alexander McBroom
Tutor
Dr Lisa Kelly
Dr Rebecca Zhang
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how organisations are designed and staffed, practical skills in the staffing processes and an appreciation for how effective staffing helps organisations meet business objectives. The latest research in business ethics and positive and strengths-based approaches to Strategic HRM underpins the course.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain how organisational design and strategic staffing aid businesses to meet their objectives.
LO2.
Working both individually and as a team, design essential aids to the staffing process, incorporating role design, recruitment and selection tools, while also ensuring the legal requirements for these processes are addressed.
LO3.
Critically evaluate the appropriateness of different organisational design, recruitment and selection processes for different role types and circumstances, within an organisational context and considering multiple stakeholders.
LO4.
Elaborate on how organisational design and staffing practices that take ethics, diversity and employee wellbeing into account add value to organisations and society.
LO5.
Prepare evidence-based arguments and well-designed recommendations for presentation to senior stakeholders for aspects of organisational design and staffing practices.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
In-Class Quiz (Individual)
|
30% |
Week 2 Wed - Week 12 Wed
During Class |
| Portfolio |
Recruitment & Selection Strategy Portfolio (Group)
|
40% |
6/08/2025 - 22/10/2025 |
| Practical/ Demonstration | Recruitment & Selection Case Practical (Individual) | 30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
In-Class Quiz (Individual)
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Week 2 Wed - Week 12 Wed
During Class
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each week, from Week 2 to Week 12, you will complete a weekly quiz during the seminar. The quizzes are summative (graded). You will complete these quizzes individually.
Details:
Format: Online quiz submitted individually during your scheduled seminars
Assessment: The best 6 out of 10 submissions will count toward your final mark for this assessment.
Attendance requirement:
You must attend the seminar in person to receive a grade for that week’s quiz. No mark will be awarded if you are absent.
AI Statement
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You will complete the quizzes on Blackboard during seminar, with a specified time frame.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Discretionary extensions are not available for this task.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Late submission is not allowed.
Recruitment & Selection Strategy Portfolio (Group)
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Portfolio
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
6/08/2025 - 22/10/2025
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor, Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
Throughout the semester, you will work in a team to critically reflect on and evaluate a weekly document provided during your seminar. The task each week is to:
- Identify key issues or problems in the document
- Provide thoughtful, evidence-based analysis and critique
- Offer practical recommendations for improvement or resolution
Each team will submit a short written output at the end of the seminar summarising their analysis and recommendations.
Details:
Format: Group-based written response (submitted weekly during seminars)
Assessment: The best 7 out of 10 submissions will count toward your final mark for this assessment
Weighting: 40% of final grade (including 5% peer evaluation).
Individual attendance requirement:
Only students who attend the seminar and actively participate will receive the group mark for that week. Non-attendance or arriving more than 20 minutes late will result in a mark of zero for that week.
Team formation:
Team formation will begin in Week 1 and must be completed by the end of Week 2. You can self-nominate to a group and you are free to form a group with friends or previous classmates. Assistance will be provided for you to get to know each other to aid this process. An assigned facilitator will assist with your learning process. If there are any changes in the membership of your team, or significant issues that you need help with, please get in touch with your facilitator immediately.
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Your weekly submission will be submitted in hard copy to your facilitator during the seminar.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Discretionary extensions are not available for this task.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission or extension are not allowed.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Late submission is NOT available.
Recruitment & Selection Case Practical (Individual)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
Task description
This capstone assessment is designed to test your ability to apply and integrate Recruitment and Selection theories, frameworks, and concepts to a real-world scenario. It serves as a culmination of your learning throughout the course and will require critical analysis, synthesis, and application of course content.
You will be presented with a case study at the beginning of Week 12, which you are encouraged to read and reflect on in advance. During the exam, you will receive a set of focal questions related to the case. You will have 2 hours to complete your responses in a short-answer essay format, drawing on your cumulative understanding of course topics.
This is an individual, semi closed-book assessment. You may bring:
- A printed copy of the case study (without annotations or any handwritten/typed notes)
- One A4-sized page of notes (handwritten or printed, one side only)
No other learning materials (e.g., textbooks, lecture notes, or digital devices) are permitted during the assessment. You are expected to work individually and uphold the highest standards of academic integrity.
AI Statement
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Course overview & preparations Topics: Introductions, Learning approach, Assessments. Introducing Strategic HRM, Org Design and Staffing, looking to the future of work. Definitions, debates and ethical perspectives. Understanding the candidate experience. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Human resource planning Understand the significance and tools of human resource planning and its links with other HRM functions Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Public Holiday: No Seminar Topics: Strategic recruitment, labour markets, developing recruitment strategies, employer branding, attracting vs sourcing candidates, recruitment media options. Working in teams. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Analysing jobs and developing position description Topics: The staffing process overview. Employment arrangements - traditional and emerging, Job analysis, developing position descriptions, job design, including job crafting. Introducing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Recruitment (1) Legal, ethical and diversity issues, implementing recruitment campaigns, developing recruitment ads. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Selection (1) Strategic selection, selection policies, selection criteria, candidate fit, overview of selection methods, validity & reliability, designing selection processes, selection decision making, applicant reactions, roles in selection. Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Recruitment (2) Selection methods in depth, use of technology in selection; legal, ethical and diversity issues, evaluating recruitment and selection. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Selection (2) Working with an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), metrics to evaluate the staffing process. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 9 |
Workshop |
R&S strategy implementation and business perspectives Defining Talent Management, alternate perspectives, ethical & practical issues, talent management processes. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-semester break |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Specialist staffing campaigns TBA |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Joining the organisation Executive recruitment, volume recruitment, design and delivery of a selection assessment centre. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Talent management Employment offers, employment conditions, induction processes targeted for employee needs. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course review Review of key concepts and practices, case analysis preparation. Personal learning reflection. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.