Course Overview
Students become familiar with essential human resource management tasks and can distinguish between theoretical approaches. Based on new institutional economics, they analyze and evaluate the conditions of functioning labor relations. They develop independent solution proposals for specific problems.
Course Content
Personnel economics questions are taught in areas such as:
- Human capital and education
- Employee recruitment
- Compensation systems
- Personnel evaluation
- Teams and teamwork
- Employee empowerment
- Industrial relations
Key Topics
Human Capital Theory
- Investment in Education
- Training and Development
- Skills Acquisition
- Return on Human Capital
Recruitment & Selection
- Screening Mechanisms
- Signaling Theory
- Matching Models
- Search Costs
Compensation Systems
- Incentive Design
- Performance-Based Pay
- Wage Determination
- Executive Compensation
Industrial Relations
- Collective Bargaining
- Union Economics
- Labor Market Institutions
- Employment Protection
Team Economics
- Team Formation
- Free-Rider Problems
- Coordination Mechanisms
- Team Performance
Employee Empowerment
- Delegation of Authority
- Participation Programs
- Job Design
- Motivation Theory
Course Structure
Lecture Component
2 hours per week covering theoretical foundations in personnel economics and institutional economics.
Exercise Sessions
2 hours per week for practical applications, case studies, and problem-solving exercises.
Self-Study
120 hours of independent study using lecture scripts and e-learning modules available on BTU Moodle portal.
Bonus System
Exercise sessions offer opportunity to earn up to 10% bonus points for the final examination.
Assessment Structure
Module Final Examination (MAP)
- Written Examination (90 minutes): Comprehensive test covering all course material
- Bonus Points: Up to 10% of total points can be earned through exercise participation
Performance verification is graded. No participant limit.
Course Information
- Language: German (taught and examined)
- Duration: 1 semester
- Frequency: Every winter semester
- Credits: 6 ECTS
- Prerequisites: Ability to read and understand English literature
- Participant Limit: None
Study Programs
This course is offered as part of various degree programs:
- M.Sc. Applied Mathematics (university profile)
- B.Sc./M.Sc. Business Administration (university profile)
- B.A. Digital Society (university profile)
- B.A. Culture and Technology (university profile)
- B.Sc./M.Sc. Business Engineering (various profiles)
- Dual study programs in Business Engineering
Teaching Materials
Primary Resources:
- Lecture-based script and e-learning module in Moodle learning portal with corresponding literature references
- Guide for creating scientific work (available at BTU chair homepage)
- Additional literature on seminar topics based on own research
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding of new institutional economics approach to labor relations
- Analysis and evaluation of functional working relationships
- Independent development of solutions for specific HR problems
- Theoretical foundation in personnel economics
Career Applications
This course prepares students for roles in:
- Human Resource Management
- Personnel Consulting
- Labor Relations
- Organizational Development
- Compensation and Benefits Design
- Industrial Relations Research
- Management Consulting
- Policy Analysis in Labor Economics