Corporate Membership
Almost every public body, major public service trade union and staff association is a corporate member of the Institute. A number of major private institutions also lend their support to the Institute by participating as corporate members.
Corporate membership entitles you to:
• AICPA (annually)
Your CEO will receive an embossed copy of AICPA. The Directory presents the finest general database on Ireland. It is the essential information resource and time management aid for the decision maker.
• Administration (quarterly journal of the Institute)
This journal will also be available on-line shortlyFor over fifty years Administration has provided a forum in which public servants, academics, politicians and professionals have analysed and debated the key issues of the day.
• Access to the Institute’s library and its services
The services of the Institute’s specialist library will be available to you.
• A 10-20 per cent discount for your staff on AICPA training courses
The Institute is the leading provider of training and development services to the Irish public sector, with courses, consultancy work, seminars and conferences addressing all aspects of public sector reform and modernisation.
• A 10 per cent discount on Institute publications
The Institute’s publications provide information on, and analyses of, the policy areas that are of interest to those who work in the public service. They are also of interest to politicians, public affairs commentators, students, librarians and anyone concerned about Irish public affairs.
• E-newsletter
The Institute’s electronic newsletter discusses pertinent public policy and service delivery issues related to public administration. It will also keep you informed of upcoming events, seminars and other developments within the Institute and the public sector generally.
Alumni Membership
Alumni membership is open to all past students of the Institute.
You will receive:
• Administration (quarterly)
• Annual Report
• Access to the library and its services
• 10% discount on IPA books
Individual Membership
Individual membership is open to all public servants and to others outside the public service who are interested in the study of public administration and the improvement of the practice of it. The Institute's present membership is drawn from all areas of the public service.
You will receive:
• Administration (quarterly)
• Annual Report
• Access to the library and its services
• 10% discount on AICPA books
Certificate in Business Studies
The Certificate in Business Studies is a one-year, part-time programme that provides a systematic introduction to modern business theory and practice. Students take four subjects and address such crucial topics as accounting techniques, research and quantitative methods, the HRM function in modern organisations and marketing strategies. The Certificate is both a stand-alone qualification and the first year of the four-year Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) programme.
Duration:
One academic year
Diploma in Business Studies
This is a two-year, part-time programme that extends students’ understanding of the subjects addressed in the Certificate year and allows them to take a subject in an area of particular relevance to them. The Diploma is both a stand-alone qualification and the second year of the four-year Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) programme. Students take three common subjects: cost accounting, business and company law and economics. They take a fourth subject from one of the following streams: Ÿ
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Information Systems Management
• Human Resource Management
Duration:
Two academic years
Diploma in Financial Management
Understanding how organisations, business units and departments manage their finances is plainly of critical importance to a successful career. Many people know that they would benefit from instruction in the key accounting principles and processes at the heart of organisational life. The Diploma in Financial Management is a one-year, part-time programme that gives students a solid grounding in these principles and processes. It seeks to give students confidence in core accounting techniques and in financial management.
Duration:
One academic year
Diploma in Marketing
The Diploma in Marketing explains and analyses the components of effective marketing. A one-year, part-time programme, it focuses on the principles and techniques that contemporary marketers are expected to understand and apply. It will explain both the position of the marketing function in modern organisations – and how it relates to other parts of the organisation – and the theories and practices that marketers are expected to understand. It is suitable for those with no prior experience of this subject.
Duration:
One academic year
Bachelor of Business Studies (HONS) – Accounting
The BBS (Hons) (Accounting) is a four-year, part-time programme that provides a comprehensive examination and analysis of the subjects critical to contemporary business life, focusing on accounting principles and techniques. It includes two interim awards – at Certificate and Diploma level.
Duration:
Four years of part-time study
Bachelor of Business Studies (HONS) – Human Resource Management
The BBS (Hons) (HRM) is a four-year, part-time programme that provides a comprehensive examination and analysis of the subjects critical to contemporary business life, focusing on Human Resource Management (HRM). It includes two interim awards – at Certificate and Diploma level.
Duration:
Four years of part-time study
Bachelor of Business Studies (HONS) – Marketing
The BBS (Hons) (Marketing) is a four-year, part-time programme that provides a comprehensive examination and analysis of the subjects critical to contemporary business life, focusing on the marketing function. It includes two interim awards – at Certificate and Diploma level
The Practice of Human Resource Management
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report provides an overview on human resource management (HRM or frequently abbreviated to HR). The term first emerged in the 1980s in the United States. Against a backdrop of increased pressure on firms because of globalisation and technological developments, academics from a number of disciplines began to consider people and how they are employed and managed in organisations from a new perspective. A convergence of this thinking evolved into what became known as human resource management.
Drawing on the theoretical underpinnings of HRM in strategic management and organisation behaviour, the goals of HRM have been identified as to (Armstrong and Taylor, 2015):
• Support the organisation in achieving its objectives by developing and implementing HR strategies that are integrated with business strategy
• Contribute to the development of a high-performance culture
• Ensure that the organisation has the talented, skilled and engaged people it needs
• Create a positive employment relationship between management and employees and a climate of mutual trust
• Encourage the application of an ethical approach to people management.
From the 1990s, the term strategic HR became popular rather than simply HR. This is done to emphasise the objective of aligning HR policies and practices with the interests of the organisation more generally. However, according to some commentators this has resulted in an imbalance across the many roles HR is expected to perform with a greater emphasis on ‘being strategic and a ‘business partner’ at the expense of being a ‘people partner’ that actively engages with and listens to the needs and concerns of managers and employees in general.
A perennial challenge for HR is the importance of showing that the application of good HR practices contributes to better organisation performance. The motivation has been to prove that HR rather than being a cost to the organisation ‘adds value’. Most of the research in this area is based on the premise that good HR practices enhance the motivation and commitment of staff which in turn impacts positively on productivity and performance.