HR Midterm Review

What are some advantages of flexible benefits plans? (Select all that apply.) -Employees are more aware of the value of their benefits. -Employees can choose the benefits plans that work best for them. -Cost control of benefits may occur, which is economical for the employer. -Employees can gain greater awareness of what the employer provides for them. -Administrative costs to implement a flexible benefits package are inexpensive.

-employees are more aware of the value of their benefits -employees can choose the benefits plans that work best for them -cost control of benefits may occur, which is economical for the employer -employees can gain greater awareness of what the employer provides for them

Which of the following "pressure points" suggest that training might be necessary? (Select all that apply.) -Employees are using a new software program. -Employees are lacking in basic skills. -Employees' jobs are being restructured. -Employees have joined a labor union.

-employees are using a new software program -employees are lacking in basic skills -employees' jobs are being restructured

Which of the following are considered disadvantages of a skill-based pay system? (Select all that apply.) -employees may acquire skills too quickly and top out on the pay scale -new skills can be difficult to use effectively, resulting in high labor costs -skills must be described, measured, and assigned monetary values -it is more difficult to price jobs than combinations of skills -training programs need to be developed to help employees acquire new skills

-employees may acquire skills too quickly and top out on the pay scale -new skills can be difficult to use effectively, resulting in high labor costs -skills must be described, measured, and assigned monetary values -training programs need to be developed to help employees acquire new skills

Who makes all of the payments into a cash balance plan?

-employer

What type of HR policy states that either party in an employment relationship can terminate the relationship at any time, regardless of cause?

-employment-at-will

What is the concept that describes employees' perceptions of work characteristics that help or hinder use of trained skills?

-environment characteristics

Which of the following refers to the technology and facilities needed to create a product from raw materials? -HR -lean production -equipment -organizational learning

-equipment

Which of the following are inputs? (select all that apply) -equipment -activities -raw materials -human skills

-equipment -raw materials -human skills

The concept that suggests people evaluate the fairness of their situations by comparing them with others is called ______.

-equity theory

What is another term for the biological approach to job design?

-ergonomics

______ is concerned with examining the interface between individuals' physiological characteristics and the physical work environment.

-ergonomics

Which of the following refers to the demonstration that human resources practices have a positive influence on the company's bottom line or key stakeholders?

-evidence-based HR

Reference letters are unreliable predictors of job success primarily because most of them are ______.

-excessively positive

Employees can take part in the compensation decision-making process by doing which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -explaining the company's rationale in implementing a specific pay program -participating in a committee that is charged with recommending a pay program -encouraging senior management to outsource the compensation program to consultants -serving on a task force that designs a pay program

-explaining the company's rationale implementing a specific pay program -participating in a committee that is charged with recommending a pay program -serving on a task force that designs a pay program

When an organization examines its operating environment to identify strategic opportunities and threats, it conducts a(n) ___ analysis.

-external

Which of the following are among the five major dimensions measured in a personality inventory? (Select all that apply.) -extroversion -adjustment -openness to failure -agreeableness

-extroversion -adjustment -agreeableness

Employees notice how some employees get paid differently, and their perceptions of ______ will influence their behaviors.

-fairness

True or false: Due to the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers may try to have employees classified as nonexempt to avoid paying overtime.

-false

True or false: In terms of work-flow analysis, work output refers to physical objects but not intangible services.

-false

True or false: Individual incentive plans generally contribute to the development of a cross-trained, flexible, proactive, and efficient problem-solving workforce.

-false

True or false: Lean production makes use of technology and large groups of low-skilled employees.

-false

True or false: Market forces provide the most inefficient means of pricing and allocating people to jobs.

-false

True or false: Most organizations have a written document that summarizes the goal(s) of their various benefits programs, which helps them measure the outcomes of providing those benefits.

-false

True or false: Recent research indicates that tests show different levels of subgroup validity.

-false

True or false: The tax treatment of benefits programs is often less favorable for employees than the tax treatment of wages and salaries.

-false

The unemployment insurance program is financed primarily through ______.

-federal and state taxes on employers

What factors have contributed to the enormous expansion of employee benefits? (Select all that apply.) -federal government legislation passed during the Great Depression -the cost advantage individuals typically realize over groups -controls of wages and prices implemented during World War II -the marginal tax rate

-federal government legislation passed during the Great Depression -controls of wages and prices implemented during World War II -the marginal tax rate

In the training design process, needs assessment refers to ______.

-figuring out if training is needed

Which of the following are suitable considerations for using a balanced scorecard to structure employee compensation? (Select all that apply.) -short-term rather than any long-term goals -financial results -nonfinancial measures -how financial results are achieved

-financial results -nonfinancial measures -how financials results are achieved

What is the term for benefits packages in which employees have the freedom to choose the benefits they would like?

-flexible benefits plan

Which of the following characteristics of divisional structures helps them be more creative and able to respond quickly to change? -task-function focus -attention to efficiency -specialized tasks that serve entire organization -focus on work-flow

-focus on work-flow

During recruitment, an organization seeks applicants ______.

-for potential employment

What are the steps in an HR planning process? (Select all that apply.) -Forecasting labor market issues -Implementing and assessing a program -Querying potential hires for feedback -Establishing objectives and strategy

-forecasting labor market issues -implementing and assessing a program -establishing objectives and strategy

A(n) ____organization structure is best in steady, relatively unchanging environments where outputs can be produced efficiently.

-functional

An organization with a ______ structure is highly centralized and departmentalized.

-functional

A disadvantage of a ______ is that individual workers may grasp their department's mission, but not that of the larger company.

-functional structure

What term is used to described game-based strategies that are applied to e-learning programs?

-gamification

Similarities in the ways companies attempt to compete within a single industry are known as ______.

-generic strategies

Managers utilizing the motivational approach to job design will focus on increasing the meaningfulness of jobs through which types of the following interventions? (Select all that apply) -giving employees tasks that they feel are important -offering micro-motion efficiency analysis of employees' work -making the work as simple as possible -giving employees the freedom to make decisions

-giving employees tasks that they feel are important -giving employees the freedom to make decisions

Roles of junior HR

-handle transactions related to paperwork, benefits and payroll administration, answering employee questions, and data management

On-the-job training, simulations, and business games are all types of ___-on-training methods.

-hands

On-the-job training, simulations, business games and case studies, and Web-based training are used in what type of learning?

-hands-on-methods

Which of the following occupational groups is projected to grow the fastest through 2026? -manufacturing -agriculture -health care support -human resource management

-health care support

Situational interview items have ______.

-high predictive validity

Which strategies can employers use to control employee benefit costs? (Select all that apply.) -Hire contingent workers. -Hire temporary workers. -Hire full-time workers. -Hire part-time workers.

-hire contingent workers -hire temporary workers -hire part-time workers

What are some advantages of using internal applicants to fill jobs? (Select all that apply.) -Hiring from within is inexpensive and happens quickly. -There are enough internal applicants to fill all positions. -Applicants have realistic expectations regarding the nature of the job. -Applicants are familiar to the company.

-hiring from within is inexpensive and happens quickly -applicants have realistic expectations regarding the nature of the job -applicants are familiar to the company

Which of the following are considered intangible assets of a company? (Select all that apply.) -Financial capital -Intellectual capital -Social capital -Physical capital -Human capital

-human capital -social capital -intellectual capital

Unlike the biological approach, which focuses on physical capabilities and limitations, the perceptual-motor approach focuses on which of the following?

-human mental capabilities and limitations

Job analysis and design, recruitment and selection, and training and development are all types of ___ ___ management.

-human resource

All companies have guidelines and policies that govern the behavior and performance of employees. This is commonly referred to as which of the following?

-human resource management

Which of the following describes the analysis of an organization's staffing requirements? -task analysis -job design -performance appraisal -human resource planning

-human resource planning

The perceptual-motor approach to job design is derived from which the following? -scientific management and engineering -human-factors literature -organizational psychology and -management literature -political science and sociological sciences

-human-factors literature

When selecting a training method, the first step is to ______.

-identify the type of learning outcome the training is to influence

What are the key components of an effective goal-setting phase in the HR planning process? (Select all that apply.) -Creating a transitional matrix -Identifying a deadline for the ultimate outcome -Communicating the program's details to the affected employees -Determining a specific number of jobs needed in a specific category

-identifying a deadline for the ultimate outcome -determining a specific number of jobs needed in a specific category

Which of the following factors influence the transfer of training? (Select all that apply.) -if the trainee has developed the ability to self-manage -if the trainee has a high or low ranking within the organization -if the trainee has the chance to apply what he or she has learned -if the manager supports the trainee

-if the trainee has developed the ability to self-manage -if the trainee has the chance to apply what they have learned -if the manager supports the trainee

If a company is able to anticipate a labor surplus in advance, what strategic step could it take that has low human suffering?

-implement a hiring freeze

What is the final step in the HR planning process?

-implementation and evaluation

A key drawback to outcome-oriented contracts is that they tend to ______ the agent's risk.

-increase

Money spent on health care in the United States has ______ since 1960.

-increased dramatically

One important advantage of skill-based pay is the potential for ______.

-increased worker flexibility

To eliminate the employer's obligation to provide employee benefits, an organization is more likely to classify workers as ______.

-independent contractors

Employee performance can be measure at the ______ level. (Select all that apply.) -individual -unit -organizational -national

-individual -unit -organizational

Payments are not added into base pay and must be continuously earned in ______ plans.

-individual incentive

Salary level decisions can be broken into which of the following two areas? (Select all that apply.) -tax bracket -individual pay -job shadow -pay structure

-individual pay -pay struture

Which of the following are important for establishing a company's strategy foundation? (Select all that apply.) -individuals must possess critical skills -competition must not exist -employees must be motivated -tasks must be accomplished in pursuit of goals

-individuals must possess critical skills -employees must be motivated -tasks must be accomplished in pursuit of goals

Which of following are potential drawbacks of a divisional structure? (Select all that apply.) -inefficiency -self-cannibalization -inability of units to see the "big picture" -inability to quickly react to changes in the market

-inefficiency -self-cannibalization -inability of units to see the "big picture"

What happens when a principal has imperfect information concerning the degree to which the agent is pursuing and achieving the principal's goals?

-information asymmetry

The most frequently used training method by companies is ______.

-instructor-led classroom

When an organization pursues a(n) ___ growth strategy, it attempts to build on existing strengths by channeling its resources, such as product development, in that direction.

-internal

Which of the following statements is accurate concerning recent changes in technological capabilities? -Advancements in technological capabilities have almost universally been beneficial in reducing job demands and errors. -Notifications when new email arrives and similar multiple media features have improved performance for most workers performing complex tasks. -New technologies have allowed most workers to have improved levels of attention and concentration in work environments. -Interruptions, such as incoming texts or emails, can distract a worker performing a complicated task.

-interruptions, such as incoming texts or emails, can distract a worker performing a complicated task

Roles of senior HR

-involve developing and supporting the company culture, employee recruitment, retention and engagement, succession planning, and designing the company's overall HR strategy

Advantages of using simulation as a training method include which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -It allows trainees to experience the outcomes of their decisions. -It gives trainees the opportunity to experience situations that could involve risk in the real world. -It encourages trainees to learn materials quickly. -It offers trainees the opportunity to learn various skills.

-it allows trainees to experience the outcomes of their decisions -it gives trainees the opportunity to experience situations that could involve risk in the real world -it offers trainees the opportunity to learn various skills

Which of the following statements about diversity training is true? -It is most effective when it is taught as a standalone program. -It is most appropriate for managers and not as useful for other employees. -It can impact cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes. -It results in less inclusive work environments.

-it can impact cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes

Which of the following are advantages of paying employee wages above the market average? (Select all that apply.) -It encourages increased productivity. -It generates increased job satisfaction. -It increases personnel costs. -It attracts skilled workers. -It helps retain top talent.

-it encourages increased productivity -it generates increased job satisfaction -it attracts skilled workers -it helps retain top talent

What are the benefits of establishing a college internship program? (Select all that apply.) -It doesn't allow companies to assess the capacities of potential applicants directly. -It gives companies a stronger presence on campus. -It provides companies with early access to potential applicants. -It gives students firsthand experience working with a particular company.

-it gives companies a stronger presence on campus -it provides companies with early access to potential applicants -it gives students firsthand experience working with a particular company

What does the U.S. Supreme Court's 1978 Manhart ruling state?

-it is illegal to force women to contribute more to a defined benefits plan

Which statements describe traditional classroom instruction? (Select all that apply.) -It is one of the most expensive forms of training. -It is one of the least time consuming ways to present information. -It is one of the most time consuming ways to present information. -It is one of the least expensive forms of training.

-it is one of the least time consuming ways to present information -it is one of the least expensive forms of training

What are some of the benefits of distance learning? (Select all that apply.) -It saves the company money on travel expenses. -Managers generally support distance learning more than classroom instruction. -It allows employees to attend trainings even when they are stationed far away. -it allows employees located far away to travel to attend trainings at headquarters.

-it saves the company money on travel expenses -it allows employees to attend trainings even when they are stationed far away

One indicator of a country's productivity is ______.

-its GDP per person

Which of the following labor-related factors made General Motors uncompetitive? (Select all that apply.) -its health care costs -the cost of its legacy workforce -a shortage of skilled workers -an uncompetitive average hourly wage

-its health care costs -the cost of its legacy workforce

______ helps managers understand work flow, select the best applicants for jobs, improve employees' job performance, and ensure the safety of workers.

-job analysis

What are the types of information most helpful when performing a job analysis? (Select all that apply.) -output projections -job description -job specification -skill requirements

-job description -job specification

The list of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs) that are necessary for successful performance of a job is known as a ______.

-job specification

The relative pay of jobs in an organization is known as the organization's ______.

-job structure

To forecast labor demand, HR planners consider the ______ needed to support company objectives.

-job types and skills

The most widely used metric for defining pay structures is by ______.

-jobs and associated responsibilities

Which of the following are likely aspects of an "internal growth" strategy? (Select all that apply.) -joint ventures -innovation -market development -determining operating costs

-joint ventures -innovation market development

In developing a pay structure, pay survey data and job evaluation data are commonly available for ______.

-key jobs

An increasing number of jobs in the professional and service sectors indicates that ______ is a valued skill for workers in today's economy.

-knowledge

Employees who own the intellectual means of producing a product or service are called ______ workers.

-knowledge

Employers are impacted through changing consumer markets and _____ markets.

-labor

What is the main reason a company sends jobs to other countries?

-labor costs

Why are European automakers locating production facilities in the United States?

-labor costs are lower in the United States

Which of the following are potential advantages of profit sharing plans? (Select all that apply.) -Labor costs automatically decline during difficult economic times. -Employees feel and act like owners, helping to make the organization more effective. -Payroll costs are eliminated by providing compensation through ownership. -Employees share in the legal risks associated with ownership of the firm.

-labor costs automatically decline during difficult economic times -employees feel and act like owners, helping to make the organization more effective

What are problems associated with offshoring? (Select all that apply.) -lackluster service to customers -poor-quality products -excessive labor costs -security violations

-lackluster service to customers -poor-quality products -security violations

In general, employees typically receive more benefits in ______ companies.

-larger

Work processes originally developed in Japan that focus on manufacturing goods with a minimum amount of time, materials, money, and people are referred to as ____ production.

-lean

The concept of doing more with less effort, time, equipment, and space while giving customers what they want is called ______.

-lean thinking

Which statements are true about audiovisual training? -Learners are not required to physically attend class. -Learners must be physically present in the classroom with instructors. -Learners can work independently. -Learners can improve communication and interviewing skills.

-learners are not required to physically attend class -learners can work independently -leaners can improve communication and interviewing skills

A company that enables all employees to continually acquire and share knowledge is called a(n) ____ organization.

-learning

Idris is in a training session to learn how to use the new company accounting system. Part of the training involves working through a sample project using the software. Idris is paired with someone who has already gone through the training so that Idris can ask questions as he works through the project and get immediate answers. Idris' training is an example of ______.

-learning by doing

A system that serves as a technology platform that can automate the administration, development, and delivery of a business's training program is called a(n) ______ system.

-learning management

The former workers who no longer work for a company but to whom the company still owes pensions and other financial obligations are referred to as the company's ___ workforce.

-legacy

Which of the following are common aspects of a "divestment" strategy? (Select all that apply.) -acquisition -liquidation -divestitures -retrenchment

-liquidation -divestitures -retrenchment

If a company needs educated knowledge workers but needs to tightly control costs, the company should look for countries with ______.

-low labor costs and skilled workers

In general, which combination would lead to the lowest unit labor costs for one country relative to another?

-lower labor costs and higher productivity

When pursuing a concentration strategy, a company emphasizes which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -product development -maintaining skill levels -retaining skilled staff -joint ventures

-maintaining skill levels -retaining skilled staff

If a company wants to see results of its diversity efforts, it must first and foremost ______.

-make a long-term commitment to managing diversity

To allow employees to make their greatest possible contribution to company productivity and competitiveness, HR needs to do which of the following?

-manage both internal and external environmental factors

For the modern corporation, ownership is nearly always separate from ______.

-management

Identify managerial strategies that support training. (Select all that apply.) -Managers should discuss training objectives with employees only after training sessions have been held. -Managers should appreciate an employee's transfer of training. -Managers should understand the connection between training and tasks that an employee needs to perform. -Managers should grasp the concepts being taught in training sessions.

-managers should appreciate an employee's transfer of training -managers should understand the connection between training and tasks that an employee needs to perform -managers should grasp the concepts being taught in training sessions

The approach that places the greatest emphasis on external comparisons is achieved by basing pay on ______.

-market surveys

In regard to a work-unit activity analysis, which of the following are raw inputs? (Select all that apply.) -human resources -materials -information -capital -data

-materials -information -data

Ownership in the company via stock options might be less motivational to employees because they _____.

-may not realize any financial gain until they sell the stock

The HRM dimension of assessment and development of human resources deals specifically with which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -measuring employee's performance -identifying the work interests and goals of employees -recruiting and selecting employees -preparing employees for future work roles in the company

-measuring employee's performance -identifying the work interests and goals of employees -preparing employees for future work roles in the company

What type of benefit allows employees to travel abroad to seek cheaper medical care?

-medical tourism benefit

Cognitive ability tests are designed to measure an individual's ______.

-mental capacity

According to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which of the following statements about the U.S. labor force and employment is correct? -Relatively few jobs are in the fields of health care and social assistance. -Traditionally, Hispanic and Asian men have low labor force participation. -Most U.S. jobs do not require a minimum level of education. -More than three-quarters of jobs are in the service sector.

-more than three-quarters of jobs are in the service sector

Which of the following statements about communicating with employees about benefits is true? -Brochures and other written communication are ineffective means for conveying benefits information to employees. -Most employees do not fully understand what their benefits provide. -Employers should not feel obligated to explain benefits to employees. -Most employees have a good idea of the market value of their benefits.

-most employees do not fully understand what their benefits provide

When any change in existing pay practices is set to take place, the intimate involvement of line managers is ______.

-necessary

When a company adopts a new strategy, which of the following are often integrated into job design? (Select all that apply.) -new technologies -new safety measures for old occupations -new ways of performing old tasks -new tasks

-new technologies -new ways of performing old tasks -new tasks

Under a profit sharing system, payments are ______.

-not part of base salary

In a continuous learning system, employees are expected to do which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -obtain new skills -implement new skills on the job -share their learning with coworkers -ask for a promotion when they want one

-obtain new skills -implement new skills on the job -share their learning with coworkers

A qualified benefits plan must ______.

-offer benefits to a variety of employees, not just senior level ones

Passive employee wellness programs ______.

-offer limited or zero support to program participants

A special case of outsourcing where jobs move from one country to another is called _____ .

-offshoring

The process of exporting jobs from developing to less developed countries is called

-offshoring

Early retirement incentive programs typically persuade ______ workers to retire from their jobs.

-older

What term describes employees learning by observing peers or managers?

-on-the-job training

When a new hire joins a company, the new hire goes through an orientation process to learn about company policies as well as performance expectations. This process is known as ______.

-onboarding

The way jobs are connected vertically and horizontally throughout a company is referred to as which of the following?

-organization structure

What is the term for determining the business appropriateness of employee training?

-organizational analysis

Organization structure is usually depicted by way of a(n) ______, which presents relationships between employees and their responsibilities.

-organizational chart

The statement, "a complex set of values, beliefs, assumptions, and symbols that define the way in which a firm conducts its business," refers to which of the following? -integrative linkage -SWOT analysis -a concentration strategy -organizational culture

-organizational culture

The motivational approach to job design is derived from which discipline?

-organizational psychology

Errors in job analysis are likeliest to arise from which of the following? -decreased emphasis on skilled labor -changes in technology -changing level of education in the workforce -outdated job descriptions

-outdated job description

The product of a work unit is known as a(n) ____.

-output

Which of the following kinds of occupations are typically exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) coverage? (Select all that apply) -outside salespeople -those who are paid hourly -executive positions -professional positions

-outside salespeople -executive positions -professional positions

Independent contractors are also known by these names. (Select all that apply.) -outsourced workers -salaried employees -freelancers -exempt workers

-outsourced workers -freelancers

An organization's use of an outside company for a broad set of services is called ______.

-outsourcing

What types of aids are used in audiovisual training? (Select all that apply.) -virtual reality -overheads -video -slides -workbooks

-overheads -video -slides -workbooks

Which of the following are considered part of an employee's total compensation? (Select all that apply.) -paid vacation -occupational training -salary -stock options

-paid vacation -salary -stock options

In presentation methods, trainees are ______.

-passive recipients of information

A mathematical expression that describes the relationship between a job's pay and its job evaluation points is called the ______.

-pay policy line

Social Security retirement benefits are financed by a(n) ______.

-payroll tax assessed to both the employer and the employee

Which key factors contribute to success in training? (Select all that apply.) -managers who turn the training over to someone else to attend to other work matters -peers and managers who let trainees know how they can use material learned in training on the job -managers and peers who display positive attitudes about engaging in training activities -managers and peers who push the trainees to excel by pretending to show a lack of support

-peers and managers who let trainees know how they can use material learned in training on the job -managers and peers who display positive attitudes about engaging in training activities

Mergers rarely live up to expectations as a result of ______ issues, according to a report by the Conference Board.

-people

______ is the process that organizations use to determine how well an employee is doing at his or her job.

-performance appraisal

To align employees' activities and outcomes with organizational objectives, companies use ______.

-performance management

Needs assessment is a process that generally comprises ______. (Select all that apply.) -person analysis -market analysis -task analysis -organizational analysis -labor supply analysis

-person analysis -task analysis -organizational analysis

Organizations use a process known as ______ to decide which applicants will or will not be allowed into the organization.

-personnel selection

What is the major difference between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) training?

-physical reality is always present in AR

Which of the following may be factors that give rise to agency costs? (Select all that apply.) -principals and agents who have goal incongruence -principals and agents who have compensation inequities -principals and agents who have value congruence -principals and agents who have information asymmetry

-principals and agents who have goal incongruence -principals and agents who have information asymmetry

Which of the following are provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1991? -prohibiting preferential treatment for minority groups -creating a federal agency to oversee fairness in the workplace -allowing complainants to have a jury decide on punitive damages -regulating the number of immigrants employed in a given industry

-prohibiting preferential treatment for minority groups -allowing complainants to have a jury decide on punitive damages

In communicating pay cuts to employees, which of the following strategies are effective? (Select all that apply.) -downplaying the pay cuts while conducting business as usual -providing detailed reasons why the pay cuts are necessary -ignoring the pay cuts until employees start complaining -demonstrating significant remorse for implementing the pay cuts

-providing detailed reasons why the pay cuts are necessary -demonstrating significant remorse implementing the pay cuts

What is the term for the practice of ranking the scores of different races or genders within their own groups rather than ranking all groups as a whole?

-race norming

What do companies use to recognize differences in employee performance, seniority, and training in setting individual pay?

-rate ranges

Which of the following are components identified in a work-unit activity analysis? (Select all that apply.) -raw inputs -human resources -compensation systems -equipment -profit margin

-raw inputs -human resources -equipment

The resources that will be converted into the work unit's product are known as ______.

-raw materials

In order for employees to learn, they must have (a) ______, characteristics that provide them with the desire, energy, and focus necessary to learn from training, and (a) ______, the desire of the trainee to learn the content of the training program.

-readiness for training -motivation to learn

Which of the following activities are performed by HR generalists? (Select all that apply.) -recruiting -labor relations -benefits administration -industrial relations

-recruiting -labor relations -benefits administration

The HRM dimension of acquiring and preparing human resources deals specifically with which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -recruiting employees -ensuring that HRM practices -comply with the law -selecting employees -training employees

-recruiting employees -selecting employees -training employees

Companies are able to obtain a human-resources pool capable of implementing a strategy through which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -recruitment -training -termination -development -selection

-recruitment -training -development -selection

According to the law of effect, rewards make responses ______.

-recur in the future

Human Resource Management

-refers to the policies, practices, and systems that influence employees' behavior, attitudes, and performance

To be effective, image advertising for companies should ______.

-reflect the diverse groups the company is attempting to attract

What is the key to a successful downsizing effort?

-refraining from universal cuts

The degree to which a measure is free from random error defines its level of ______.

-reliability

The personnel selection measure that is based on how consistent something is over time or over different contexts is called ______.

-reliability

Which of the following are generic selection standards used in deciding who will be allowed into organizations? (Select all that apply.) -reliability -validity -legality -morality

-reliability -validity -legality

Which of the following do employees often feel when a trust gap exists? (Select all that apply.) -concern about managers' ability to maintain their lifestyles -resentment of management's pay -uncertainty about management's competence -doubt about the intentions of senior management

-resentment of management's pay -uncertainty about management's competence -doubt about the intentions of senior management

Organizations compete in the labor market, so they should consider their employees not just as a cost but also as a(n) ______.

-resource that provides returns

What outcomes can be measured by assessing employees' transfer of training?

-results

By paying higher labor costs than its competitors, a company can achieve which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -retain valued employees -reduce associated employee benefits -encourage desired employee behaviors -draw better workers to produce higher-quality products than competitors

-retain valued employees -encourage desired employee behaviors -draw better workers to produce higher-quality products than competitors

Independent contracting work typically does not provide which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -retirement benefits -flexible work hours -job security -health care benefits

-retirement benefits -job security -health care benefits

Employee benefits may include ______. (Select all that apply.) -retirement packages -year-end bonuses -policies that assist families -insurance -base salaries

-retirement packages -policies that assist families -insurance

Placing jobs in broader bands of classification gives managers the opportunity to ______.

-reward high performers with merit increases

The HRM dimension of compensating human resources deals specifically with which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -rewarding employee contributions -preparing employees for future work roles -creating pay systems -providing employees with benefits

-rewarding employee contributions -creating pay systems -providing employees with benefits

Behavior modeling affords the trainee the opportunity to practice opportunities using ______.

-role-playing

The rise in the number of ______ workers reflects an effort by employers to limit overtime pay because most of these workers are exempt.

-salaried

Which was one of the first examples of the mechanistic approach to job design in the workplace? -task significance -ergonomics -absence presence -scientific management

-scientific management

If standout employees score high on a specific trait, then a company using concurrent validation will likely use scores on this trait to do which of the following? -conduct preemptive validation -give raises -conduct predictive validation -screen new hires

-screen new hires

Sarah, an employee at a large company, will be likelier to have a transfer of training when what occurs? (Select all that apply.) -she is given the chance to do so -company technology facilitates it -she knows that her efforts will be rewarded with a promotion -her managers and peers encourage her

-she is given the chance to do so -company technology facilitates it -her managers and peers encourage her

A training method that represents a real-life situation and allows trainees to see the outcomes of their decisions in an artificial environment is called a(n) ______.

-simulation

sustainability triple bottom line

-simultaneous delivery of positive results for people, planet, and profit

Questions that pertain to specific situations that are likely to arise in the course of the job are asked as part of a(n) ______ interview.

-situational

A(n) ______ is the individual's level of proficiency at doing a specific action, whereas a(n) ______ is his or her overall aptitude.

-skill -ability

A computer manufacturer wants to open a facility overseas to produce tablets. Most of the jobs would be assembly-line jobs, and training would take place on site. This is an example of the manufacturer paying special attention to ______ when considering where to open the facility.

-skill level

Which of the following are unintended side effects of downsizing that impact an organization's long-term success? (Select all that apply.) -they only target bloated administrative staff -social networks are disrupted -important talent is let go -remaining employees feel less inspired to work

-social networks are disrupted -important talent is let go -remaining employees feel less inspired to work

Which of the following statements about retirement benefits is true?

-social security is a legally required source of retirement income

Skills such as problem solving, communicating clearly, and establishing positive peer relationships are considered ______ skills.

-soft

Which of the following is an outcome of increased retiree health care costs and the FAS 106 ruling as it pertains to employee-sponsored health insurance? (Select all that apply.) -White-collar employees and retirees no longer pay premiums for the insurance. -Most companies now fund health care benefits for retirees on a pay-as-you-go basis. -Some companies have discontinued providing health care benefits to white-collar retirees. -The co-payments and deductibles that retirees and employees pay have been reduced.

-some companies have discontinued providing health care benefits to white-collar retirees

Which of the following statements about the number of hours worked by employees are true? (Select all the apply.) -Some employers prefer to pay employees overtime rather than hire additional workers. -Benefit costs are fixed and do not usually increase when an employee works more hours. -The benefits cost per hour can be reduced by having employees work longer hours. -There are no drawbacks to having employees work longer hours.

-some employers prefer to pay employees overtime rather than hire additional workers -benefit costs are fixed and do not usually increase when an employee works more hours -the benefits cost per hour can be reduced by having employees work longer hours

What are key components of an HR program implementation stage? (Select all that apply.) -Someone must be given the authority and tools to implement the program. -A single report on program implementation should be produced at the very end of the process. -Reports on program implementation must be produced consistently. -A management team is assigned shared responsibility for accomplishing a goal.

-someone must be given the authority and tools to implement the program -reports on program implementation must be produced consistently

The effect pay has on workforce composition is known as a(n) ______.

-sorting effect

Which U.S. employees do not receive Social Security benefits? (Select all that apply.) -construction workers -state workers -railroad workers -federal workers

-state workers -railroad workers -federal workers

In order to determine how much validity is sufficient, one usually tests for which of the following? -validity coefficient -the sample size -statistical significance -correctness percentages

-statistical significance

Which of the following relates specifically to the HR professional's competencies of technical expertise and practice? -communicating effectively with all employees and providing guidance to managers about how to communicate with their staff -staying abreast of laws pertaining to work and labor and applying them to the company -understanding how the business makes money, as well as the effect of HRM on the bottom line -behaving with integrity and keeping employees' private information confidential

-staying abreast of laws pertaining to work and labor and applying them to the company

In order to gain the greatest effectiveness, a company's HRM function needs to be integrally involved in the company's ____ management process.

-strategic

When an organization seeks to address the competitive challenges it faces, it engages in a process known as ______.

-strategic management

Decisions about how many and what kind of employees to hire are directly impacted by the company's ______.

-strategy

Depending on a company's ______, it can require different role behaviors.

-strategy

economic implications for HRM

-structure of the economy -aging of the workforce -growth in professional/service occupations

When a company uses a balanced scorecard, it takes a(n) _______ approach to balancing objectives.

-structured

If the training budget is very restrictive and fixed, the most appropriate training method is ______.

-structured on-the-job training

When measuring performance, team award plans consider which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -successful completion of product design -cost savings -meeting deadlines -number of team promotions

-successful completion of product design -cost savings -meeting deadlines

Companies use attitude or opinion ____ to measure employee engagement.

-surveys

Which term refers to a company's ability to meet its needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs?

-sustainability

What is the term used for the systematic planned strategic effort to attract, retain, develop, and motivate skilled employees and managers?

-talent management

Which aspect of the Job Characteristics Model motivates employees the most?

-task significance

Jobs are a combination of ____.

-tasks

The synchronous exchange of audio, video, or text between individuals or groups at two or more locations is called ______.

-teleconferencing

Distance learning can be accomplished via ______. (Select all that apply.) -teleconferencing -informal learning -on-the-job learning -webcasting

-teleconferencing -webcasting

A good source for credible cost information about competitors' benefits packages is ______.

-the Bureau of labor statistics

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, the primary activities for HR professionals involved performing ______.

-the HR generalist role

Which of the following nations spends the most on health care?

-the United States

What are some advantages of hiring temporary workers? (Select all that apply.) -The company can save costs related to having permanent employees. -They may bring a new, outside viewpoint to the company. -They may already be trained by the temporary agency. -They may take their time getting up to speed because they know their contribution is short-lived.

-the company can save costs related to having permanent employees -they may bring in a new, outside viewpoint to the company -they may already be trained by the temporary agency

Typically, expatriate pay and benefits are linked most closely to ______.

-the company's home country

What are reasons for using blended learning programs? (Select all that apply.) -the difficulties in scheduling learning at one's desk -the lack of interest in any training programs -the preference of trainees for face-to-face training -the technological limitations of e-learning

-the difficulties in scheduling learning at one's desk -the preference of trainees for face-to-face training -the technological limitations of e-learning

An action plan includes which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -a financial incentive for the trainee -the expected outcome -a goal identifying what training will be used -a suggested timeline for the employee to schedule the training

-the expected outcome -a goal identifying what training will be used

Which federal law mandates certain employers to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave to employees to care for newborns, adopted children, and seriously ill relatives among other reasons?

-the family and medical leave act

Which of the following statements about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is true? -Republicans are working to increase and improve medical benefits to Americans in the revised version of the ACA. -The Trump administration has voiced its full support of the ACA. -The revised version of the ACA will lead to more coverage at lower costs for the majority of Americans. -The future of the ACA is unclear.

-the future of the ACA is unclear

Which of the following increase with increasing incentive intensity? -the possibility of undesirable outcomes -motivation -the chance of unintended consequences -the likelihood of being fired

-the possibility of undesirable outcomes -motivation -the chance of unintended consequences

Which federal law requires all people who are on unemployment to be registered with a local state employment office?

-the social security act

How does recruiting a team of people from another company provide the new firm with advantages? (Select all that apply.) -The team may prompt customers to follow them to the new company. -The team is extremely loyal to the new company. -The team may disrupt the social network at the new company. -The team is already functional and can hit the ground running.

-the team may prompt customers to follow them to the new company -the team is already functional and can hit the ground running

Which of the following statements about various training methods is true? -The largest companies use mobile learning methods, but small companies rely exclusively on social learning. -The use of online learning, mobile learning, and blended learning is expected to increase. -Studies have shown that the virtual classroom is the most effective training method for knowledge retention. -Instructor-led classroom training is expected to dominate the industry for several more decades.

-the use of online learning, mobile learning, and blended learning is expected to increase

How the federal government taxes disability benefits is contingent upon ______.

-the way the disability policy is funded

What should be a key factor in designing an employee benefits package?

-the wishes of current employees

Verbal comprehension tests are designed to test which of the following in applicants? (Select all that apply.) -their capacity to understand written language -their ability to speak a foreign language -their capacity to understand spoken language -their ability to write in a foreign language

-their capacity to understand written language -their capacity to understand spoken language

Which of the following are benefits of using video-based role-play over traditional paper-and-pencil methods? (Select all that apply) -They are more engaging for applicants. -They can be assessed more quickly. -They are less expensive to use in the long run. -They have higher levels of predictive validity.

-they are more engaging for applicants -they have higher levels of predictive validity

What factors contribute to the popularity of learning management systems? (Select all that apply.) -They can help reduce travel costs. -They can guarantee employee success in training. -They can help improve employee accessibility to training programs. -They can help reduce the time needed to complete the program.

-they can help reduce travel costs -they can help improve employee accessibility to training programs -they can help reduce the time needed to complete the program

Which of the following is true for employees who sign up for a health maintenance organization (HMO) health care plan? (Select all that apply.) -They can only use HMO services. -They often visit other countries to receive less costly medical care. -They have many different providers to choose from. -They have benefits that are prepaid.

-they can only use HMO services -they have benefits that are prepaid

Which of the following are signs that employees are engaged? (Select all that apply.) -They have an indifferent attitude. -They demonstrate passion for their work. -They strive to contribute. -They work by themselves.

-they demonstrate passion for their work -they strive to contribute

Why do knowledge workers have many job opportunities? (Select all that apply.) -They contribute to an organization through manual labor. -They have skills that are in demand. -They have acquired information important to prospective employers. -They are best at performing administrative duties, such as filing and answering phone calls.

-they have skills that are in demand -they have acquired information important to prospective employers

Why might expatriates fail at a foreign assignment? (Select all that apply.) -They may not have the appropriate personality characteristics. -They may have overdeveloped technical skills. -They may not have enough cross-cultural preparation. -They may have a spouse and family who are unhappy living abroad.

-they may not have the appropriate personality characteristics -they may not have enough cross-cultural preparation -they may have a spouse and family who are unhappy living abroad

Which of the following are potential reasons individual incentives are relatively rare? (Select all that apply.) -They motivate employees to the point that they are able to leave because they are top performers. -They tend to encourage more cross-training, making the employee's salary level too high to be sustainable. -They may result in employees doing only what they are getting paid for and little or nothing else. -Many jobs have no physical output to measure.

-they may result in employees doing only what they are getting paid for and little or nothing else -many jobs have no physical output to measure

Which of the following should be true in order for human resource managers to be integrally involved in the company's strategic management process? -They should have input into the strategic plan in terms of people-related issues. -They should set the organization's strategic goals. -They should poll employees about their support for the specifics of the strategic plan. -They should support the process only if employees already possess the needed skills and behaviors.

-they should have input into the strategic plan in terms of people-related issues

What are some of the characteristics of employee wellness programs (EWPs)? (Select all that apply.) -They are focused on providing acute medical care rather than preventive services. -They work to lower the amount an employer must spend on employee health care. -They are often designed to target certain health care issues, such as high blood pressure. -They often try to promote positive health influences, such as good nutrition.

-they work to lower the amount an employer must spend on employee health care -they are often designed to target certain health care issues, such as high blood pressure -they often try to promote positive health influences, such as good nutrition

What is the downside to using a national online job site to attract potential candidates?

-this type of website may generate an excess of poorly qualified applicants

Why is it important for regular progress reports to be issued during the program implementation stage?

-to be sure initial outcomes are aligned with goals

What is the role of human resource recruitment?

-to build a supply of potential new hires

Why do companies perform a work-flow analysis? (Select all that apply.) -to determine the organization structure -to determine what tasks need to be performed to create an output -to determine the type of output that the company wants to create -to determine what skills are needed by employees in order to create an output

-to determine what tasks need to be performed to create an output -to determine what skills are needed in order to create an output

What is the first step in a training design process?

-to figure out if training is necessary for current employees

What are some of the goals of unemployment insurance? (Select all that apply.) -to help unemployed workers secure new work -to encourage employers to retain employees and not lay them off -to get rid of employees who are not performing well -to financially support unemployed workers during unemployment

-to help unemployed workers secure new work -to encourage employers to retain employees and not lay them off -to financially support unemployed workers during unemployment

How can companies use labor markets to help them stay competitive? (Select all that apply.) -to hire consultants to reinvent the HR process in an effort to manage labor markets -to know how to address possible differences between present and upcoming HR requirements -to understand their current workforce -to recognize the human resources needed

-to know how to address possible differences between present and upcoming HR requirements -to understand their current workforce -to recognize the human resources needed

What is the goal of training and employee?

-to master the information learned in training and use it daily on the job

Why does the government offer two types of vesting schedules for employers and their pension plans?

-to prevent companies from firing employees before they are fully vested in the pension plan

What are the major reasons organizations engage in downsizing? (Select all that apply.) -to replace all positions with new hires -to reduce costs -to use less labor because of technological advancements -to adapt to a change in workplace location

-to reduce costs -to use less labor because of technological advancements -to adapt to a change in workplace location

Why does the U.S. government limit the number of H1-B visas it issues each year?

-to reserve certain jobs for American workers

Which of the following aspects of an organization do executives typically influence substantially? (Select all that apply.) -tone -total labor costs -performance -culture

-tone -performance -culture

The strategic management decision-making process typically originates with which group in an organization?

-top executives

Presentation methods include which of the following types of training? (Select all that apply) -reciprocal training -traditional classroom instruction -distance learning -audiovisual training

-traditional classroom instruction -distance learning -audiovisual training

On-the-job training can be used effectively to do which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -identify employees who are poor performers -train workers who were recently hired -train current employees to improve existing skills or learn new skills

-train workers who were recently hired -train current employees to improve existing skills or learn new skills

Which of the following statements about a successful learning environment are true? (Select all that apply.) -Trainees should demonstrate and practice what is learned. -The training context should be similar to the work environment. -Feedback should be minimal, as most employees find it offensive. -Employees learn best with the lecture format.

-trainees should demonstrate and practice what is learned -the training context should be similar to the work environment

A planned effort to facilitate learning of job-related knowledge, skills, and behaviors is called ______.

-training

Which HR function includes job orientation, skills training, and professional development? -Strategic planning -Training and development -Personnel records -Employee and community relations

-training and development

What is another term to describe a systematic approach for developing training programs?

-training design process

What are ways that the HRM can increase the value of a company's intangible assets? (Select all that apply.) -closing underperforming stores -training employees -hiring educated employees -compensating employees appropriately

-training employees -hiring educated employees -compensating employees appropriately

Which type of strategic training most benefits a company specifically seeking growth in international markets? -training local employees in new country market about the company's culture -training experienced employees to continuously learn -training certain managers on how to perform administrative duties -training more employees in the home country how to interact with customers

-training local employees in country market about the company's culture

Lean thinking includes which of the following? -shifting employees to other departments -hiring additional employees -reducing worker benefits -training workers how to do new things

-training workers how to do new things

What is the concept that refers to on-the-job use of knowledge, skills, and behaviors learned in the training process?

-transfer of training

True or false: An effective HR planning process uses statistical and judgmental approaches to forecast HR needs.

-true

True or false: Games can be designed for business training and stimulating learning.

-true

True or false: Merit pay exists in most organizations.

-true

True or false: Offshoring a product or service in many cases has resulted in increased costs that more than offset the savings from lower wages.

-true

True or false: Small companies may hire temporary workers because the costs of testing have already been absorbed by the temporary agency.

-true

True or false: When employee payments entirely subsidize disability coverage, no federal tax is paid on the money paid out to the employee.

-true

The ratio of top-executive pay to that of an average worker is often described as creating a(n) ______.

-trust gap

A system in which employees doing the same jobs are paid two different rates, depending on their hiring date, is known as a ______.

-two-tier wage plan

connection

-understand and develop working and interpersonal relations

culture

-understand company history, traditions, values, norms, mission

compliance

-understand company policies, rules, and regulations

clarification

-understand job and performance expectations

A company's initiative to improve customer service involves employees ______.

-understanding their responsibilities and power to make decisions

Which of the following are pay-setting approaches that vary in the relative importance they give to external and internal comparisons? (Select all that apply.) -using government standards -using the pay policy line -using pay grades -using market survey data

-using the pay policy line -using pay grades -using market survey data

How well information is able to enhance the organization's bottom-line effectiveness is known as its ____.

-utility

If an empirical association can be shown to exist between a selection measure and scores for job performance, the ______ of a selection method can be established.

-validity

In terms of job selection and placement, the extent to which a given measure of performance is related to performance on the job is known as ____ .

-validity

Which of following characteristics are generally indicative of a selection method's utility? (Select all that apply.) -creativity -validity -generalizability -reliability

-validity -generalizability -reliability

By law, employees who participate in an employer pension plan have ____ rights that guarantee access to the benefits of the plan according to a five- or seven-year schedule.

-vesting

What are the factors that most encourage an employee to learn the content of a training program? (Select all that apply.) -wanting to learn -attending sessions at the request of -department manager -having the energy to learn -directing energy toward learning

-wanting to learn -having the energy to learn -directing energy toward learning

Evidence concerning the reliability and validity of reference checks indicates that they are ______ predictors of future performance and success on the job.

-weak

What is the term for classroom instructions provided online through live broadcasts?

-webcasting

Companies are starting to calculate health care premiums for workers based on their participation in ______ programs, although the legality of some of these practices is still being discussed.

-wellness

Which of the following statements are true? (Select all that apply.) -What is best for the agent may not be best for the principal. -What is best for the manager is always best for the principal. -What is best for the agent is always best for the principal. -What is best for the manager may not be best for the principal.

-what is best for the agent may not be best for the principal -what is best for the manager may not be best for the principal

Under which circumstances is it important for a company to use interviewers who are good at assessing a job candidate's growth potential and ability to fit in with the established corporate culture?

-when the company hires candidates with little or no experience

Organizations use a value chain to determine which of the following? -which aspect of the business will create the most customer value -which capability needs to be world class -which market segments to compete in -which type of organizational culture to adopt

-which aspect of the business will create the most customer value -which capability needs to be world class

Providing a comprehensive employee benefits plan has a definitive impact on which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -who will accept a position at the company -when a person will retire from the company -how long a person will work at the company -if a company can successfully expand into international markets

-who will accept a position at the company -when a person will retire from the company -how long a person will work at the company

Which of the following help create a positive employee experience? (Select all that apply.) -work that contributes to a larger purpose -intra-team competition -flexible work schedules -clear performance goals

-work that contributes to a larger purpose -flexible work schedules -clear performance goals

By performing a(n) ______, an organization determines the raw input, equipment, and human resources needed to produce an output.

-work-flow analysis

Which of the following is the term that describes the process of examining the actions that are required in order for a product to be made or a service to be provided? -Centralized design -Organization structure -Lean production -Work-flow design

-work-flow design

Which of the following is the term that describes the process of examining the actions that are required in order for a product to be made or a service to be provided? -Organization structure -Work-flow design -Lean production -Centralized design

-work-flow design

What is the term for the percentage of applicants who transition from one step of the recruitment and selection process to the next?

-yield ratio

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, nonexempt employees must be paid time-and-a-half for any hours worked over ______ each week.

40

What is the full retirement age for Social Security benefits to begin for workers born in 1960 or later?

-67 years

projected growth for employment in HR-related positions

-9% between 2014-2024, faster than the average for all occupations in the United States

A company may pay a training wage to an employee under the age of 20 for up to ______ days.

-90

Once employees enter a company pension plan, the employer has ______ days to provide employees with a summary plan description, which provides detailed information about the plan.

-90

What type of managerial style is needed for a company to take advantage of employees' knowledge?

-A style that focuses on empowerment

What is the name of the law that was enacted in 2010 to provide health care benefits to more Americans?

-Affordable Care Act

What is the acronym for government legislation that requires employers to permit employees to extend their health care coverage at group rates for a specified period following a "qualifying" event, such as a layoff?

-COBRA

When a company seeks to maintain the current skills that exist in the organization by providing training that keeps those skills sharp among organizational members, it engages in a(n) ______ strategy.

-Concentration

When an organization pursues a(n) ______ strategy, it is attempting to focus on what it does best in its established markets.

-Concentration

An organization improves its chances of delivering value to customers when its ___ values align with the customer value.

-Cultural

The phases of a strategic management plan are ______.

-Distinct yet interdependent

An organization that pursues a(n) ______ strategy attempts to pare down its operations, usually because of serious economic difficulties.

-Divestment

Which of the following statements is true about divisional structures for an organization in contrast to functional structures? -Divisional structures tend to be less innovative. -Divisional structures have a completely autonomous nature. -Divisional structures can exploit consumer opportunities faster. -Divisional structures tend to be less flexible.

-Divisional structures can exploit consumer opportunities faster

The strategies comprising what organizations actually do as opposed to what they intend to do are known as ______ strategies.

-Emergent

True or false: The best strategic issue through which HRM can influence the strategic management process is that of "where to compete."

-False

9 HR competencies

-HR technical expertise and practice -relationship management -consultation -organizational leadership and navigation -communications -global and cultural effectiveness -ethical practice -critical evaluation -business acumen

What are HR certifications and what % hold them

-HRCI or SHRM -12%

Which strategic decision is a company addressing when it decides to compete on reliability instead of cost and delivery?

-How to compete

______ identifies the best and most capable potential employees.

-Human resource selection

When an organization tries to formally identify its strengths and weaknesses, it conducts a(n) ______ analysis.

-Internal

Performing a(n) ______ helps an organization match the appropriate people with the appropriate jobs for them.

-Job analysis

The process of determining what tasks should be grouped into a particular job is known as ______.

-Job design

What is the term for the process of defining how work will be performed and the tasks that will be required in a given job?

-Job design

Organizations that emphasize monitoring the business environment, absorbing and using that information to make decisions and restructuring themselves to compete in the environment they exist in, are known as ______ organizations.

-Learning

The main component that serves as the "raw material" for a learning organization is ultimately the ______.

-People

HRM involves what is referred to as " ___"

-People practices

The ______ is a survey that is useful in job analysis process.

-Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ)

Function: Recruitment and selection

-Responsibilities: Recruiting, posting job descriptions, interviewing, testing, coordinating use of temporary workers

Function: Employee relations/labor relations

-Responsibilities: attitude surveys, employee handbooks, labor law compliance, relocation, and outplacement services

Function: Analysis and design of work

-Responsibilities: job analysis, work analysis, job descriptions

Function: Training and development

-Responsibilities: orientation, skills training, development programs, career development

Function: performance management

-Responsibilities: performance measures, preparation, and administration of performance appraisals, feedback and coaching, discipline

Function: personnel policies

-Responsibilities: policy creation, policy communications

Function: Compensation and benefits

-Responsibilities: wage and salary administration, incentive pay, insurance, vacation, retirement plans, profit sharing, health and wellness, stock plans

Professional certification demonstrating a foundational knowledge in human resources is available through which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -Equal Employment Opportunity Commission -Business Marketing Association -Society for Human Resource Management -Human Resources Certification Institute

-Society for Human Resource Management -Human Resources Certification Institute

Which of the following statements is true about education and experience for HR professionals? -Junior HR roles in a corporation are likely to include strategic planning. -HR professionals must have master's degrees in HRM. -Some HR professionals have master's degrees in business management. -More than one-half of U.S. HR professionals hold a professional certification in human resources.

-Some HR professionals have master's degrees in business management

Susie is an American manager who works at a company branch in Seoul. Her salary is determined by American standards, which are higher than South Korea's. Which of the following statements is true? -Susie's higher salary may create a sense of inequity among her Korean peers. -Susie is paid the same amount as her South Korean colleagues. -Susie is paid a lesser amount than her Korean peers. -Susie is paid a higher salary due to labor markets in the United States and Europe

-Susie's higher salary may create a sense of inequity among her Korean peers -Susie is paid a higher salary due to labor markets in the United States and Europe

What is the objective of the Six Sigma process?

-To fulfill customers' needs in a timely manner

In a software company that caters to the federal government it would be most appropriate for which of the following positions to be paid at the highest percentile? -VP of software engineering -manager of human resources -office manager -VP of marketing

-VP of software engineering

Which of the following is a model that categorizes the major operational functions of an organization according to their capabilities?

-Value chain

Questions for HRM to ask that contribute to business goals

-Which practices are effective? -Which practices are cost effective?

In which type of retirement plan does an employee's account earn a predetermined interest rate?

-a cash balance plan

Which of the following is designed to protect employee pensions from potential financial troubles a company might endure?

-a defined benefit plan

Pay programs that recognize employee contributions differ depending on whether payouts are ______. (Select all that apply.) -a fixed cost -part of base pay -variable -withheld

-a fixed cost -part of base pay -variable

A way to organize the HR function that includes centers of expertise, service centers, and business partners is called ______.

-a shared service model

Employee compensation requires scrutiny because it is typically ______.

-a significant organizational cost

In addition to salary, what is a major component of a typical CEO compensation package?

-a stock plan

Shared service model

-a way to organize the HR function that includes centers of expertise or excellence, service centers, and business partners

Employees in today's economy want which of the following from the company that they work for? (Select all that apply.) -an accommodating work schedule -less company-sponsored training -monetary motivation -rigid working conditions

-accommodating work schedule -monetary motivation

The ability of early retirement incentive programs to succeed is dependent on which of the following? -starting salaries -falling wages -accurate forecasting -mandatory retirement age

-accurate forecasting

Which of the following are typically part of an "external growth" strategy? (Select all that apply.) -training employees -promoting the right employees -acquisitions -mergers

-acquisitions -mergers

What is the document that summarizes steps trainees and supervisors will take to ensure transfer of learning takes place on the job?

-action plan

At the ______ level of integration, the HRM department has no influence on a company's strategic business planning function.

-administrative

Human resource planning that monitors the proportion of specific minorities in a job category in relation to the proportion of workers in those subgroups in the associated labor market is called ______ planning.

-affirmative action

Which of the following focuses on how employee compensation can be used to align the divergent interests and goals of an organizations' various stakeholders?

-agency theory

Which of the following statements are true about agents in large, modern corporations? (Select all that apply.) -Owners (principals) and managers (agents) are usually the same people. -Agents are expected to act on behalf of principals. -Agents are not expected to act on behalf of principals. -Owners (principals) and managers (agents) are usually different people.

-agents are expected to act on behalf of principles -owners (principles) and managers (agents) are usually different people

Causing, adapting, and taking specific actions to support change is referred to as ______.

-agility

Which economic and demographic changes are leading companies to focus more on HR practices? (Select all that apply.) -High levels of executive compensation -Aging people going out of the workforce -The creation of new jobs -Slow population growth

-aging people going out of the workforce -the creation of new jobs -slow population growth

The personality dimension known as ______ is described as how good-natured, forgiving and courteous a person is.

-agreeableness

The majority of H2-A visas are issued to hire foreign workers in which industry?

-agriculture

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 10% of U.S. workers are engaged in which of the following?

-alternative work arrangements

Most nonexempt employees are paid ______.

-an hourly rate

When used well, pay plans have ______.

-an incentive effect

Which of the following factors determine the size and frequency of pay increases on the merit increase grid? (Select all that apply.) -an individual's compa-ratio -an individual's tenure with the firm -an individual's performance rating -departmental goal attainment levels

-an individual's compa-ratio -an individual's performance rating

Which of the following statements about resolving conflicts between market pay surveys and job evaluation is true? -The appropriate solution is the one that will make the shareholders the most money and secure a competitive advantage for the company. -There is only one correct solution when resolving such conflicts, and that solution is to emphasize external comparisons. -Such conflicts are generally resolved by the board of directors. -An organization must weigh its objectives and select the most appropriate strategy.

-an organization must weigh its objectives and select the most appropriate strategy

A company is considered agile when it does which of the following? -anticipates and adapts to change -focuses on meeting the needs of shareholders -develops its HRM function -uses automation in its manufacturing process

-anticipates and adapts to change

Which of the following groups of applicants can be adversely affected by physical ability tests? (Select all that apply.) -Applicants with disabilities -Foreign applicants -Female applicants -Male applicants

-applicants with disabilities -female applicants

Studies have found that employees are less likely to apply what they learn in training to their jobs when managers and peers ______.

-are not supportive during training

What technological advancement involves the autonomous querying of data to identify trends and patterns that influence future searches?

-artificial intelligence

Employees typically view their compensation in terms of which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -as a means of negotiating more money to stay with the company -as a sign of status and success -as a way of evaluating their relationship with the organization -as it relates to the pay of their colleagues

-as a sign of status and success -as a way of evaluating their relationship with the organization -as it relates to the pay of their colleagues

It is important to pay high performers an amount they believe is equitable in order to ______ them. (Select all that apply.) -attract -retain -release -motivate

-attract -retain -motivate

What type of training brings digital elements into the physical world to increase the information and context that people experience?

-augmented reality training

Which of the following would be considered during an internal analysis? (Select all that apply.) -available technological resources -available opportunities to pursue new customers -potential labor shortages -available financial resources -available human resources

-available technological resources -available financial resources -available human resources

Family-friendly policies help companies do which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -balance work and family -avoid the requirements of the Family Leave Act -promote loyalty of workers to company -demonstrate their concern for the wellbeing of their employees

-balance work and family -promote loyalty of workers to company -demonstrate their concern for the wellbeing of their employees

To implement a successful talent management program, HR practices must do which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -be aligned with business needs -be approved by stakeholders -support the company's business goals -focus primarily on recruitment

-be aligned with business needs -support the company's business goals

Which of the following is one of the most effective techniques for teaching interpersonal skills?

-behavior modeling

The main influence of compensation is on instrumentality, which can be described as the perceived link between ______.

-behaviors and pay

The biological approach to job design is derived from which disciplines?

-biomechanics, work physiology, and occupational medicine

What type of training refers to combining technology methods with face-to-face instruction?

-blended learning

An organization that effectively competes in the product market is able to sell its goods and services at a quantity price that will ______.

-bring a sufficient return on investment

For the HR planning process, how should goals be determined?

-by analyzing labor supply and demand data

How do companies help reduce the biases associated with in-person job interviews?

-by conducting interviews using multiple simultaneous interviewers

How can employers keep their unemployment tax rate low?

-by limited the number of employee layoffs

What is the best way for a manager to support training?

-by volunteering to be a trainer

When choosing a contracting scheme that helps align the interests of the agent and principal, the principal must choose between ______-oriented (such as merit pay) and ______-oriented (such as commissions and stock options) contracts.

- behavior -outcome

Employers who do not meet employee expectations regarding benefits run the risk of violating the ______.

-"implicit contract" that exists between workers and the company they work for

To receive Social Security benefits, a qualified worker must work how many quarters of covered employment?

-40

When a company is pursuing concentration strategies, appraisals tend to be more ______.

-Behavioral

Which of the following statements is true about divisional structures for an organization in contrast to functional structures? -Division structures can result in one unit achieving gains at the expense of another unit. -Division structures are highly centralized. -Division structures have very little redundancy across units. -Division structures tend to be very efficient.

-Division structures can result in one unit achieving gains at the expense of another unit

True or false: HRM plays no role in either evaluating or implementing a merger or acquisition.

-False

What are the most important incentives that companies can offer employees for their contributions to the company? (Select all that apply.) -Interesting work -Pay -Annual reviews -Benefits

-Interesting work -pay -benefits

While profit-making companies set various goals, their overarching goal is most often to maximize ______.

-Stockholder wealth

Controlling labor costs is not possible without also controlling ______.

-benefits costs

What is the advantage of a qualified benefits plan?

-better tax treatment than a nonqualified plan

Which of the following are the two most significant generic strategies, according to researcher Michael Porter? (Select all that apply.) -cost leadership -the HRM function -differentiation -profit

-cost leadership -differentiation

Which training outcome measure is best?

-depends on training goals

Which of the following are provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as they relate to employee pay? (Select all that apply.) -calls for time-and-a-half pay for hours exceeding 40 hours a week -provides for a training wage -prohibits states from setting higher minimum wage rates -sets a minimum wage for jobs

-calls for time-and-a-half pay for hours exceeding 40 hours a week -provides for a training wage -sets a minimum wage for jobs

Exclusively recruiting for job openings from internal sources ______.

-can result in a workforce with few new ideas

To succeed overseas, expatriates need to be ______. (Select all that apply.) -capable and experienced at their job -aware of and responsive to host culture -encouraged by spouse and families -comfortable in structured environments

-capable and experienced at their job -aware of and responsive to host culture -encouraged by spouse and family

The money an organization invests in equipment is calculated in terms of ______ per worker.

-capital spending

______ seeks to connect workers with jobs that they find fulfilling and will perform well.

-career planning

Another term for comparable worth is ____.

-pay equity

Which HR function includes interviewing job applicants?

-recruitment and selection

In order for a test to have validity, it must be ______.

-reliable

The behaviors required of a person who holds a certain job in a certain social work environment are known as ___ behaviors.

-role

Which of the following characteristics concerning pay-for-performance programs may help increase the probability that the program has the intended effects and decrease the probability of unintended consequences and problems? (Select all that apply.) -thorough analysis of prevalent market wage structures and pay schemes -careful alignment with organizational strategy -careful alignment with human resource strategy -balancing of objectives

-careful alignment with organizational strategy -careful alignment with human resource strategy -balancing of objectives

The degree to which decision-making authority resides at the top of the organizational chart is referred to as ____.

-centralization

In a skill-based pay structure, ____ tests must be developed to determine whether employees have acquired certain skills.

-certification

Which of the following statements are true about employees in a learning organization? (Select all that apply.) -They seek to experiment and improve. -They are expected to acquire job-related training at their own expense. -They continually share knowledge. -They are encouraged to identify problems and make decisions.

-they seek to experiment and improve -they continually share knowledge -they are encouraged to identify problems and make decisions

True or false: Currency exchange rates affect the comparison of labor costs between countries.

-true

Because they form organically, social networks in the workplace are more ______ than formal organizational charts.

-volatile

What other names are used as synonyms for e-learning? -Web-based training -online learning -computer-based training -onsite audiovisual training

-web-based training -online learning -computer-based training

When might companies make overtime work mandatory?

-when there is a labor shortage

By closely examining workplace social networks, companies are able to determine which of the following?

-which employees over-communicate

Which of the following scenarios illustrates an intrinsic reward for recruiting employees?

-workers at a private school get to help children from impoverished homes

Which of the following are trending legal issues regarding employment that the HRM function should be aware of? (Select all that apply.) -classification of workers as independent contractors or full-time employees -offshoring and reshoring of jobs -employment of illegal immigrants -the use of arbitration agreements

-classification of workers as independent contractors or full-time employees -employment of illegal immigrants -the use of arbitration agreements

Which of the following has improved the process of finding valid predictors of future job performance?

-cloud-based data processing

Managing human resources in a company in which employees are members of a union requires knowledge about the ___ bargaining process.

-collective

To maximize their return on a benefits package, companies must ______.

-communicate benefits information effectively to all employees

When making changes to the company's compensation system, ______ is vital to combat rumors and assumptions.

-communication

Being able to share information effectively with all employees is a behavior that demonstrates that an HR professional has a competency in ______.

-communications

An index that measures the correspondence between actual pay and a company's intended pay policy is called the _______.

-compa-ratio

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 sets strict rules regarding

-company actions

The undervaluation of women's jobs has been combated through the policy of ______.

-comparable worth

The characteristics of jobs that an organization values and chooses to pay are called ______.

-compensable factors

What is the term that describes a company's ability to maintain and gain market share in its industry?

-competitiveness

What is the learning system that requires employees to understand the entire work process and expects them to acquire new skills, apply them on the job, and share what they have learned with other employees?

-continuous learning

Josephine is the manager of human resources in a union environment. In such an environment, she will specifically need knowledge about which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -contract administration -the collective bargaining process -total quality management -business management

-contract administration -the collective bargaining process

An employer may hire more part-time workers than full-time ones to ______.

-control benefit costs

What are the main kinds of medical expenses that company health care plans help cover? (Select all that apply.) -costs of going to the hospital -costs of visiting a relaxation spa -costs of surgery -costs of visiting the doctor

-costs of going to the hospital -costs of surgery -costs of visiting the doctor

As part of the area of assessment and development, HRM addresses ______.

-creating a supportive work environment for employees

Which of the following conditions would require the use of job design? -Creation of a new work unit -Changes in demand for the firm's current product -Changes in the economy -Adjustment to import laws

-creation of a new work unit

When there is a substantial correlation between test scores and job-performance scores, then ______ validity can be established.

-criterion-related

In companies that are expanding in global markets, HRM practices specifically need to be aligned with which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -HRM certification standards -cultural factors in the other countries -management of employees in separate countries -antidiscrimination laws in the home country

-cultural factors in the other countries -management of employees in separate countries

Which of the following are factors that influence human resources requirements? (Select all that apply.) -customer needs for new products or services -the external labor market -retirements -promotions

-customer needs for new products or services -retirements -promotions

A business model is a story of how a company will create value for ____ while making a profit.

-customers

In addition to labor costs, the proximity to which of the following can influence where a company locates its production facilities? (Select all that apply.) -competitors to each other -customers -design group to manufacturing plant -suppliers

-customers -design group to manufacturing plant -suppliers

Which of the following system factors exist beyond workers' control but help determine whether they receive merit pay? (Select all that apply.) -customers -equipment -motivation -co-workers

-customers -equipment -co-workers

Temporary workers provide companies with the ability to ______.

-deal with rapid changes in the consumer markets

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compensation issues will likely remain in the spotlight because of the ______.

-decrease of white males in the workforce

Which of the following health care costs connected to employer-sponsored health insurance plans has increased the most over time for employees?

-deductibles

In addition to contributing to the cost of the health care premium, employees are also responsible for paying these other costs. (Select all that apply.) -deductibles -workers' compensation -co-payments -co-insurance

-deductibles -co-payments -co-insurance

The concept of reducing the number of job levels within an organization in order to gain flexibility in job assignments is called _______.

-delayering

Which of the following are potential uses of the information gathered through performance appraisal? (Select all that apply.) -demonstrate reasoning behind punishment of employees for low performance -ensure that the organization has an internally equitable pay structure -provide rewards to all employees after the company has a good year -compensate employees for high performance

-demonstrate reasoning behind punishment of employees for low performance -compensate employees for high performance

Which of the following issues would likely be of interest to an ergonomics researcher? (Select all that apply.) -compensation schemes -design of the workspace -level of lighting in the workspace -increasing output

-design of the workspace -level of lighting in the workplace

The first step in identifying which applicants are most qualified during human resource selection is to ______.

-determine duties for a job and figure out what qualifications an individual needs to perform the job successfully

Employee ______ describes the acquiring of knowledge, skills, and behavior in the service of meeting the challenges of existing or nonexistent jobs.

-development

Which of the following are contexts over which we typically generalize selection methods? (Select all that apply) -different samples of people -different jobs -different management styles -different organizations

-different samples of people -different jobs -different organizations

People who apply for a job vacancy without prompting from the organization are called ____ applicants.

-direct

Instructor-led classroom training includes a lecture as well as which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -teleconferencing -discussions -case studies -question-and-answer periods

-discussions -case studies -question-and-answer periods

When an organization is pursuing an external growth strategy, it will attempt to ______ or integrate vertically or horizontally.

-diversify

A(n) ______ has relatively low rates of centralization.

-divisional

Organizations using a ______ structure are made up of different units that operate somewhat independently.

-divisional

Which of the following has been the most typical organizational response to a labor surplus over the past decade?

-downsizing

What is the term that refers to instruction and delivery of training by computers through the Internet or company intranet?

-e-learning

When do recruiters have the most significant impact on job applicants?

-early in the job search process

Performance management involves specifying which of the following? (Select all that apply.) -market sector participation -employee activities -employee outcomes -executive compensation

-employee activities -employee outcomes

Which term refers to everything that influences employees' daily lives inside and outside of the workplace?

-employee experience

Skill-based pay structures encourage leaner staff levels because ______.

-employee turnover or absenteeism can be covered by current multiskilled workers

In the United States the amount of sick leave given to employees is often based on the ______.

-employee's years of service

True or false: As a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, HR executives are being added to companies' boards of directors.

True

What is the term for technology that simulates human thinking?

artificial intelligence

Tests that differentiate people on the basis of mental rather than physical capacities are known as _____ ability tests.

cognitive

fixed costs

costs that are incurred regardless of the number of units produced

variable costs

costs that are related directly to the quantity of units produced

The distance between the maximum and minimum pay within a pay grade is known as the ____ spread.

range

The process by which an organization compares its own practices against those of the competition is called ____.

benchmarking

most important factor in determining the size and composition of the labor force

population

contribution margins

the difference between the price of a unit and its variable costs

gross margin

the total amount of margin made on all the units sold

True or false: A shared service model increases the business relevance of HR practices.

true

In order to predict future job performance by simulating a job through things like hypothetical case studies and role play, applicants are sometimes asked to take ______ tests.

work-sample