MGT 352 Ch.1
Which of the following scenarios demonstrates a violation of the right of freedom of conscience in a workplace environment?
A supervisor coerces an employee to use unsafe practices to keep a project on schedule.
Julie works at Matrix Inc. Her primary role in the company is to create self-rating, job-related questionnaires for the employees. Which of the following human resource management practices is being performed by Julie?
Performance Management
The employees at Circa Financial often complain that they are not provided feedback about their work. They feel that they do not get proper information as to how they have performed and the areas in which they need to improve. They also claim that the performance goals are vague and not measurable. Which of the following HR functions does Circa Financial need to specifically improve upon to resolve the complaints put forth by its employees?
Performance Management
Which of the following is defined as the process of ensuring employee's activities and outputs match an organization's goals?
Performance Management
By keeping employee's personal records confidential, an employer respects their right of
Privacy
Which of the following is defined as a systematic, planned effort to attract, retain, develop, and motivate highly skilled employees and managers?
Talent Management
Montero Inc., an automobile manufacturing company, had the largest number of employees in the manufacturing sector last year. Instead of hiring more employees, the company decided to invest heavily in training its employees on automotive maintenance and design. Which of the following beliefs has most likely led the company to take this decision?
The employees are the source of the company's success or failure.
Jonathan is a part of the HR department in an advertising firm that has recently brought in employees specializing in analysis of large volumes of data about consumer behavior. The manager to whom these analysts report does not share their knowledge of quantitative methods, but wants them to develop recommendations for better decision making. Jonathan is supporting the department by developing a form the manager will follow in measuring the analyst's performance. What kinds of performance measures should Jonathan focus on?
The form should measure outcomes, such as timely and useful recommendations, because the manager will not be able to evaluate specific technical behaviors.
When a manufacturer experienced a slowdown in sales, it laid off the two employees with the poorest attendance. One of the employees sued the company, saying it should have laid off the most recently hired workers. What defense would the company most likely offer?
The layoffs were instances of employment at will.
Craig, one of the senior managers at Clayton Inc., insists that company supervisors handle employee relations as part of their jobs. Which of the following statements strengthens Craig's argument?
The supervisors represent the company on a day-to-day basis.
Identify the correct statement regarding sustainable organizations.
They are more concerned about justice and fairness rather than short-term profits.
Which of the following describes companies that are ethical and successful?
They have a sense of purpose and vision that the employees value and use in their day-to- day work.
How do human resources professionals provide an organization with a sustainable competitive advantage?
They hire high-quality employees who provide a needed service as they perform many critical functions.
An organization makes selection decisions in order to add employees to its workforce, as well as to transfer existing employees to new positions.
True
Establishing and administering personnel policies allows a company to handle problematic situations more fairly and objectively than if it addressed such incidents on a case-by-case basis.
True
For human resource practices to be considered ethical, they must result in the greatest good
True
Greater concern for innovation and quality has shifted the job trend to using more broadly defined jobs.
True
Greater use of electronic databases has increased concerns about how employers protect employees' privacy.
True
HR competencies are the sets of knowledge and skills associated with successful human resource management.
True
High-performance work systems have been essential in making organizations strong enough to weather the storm of a recession and remain profitable when the economy begins to expand after the recession.
True
Human resource management requires the ability to communicate through a variety of channels.
True
Human resources cannot be imitated.
True
In organizations with sustainable strategies, the HR departments focus on employee development and empowerment rather than short-term costs.
True
Kira feels that being denied a promotion has more to do with being a woman than with her overall performance. However, her supervisors and the HR department are refusing to hear her case. This suggests that Kira has been denied her right to due process.
True
No two human resource departments have precisely the same roles and responsibilities.
True
The Society for Human Resource Management is the primary professional organization for HRM and the world's largest human resource management association.
True
The clusters of competencies needed by human resource professionals include technical, interpersonal, business, and leadership competencies.
True
The supervisors in an organization play a key role in employee relations because they are most often the voice of management for the employees.
True
The vast majority of HRM professionals have a college degree.
True
When a person evaluating performance is not familiar with the details of a job, outcomes tend to be easier to evaluate than specific behaviors.
True
Charles heads the human resource department at technology development company Schultz Inc. There, he monitors trends of the labor markets in Schultz's industry. Studying the trends, Charles realizes the company is likely going to need more sources of employees skilled in robotics. He gathers information about the best robotics training programs in the regions where the company operates. Then he applies that information to build connections with selected schools, thereby resolving a recruitment problem before it becomes serious. This scenario illustrates Charle's competency in
Critical Evaluation
When Ulysses Corp., a travel insurance company, decided to introduce new goals for its internal management, there was a rift regarding what should be implemented. Group A emphasized short-term goals that would benefit the company, while Group B believed in introducing policies that would create more mutually-beneficial relationships with client businesses, such as major airlines. Which of the following results would prove Group B's decision to be ideal?
an increase of airline customers purchasing Ulysses' insurance
At Tech Scale Inc., a company that deals in software products, employees often complain about the lack of clarity regarding the tasks they are required to perform. Often there are two employees working on overlapping tasks, while some tasks are not designated to any employee. Though employees are satisfied with the pay and work culture, this aspect of their work environment has led to a lot of conflict in the workplace. From the information provided, this complaint of the employees can be closely linked to which of the following HR functions?
analysis and design of work
A human resource professional of a company exhibits the competency of business acumen when he or she
applies knowledge of how HR functions contribute to business success.
Acme Manufacturing wants to build a new factory and is comparing locations in three states. How could an HR professional use consultation competencies to support this effort?
by gathering data about labor supply and demand in the states
How can an HR department that is considered its company's strategic partner help the company gain a competitive advantage?
by understanding the existing human resources and providing new ones
Olivia works in the human resource department at Hercules Corp. Her chief responsibilities include administering salaries, determining incentives, managing group insurance, and employee vacation and leave. Which human resource management function is being performed by Olivia?
compensation & benefits
Which of the following is a responsibility that is specifically associated with the HR function of employee relations?
conducting attitude surveys
According to your text, the right of privacy is the right to
control what a person reveals about their private life.
Which HR function involves offering programs through which employees acquire knowledge, skills, and behavior that improve their ability to meet the challenges of a variety of new or existing jobs, including the client and customer demands of those jobs?
development
If a company, as part of its job redesign program, plans to set up teams to manufacture products, which of the following programs might it offer to help employees learn the ins and outs of effective teamwork?
development programs
If people believe their rights are being violated, they have the right to a fair and impartial hearing. This reflects the basic human right to
due process
Which of the following is responsible for the shift in the job trend, from the use of narrowly defined jobs to the use of broadly defined jobs in organizations?
emphasis on innovation and quality
Nicole, an employee at Neo Corp., develops and distributes newsletters that announce upcoming events in the company. Which of the following human resource management practices is being performed by Nicole?
employee relations
Some of the employees of RVZ Services are unhappy with their supervisor's comments and remarks. They feel they are being unduly discriminated against by the supervisor, and so they turn to the HR department for help. Addressing such problems is a part of the HR function of
employee relations
Kurt, a manager at Marshall Inc., was asked by his supervisor to sign a contract with a new supplier. The contract stated that the industrial waste released by the company would be released into a local river. Kurt was against this idea of polluting the river with the waste, so he refused to sign the contract. In this scenario, Kurt exercised his right of
freedom of conscience
According to the SHRM competency model, which of the following competencies is part of the interpersonal cluster?
global and cultural effectiveness
Nikita heads the human resource team at Strait Corp., a marketing firm with a diverse group of employees in three countries. She has knowledge about the cultures of the employees and applies that knowledge to build cooperation and resolve conflicts. She appreciates that all her employees bring different strengths to the company, and she helps to foster a climate in which all are encouraged to contribute. This scenario illustrates Nikita's competency in the area of
global and cultural effectiveness
Which of the following is one of the four principles that guides how ethical companies act?
have a sense of purpose or vision that employees value and use
Which of the following describes the employees of an organization in terms of their training, experience, judgment, intelligence, relationships, and insight?
human capital
Heather is a benefits specialist at McCoy Manufacturing. She negotiates contracts for insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits in order to get the best possible deal while meeting all legal requirements. She understands the details of each benefit and is able to help employees understand the value of their benefits. This scenario illustrates Heather's competency in the area of
human resource expertise
Which of the following responsibilities is specifically associated with the HR function of support for strategy?
human resource planning and forecasting
Reese, the human resource manager at Axis Inc., has developed an inspiring vision of how the HR function should contribute to employee's well-being and the company's success. She models the values and behaviors supporting that vision, and she gets her staff excited to be part of realizing the vision. This indicates that Reese has competencies in the area of
leadership and navigation.
According to your text, it is not enough for HR professionals to know how to perform tasks specific to human resource management. HR professionals also must be able to work effectively with others, contribute to business success, and
leads others effectively
An HR manager can demonstrate competency in communication by excelling at which of the following behaviors?
listening effectively
The HR function of maintaining positive employee relations includes
maintaining communication with union representatives.
Which of the following HR functions includes preparing and distributing employee handbooks that detail company policies?
maintaining positive employee relations
In the context of HRM functions, the activities of training and development include
making decisions whether an organization will emphasize enabling employees to perform their current jobs, preparing them for future jobs, or both.
In the context of human resource management, human capital refers to the
organization's employees, which add economic value to the company.
In an attempt to motivate its current employees and to attract skilled professionals, Labyrinth Inc. decides to increase salaries as well as year-end bonuses for its best performers. Which of the following HR functions is demonstrated in this scenario?
planning and administering pay and benefits
Joshua, the human resource manager at Potter Inc., has a clear understanding of the firm's business. This enables him to comprehend the various needs of the business and help the company meet its goals for attracting, keeping, and developing employees with the required skills. This scenario indicates Joshua's responsibility of
providing business partner services.
Identify the process through which an organization seeks applicants for potential employment.
recruitment
Ellie is a human resource manager at Harris Corp. She skillfully handles personal interactions with her staff and the other department managers. She is highly admired by others in the organization because she treats others with respect and builds trust. This scenario indicates Ellie has strengths in the HR success competency of
relationship management
The concept of "human resource management" implies that employees are
resources of the employer.
Which of Kant's basic human rights is violated when a supervisor requires an employee to do something that is unsafe or environmentally damaging, in spite of the employee clearly objecting to the order?
right of freedom of conscience
Edgar works at Alpha Inc. He is responsible for identifying individuals with skills required for the various roles in the organization. Which of the following human resource management practices is being performed by Edgar?
selection
The process by which an organization attempts to identify applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics that will help the organization achieve its goals is referred to as
selection
In the context of HRM functions, the activities of performance management include
specifying the tasks and outcomes of a job that contribute to an organization's success.
Joanna, a local farmer, buys her equipment exclusively from the manufacturer Wooster. Inc. Because of this, Joanna is affected by Wooster Inc.'s operations. This indicates that Joanna is a _____.
stakeholder
The parties with an interest in a company's success—typically, shareholders, the community, customers, and employees—constitute which members of the company?
stakeholders
An organization's ability to profit without depleting its resources, including employees, natural resources, and the support of the surrounding community, is called
sustainability
Blandings Corp., an apparel manufacturer, has been profitable for a long time without depleting its resources—raw materials, employees, and the support of the local community. The company also caters to the needs of all its stakeholders. Which of the following characteristics is illustrated in this scenario?
sustainability
What clusters of competencies are necessary for success in human resource management?
technical, interpersonal, business, and leadership
Which of the following is the primary professional organization for HRM that provides education and information services, and is also the world's largest human resource management association?
the Society for Human Resource Management
Which of the following describes a planned effort to enable employees to learn job-related knowledge, skills, and behavior?
training
In a recent trend, some companies are doing away with their human resource departments altogether because they
want to encourage department managers and other employees to handle HR issues as they arise.
Albright Corp. uses a set of quantitative tools to assess employee data such as performance, compensation, designations, and benefits. This is done to arrive at decisions based on accurate findings from analyses that can help the firm achieve its goals. Albright is engaging in the practice of _____.
workforce analytics
_____ refers to the use of quantitative tools and scientific methods to analyze data from human resource databases and other sources to make evidence-based decisions that support business goals.
workforce analytics
In the context of today's organizations, which of the following statements is true of employees?
Employees are not easily the replaced parts of a system; they are the source of a company's success or failure.
Evidence-based HR refers to the practice of initiating disciplinary action against employees only in the presence of clear and demonstrable proof of undesirable behavior.
False
HR activities are exclusively carried out by an HR specialist in small organizations.
False
Human resource management is increasingly becoming a purely administrative function.
False
In companies that are ethical and successful, senior executives are the only stakeholders who are responsible for the actions of the company.
False
Managers and economists traditionally have seen human resource management as a source of value to their organizations.
False
The concept of "human resource management" implies that employees in an organization cannot be considered as a resource and hence are interchangeable.
False
The right of free consent states that employers can conceal the nature of a job while hiring an employee for a particular position.
False
The role of an HR generalist is essentially limited to recruitment and selection.
False
Fiona, a manager at Norman Corp., is responsible for workforce analytics in the organization. Her supervisor, Martin, argues it is an unnecessary expense as he believes that collecting employee-related information is just an administrative responsibility. Which of the following statements, if true, would weaken Martin's argument?
Fiona identified subordinates who showed the potential to become leaders in the company based on the data.
According to the philosopher Immanuel Kant, the right of employees to know the nature of the job they are being hired to do and the obligation of a company not to deceive them in this respect is mainly reflective of the basic right of
Free Consent
Patrick, an employee at Jones Inc., was unhappy with the firm's existing project management system. Hence, he communicated this to the top management by expressing his complaints in an e-mail. According to the work of philosopher Immanuel Kant, Patrick applied his right of
Freedom of speech
Which of the following statements is true about the HR profession?
HR generalists usually perform the full range of HRM activities.
Which of the following is TRUE of ethics in human resource management?
HR managers must view employees as having basic rights
Which of the following views on employment reflects the ethical principles embodied in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights?
HR managers must view employees as having basic rights.
Daniel, the director of operations, strongly believes that human resource management (HRM) is critical to the success of organizations. Melissa, the CFO of the organization, opposes Daniel's view because she thinks HRM is an unnecessary expense for the company. Which of the following statements weakens Melissa's belief?
HRM is indispensable for building a competitive advantage.
Kathleen is a member of the human resource department at Jade Corp. Setting a goal to enhance the firm's strategy, Kathleen works to attain it by understanding the current human resources. Through a series of surveys, interviews, and observations, she learns what talents the various departments of Jade Corp. are currently in need of, and attracts new human resources according to those requirements. What kind of HRM responsibility does this example illustrate?
HRM's responsibility to serve as a strategic partner
Costabin Inc., a company in the recycling business, has revamped its management and business criteria. It has also added new objectives that would require recruitment of new and skilled labor. The responsibility of identifying the numbers and the kinds of employees lies with the HR department of the firm. This responsibility of the HR department is known as
Human Resource Planning
Which of the following is a standard that human resource managers must satisfy for HRM practices to be ethical?
Human resource practices must result in the greatest good for the largest number of people.
Identify the correct statement regarding human resources.
Human resources have no good substitutes.
What is the advantage of establishing and administering policies in organizations?
It allows companies to handle situations more fairly and objectively.
Jarvis, a manager at Carmile Inc., is rigid with his employees and does not allow them to voice their opinions or criticisms about their superiors. On the other hand, Michelle, another manager at the same firm, encourages her subordinates to communicate with her openly. Which of the following statements uses basic rights to argue in favor of Michelle's practice over that of Jarvis's?
It engages the employees in expressing constructive criticisms and opinions.
Which of the following best describes job design?
It is the process of defining the way work will be performed and the tasks that a given job requires.
Which of the following best describes evidence-based HR?
It refers to demonstrating that human resource practices have a positive influence on a company's profits or key stakeholders.
Which of the following refers to the process of getting detailed information about jobs?
Job analysis
Jacob is the human resource manager at Platinum Corp. He clearly understands the company's strategy. He has a solid understanding of business principles, and he applies these to help the HR department contribute to Platinum's success. This scenario indicates that Jacob has competency in the area of
Business Acumen
Which of the following is the correct statement about the HR responsibilities of supervisors?
Supervisors typically have responsibilities related to all the HR functions.