Ch 2

Most companies can replicate a competitor's capabilities by imitating the competitor's staffing practices.

False

Proactive staffing is done in response to situations or issues.

False

Higher performers that are productive within a company can ________.

Generate a greater amount of business

External hiring reduces organizational diversity.

False

A company is successful at recruiting engineers by handing out flyers during community events near a university which is highly rated for its engineering program. The company's competitor effectively reaches the same audience by hanging banners at a similar event. This is an example of ________.

sustitutability

independent bookstore Signature Books has been struggling to survive as sales declined sharply in the past year. Its main competitors are the large chain stores that have a much wider range of books and can afford to sell books at a discount, but online retailers are also eating into Signature's market. Signature Books focuses on a specialization strategy, focusing on foreign-language books and learning materials. Which of the following, if true, will support Signature's decision?

Chain stores stock mainly books of general interest, such as books by popular authors and self-help books.

A company using a low-cost strategy is least likely to embrace an asset-based philosophy.

False

Which of the following, if true, would uphold a company's sustainable competitive advantage in front of rival firms

Strategic staffing practices are difficult to imitate.

Acquiring, developing, and retaining the right talent helps businesses create the organizational capability and intellectual capital driving their strategy execution.

True

When viewing employees as assets, the staffing focus is on managing ________.

costs

A company that lets each of its business units staff in whatever way they choose and house their own staffing function, is an example of ________.

decentralized staffing

When a firm pursues a differentiation strategy, it is attempting to ________

develop products that have unique characteristics

According to the resource-based view of the firm, in order to create value, staffing practices must ________.

enhance the differentiation of the firm's products

Promotions are likely to be fastest in organizations in the ________ stage of their life cycle.

growth

Hiring people who are entrepreneurial, creative, and have a high tolerance for ambiguity would support a ________ competitive advantage.

product leadership (need to check)