Deck 1: Managing Human Resources

Question 1

The current federal laws fail to outline how to use employee databases in order to protect employees' privacy while also meeting employers' and society's concerns for security.

Answer 1

True
Explanation: In ethical successful companies, employees assume responsibility for the actions of the company.

Question 2

Knowledge of business trends is essential for the strategic architect role of an HR professional.

Answer 2

True
Explanation: Human resource management (HRM) comprises the policies, practices, and systems that influence employees' behavior, attitudes, and performance. Many companies refer to HRM as involving "people practices."

Question 3

Establishing and administering personnel policies allows the company to handle problematic situations more fairly and objectively than if it addressed such incidents on a case-by-case basis.

Answer 3

True
Explanation: The right to due process states that if people believe their rights are being violated, they have the right to a fair and impartial hearing.

Question 4

The supervisors play a key role in employee relations as they are most often the voice of management for the employees.

Question 5

The right of free consent states that employers can conceal the nature of the job while hiring an employee for a particular position.

Question 6

The concern for innovation and quality in recent times has forced companies to use more narrowly defined jobs to increase efficiency.

Question 7

The process of selection is limited to hiring new employees for job openings and excludes internal transfers and promotions.

Question 8

The concept of "human resource management" implies that employees in an organization cannot be considered as a resource and hence are interchangeable.

Question 9

Human resources cannot be imitated.

Question 10

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.

Question 11

Companies following a low-cost strategy closely align their pay packages to the industry norms.

Question 12

The HR activities are exclusively carried out by an HR specialist in small organizations.

Question 13

Managers and economists traditionally have seen human resource management as a source of value to their organizations.

Question 14

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.

Question 15

Mimi feels that her being denied promotion has more to do with her being a woman than with her performance.However,her supervisors and the HR department are refusing to hear her case.This indicates that Mimi has been denied her right to due process.

Question 16

An HR professional can be an effective talent manager or organizational designer only when he has the knowledge of how the organization is structured and how that structure might be adjusted to help it meet its goals for developing and using employees' talents.

Question 17

In organizations with a sustainable strategy,the HR departments focus on employee development and empowerment rather than short-term costs.

Question 18

Human resource management is increasingly becoming a purely administrative function.

Question 19

No two human resource departments will have precisely the same roles and responsibilities.

Question 20

Establishing and administering personnel policies allows the company to handle problematic situations more fairly and objectively than if it addressed such incidents on a case-by-case basis.

Question 21

The concept of "human resource management" implies that employees:

A) are interchangeable.
B) are easily replaceable.
C) are a necessary expense to process work demands.
D) are resources who add economic value to the organization.
E) are secondary to all elements of economic capital like cash and technology.

Question 22

One of the qualities of human resources is that _____.

A) it is highly substitutable and interchangeable
B) it is easily available for all companies to utilize
C) it is easily imitated by rivals
D) it is negligible in terms of value
E) it is indispensable for building a competitive advantage

Question 23

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?

A) Emphasis on innovation and quality
B) Increased demand for low skilled workers
C) Increased focus on simplifying jobs
D) Lack of competition
E) Reduced use of team-based project

Question 24

At Smartech,a company dealing 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?

A) Compliance with laws
B) Analysis and design of work
C) Compensation and benefits
D) Maintaining employee relations
E) Recruitment and selection

Question 25

_____ is a planned effort to enable employees to learn job-related knowledge,skills,and behavior.

A) Selection
B) Performance appraisal
C) Training
D) Compensation
E) Recruitment

Question 26

Which of the following refers to the process of getting detailed information about jobs?

A) Job rotation
B) Supply chain management
C) Job analysis
D) Policy creation
E) Job orientation

Question 27

The vast majority of HRM professionals have a college degree.

Question 28

The Society for Human Resource Management is the primary professional organization for HRM and the world's largest human resource management association.

Question 29

The policies,practices,and systems that influence employees' behavior,attitudes,and performance constitute:

A) supply chain management.
B) materials management.
C) human resource management.
D) labor laws.
E) equal employment opportunity.

Question 30

For human resource practices to be considered ethical,they must result in the greatest good for the largest number of people.

Question 31

Which one of the following responsibilities is specifically associated with the HR function of employee relations?

A) Conducting attitude surveys
B) Work analysis
C) HR information systems
D) Human resource planning and forecasting
E) Job design

Question 32

The term _____ is used to describe the employees of an organization in terms of their training,experience,judgment,intelligence,relationships,and insight.

A) performance management
B) human capital
C) development
D) traditional management
E) working capital

Question 33

The role of HR generalist is essentially limited to recruitment and selection.

Question 34

In companies that are ethical and successful,the owners are the only stakeholders who are responsible for the actions of the company.

Question 35

Human resources provide an organization with a sustainable competitive advantage because:

A) highly skilled and knowledgeable employees are commonly available.
B) the organization can easily duplicate the success of competitors' human resources.
C) after financial resources, human resources are the most committed to an organization.
D) high-quality employees provide a needed service as they perform many critical functions.
E) employees can be easily trained, motivated, and developed to care about customers.

Question 36

Which of the following refers to the process through which an organization seeks applicants for potential employment?

A) Orientation
B) Training
C) Recruitment
D) Work analysis
E) Job design

Question 37

Job design is the process of:

A) defining the way work will be performed and the tasks that a given job requires.
B) generating a pool of potential candidates for a job.
C) identifying suitable candidates for jobs.
D) enabling employees to learn job-related knowledge, skills, and behavior.
E) presenting candidates with positive and negative information about a job.

Question 38

As a type of resource,human capital refers to the:

A) wages, benefits, and other costs incurred in support of HR functions in an organization.
B) cash, equipment, technology, and facilities that the organization uses.
C) tax-deferred value of an employee's 401(k) plan.
D) employee characteristics that add economic value to the organization.
E) total budget allocated to the HR department in an organization.

Question 39

Which of the following responsibilities is specifically associated with the HR function of support for strategy?

A) Discipline
B) Human resource planning and forecasting
C) Wage and salary administration
D) Developing employee handbooks and company publications
E) Developing an HR information system

Question 40

The process by which the 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 _____.

A) orientation
B) selection
C) compensation
D) work analysis
E) performance management

Question 41

The process of identifying the numbers and types of employees the organization will require in order to meet its objectives is known as:

A) supply chain management.
B) performance management.
C) human resource planning.
D) utilization analysis.
E) performance planning.

Question 42

Under the principle of "employment at will",the employer may terminate employment:

A) after two weeks' notice.
B) at any time without notice.
C) immediately after written notice.
D) only if the employee voluntarily resigns.
E) only if he cannot show just cause.

Question 43

The employees at Edifice Financials often complain that they are not provided feedback on their performance.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 Edifice Financials need to specifically improve upon to resolve this complaint put forth by its employees?

A) Recruitment
B) Employee selection
C) Training and development
D) Performance management
E) Planning and administering pay and benefits

Question 44

An HR manager becomes a(n)_____ when she is so well respected in the organization that she can influence the positions taken by managers.This involves delivering results with integrity,sharing information,building trusting relationships,influencing others,providing candid observation,and taking appropriate risks.

A) administrator
B) cultural steward
C) recruitment manager
D) operational aide
E) trainer

Question 45

The HR function of _____ involves acquiring knowledge,skills,and behavior that improve employees' ability to meet the challenges of a variety of new or existing jobs,including the client and customer demands of those jobs.

A) recruitment
B) personnel policy
C) development
D) employee relations
E) selection

Question 46

When employees of an organization feel they have been discriminated against,see safety hazards,or have other problems and are dissatisfied with their supervisor's response,they may turn to the HR department for help.Addressing such problems suitably is part of the HR function of:

A) recruitment and selection.
B) maintaining positive employee relations.
C) training and developing employees.
D) performance management.
E) planning and administering pay and benefits.

Question 47

The process of ensuring that employees' activities and outputs match the organization's goals is called _____.

A) job analysis
B) supply chain management
C) employee development
D) performance management
E) career planning

Question 48

As a _____,the HR manager should know the ways that people join the organization and move to different positions within it.

A) strategy architect
B) cultural steward
C) talent manager
D) business ally
E) credible activist

Question 49

How does establishing and administering policies help organizations?

A) It allows companies to handle situations fairly and objectively.
B) It allows companies to address issues on a case-by-case basis.
C) It eliminates the need for documentation and record-keeping.
D) It encourages employees to defend themselves by claiming ignorance of disciplinary norms.
E) It leaves a lot of room for subjective decision-making.

Question 50

_____ is a systematic,planned effort to attract,retain,develop,and motivate highly skilled employees and managers.

A) Work flow analysis
B) Job analysis
C) Conjoint analysis
D) Talent management
E) Performance management

Question 51

Which of the following HR functions includes preparing and distributing employee handbooks that detail company policies and,in large organizations,company publications such as a monthly newsletter or a Web site on the organization's intranet?

A) Recruitment and selection
B) Maintaining positive employee relations
C) Ensuring compliance with labor laws
D) Performance management
E) Planning and administering pay and benefits

Question 52

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?

A) Development
B) Recruitment
C) Orientation
D) Selection
E) Performance management

Question 53

The parties with an interest in the company's success-typically,shareholders,the community,customers,and employees-constitute the _____ of a company.

A) market
B) stakeholders
C) management
D) personnel
E) strategic partners

Question 54

The process that helps the human resource department to forecast the organization's needs for hiring,training,reassigning employees along with handling or avoiding layoffs is known as _____.

A) supply chain management
B) job development
C) human resource planning
D) evidence-based HR
E) corporate social responsibility

Question 55

_____ 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.

A) Conjoint analysis
B) Performance management
C) Workforce analytics
D) Career development
E) Task analysis

Question 56

Which of the following is true of sustainable organizations?

A) They primarily focus on maximizing profits and delivering high returns to investors.
B) They focus on smooth turnover and outsourcing rather than long-term planning.
C) They are more concerned about justice and fairness rather than short-term profits.
D) They are less concerned about employee development and empowerment.
E) They are more concerned with the quantum of output than quality standards.

Question 57

The HR function of maintaining positive employee relations primarily includes:

A) maintaining performance measures on outcomes.
B) offering training programs on effective teamwork.
C) selecting only those applicants that are referred by employees.
D) maintaining communication with union representatives.
E) planning employee pay and benefits.

Question 58

An organization's ability to profit without depleting its resources,including employees,natural resources,and the support of the surrounding community is called _____.

A) high-performance management
B) social media optimization
C) substitutability
D) sustainability
E) supply chain management

Question 59

Evidence-based HR is defined as the:

A) exclusive use of statistical models for planning, forecasting, and other related HR activities.
B) establishment of overlapping performance goals and desired outcomes during performance management.
C) demonstrating that human resource practices have a positive influence on the company's profits or key stakeholders.
D) process of ensuring that employees' activities and outputs match the organization's goals.
E) organization-wide planned effort to enable employees to learn job-related knowledge, rather than teamwork or communication skills.

Question 60

In the role of a cultural steward,an HR manager primarily:

A) administers day-to-day work of managing people.
B) facilitates change and helps to build and strengthen the culture
C) develops people strategies to control attrition rates.
D) understands how the business makes money.
E) recognizes business trends and their impact on the business.

Question 61

People's right to freedom of speech is the right to:

A) criticize an organization's ethics if they do so in good conscience.
B) refuse to do something that is environmentally unsafe.
C) do as they wish in their private life.
D) be treated only as they knowingly and willingly consent to be treated.
E) prohibit criticism of the organization.

Question 62

Which of the following views on employment reflects the ethical principles embodied in the U.S.Constitution and Bill of Rights?

A) HR managers must view employees as having basic rights.
B) Employees have the right to lifetime employment.
C) HR managers have the right to hire whoever they deem best suited for a job.
D) HR managers must view employees as a necessary expense.
E) HR managers must set aside quotas for minorities.

Question 63

Which of the following is a standard that human resource managers must satisfy for HRM practices to be ethical?

A) Managers must treat employees as family.
B) Human resource practices must result in the greatest good for the largest number of people.
C) Employment practices must respect employees' right of lifetime employment.
D) Managers must always maintain that customers are right.
E) Employment practices must limit the application of the principle of employment-at-will as it is unfair to employees.

Question 64

Which one 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?

A) Right of freedom of speech
B) Right of equal opportunity employment
C) Right to due process
D) Right of freedom of conscience
E) Right of privacy

Question 65

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:

A) lifetime employment.
B) privacy.
C) due process.
D) free consent.
E) freedom of conscience.

Question 66

By keeping employees' personal records confidential,an employer respects their right of:

A) autonomy.
B) freedom of conscience.
C) equal opportunity.
D) freedom of speech.
E) privacy.

Question 67

Which of the following statements is true about the HR profession?

A) A degree in law is the main qualification for those who wish to choose HRM as a career.
B) The vast majority of HRM professionals have a postgraduate degree.
C) Professional certification in HRM continues to be the most common feature of a majority of professionals in the field.
D) Usually, HR generalists get paid substantially more than HR specialists.
E) HR generalists usually perform the full range of HRM activities.

Question 68

Which of the following is true of companies that are ethical and successful?

A) They are solely concerned about the benefits of the company while making business decisions.
B) The owners most often assume responsibility for the actions of the company rather than the employees.
C) They are less concerned about the interests of the people involved in the business.
D) Their main aim is to maximize profits in all their transactions.
E) They have a sense of purpose and vision that the employees value, and use in their day-to-day work.

Question 69

Describe the terms human resource planning and evidence-based HR.How do these concepts help HR in supporting the organization's strategy?

Question 70

Distinguish between training and development of employees.

Question 71

Name five important responsibilities of HR,briefly describing the specific activities associated with each.

Question 72

Discuss the responsibility of HR with regard to planning and administering pay and benefits.Also analyze the impact of this function on the organization.

Question 73

Which of the following statements is true about HR responsibilities of supervisors?

A) HR activities are invariably limited to the specialists in the HR department.
B) In small organizations, all HR activities are carried out by HR specialists.
C) Non-HR managers do not need be familiar with the basics of HRM.
D) Job analysis and job design are techniques that lie outside the purview of supervisors.
E) Supervisors typically have responsibilities related to all the HR functions.

Question 74

What are the qualities associated with human resources that help an organization gain a sustainable competitive advantage?

Question 75

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 Kantian right of _____.

A) privacy
B) free consent
C) freedom of speech
D) freedom of conscience
E) due process

Question 76

At the most basic level,HR managers fulfilling the role of _____,carry out particular HR functions such as handling the selection,training,or compensation of employees.

A) business allies
B) cultural stewards
C) talent managers/organizational designers
D) operational executors
E) credible activists

Question 77

People's right of privacy is the right to:

A) know the nature of the job they are being hired for.
B) autonomy in how they carry out their work.
C) control what they reveal about their private life.
D) a fair and impartial hearing.
E) fight against a wrongful discharge.

Question 78

The organizations try to address the right of _____ by offering hot lines and policies and procedures designed to handle complaints from employees.

A) privacy
B) freedom of speech
C) due process
D) freedom of conscience
E) free consent

Question 79

The _____ is the primary professional organization for HRM that provides education and information services and is also the world's largest human resource organization.

A) Strategic Human Resource Management
B) Recognition Professionals International
C) Society for Human Resource Management
D) Human Resource Certification institute
E) Human Resource Professionals Association

Question 80

Which of the following is true of ethics in human resource management?

A) Evidence shows that HRM practices are invariably ethical.
B) The general public has a positive perception of the ethical conduct of U.S. businesses.
C) Many ethical issues in the workplace involve human resource management.
D) Most managers have a positive perception of the ethical conduct of U.S. businesses.
E) Most people believe that individuals apply values they hold in their personal lives to their professional activities.