Question 1

Methods that firms use to align their processes with their essential need to meet customer expectations include all of the following EXCEPT which one?

Accepted Answer

Cost containment through outsourcing does not necessarily align a firm's processes with meeting customer expectations as it involves transferring work to an external party, which may not prioritize meeting the same expectations. The other options listed (total quality management, Six Sigma, process reengineering) are all methods that focus on aligning processes with customer expectations.

Question 2

What is the term for the practice of hiring someone outside the company to perform tasks that could be done internally?

Accepted Answer

The term for hiring someone outside the company to perform tasks that could be done internally is outsourcing. Outplacement refers to the process of assisting employees who are being laid off, while contracting and employee leasing refer to specific types of external hiring arrangements.

Question 3

The importance of Six Sigma to HR extends to all of the following EXCEPT which one?

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma can impact employee benefits indirectly by improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization, but it is not directly related to the management of employee benefits.

Question 4

To build human capital in organizations, managers should rely upon staffing programs that focus on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Building human capital requires hiring the best and brightest talent available, as they will bring valuable skills, knowledge and experience to the organization. Identifying cheap sources of qualified labor or only focusing on college graduates with requisite skills may not result in the best talent being hired. Communication skills are important but not the only criteria for building human capital.

Question 5

Microsoft laid off 5,000 employees due to poorer-than-anticipated financial performance. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of reactive change as the layoffs were a response to the poorer financial performance, rather than a planned or proactive change.

Question 6

Organization C is attempting to manage reactive change within the organization. This organization is radically changing every process through redesigning and rethinking from the ground up. The firm needs a dramatic change in order to survive. What is Organization C implementing?

Accepted Answer

The context of the question, specifically the need for a radical change from the ground up, suggests that Organization C is implementing reengineering. Reengineering is a process of completely redesigning and rethinking an organization's processes in order to achieve significant improvements in performance, often through the use of new technology and organizational structures. Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and total quality management are all approaches to optimizing existing processes and improving quality, but they may not be sufficient for the level of change required in this scenario.

Question 7

In highly competitive environments, managing organizational change has become which of the following?

Accepted Answer

In highly competitive environments, managing organizational change has become a core competency of the organization. This is because in order to stay competitive, organizations need to continuously adapt and innovate. Change management allows them to do so in a structured and organized way, ensuring that the changes are implemented efficiently and effectively. It is no longer just a reactive measure to a decrease in performance, but rather a proactive approach to staying ahead in the market. It is also not solely a product of globalization, as even organizations operating within a single country need to deal with competition and adapt to changes in the market.

Question 8

To build human capital in organizations, managers should rely upon staffing programs that focus on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To build human capital in organizations, managers...

Question 9

Many prospective employees are interested in obtaining a job where they can learn new skills and improve existing skills. Which organization would be the most attractive to such candidates?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many prospective employees are interested in obtaining...

Question 10

Why have managers had to find ways to empower employees and encourage their participation and involvement to more fully utilize human capital?

Accepted Answer

Employee skills are a valuable resource (human capital) that can contribute to a company's success. If managers do not find ways to empower employees and encourage their participation and involvement, these skills may go unused, resulting in a waste of human capital. This is why firms are increasingly looking for ways to unlock the potential of their employees, such as through training and development, teamwork, and participation in decision-making.

Question 11

An organization's success increasingly depends most on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The success of an organization depends, to a large extent, on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of its employees, as they are the ones who drive the organization's productivity, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Ensuring that employees have the required competencies, and providing them with opportunities for growth and development, is essential for organizational success. Top executives and HR professionals play crucial roles in enabling and supporting employee growth and development, but their effectiveness ultimately depends on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the employees they are serving.

Question 12

Reengineering often requires that managers start from scratch in rethinking all of the following EXCEPT which one?

Accepted Answer

Reengineering does not typically require managers to start from scratch in rethinking how organizations should compete. Instead, it typically focuses on improving internal processes and efficiencies.

Question 13

Which organization has the BEST chance of implementing a successful change initiative?

Accepted Answer

Organizations that ensure the changes are aligned with their organizational culture are more likely to implement a successful change initiative. This means that the change fits with the organization's values, beliefs, and way of doing things, which makes it easier for employees to accept and support the change. Option A is not recommended as it does not establish a sense of urgency, which is important for change. Option B is good but does not consider the need to focus on the change initiative. Option D is good but celebrating victory should only be done when the change has been fully implemented and is working effectively.

Question 14

What is the most important outcome of such practices as job enrichment, promotions, coaching, feedback, and rewards?

Accepted Answer

The most important outcome of job enrichment, promotions, coaching, feedback, and rewards is increased motivation of staff. These practices help to reinforce positive behavior and create a sense of accomplishment for employees, which in turn increases their motivation to continue performing well. This can lead to improved productivity, job satisfaction, and overall performance. While the other options (increased ability, decreased turnover, and decreased absenteeism) are potential benefits of these practices, they are not the primary outcome.

Question 15

Organization A is attempting to foster proactive change within the firm. This organization is forming teams and extending its processes to include training, performance management, communication, culture, and even rewards. The organization hopes to improve its ability to catch mistakes before they happen. What is Organization A implementing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Organization A is attempting to foster proactive...

Question 16

HRM plays an important role in organizations by balancing the sometimes competing demands of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

HRM plays a vital role in balancing the often conflicting demands of competitive challenges and employee concerns. For an organization to be successful, achieving a balance between competitive challenges and employee concerns is necessary, and HRM plays a critical role in achieving it. HRM ensures that the organization's workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain its competitiveness while also promoting and maintaining employee satisfaction and well-being.

Question 17

Organization B is attempting to foster proactive change within the organization. In order to do so, it is implementing some new programs to train employees to be more in tune with customer needs, allowing the employees to find the right solution to issues and problems by doing it right the first time. Organization B is also implementing systems that will hopefully help its processes and services to constantly improve. What is Organization B implementing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Organization B is attempting to foster proactive...

Question 18

Research suggests that the value, skills, and capabilities of employees can have a tremendous impact on an organization's performance. What is the term used to refer to the value, skills, and capabilities of employees?

Accepted Answer

The term used to refer to the value, skills, and capabilities of employees is human capital. Human capital is the sum of an organization's employee's skills, experience, knowledge, training, and other assets that contribute to the organization's productivity and ability to compete in the marketplace.

Question 19

According to a survey by the Human Resource Planning Society, what percentage of responding companies believed that their HR groups play a key role in developing human capital?

Accepted Answer

According to the survey by the Human Resource Planning Society, 65 percent of responding companies believed that their HR groups play a key role in developing human capital.

Question 20

If an organization fosters commitment to organizational change in its employees, but fails to foster commitment to communication about the change, which of the following is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If an organization fosters commitment to organizational...

Quiz 1: The World of Human Resources Management

Methods that firms use to align their processes with their essential need to meet customer expectations include all of the following EXCEPT which one?

What is the term for the practice of hiring someone outside the company to perform tasks that could be done internally?

The importance of Six Sigma to HR extends to all of the following EXCEPT which one?

To build human capital in organizations, managers should rely upon staffing programs that focus on which of the following?

Microsoft laid off 5,000 employees due to poorer-than-anticipated financial performance. What is this an example of?

Organization C is attempting to manage reactive change within the organization. This organization is radically changing every process through redesigning and rethinking from the ground up. The firm needs a dramatic change in order to survive. What is Organization C implementing?

In highly competitive environments, managing organizational change has become which of the following?

To build human capital in organizations, managers should rely upon staffing programs that focus on which of the following?

Many prospective employees are interested in obtaining a job where they can learn new skills and improve existing skills. Which organization would be the most attractive to such candidates?

Why have managers had to find ways to empower employees and encourage their participation and involvement to more fully utilize human capital?

An organization's success increasingly depends most on which of the following?

Reengineering often requires that managers start from scratch in rethinking all of the following EXCEPT which one?

Which organization has the BEST chance of implementing a successful change initiative?

What is the most important outcome of such practices as job enrichment, promotions, coaching, feedback, and rewards?

HRM plays an important role in organizations by balancing the sometimes competing demands of which of the following?

Research suggests that the value, skills, and capabilities of employees can have a tremendous impact on an organization's performance. What is the term used to refer to the value, skills, and capabilities of employees?

According to a survey by the Human Resource Planning Society, what percentage of responding companies believed that their HR groups play a key role in developing human capital?

If an organization fosters commitment to organizational change in its employees, but fails to foster commitment to communication about the change, which of the following is the most likely result?