Question 1

Which of the following costs of the AIDS epidemic is a concern for employers evaluating whether to rely on workers in India and China as part of their future workforce?
A) Medical care for affected employees
B) Benefits payments to employees and their families
C) Accidents due to ill workers and inexperienced replacements
D) Depressed morale
E) All of the above are legitimate concerns

Accepted Answer

The AIDS epidemic can result in medical costs for affected employees, benefits payments to employees and their families, accidents due to ill workers and inexperienced replacements, and depressed morale. All of these factors can affect the productivity and reliability of workers in India and China, making them legitimate concerns for employers evaluating their future workforce.

Question 2

Certain businesses are much more adept at taking full advantage of computer technology. Which of the following businesses would you expect to be the most adept at using computer technologies?
A) day-care center
B) landscaping service
C) janitorial service
D) pet boarding kennel
E) medical services

Accepted Answer

Medical services would be the most likely to be adept at using computer technology, as electronic health records, medical billing systems, and diagnostic software all require significant computer usage.

Question 3

Which of the following is a reason for using mobile devices to help manage employees more effectively?
A) Manage their global workforce
B) Increase operational efficiency
C) Meet expectations of multiple generations in the workforce
D) All of the above
E) Only a and c

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are valid reasons for using mobile devices to manage employees more effectively.

Option A: Mobile devices are useful for managing a global workforce because they allow managers to communicate and monitor their employees from any location. 
Option B: Mobile devices can help increase operational efficiency by streamlining communication, accessing information quickly, and simplifying administrative tasks. 
Option C: Different generations in the workforce might have differing expectations of how they want to communicate and receive information.

Therefore, the correct answer is D - all of the above.

Question 4

What was central to implementing YRC's customer-focused strategy?
A) a merger with another firm
B) sophisticated technologies
C) the decision to globalize
D) a change in the economy
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The implementation of sophisticated technologies was central to YRC's customer-focused strategy as it allowed for better tracking and communication with customers, more efficient supply chain management, and improved customer service.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the use of computers at the New Balance athletic shoe factory in Maine is true?
A) Skilled employees are using sophisticated computer technology to produce shoes faster than most overseas competitors are producing shoes using low-tech workers.
B) Production rates are expected to decrease unless New Balance can find enough domestic workers
C) Originally, New Balance used computer technology purely for record keeping.
D) It is easy to predict how computer technology will impact New Balance employees.
E) New Balance will never be able to use expert computer systems because the shoe industry is so labor intensive and low tech.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that "Skilled employees are using sophisticated computer technology to produce shoes faster than most overseas competitors are producing shoes using low-tech workers." This shows that New Balance is using computers for production and is outperforming competitors who rely on low-tech workers. Option B is incorrect because there is no mention of a decrease in production rates. Option C is incorrect because the passage states that New Balance is using computers for production and not just record-keeping. Option D is incorrect because the passage does not provide enough information to make a prediction about the impact of computer technology on New Balance employees. Option E is incorrect because the passage does not suggest that New Balance cannot use expert computer systems due to the labor-intensive nature of the shoe industry.

Question 6

Which of the following statements BEST describes the global labor market?
A) There is no shortage of potential employees in the global labor market.
B) Most U.S. companies find that there is no better work force anywhere in the world than they can find at home.
C) The global work force is not as well educated as the U.S. workforce.
D) Employers find few, if any, college educated students in developing countries.
E) All of the above statements describing the global labor market are true.

Accepted Answer

The global labor market is vast and diverse, with a significant pool of potential employees available for various types of jobs, indicating that there is no shortage of potential employees globally.

Question 7

Geert Hofstede's research shows that different societies encourage and reward different behaviors. According to the Dimensions for Comparing National Cultures (Exhibit 2.7) which of the following countries most values a performance orientation (performance improvements and excellence, acceptance of feedback)?
A) Russia
B) Argentina
C) Singapore
D) Denmark
E) Kuwait

Accepted Answer

According to Hofstede's Dimensions for Comparing National Cultures, Singapore scores high (score of 93) on the dimension of performance orientation, which means that they prioritize performance improvements, excellence, and accepting feedback. None of the other countries listed score as high on this dimension as Singapore.

Question 8

Although pork is becoming an increasingly popular meat, most people don't realize that pork meat is tough. Pork processors can tenderize the meat, but there is a problem with testing for tenderness. One international meat processing firm has tasked a group with finding an inexpensive method of testing tenderness. The project has been assigned to the firm's employees in Brazil, Canada, Germany, and the U.S. These people communicate via computers. This group will not work together once they find a solution. This is an example of:
A) autonomous technology
B) a strategic alliance
C) an interconnected network
D) a virtual workforce (team)
E) job rotation

Accepted Answer

The fact that the team is comprised of employees from different countries who communicate via computers suggests that they are a virtual workforce or a virtual team. They are not physically located in the same place and will not work together once they find the solution. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 9

The forces pressuring U.S. companies to globalize have affected all of the following human resources areas EXCEPT:
A) computer technology
B) work design
C) management styles
D) staffing
E) compensation

Accepted Answer

Computer technology is not one of the human resources areas affected by the forces pressuring U.S. companies to globalize. The other options, work design, management styles, staffing, and compensation, have all been impacted by globalization.

Question 10

Which of the following tactics were used by watchdogs and activist groups in trying to change BP's corporate practices after its Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded:
A) Creating a Facebook page promoting a boycott of BP
B) Collecting signatures from persons pledging not to buy BP products
C) Distributing bumper stickers focusing on the environmental damage that resulted from the oil spill
D) All of the above
E) a and b only

Accepted Answer

All of the tactics mentioned were used by watchdogs and activist groups in trying to change BP's corporate practices after the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion. Creating a Facebook page and distributing bumper stickers are methods of raising awareness about the environmental impact of the oil spill and promoting a boycott. Collecting signatures from people pledging not to buy BP products is a form of activism and a way to pressure the company into changing its practices.

Question 11

Which of the following events is likely to challenge a company's ability to manage diversity?
A) A U.S. company decides to set up manufacturing facilities in Mexico.
B) A company with a decidedly participative style of management merges with one that has an autocratic leader.
C) A company in Buffalo, NY hires 40 computer technicians from Quebec, Canada.
D) A Massachusetts investment company decides to open an office near Mississippi casinos.
E) In all of the above situations, the human resource department will have to manage diversity.

Accepted Answer

Each scenario presents a situation where diversity management will be challenged, whether it's due to cultural, managerial style, or geographical differences.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about managing in the global arena is true?
A) Managers have to realize that culture shapes the preferences and behaviors of their stakeholders.
B) A successfully managed company can export its method of management to another culture and correctly expect to be successful there.
C) A good manager will still make good decision even if he is working in a culture he does not understand.
D) Managers in a culture that is individualistic must only give indirect feedback if they want to be accepted in a supervisory position.
E) Managers need to realize that as soon as an individual crosses from one country to another, the culture has changed.

Accepted Answer

Managing in the global arena requires a deep understanding of cultural differences and how they shape the preferences and behaviors of stakeholders. Cross-cultural communication and sensitivity are important skills for managers to have in order to succeed in an international business environment. The other options are incorrect: B is incorrect as exporting a method of management may not work in a different culture; C is incorrect as culture affects decision-making; D is incorrect as the approach to feedback may vary based on culture; and E is incorrect as culture is not solely determined by geography.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the age of factories and mass production technologies is true?
A) At the turn of the 20th century, people were eager to move to the city and work in factories.
B) Job satisfaction was so great during this period that income was not a great motivator.
C) Employees arrived at their factory jobs with most of the skills they needed to operate the machines.
D) Factories were the first types of organizations that required human resource management.
E) None of the above statements about the age of factories and mass production technologies is true.

Accepted Answer

The statements provided offer a simplified or inaccurate portrayal of the complexities of the industrial era. For instance, while urban migration was significant, it was driven by various factors including economic necessity rather than mere eagerness (A). Job satisfaction varied widely and income was often a critical motivator due to the economic conditions of the time (B). Many workers had to learn new skills or adapt existing ones to the demands of factory work, contradicting (C). Lastly, while factories did introduce new challenges in managing large workforces, they were not the first to require human resource management, as managing labor has been a component of larger enterprises throughout history, contradicting (D).

Question 14

The employees of a national media, advertising, and publicity firm could be described as a virtual workforce because:
A) they have the ability to communicate using e-mail with all other employees.
B) they use a type of groupware commonly used in their industry.
C) they work at home without managerial supervision.
D) so few employees are needed.
E) they are geographically dispersed yet able to work in electronically connected teams.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the employees are geographically dispersed yet able to work in electronically connected teams is the key characteristic of a virtual workforce. The other options (A, B, C, and D) are all different aspects of virtual work, but none of them fully captures the concept of a virtual workforce.

Question 15

A human resource information system (HRIS):
A) is used to gather, analyze, and distribute information about the people in an organization
B) contains information about the organizations' internal and external environments
C) is used to keep current with the needs of the organizations' stakeholders
D) provides information about competitors' HR practices
E) checks to see if environmental practices are in line with federal government regulations

Accepted Answer

A human resource information system (HRIS) is used to gather, analyze, and distribute information about the people in an organization. It includes data such as employee demographics, job history, performance evaluations, and compensation information.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a reason for using applications (apps) on mobile phones to deliver a variety of HR services?
A) Provide information to job applicants
B) Offer short training modules
C) Manage interview schedules
D) Coordinate work arrangements
E) Provide notification of permanent layoff

Accepted Answer

Providing notification of permanent layoff through a mobile phone app may not be appropriate or sensitive enough for such a serious matter. This type of information may need to be communicated in a more personal manner, such as in person or through a phone call with HR.

Question 17

The forces pressuring U.S. companies to globalize have many implications for managing human resources. Cultural differences are reflected the differences in HR policies adopted by employers in which of the following areas:
A) standardization of accounting practices
B) translation of sales presentations
C) use of incentive pay to motivate workers
D) gathering of global competitive data
E) monitoring of near-term economic and social environments

Accepted Answer

The use of incentive pay to motivate workers varies across cultures and is a reflection of differences in HR policies adopted by employers. Standardization of accounting practices (A) and gathering of global competitive data (D) are related to financial management and strategy, while translation of sales presentations (B) and monitoring of near-term economic and social environments (E) are related to marketing and environmental scanning, respectively.

Question 18

Anticipated changes in the U.S. labor in the next 20 years include:
A) slowed growth
B) a decrease in skills availability
C) greater competition for employees
D) increased dependence on migrants
E) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed are anticipated changes in the U.S. labor market over the next 20 years. Slowed growth is expected due to an aging population, a decrease in skills availability may occur as the demand for high-skilled workers outpaces the supply, greater competition for employees is likely as the labor market tightens, and increased dependence on migrants could result from the need to fill gaps in the workforce.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about a human resource information system (HRIS) is true?
A) Allow employees to access general information (e.g., policies, procedures, company events) using a company intranet.
B) Allow employees and managers to enter performance data, display and analyze it for trends over time, and use the data as input for both the employee's personal development plan and the organization's longer-term workforce and succession planning.
C) Make it easy to communicate a company's values and strategy to all employees, regardless of their location.
D) Make it easy for firms to design and implement HR policies and practices that are common across different cultures.
E) All of the above statements are true.

Accepted Answer

HRIS systems are designed to manage a wide range of HR functions, including providing access to information, facilitating performance management, enabling communication of company values and strategy, and supporting the design and implementation of HR policies. All the options listed are capabilities of a comprehensive HRIS.

Question 20

Electronic human resource management (e-HRM):
A) is useful for connecting employees who might otherwise never meet each other
B) helps organizations develop a strategy for how to use social networking technologies to improve employee performance and satisfaction
C) refers to the use of IT for conducting HRM activities and for social networking among employees
D) appeals to Millennial employees.
E) All of these are

Accepted Answer

Electronic human resource management (e-HRM) encompasses all these aspects: it facilitates connections among employees, leverages social networking technologies for performance and satisfaction improvement, involves the use of IT for HRM activities and social networking, and is particularly appealing to Millennial employees due to their familiarity and comfort with technology.

Quiz 2: Understanding the External and Organizational Environments

Which of the following costs of the AIDS epidemic is a concern for employers evaluating whether to rely on workers in India and China as part of their future workforce?

Certain businesses are much more adept at taking full advantage of computer technology. Which of the following businesses would you expect to be the most adept at using computer technologies?

Which of the following is a reason for using mobile devices to help manage employees more effectively?

What was central to implementing YRC's customer-focused strategy?

Which of the following statements about the use of computers at the New Balance athletic shoe factory in Maine is true?

Which of the following statements BEST describes the global labor market?

The forces pressuring U.S. companies to globalize have affected all of the following human resources areas EXCEPT:

Which of the following tactics were used by watchdogs and activist groups in trying to change BP's corporate practices after its Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded:

Which of the following events is likely to challenge a company's ability to manage diversity?

Which of the following statements about managing in the global arena is true?

Which of the following statements about the age of factories and mass production technologies is true?

The employees of a national media, advertising, and publicity firm could be described as a virtual workforce because:

A human resource information system (HRIS) :

Which of the following is NOT a reason for using applications (apps) on mobile phones to deliver a variety of HR services?

The forces pressuring U.S. companies to globalize have many implications for managing human resources. Cultural differences are reflected the differences in HR policies adopted by employers in which of the following areas:

Anticipated changes in the U.S. labor in the next 20 years include:

Which of the following statements about a human resource information system (HRIS) is true?

Electronic human resource management (e-HRM) :