MAX Computers manufactures affordable laptops and desktops at its factory in Arizona. MAX has experienced a moderate amount of financial success, but upper management wants the firm to grow at a faster rate and become a bigger player in the highly competitive computer market. The firm's greatest problems relate to its employees. Employee turnover is high-most employees at MAX leave within two years or less of being hired. In addition, the rate of productivity among employees is not as high as executives would like. The vice president of human resources is considering moving MAX towards a high-performance work system. Which of the following questions is most relevant to MAX's decision to move toward a high-performance work system?
A)How would the implementation of self-managing work teams affect employee morale and work standards at MAX?
B)How will qualitative performance measures address the needs of MAX employees in regards to the firm's benefits plan?
C)What roles should line managers, staff managers, and HR managers at MAX play in performance appraisals?
D)What economic and demographic trends in the U.S. are related to the employee turnover rate at MAX?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A)HPWSs typically pay more, train employees more, use more advanced recruitment and hiring practices, and use self-managing work teams. By answering the question about employee morale and work standards, it would become clear that MAX should move towards a HPWS and self-managing work teams. Economic trends, benefits plans, and managerial roles in performance appraisals are less relevant to a HPWS.

MAX Computers Manufactures Affordable Laptops and Desktops at Its Factory