Question 1

HR departments in many firms use Web portals to enable employees to sign up for and manage their own benefits packages.

Accepted Answer

HR departments commonly use Web portals to allow employees to handle tasks like enrolling in and managing benefits packages.

Question 2

In the majority of firms,the task of interviewing job candidates is shared between HR and the hiring department.

Accepted Answer

It is common for HR and the hiring manager or department to work together in the interview process in most firms.

Question 3

The SHRM Human Resource Certification exams include testing on management practices,staffing,development,compensation,labor relations,and health and safety.

Accepted Answer

The SHRM Human Resource Certification exams do cover these topics.

Question 4

As baby boomers retire from the work force,there will be more people entering the labor pool than leaving it.

Accepted Answer

The statement is contradictory. If baby boomers retire, it means that people are leaving the labor force, not entering it.

Question 5

ASP is a special wireless technology used to synchronize various electronic tools like cellular phones and PCs and facilitate employee access to employer online HR services.

Accepted Answer

ASP (Active Server Pages) is a server-side scripting language used for web development, not a wireless technology. The description seems to confuse ASP with Bluetooth or similar technologies.

Question 6

Low-performance work systems are typically characterized by high wages,extensive employee training,and sophisticated recruitment and hiring practices.

Accepted Answer

Low-performance work systems are typically characterized by low wages, minimal employee training, and simplistic recruitment and hiring practices. High-performance work systems, on the other hand, have the characteristics listed in the statement.

Question 7

Economic challenges faced on a national and a global level in recent years have affected human resource management at most firms.

Accepted Answer

Economic challenges such as recession, inflation and unemployment have impacted organizations and their human resource management strategies both on a national and global level. Employers have had to make tough decisions such as downsizing, freezing hiring, reducing benefits and salaries, which have affected the workforce and HR management practices.

Question 8

Transactional HR groups focus on assisting top management in big picture issues such as developing a firm's long-term strategic plan.

Accepted Answer

Transactional HR groups focus on day-to-day operational tasks such as payroll, benefits administration, and employee relations, and are not typically involved in developing a firm's strategic plan. Strategic HR groups are usually responsible for assisting top management in developing long-term plans and aligning HR initiatives with overall business objectives.

Question 9

In most firms,top human resource executives have many years of experience working in the human resources department,and about 40% of them have professional HR certification.

Accepted Answer

This statement suggests that top human resource executives have both experience working in HR and professional HR certification, with 40% of them having the latter credential.

Question 10

Modern human resource managers perform transactional duties as well as help top management develop and execute the firm's long-term plans.

Accepted Answer

Modern human resource managers are not only responsible for performing transactional duties such as hiring, training, and compensation but also play a key role in shaping the company's long-term strategies and goals. They work closely with top management to identify staffing needs, develop talent management plans, and create a positive work environment that fosters employee engagement and productivity. As such, HR managers are increasingly seen as strategic partners who can contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Question 11

Most CFOs tend to believe that human capital has only a minor impact on organizational outcomes such as customer satisfaction,growth,and profitability.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that human capital plays a significant role in organizational outcomes such as customer satisfaction, growth, and profitability. CFOs who believe otherwise may be undervaluing the importance of their employees in achieving success.

Question 12

Functional authority is the authority exerted by an HR manager as coordinator of personnel activities.

Accepted Answer

Functional authority is a type of authority where an individual in a specialized role, like an HR manager, is given the authority to coordinate and oversee the activities of individuals in other departments. This allows them to provide guidance and direction without necessarily having direct control over those individuals.

Question 13

A key concept of the textbook is that human resource management is the sole responsibility of human resource managers,so line managers and staff managers rely heavily on HR specialists to hire the best employees.

Accepted Answer

Human resource management is the responsibility of every manager-not just those in human resources. Throughout every page in the textbook, you'll therefore find an emphasis on practical material that you as a manager will need to perform your day-to-day management responsibilities.

Question 14

The evidence used in evidence-based human resource management may come from actual measurements,existing data,or critically evaluated research studies.

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based human resource management relies on gathering and utilizing actual measurements, existing data, and critically evaluated research studies to inform decision making.

Question 15

Although technology has changed how people communicate,it has failed to alter traditional factory work,which requires the specific skills of manual laborers.

Accepted Answer

More and more traditional factory jobs are going high-tech.As the U.S.government's Occupational Outlook Quarterly put it,"knowledge-intensive high tech manufacturing in such industries as aerospace,computers,telecommunications,home electronics,pharmaceuticals,and medical instruments" is replacing factory jobs in steel,auto,rubber,and textiles.

Question 16

Ethical issues such as work place safety,security of employee records,comparable work,and employee privacy rights are all related to human resource management.

Accepted Answer

These ethical issues are all related to human resource management as they involve the way that employees are treated and the responsibilities that organizations have towards them. Human resource management is responsible for ensuring that these issues are addressed and that employees are protected and treated fairly.

Question 17

The role of labor relations specialists includes investigating EEO grievances and collecting data about jobs for the purpose of writing job descriptions.

Accepted Answer

Labor relations specialists advise management on all aspects of union-management relations. EEO coordinators investigate EEO grievances, and job analysts collect data for job descriptions.

Question 18

Strategic human resource management refers to performing transactional duties that satisfy the needs and demands of both the employees and the employer.

Accepted Answer

Strategic human resource management refers to the long-term planning and implementation of HR practices that align with organizational goals and values, and contribute to the overall success of the company. It involves proactive, rather than reactive, decision-making that goes beyond simply meeting the basic needs of employees and employers.

Question 19

Human resource managers who complete professional certification exams can earn SPHR,GPHR,or PHR certificates.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. Human resource managers can earn SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources), or PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certificates by completing the respective certification exams.

Question 20

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,between now and 2016 the number of workers classified as "white,non-Hispanic" will decrease and the number of workers classified as Asian will increase.

Accepted Answer

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics supports this statement.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Human Resource Management