Question 1

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. Which of the following best captures what Organization C is implementing?

Accepted Answer

Reengineering involves radical and dramatic changes in an organization's processes, generally from the ground up, which seems to be the approach taken by Organization C to survive. Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and total quality management all involve ongoing improvements and refinements rather than radical change.

Question 2

Which of the following is a major strength of employee leasing?

Accepted Answer

Employee leasing allows organizations to shift employment costs to the PEO, which can provide benefits such as handling payroll taxes and providing workers' compensation insurance. This can result in significant cost savings for organizations.

Question 3

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...

Question 4

Which of the following best summarizes the competency model for HR professionals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best summarizes the...

Question 5

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship among gender, education, and pay?

Accepted Answer

The gender pay gap exists in all categories of education, with women consistently earning less than men with equivalent levels of education.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

While all of these practices can have positive effects on staff, increased motivation is the most important outcome. Motivated employees are more productive, engaged, and committed to their work, leading to better overall performance and outcomes for the organization.

Question 7

Why are managers most concerned that the expertise of employees will be rapidly drained from their companies?

Accepted Answer

As large proportions of some workforces are nearing retirement, managers are concerned that the expertise of employees will rapidly drain from their companies. This is because experienced employees hold valuable knowledge and skills that cannot easily be replaced.

Question 8

Which of the following best captures the list of modern social issues in HRM?

Accepted Answer

Modern social issues in HRM include changing demographics, employer/employee rights, and attitudes toward work and family, as these reflect current societal changes and challenges in the workplace.

Question 9

Hiring someone outside the company to perform tasks that could be done internally is known as what?

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing refers to hiring an external company or individual to perform tasks that could be done internally. This can be done in order to save time, money, or to access specialized skills or expertise. Outplacement (A) refers to the process of helping employees who have been laid off or terminated find new employment opportunities. Contracting (B) can refer to hiring an external company or individual to perform a specific project or task, but it typically doesn't involve handing over entire processes or functions. Employee leasing (D) is a similar concept to outsourcing, but it typically refers to a situation where employees are still technically employed by the outsourcing company, even though they may work at a client's site.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

An organization's success increasingly depends most on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of its employees. As businesses become more complex and competitive, companies with talented and skilled employees who are able to adapt and innovate will have a competitive advantage. HR professionals and top executives certainly play important roles, but without capable employees, an organization cannot succeed. Effective management of employees' knowledge, skills, and abilities is also important, but ultimately it is the employees themselves who are the driving force behind an organization's success.

Question 11

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 without having to revisit the same issues again and again. Organization B is also implementing systems that will hopefully help its processes and services to constantly improve. Which of the following best captures what Organization B is implementing?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

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 14

Which of the following statements best reflects the current view on the efficacy of offshoring as a cost reduction measure?

Accepted Answer

While offshoring can lead to cost savings, it is important to consider the hidden costs such as productivity loss during the transition. This statement reflects the current view on the efficacy of offshoring as a cost reduction measure. The other options either overstate or do not provide a balanced view.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT an approach used by organizations to try to lower labour costs?

Accepted Answer

Employee development is not an approach used to lower labour costs. Instead, it is a strategy that focuses on improving the skills and knowledge of existing employees to make them more valuable and effective in their roles. Productivity enhancements, outsourcing, and employee leasing are all common approaches that organizations use to try to lower labour costs.

Question 16

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. Which of the following best captures what Organization A is implementing?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

What do you call the method of containing costs that allows firms to maintain working relationships while shifting administrative costs to another firm?

Accepted Answer

This method is called employee leasing, which involves hiring staff through a third-party company that handles administrative tasks such as payroll, benefits, and taxes, allowing the firm to focus on their core business functions while keeping costs low. Outsourcing typically involves contracting out specific tasks or projects to another firm, while gainsourcing refers to a collaborative approach to cost savings between two firms. Professional employer organizations (PEOs) are another form of employee leasing, where the third-party company not only handles administrative tasks but also takes on some liability and risk for the employees.

Question 18

It is anticipated that in the future, the Canadian workforce will exhibit which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Canada's population is becoming increasingly diverse due to immigration, so it is reasonable to assume that the workforce will become more diverse as well.

Question 19

"Layoffs improve efficiency and lower costs." How would you best describe this statement?

Accepted Answer

While layoffs may improve efficiency and lower costs for some organizations, others may benefit more from offering job security and promoting employee loyalty. It ultimately depends on the specific circumstances and needs of the organization. Therefore, choice D provides the most accurate and nuanced answer.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Reengineering does not necessarily require starting from scratch in rethinking how organizations should compete. This may already be a part of the organization's strategy and may not require a complete overhaul. However, rethinking how work should be done, how technology and people should interact, and how the entire organization should be structured are all crucial components of reengineering.

Quiz 1: The World of Human Resources Management