Deck 5: Determining HR Demand

Question 1

Unlike trend analysis,impact analysis relies on subjective,but expert,judgments.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Trend analyses are complex since they require the analysis of multiple variables.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

HR demand refers to the future need for the firm's skills requirements,the types of jobs and the number of positions that must be filled for the firm to implement its strategy.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

According to the textbook,typical estimates for scenario forecasting are organized into optimistic,realistic,and pessimistic scenarios.

Question 5

Regression analysis is a very effective quantitative forecasting technique for all time horizons.

Question 6

A ratio analysis is a quantitative method of projecting HR demand by analyzing the relationship between an operational index and the number of employees required.

Question 7

In an impact analysis,current trends are analyzed by a panel of experts to predict future HR demand.

Question 8

The first step in the nominal group technique is to select the experts.

Question 9

In a trend analysis,it is necessary to extrapolate data related to historical changes.

Question 10

A staffing table forecasts the total HR demand required for operational or short-run time periods.

Question 11

Scenario forecasting is based on the premise that,because the future course of events is not known with certainty,it is necessary to develop several plausible sets of outcomes.

Question 12

In the simple regression prediction model,X represents the independent variable.

Question 13

HR budgets are a qualitative method of HR demand forecasting that estimates the number and types of personnel required by the organization.

Question 14

According to the article entitled "Projecting Labour Demand in Canada," management occupations will feel the most intense pressure from immigration.

Question 15

A regression analysis is a linear equation between a single causal variable and multiple dependent variables.

Question 16

The demand for human capital resources is determined by the strategic and operational requirements of the firm or business unit.

Question 17

In a simple regression equation,there is an assumption of linearity between the independent and dependent variables.

Question 18

The Delphi technique is a quantitative method for deriving detailed assumptions of long-run HR demand.

Question 19

If there are several dependent variables,then the regression is referred to as multivariate regression analysis.

Question 20

In a simple regression,Y is the independent variable.

Question 21

In the Delphi method experts do not meet,but they do in the nominal group technique.

Question 22

In a simple regression prediction model,what does B represent?

A) dependent variable
B) constant or intercept
C) slope of the linear relationship between X and Y
D) independent variable

Question 23

How do the experts finally agree on a solution in the nominal group technique?

A) by defending their perspectives
B) by voting for the best estimate
C) by lobbying the other group members
D) by ranking the solutions with a secret vote

Question 24

An organization wants to use a quantitative demand forecasting method.Which of the following is NOT a quantitative method?

A) trend analysis
B) Delphi technique
C) regression analysis
D) staffing table

Question 25

Multivariate regression and other similar modelling/programming models depend on large amounts of reliable data.

Question 26

Perceived status differences may influence how experts express their views when forecasting in face-to-face groups.

Question 27

The last stage in the nominal group technique is a secret vote that determines the highest ranking for the group's HR demand solution.

Question 28

An organization wants to use a qualitative demand forecasting method.Which of the following is a qualitative method?

A) trend analysis
B) nominal group technique
C) HR budget
D) staffing table

Question 29

Times series models use past data to predict future demand.They can range from very simple to highly complex.

Question 30

What federal government agency provides expert information for labour demand forecasting?

A) National Occupational Classification
B) Citizenship and Immigration Canada
C) Conference Board of Canada
D) Statistics Canada

Question 31

An organization wants to determine the total HR demand requirement for long-run time periods.What would be the best way to gather this information?

A) use staffing tables
B) use an HR budget
C) use impact analysis
D) use scenario forecasts

Question 32

Tim Hortons integrates digitized data from all the corporate functions,including marketing,operations,finance,and HR,as well as information from social media sources such as Facebook and LinkedIn,and more.What is this data called?

A) HR data
B) research data
C) big data
D) quantitative data

Question 33

Another name for the scenario forecast method is the projection forecast method.

Question 34

Why are assumptions necessary when implementing the steps of the nominal group technique?

A) to minimize the chance that expert estimates will be misinterpreted
B) to make sure that the group is not dominated by one expert estimate
C) to eliminate the necessity for experts to defend their estimates
D) to ensure the validity and confidentiality of the expert estimates

Question 35

If you want to determine the total HR demand requirement for operational or short-run time periods,what type of information should you gather?

A) staffing table
B) HR budget
C) impact analysis
D) envelope/scenario forecasts

Question 36

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
​
What would be the most effective strategy to deal with the engineering shortages?

A) utilize job sharing arrangements
B) increase engineering school graduates
C) use flexible contract arrangements
D) use internal transfers

Question 37

A deficiency of the Delphi technique is that the results cannot be verified statistically.

Question 38

Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
What would you call the process described in this scenario?

A) strategic human resource management
B) human resource planning
C) linking human resource management with strategic planning
D) human resource supply techniques

Question 39

A regression analysis is a form of time series design that uses the data from the current year (period)to predict next year's (period's)demand,reflecting a linear relationship.

Question 40

According to the textbook,when the Delphi technique was used to identify competencies for research chef,which of the following was NOT a topic for consideration?

A) factors that differentiate successful from unsuccessful research chefs
B) years of experience for successful and unsuccessful research chefs
C) skills and knowledge needed to be a successful research chef
D) tasks that differentiate a successful research chef from an ordinary chef

Question 41

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
​
What do the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey reports attempt to do?

A) predict the future demand and supply for a wide variety of Canadian occupations
B) predict the future demand growth for a wide variety of Canadian occupations
C) estimate the future demand and supply for Canadian workers
D) predict the future demand and supply for Canadian engineering workers

Question 42

Typically,how is most of the expert information gathered using the Delphi technique?

A) interviews
B) discussion groups
C) teleconferencing
D) questionnaires

Question 43

What type of analysis presupposes that a linear relationship exists between sales and the number of employees?

A) ratio
B) multivariate
C) trend
D) regression

Question 44

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
The situation described in this scenario can be referred to as a tight labour market.What occurs in a tight labour market?

A) The supply of labour exceeds the demand for labour.
B) Labour supply and demand creates tension in the labour market.
C) The demand for labour exceeds the supply of labour.
D) Supply and demand create labour shortages.

Question 45

The Oakland Athletics baseball team used statistical cause-and-effect models for HR planning.What do cause-and-effect models assume?

A) that there is an ongoing relationship between independent and dependent variables
B) that the extrapolated trends will influence future supply and demand
C) that the time horizon used for the models is most conducive to short-term forecasts
D) that the subjective judgment of experts supports the forecasts

Question 46

An organization is using multiple predictor estimates of the future demand for human resources based on a variety of differing assumptions about how future events will unfold.What type of forecasting technique or analysis is it using?

A) Delphi technique
B) nominal technique
C) impact analysis
D) scenario forecast

Question 47

If HR specialists use multiple predictor estimates of the future demand for personnel based on a variety of differing assumptions about how future events will unfold,what type of forecasting technique or analysis are they using?

A) Delphi technique
B) nominal technique
C) impact analysis
D) scenario forecast

Question 48

What stage in the nominal group technique would typically ask a question like,"What will ABC Corporation's demand for production workers be in the year 2017?"

A) select the experts
B) meet face to face
C) define the question
D) discuss demand estimates

Question 49

What type of analysis reveals the historical relationship between the operational index and the demand for labour?

A) correlation
B) multivariate
C) trend
D) regression

Question 50

What would be two human resource quantitative forecasting demand techniques?

A) regression analysis and trend projection techniques
B) extrapolation and transition matrices techniques
C) indexation and replacement chart techniques
D) budget analysis and skills inventory techniques

Question 51

In the Delphi technique,why do the experts NOT meet face-to-face?

A) They do not have the time.
B) They want to lower costs.
C) They worry about groupthink.
D) They lack communication expertise.

Question 52

Tiger Boots,a footwear retailer,is currently determining its HR demand using ratio analysis.What would be a key operational index used by Tiger Boots in a ratio analysis?

A) sales level
B) human resources
C) clients served
D) production hours

Question 53

What would be two human resource qualitative forecasting demand techniques?

A) regression analysis and trend/ratio analysis techniques
B) extrapolation and transition matrices techniques
C) scenario planning and nominal group techniques
D) budget analysis and skills inventory techniques

Question 54

What would be the first step in HR forecasting once an organization has identified its organizational goals,objectives,and plans?

A) to examine data from a variety of perspectives
B) to determine the overall demand requirements for personnel (i.e. ,what staff are needed,when,and where)
C) to assess in-house skills and other internal supply characteristics
D) to determine the net demand requirements that must be met from external environmental supply sources

Question 55

What method of estimating HR demand extrapolates historical organizational indices to forecast future personnel needs?

A) trend analysis
B) ratio analysis
C) cohort analysis
D) impact analysis

Question 56

Which forecasting technique provides a long-run qualitative forecast where experts meet and give their assessments about the future?

A) Delphi technique
B) critical incident technique
C) repatriation technique
D) nominal group technique

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT typically considered to be an expert for HR forecasting?

A) union staff members
B) line employees
C) university researchers
D) business consultants

Question 58

What is the most common operational index used by organizations in a trend analysis?

A) sales level
B) units produced
C) clients served
D) production hours

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT considered a benefit of the nominal group technique?

A) supports brainstorming
B) lower costs and time
C) equal participation
D) reliable and valid

Question 60

An organization wants to determine its total HR demand requirement for operational or short-run time periods.What would be the best way to gather this information?

A) use staffing tables
B) use Markov analysis
C) use impact analysis
D) use scenario forecasts

Question 61

What is envelope/scenario forecasting? Describe some of its features.

Question 62

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
​
The growth in demand for civil engineering occupations has been strong due to the rising needs associated with the high number of retiring workers.Although countless challenges influence the demand for engineering professionals,what is the primary cause of demand in this case?

A) external factors
B) demographic factors
C) labour market factors
D) organizational factors

Question 63

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
Indicators suggest that the demand for engineering occupations currently exceeds supply at the provincial and national levels.What is this estimate of demand and supply called?

A) strategic human resource management
B) human resource planning
C) human resource estimating techniques
D) human resource forecasting techniques

Question 64

What do you call the observed relationship between the independent and dependent variables?

A) causal
B) direct
C) linear
D) indirect

Question 65

Analyze Case Incident: "Canadian Engineering Shortages." Using the information you know about forecasting HR demand,what advice would you offer to Engineers Canada to address the replacement demand for engineers over the next decade

Question 66

There are six steps associated with the Delphi technique for HR demand forecasting.What is the first step?

A) identify the experts,terms,and time horizon
B) issue the first round of questionnaires
C) select the experts
D) define and refine the issue or question

Question 67

According to the textbook,what is one disadvantage of the Delphi technique?

A) groupthink
B) shyness
C) time and costs
D) communication

Question 68

Which of the following demand forecasting methods is NOT a quantitative method?

A) trend analysis
B) Delphi technique
C) regression analysis
D) staffing table

Question 69

Describe what an "expert" demand forecast is and list five different types of experts who could be involved.Identify and describe two different types of expert forecasting methods.

Question 70

Describe how HR Budgets and staffing tables are applied in HR demand forecasting.

Question 71

When trying to forecast the number of employee hours required for work in a retail store during December,the HR planner used last December's ratio of total sales to total hours worked as the basis for an estimate for the current year's needs.What forecasting model is the HR planner using to predict future HR demand?

A) times series model
B) regression model
C) projection model
D) production model

Question 72

What are some the advantages and disadvantages of the Delphi technique,where experts do NOT meet face-to-face?

Question 73

Which forecasting technique would an organization use if it wanted to conduct a long-run qualitative forecast in which experts meet and give their assessments about the future?

A) Delphi technique
B) critical incident technique
C) repatriation technique
D) nominal group technique

Question 74

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
​
Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
​
What human resource technique is being used to gather the data for the Engineers Canada labour market projection report?

A) human resource occupational planning
B) human resource Markov analysis
C) human resource audits
D) human resource forecasting

Question 75

What technique should be used if you want all the participants to have equal participation in the sessions and to minimize dominance,personal attacks,and defensive behaviour?

A) Delphi technique
B) critical incident technique
C) repatriation technique
D) nominal group technique

Question 76

In the Delphi technique,why does the project coordinator continue to issue questionnaires to the experts?

A) Current information has not been optimal,and so further information is required.
B) Additional information still needs to be gathered regarding the predetermined questions.
C) Information gathered to date has not led the group to make a consensual decision.
D) Current information is insufficient in some way that is required to make future supply estimates.

Question 77

An organization wants to determine the total HR demand requirement for long-run time periods.What would be the best way to gather this information?

A) use staffing tables
B) use movement analysis
C) use impact analysis
D) use scenario forecasts

Question 78

What is another name for the dependent variable in the simple regression prediction model?

A) causal variable
B) target variable
C) linear variable
D) random variable