Deck 3: Environmental Influences on HRM

Question 1

One of the challenges facing environmental scanners is that so much change is happening in so many areas that it is difficult to isolate critical events from insignificant ones.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

American HR publications are not applicable to Canadian companies because what happens in the U.S.is not relevant to Canada.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A drop in demand for contingent,temporary,and contract employees can predict an economic slowdown.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Environmental scanning is the frequent monitoring of trends affecting the organization in the external environment.

Question 5

The ease of transferring information electronically has made concerns about safeguarding company secrets and intellectual property relatively worry-free.

Question 6

Key issues for unions include job security,income security,working hours,and inflation protection.

Question 7

In order to increase diversity with visible minorities,organizations can use inclusion programs such as customizing their communication styles and benefits.

Question 8

The labour market influences an organization's ability to implement strategy.

Question 9

There are more households in Canada with children than without.

Question 10

According to the text,only 13 percent of organizations were able to learn about their competitors' moves early enough to respond to them.

Question 11

Canadian HR trends lag three to five years behind U.S.trends.

Question 12

A collective agreement is an example of common law.

Question 13

Emerging economies such as China and India have many workers who are willing to work longer hours for less pay than workers in developed countries such as Canada.

Question 14

Canadian newspapers and magazines provide a good source of information for HR professionals.

Question 15

Economic climate may influence different industries and businesses in a different way and to a different extent.

Question 16

According to the Society for Human Resources Management,more than 75 percent of its companies use virtual work.

Question 17

According to the textbook,it has been estimated that one in ten jobs in Canada is related to international trade.

Question 18

Stakeholders are also known as constituent groups.

Question 19

When HR managers group together and try to change legislation,they are taking a reactive stance.

Question 20

The baby boomers are the most important demographic factor that should be monitored by HR professionals.

Question 21

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
What internal organizational factors are influencing Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.'s human resource planning?

A) technological advances
B) legislation
C) demographic and social concerns
D) staffing policies

Question 22

According to the text,what are some of the major HR trends that were difficult to forecast more than twenty years ago?

A) e-learning,online recruitment,and technology
B) mandatory retirement,localization,and ethics
C) brain drain,diversity,and work-life balance
D) downsizing,outsourcing,and telecommuting

Question 23

What type of law is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms an example of?

A) contract law
B) constitutional law
C) common law
D) criminal law

Question 24

What statement depicts the importance of the labour market and its influence on an organization's ability to implement strategy?

A) The labour market is the most important demographic factor that should be monitored.
B) The labour market is the most important economic factor that should be monitored.
C) The labour market is the most important social factor that should be monitored.
D) The labour market is the most important global factor that should be monitored.

Question 25

If an organization is debating over "doing the right thing" with respect to laying off some of the staff in a department because it is less expensive to outsource the work,what type of issue is the organization dealing with?

A) political
B) ethical
C) social
D) economic

Question 26

The employer-employee relationship is governed by a legal framework that includes common law,contract law,and criminal law.

Question 27

In light of the Occupy Wall Street protests,what are two major issues that human resources departments need organizations to address?

A) Organizations need to comply with labour legislation and reduce executive bonuses.
B) Organizations need to ensure pay equity and discourage high-risk executive behaviours.
C) Organizations need to increase hiring of disadvantaged groups and monitor executive compensation.
D) Organizations need to continue to support globalization and communicate ethical violations of executives.

Question 28

What are the most important factors to consider when scanning the environment in strategic planning?

A) the competition,customers,rival firms,new entrants,substitutes,suppliers,and external labour supply
B) the competition,the global landscape,rival firms,new entrants,substitutes,suppliers,and external labour supply
C) the competition,the global landscape,rival firms,new entrants,the business context,suppliers,and external labour supply
D) the competition,customers,rival firms,the workforce,substitutes,suppliers,and external labour supply

Question 29

What makes protecting intellectual property and safeguarding company secrets more difficult?

A) ease of transferring technology
B) built-in obsolescence of technology
C) the small number of employees who control the technology
D) accessibility to technology day and night

Question 30

Which of the following would NOT help governments improve the climate for job creation?

A) increasing public debt
B) creating balanced labour legislation
C) increasing job-training opportunities
D) providing tax incentives

Question 31

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
What important environmental concerns and/or opportunities would influence Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.'s strategic planning?

A) environmental concerns of customers
B) globalization and localization
C) competitive intelligence
D) employees' attitudes toward environmental health

Question 32

Professional consultants provide a limited source of information for HR professionals who are developing organizational strategies.

Question 33

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.What is this called?

A) environmental scanning
B) SWOT
C) environmental reporting
D) strategic analysis

Question 34

Every HR function has the potential to become managed electronically.

Question 35

"Baby Boomers" are those who were born in between World War I and World War II.

Question 36

How many years does Canada lag behind the U.S.in identifying HR trends?

A) 1 to 2 years
B) 2 to 3 years
C) 4 to 5 years
D) 6 to 7 years

Question 37

What is demographics?

A) the study of social influences
B) the study of economic climate
C) the study of geographic migration
D) the study of population statistics

Question 38

What timeframe is most relevant for HR strategists?

A) 2 to 3 years
B) 5 to 6 years
C) 9 to 10 years
D) 12 to 13 years

Question 39

Whether in Vancouver or New Delhi,managers are influenced by the culture in which they operate.

Question 40

How long did it take for the World Wide Web to reach fifty million users?

A) 4 years
B) 6 years
C) 8 years
D) 10 years

Question 41

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
​
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.monitors demographic and labour market trends as well as technological and IT changes.Which of the following is it most likely performing?

A) a competitive environment scan
B) an environment scan
C) a strategic plan
D) a labour market scan

Question 42

Which demographic change is of concern to organizations and human resource professionals?

A) compensation and benefits
B) information systems
C) health and safety policies
D) older workers

Question 43

What is another name for stakeholders?

A) company shareholders
B) business owners
C) constituent groups
D) lobby groups

Question 44

Which of the following HR publications is published in Canada?

A) HR Magazine
B) People Management
C) Personnel Journal
D) Workplace Today

Question 45

Although the majority of companies have vision statements that emphasize diversity,what percentage of these companies failed to allocate resources for diversity programs?

A) 54 percent
B) 64 percent
C) 74 percent
D) 84 percent

Question 46

In what way are HRM responsibilities affected by the economic climate?

A) They are concerned about balancing complicated issues related to diversity management.
B) They must know the various legislation and workplace quality and safety standards.
C) They must ensure privacy,ethics,and culture management policies.
D) They are concerned about the effect of unemployment and interest rates on HR planning.

Question 47

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.systematically monitors key indicators that may affect its organization.Which of the following is a most important key indicator that Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.monitors?

A) safety technical advances
B) competitive intelligence
C) Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
D) safety policies and procedures

Question 48

Which of the following is a source of information that human resource professionals may rely on when developing strategies and determining their likely impact on the organization?

A) publications
B) professional designations
C) Delphi analysis
D) nominal group technique

Question 49

Which of the following is a source of information that human resource professionals may rely on when scanning and monitoring an organization's external environment?

A) scenario planning
B) conference and seminars
C) strategic indicators
D) competitive indicators

Question 50

Given its more than 50 percent of market share over 50 years ago,why did General Motors ("GM")fail?

A) GM did not cut fixed operating costs deeply enough.
B) GM did not understand how external factors interact.
C) GM did not look for clues to explain its efficiencies.
D) GM did not forecast the number of cars sold in China.

Question 51

According to the Global Wood Group,which of the following is NOT part of its environmental scanning?

A) external consultants and trainers
B) trade publications
C) professional associations
D) current legislation

Question 52

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
​
What would be one of Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.'s most significant current business challenges?

A) diverse languages and cultures
B) human resource planning
C) the global economy
D) the environment

Question 53

What is the most influential effect of technology on organizations and HRM?

A) enhanced automated services and access to information
B) increased use of contract employment
C) increased concerns about ethical practices
D) increased issues related to diversity management

Question 54

What is an external environmental factor facing organizations and human resource management?

A) employee work-life balance initiatives and programs
B) company compensation and reward systems
C) economic climate
D) competitive intelligence

Question 55

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
What external organizational factors are influencing Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.'s human resource planning?

A) compensation policies
B) human resource information systems
C) global economy
D) environmental practices and procedures

Question 56

According to the textbook,what percentage of HR functions has the potential to become managed electronically?

A) 25 percent
B) 50 percent
C) 75 percent
D) 100 percent

Question 57

What does an organization do once it has completed its environmental scan?

A) It alters the perceptions of stakeholders to match the scan.
B) It modifies the goals and objectives of the organization.
C) It analyzes the external environment further for more details.
D) It determines the impact on the organization.

Question 58

A new regulation issued by the government requires certain safety training of employees.What is the major environmental factor that will affect the company's HR strategy in this case?

A) economics
B) globalization
C) demographics
D) legislation

Question 59

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
​
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.regularly monitors major external environmental forces influencing its organization.What is this process called?

A) demand forecasting
B) influence analysis
C) exception reporting
D) environmental scanning

Question 60

What trend is occurring in the labour market with baby boomers?

A) Baby boomers may be eligible for retirement but will delay it.
B) Baby boomers will be the only generation to have organizational pensions.
C) Baby boomers will live longer than younger generations.
D) Baby boomers require greater accommodations in the workplace.

Question 61

WestJet Airlines studies the websites of other airlines for information about their strategic plans.What forecasting approach is the company using to obtain information about its competitors?

A) impact analysis
B) competitive intelligence
C) strategic indicators
D) competitive indicators

Question 62

Define "stakeholders" and identify five major stakeholders influencing strategy in today's workplace.

Question 63

What are the key issues that unions hope to resolve on behalf of their members?

A) telecommuting,flextime,job sharing,and workplace privacy
B) asset-backed pensions,job satisfaction,career planning,and diversity
C) wages,work-life balance,quality of life,and environmental friendliness
D) job security,income security,working hours,and inflation protection

Question 64

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
​
The Vice President of HR at Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.is focused on ensuring that Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.is staffed with the most effective human resources to achieve the organization's strategic goals.Which term best characterizes the Vice President of HR's role?

A) operational
B) strategic
C) staffing
D) administrative

Question 65

Which of the following is a forecasting method that human resource professionals may rely on when generating predictions about an organization's future?

A) scenario planning
B) professional consultants
C) strategic indicators
D) competitive indicators

Question 66

Which of the following is NOT one of the top-ten trends that will have a strategic impact on the workplace?

A) increasing employee rights due to legislation
B) increasing global competition for jobs
C) increasing complexity of legal compliance
D) increasing growth in national deficit

Question 67

When was the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)established?

A) 1974
B) 1984
C) 1994
D) 2004

Question 68

According to Statistics Canada,nine percent of managers are now unionized.What are the two main reasons that managers are becoming part of unions?

A) to deal with compensation and workload issues
B) to deal with organizational stress and burnout
C) to deal with work-life balance and vacations
D) to deal with overload and promotions

Question 69

If the HR manager has noticed growth in flows of trade and financial capital across borders,what major environmental factor is the HR manager concerned with?

A) economics
B) labour force
C) globalization
D) demographics

Question 70

What are the four stages that can be used to analyze the external environment?

A) scanning,monitoring,forecasting,assessing
B) monitoring,forecasting,assessing,extrapolating
C) scanning,forecasting,monitoring,analyzing
D) monitoring,scanning,assessing,extrapolating

Question 71

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.believes its weakness is its performance in the U.S.A.It has also determined that it is missing an opportunity by not yet branching into children's plastic kayaks.In addressing these questions,what type of analysis/review is Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.conducting?

A) a SWOT analysis
B) an analysis of the company's internal weaknesses
C) a revenue analysis in order to see what chances it can take
D) a review of the company's strategic plans

Question 72

Which of the following is NOT a factor in determining the number of people available for work?

A) percentage of women in the workforce
B) unemployment rate
C) geographic migration
D) graduation rates from educational institutions

Question 73

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
​
What issues does globalization raise for Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.'s human resource planning?

A) balancing complicated issues related to language and communication
B) differences in country legislations and business practices
C) concerns about privacy,ethics,and culture
D) employee concerns about compensation and outsourcing

Question 74

If a group of HR managers decides to lobby government in order to change the legislation in their favour,what type of stance is the group taking?

A) reactive
B) passive
C) proactive
D) recursive

Question 75

Describe three actions that can be taken by HR managers to cope with economic uncertainty

Question 76

What are two environmental factors facing organizations?

A) global economy and demographics
B) organizational culture and employee assistance
C) human resource planning and training
D) labour relations and organizational culture

Question 77

What is the purpose of stakeholder groups?

A) to generate shareholder wealth and to ensure their investments are paid dividends
B) to manage diverse groups of individuals who shape the perceptions of the organization
C) to follow the actions of the organization and to lobby to have their interests satisfied
D) to influence HR strategy and practices by withholding their votes at the annual meeting

Question 78

Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.
Green Septic and Water Systems Inc. ,a British Columbia-based company,designs and manufactures innovative recycled plastic septic and water holding systems that are sold to projects in more than 20 countries.Its primary business is rotational moulding of polyethylene products,including water/chemical tanks,rainwater tanks,septic tanks,traffic safety barricades,and secure bicycle lockers.Regulation septic and chemical holding tanks are certified by the Canadian Standards Association.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.hires people based on their specialized technical skills and on their broader innovation and communication skills.The company recruits both nationally and globally.It also continues to provide training to its employees in leading-edge septic and water holding systems technology and provide workplace environments that encourage innovation.The company defines its mission and strategy as being competitive through leading-edge technical ability.Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.gathers information about its environment in order to exploit opportunities or cope with threats.
​
What are the technological concerns that affect Green Septic and Water Systems Inc.'s human resource planning?

A) increased contracting out,outsourcing,and employee leasing
B) concerns about privacy,ethics,and culture
C) complicated issues related to language and communication
D) operational (i.
E)
,automation),enhanced services,and increased access to information

Question 79

A company wants to change its strategy to include "high tech" services.The HR manager then discovers that there is a shortage of technologically trained people and informs the CEO that the company may have to abandon its new strategy.What is the major environmental factor that has affected the company's strategy implementation?

A) technology
B) labour force
C) globalization
D) legislation

Question 80

Identify and describe two of the six environmental factors affecting HRM.