Deck 4: Analyzing Work and Designing Jobs

Question 1

Work processes are the activities that a work unit's members engage in to produce a given output.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

All job descriptions within an organization should follow the same format.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Industrial engineering provides the best way to motivate employees by adding meaning to their jobs.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Jobs that involve teamwork or broad responsibility tend to require a structure based on functions.

Question 5

The Occupational Information Network relies on fixed job titles and narrow task descriptions to describe the occupational requirements.

Question 6

The tasks,duties,and responsibilities (TDRs)of a job are non-observable actions.

Question 7

Incumbents are the best source of information for a job analysis.

Question 8

Applying industrial engineering to a job essentially increases its complexity.

Question 9

The Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ)is meant to be completed by job incumbents.

Question 10

Through the process of work flow design,managers analyze the tasks needed to produce a product or service.

Question 11

The Fleishman Job Analysis System asks subject-matter experts to evaluate a job in terms of the abilities required to perform the job.

Question 12

In the Job Characteristics Model,task significance defines the degree to which a job requires completing a "whole" piece of work from beginning to end.

Question 13

Job sharing is a work option in which several relatively simple jobs are combined to form a job with a wider range of tasks.

Question 14

The expanded use of "project-based" organizational structures has reduced the need for analysis of work flows.

Question 15

Job analysis can only be performed by certified external analysts of the U.S.Department of Labor.

Question 16

According to Herzberg's two-factor theory,individuals are motivated more by the extrinsic aspects of work than the intrinsic rewards.

Question 17

Job extension refers to empowering workers by adding more decision-making authority to their jobs.

Question 18

In a job specification,a skill refers to a general enduring capability that an individual possesses.

Question 19

Jobs that have survived downsizing tend to have a narrower scope of responsibilities coupled with increased supervision.

Question 20

Job design is the process of defining how work will be performed and what tasks will be required in a given job.

Question 21

Bitstar Global Inc.is a soft-drink manufacturing company.Kelly,the production manager,works with a human resource consultant to design a new work flow for the production unit.Together they define the necessary inputs.These include raw materials,information,human resources,and _____.

A) skills
B) outputs
C) work processes
D) equipment
E) activity

Question 22

A telework arrangement is easiest to implement for manufacturing workers.

Question 23

A manager of a functional department would require skills in aligning employees' efforts with the organization's higher-level goals.This is a valid statement because

A) employees in a functional department need to work in a team.
B) broad responsibilities are assigned to employees working in a functional department.
C) employees in functional departments tend to identify more with their own departments.
D) employees expect their managers to empower them by allowing them to work in self-managing teams.
E) employees in such departments tend to work in cross-functional teams.

Question 24

In the context of work flow design,which of the following best describes a position?

A) the set of duties performed by a person
B) a set of related duties fulfilled by many employees
C) an aggregate of similar jobs
D) the set of skills and abilities that is required of a person in a job
E) the collection of tasks that constitute the complete organizational process

Question 25

Samcys Services Inc.specializes in providing round-the-clock building security services to multinational companies.Samcys selects security guards,conducts background checks,provides them with uniforms and training,and schedules guards to patrol and monitor security at clients' facilities.In the work flow analysis for Samcys,which of the following terms best describes the security services?

A) outputs
B) inputs
C) resources
D) jobs
E) processes

Question 26

The role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in occupational settings ergonomics is restricted to setting guidelines and inspecting instances of violation.

Question 27

LRPN Consulting is a business consulting firm based in Nevada.The departments in the organization are based on the functions carried out by employees,such as customer service,marketing,tech support,and business consulting.Which of the following is most likely true of the organizational structure of LRPN Consulting?

A) Management jobs are not affected by the organizational structure.
B) The jobs mostly involve teamwork or broad responsibilities.
C) The focus is primarily on products or customer groups within LRPN.
D) The workers work alone at highly specialized jobs.
E) The workers have more authority and are involved in decision making.

Question 28

The primary goal of ergonomics is to reduce the information-processing requirements of a job.

Question 29

Which of the following statements is true of work flow analysis?

A) Information cannot be considered to be an input because it is not tangible.
B) All outputs must be strictly measured in terms of quantity.
C) Outputs may be tangible or intangible products of the work processes.
D) Quality standards are not a key criterion in the process of work flow analysis.
E) Inputs and outputs are only the two stages required to represent a complete work flow cycle.

Question 30

Jenny is a line manager at Maxvin Corp.She is assigned the task of understanding and gathering detailed information about the requirements of carrying out a certain job.Information gathered by Jenny will be used to provide essential knowledge for staffing,training,performance appraisal,and other HR activities.Which of the following most likely corresponds to the task undertaken by Jenny?

A) job analysis
B) job definition
C) job training
D) job swapping
E) job rotation

Question 31

Kidzi Inc.is a toy manufacturing company.As the new production manager,Andrew notices that the production unit has been underperforming.In an attempt to streamline the existing work flow,Andrew brings in an HR specialist to help him conduct a work flow analysis.Andrew describes to specialist the quantity and quality of products to be produced.What will the HR specialist have Andrew define next?

A) the raw materials required
B) the number of employees needed
C) the work processes used to generate the end product
D) an inventory of equipment,facilities,and systems
E) the data and information required by the production unit

Question 32

The structure of HealthCo Hospital is strongly based on function.Which statement is most describes staff positions at this hospital?

A) positions require more cognitive ability than at other hospitals
B) most positions are structured around teamwork
C) employees have broad authority for decision making
D) employees work in teams to care for groups of patients
E) positions are highly specialized

Question 33

Dave wants to set up a manufacturing unit,so he meets with Rodney,a human resource manager at his company.Rodney explains that in order to decide on the human resource needs for the unit,they should conduct a work flow analysis.He suggests they start by defining the outputs of the process.To do this,which of the following should Dave define?

A) the processes that will be involved in manufacturing
B) the number of people required for production
C) the type of products that will need to be manufactured
D) the special equipment,facilities,and systems needed for production
E) the data and information needed by the work unit

Question 34

One method to simplify a job's mental demands is to limit the amount of memorization required for the job.

Question 35

Koland Corp.is an interior design firm based in California.The firm has a team of interior designers working closely with manufacturers to create home décor products.In the context of a work flow analysis,the interior designers,manufacturers,and home décor products required to provide interior design services collectively constitute the _____.

A) outputs
B) jobs
C) work processes
D) operating procedures
E) inputs

Question 36

Which of the following processes involves analyzing the tasks necessary for the production of a product or service?

A) ergonomics
B) work flow design
C) utilization analysis
D) Industrial engineering
E) break-even analysis

Question 37

Brianna and Natalie are planning an e-commerce company for business travelers.They want to be sure that all the employees have a wide scope of decision-making authority.Which kind of organizational structure is most appropriate for this kind of work?

A) divisions focused on customer groups
B) a highly centralized structure
C) highly specialized departments
D) employees grouped according to function
E) authority concentrated in a few people at the top

Question 38

Next Tech applies research into physics and biochemistry to create advanced surgical instruments and implants.Its research department attracts some of the most talented professionals in these disciplines,each with a passion for his or her specialty.Next year,the position of vice president of research will be vacant,so the executive team is working with the HR department to define selection criteria for a new vice president.Given the company's structure,which of the following qualities will be important for the new vice president to possess?

A) experience in setting up divisions based on customer groups
B) experience in leading employees with broad responsibilities
C) skill in setting up structures and jobs
D) the ability to align researchers' work with the company's strategy
E) the ability to motivate employees to identify more heavily with their profession

Question 39

Joe's Restaurant,a pizza chain,is known for its quick service.To make a pizza,employees must prepare the dough and add the sauce and toppings.Cooking happens next,followed by packaging.In this scenario,the employees of Joe's Restaurant are engaged in _____.

A) work processes
B) task identities
C) group dynamics
D) job analyses
E) ergonomic activities

Question 40

Jack has opted for a different work schedule in which he works 40 hours over four days a week,instead of working eight hours a day for five days a week.Jack's schedule can be termed a compressed workweek.

Question 41

INRT Software Solutions is a firm that builds information systems for banks and other financial institutions.In its presentations to prospective clients,the firm claims to have skilled employees.What does INRT Software Solutions mean by this?

A) Its employees have previous experience in performing similar jobs.
B) It has factual or procedural information that is necessary for successfully performing a task.
C) Its employees have a significant level of proficiency required to perform a particular task.
D) Its employees are highly motivated.
E) Its employees have software certifications.

Question 42

Which of the following is a true statement regarding KSAOs?

A) KSAOs are characteristics of people and are not directly observable.
B) KSAOs and TDRs are the same thing.
C) In developing job specifications,considering all elements of KSAOs is unimportant.
D) The term stands for knowledge,skill,adaptability,and other characteristics.
E) KSAOs detail the tasks,duties,and responsibilities of a job.

Question 43

N-Pax Technology Corp. ,a microchip manufacturing company,is hiring for the position of marketing manager for its new division.Nathan,the HR manager,considers the requirements of the job,including the necessary knowledge,level of proficiency,enduring capabilities,and other personality traits,such as persistence or motivation to achieve.Which of the following documents includes these considerations to help Nathan in selecting a candidate?

A) job description
B) job definition
C) job evaluation
D) job scope
E) job specification

Question 44

Identify the disadvantage of using the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ).

A) It applies exclusively to similar job profiles.
B) It measures only the inputs of a work process.
C) It fails to provide computerized reports.
D) It only deals with the mental processes involved in performing a job.
E) It results in abstract reports that are of limited use.

Question 45

To gather information about worker requirements,the Fleishman Job Analysis System typically asks _____ to evaluate a job in terms of the abilities required to perform the job.

A) subject-matter experts
B) supervisors
C) HR specialists
D) external analysts
E) CEOs

Question 46

Marjorie has joined the HR department of Thomas Johnson Inc.as an intern.The organization plans on giving all newly hired site engineers copies of their job descriptions to help them understand what the organization expects of them.Marjorie has been given the task of conducting job analyses and creating job descriptions for the site engineers.Which of the following should Marjorie consider while creating the job descriptions?

A) Job descriptions do not include the job title.
B) Job descriptions focus on the qualities or requirements a person performing a job must possess.
C) Job descriptions contain only a brief statement that represents the set of responsibilities.
D) Job descriptions contain detailed specifications of the tasks involved in carrying out each duty.
E) Job descriptions are lists of the knowledge,skills,abilities,and other characteristics that an individual must have to perform a job.

Question 47

Orange Banking Group,a corporation that has a global presence,is seeking to hire employees for its IT team.Among the available job positions are those of system administrators and chief technology officer.Who among the following is most likely to be the best source for preparing an analysis of skills needed to fill these important technical positions?

A) HR executives
B) incumbents
C) supervisors
D) line managers
E) external job analysts

Question 48

Information from observers should be used as a supplement to information from incumbents.Identify the statement that is most likely to support this argument.

A) Incumbents are a logical source of information;however,they may not be able to provide precise information.
B) Incumbents provide accurate estimates of the importance of job duties,whereas supervisors provide accurate information about the time spent on safety-related risk factors.
C) Incumbents provide accurate information,but they may have an incentive to exaggerate what they do to appear more valuable to the organization.
D) Depending on external job analysts to supplement incumbents' information could be risky due to the relative inexperience of the analysts involved.
E) Information provided by observers who look for a match between what incumbents are doing and what they are supposed to do may be unreliable.

Question 49

A list of the tasks,duties,and responsibilities that a job entails is called a _____.

A) job evaluation
B) job description
C) utilization analysis
D) conjoint analysis
E) job standardization

Question 50

Henry has been newly appointed as the head of the HR team at AAS Technologies.In an attempt to establish a more efficient and reliable workflow,Henry has taken up the responsibility of creating job descriptions and job specifications for the newly hired and current engineers within the organization.While doing so,Henry gathers information about the knowledge,skills,abilities,and other characteristics (KSAOs)required for an engineer to successfully perform the job.How will determining the KSAOs most benefit the organization?

A) KSAOs will show engineers the work to be performed on the job.
B) KSAOs will be a resource for writing job descriptions.
C) KSAOs play a significant role in interviews and selection decisions.
D) KSAOs will enable line managers to carry out job analysis.
E) KSAOs should limit the number of factors listed in job specifications.

Question 51

Which of the following is true of the Occupational Information Network (O*NET)?

A) It provides listings of fixed job titles and narrow task descriptions.
B) It uses a common language that generalizes across jobs to describe the abilities,work styles,work activities,and work context required for various occupations.
C) It represents the first attempt made by the U.S.Department of Labor to match the demand and supply of labor.
D) It uses an online platform to provide information about available federal jobs.
E) It was created by the U.S.Department of Labor in the 1930s as a vehicle for helping the new public employment system link the demand and supply of skills in the U.S.workforce.

Question 52

Which of the following is true of the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ)?

A) It considers only the inputs of a work process,ignoring the outputs.
B) PAQ reports are very useful for writing job descriptions or redesigning jobs.
C) PAQ ratings cannot be used to compare dissimilar jobs.
D) The descriptions in the PAQ reports are very clear and specific.
E) The PAQ is meant to be completed only by job analysts trained in this method.

Question 53

ALTS Infosystems is a software consulting firm based in Redmond.The firm uses a standardized job analysis questionnaire containing 194 questions about work behaviors,work conditions,and job characteristics that apply to a wide variety of jobs.In this scenario,ALTS Infosystems is using _____.

A) a utilization analysis
B) the Fleishman Job Analysis System
C) a work flow design
D) a conjoint analysis
E) the Position Analysis Questionnaire

Question 54

Catherine is an HR executive looking for a new job.She comes across an advertisement in a newspaper seeking applications for the position of an HR manager.The advertisement exclusively highlights requirements such as strong communications skills,excellent teamwork abilities,and leadership skills.These requirements constitute a _____.

A) job evaluation
B) job analysis
C) job description
D) job specification
E) job orientation

Question 55

Josh,a human resource manager at a manufacturing company,recommends that the company use the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ)for conducting job analysis.Which of the following statements best supports Josh's recommendation?

A) The PAQ considers the whole work process,from inputs through outputs.
B) The PAQ can be easily scored without a computer.
C) The PAQ is based on 52 categories of abilities.
D) The PAQ can be completed by untrained personnel.
E) A person who fills out the PAQ does not need college-level reading skills.

Question 56

Which of the following job analysis methods requires subject-matter experts to evaluate a job in terms of abilities required to perform the job?

A) Work Sampling Technique
B) Participant Observation Technique
C) Fleishman Job Analysis System
D) Position Analysis Questionnaire
E) Conjoint Analysis Technique

Question 57

What is a basic difference between job specifications and job descriptions?

A) Job specifications define tasks,and job descriptions define responsibilities.
B) Job specifications list observable actions,and job descriptions describe general qualities.
C) Job specifications look at a job's activities,and job descriptions look at the qualities needed to do the job.
D) Job descriptions define tasks,and job specifications define responsibilities.
E) Job descriptions look at a job's activities,and job specifications look at the qualities needed to do the job.

Question 58

Leeding Engines Inc.specializes in manufacturing internal combustion engines.Recently,Leeding has decided to create a division for the flexible fuel field.During this time,Mark,the HR manager,has been reviewing and updating job descriptions.With the knowledge that a new division of jobs will be created,what would be the appropriate course of action for Mark to take next?

A) Mark should amend the original job descriptions to say they all will eventually take on flexible fuel responsibilities.
B) Mark should take care to avoid including the titles of the jobs while formulating new job descriptions.
C) Mark should wait until the new employees are hired before creating the new job descriptions.
D) Mark should consider preparing new job descriptions since new jobs will be created in the organization.
E) Mark should reuse the old job descriptions for the new jobs,instead of creating new ones.

Question 59

Sharon,an HR manager,is considering methods of job analysis to introduce at her organization in order to improve the process of writing job descriptions.One option she is considering is the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ).Which of the following statements best explains a drawback of the PAQ that would be relevant to her objectives?

A) This method considers only the inputs of a work process,ignoring the outputs.
B) This method relies on fixed job titles and narrow task descriptions.
C) This method cannot be used to compare dissimilar jobs.
D) This method allows people with very basic reading skills to fill out the questionnaire.
E) This method provides descriptions that are rather abstract.

Question 60

In the 1930s,the U.S.Department of Labor created the _____ as a vehicle for helping the new public employment system link the demand for skills and the supply of skills in the U.S.workforce.

A) Career Development Facilitator (CDF)
B) Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
C) Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
D) Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
E) Selected Characteristics of Occupations (SCO)

Question 61

Aaron,an HR manager,observes that the number of employees quitting their jobs has been steadily increasing over the last six months.On closer inspection,he finds that a majority of the employees who quit were unhappy with the pay structures.Aaron assesses the significance of each job to the organization,which helps him set up fair pay structures.This in turn helps the organization retain valuable employees.Which of the following most likely relates to the task undertaken by Aaron?

A) job evaluation
B) career planning
C) job training
D) performance appraisal
E) selection

Question 62

Steve contends that a manager conducting a job analysis is required not only to define jobs when they are created but also to detect changes in jobs.What is the validity of Steve's argument?

A) Errors in job analysis have multiple sources,but most result from outdated job descriptions.
B) Today's workplace is more or less inflexible and is not constantly subject to change.
C) People imagine jobs to be unstable,whereas jobs actually do not change or evolve over time.
D) Changes in jobs occur only when there is a change in the descriptions of jobs.
E) Steve's argument is incorrect because new jobs do not have job descriptions.

Question 63

Maxwin Infomatics Corp. ,a nationwide logistics company,has announced the opening of a new unit for the manufacturing division.Alex,the HR manager,has been asked to help plan for the creation of the new unit.Which of the following relates to the task undertaken by Alex,if he is involved in the process of explaining how an employee will execute his or her tasks?

A) job rotation
B) job evaluation
C) job design
D) job enrichment
E) job extension

Question 64

Which of the following HR activities is similar to analyzing a job that does not yet exist?

A) human resource planning
B) performance appraisal
C) job evaluation
D) work redesign
E) selection

Question 65

The industrial engineering approach is most likely to emphasize _____.

A) defining work arrangements and reporting requirements
B) streamlining jobs to make them simpler and more efficient
C) designing jobs in such a way that they require minimal specialization
D) exploring new and diverse ways of doing the same job
E) creating complex and challenging jobs that require innovative employees

Question 66

According to the Job Characteristics Model,_____ refers to the job characteristic that reflects the degree to which a job allows an individual to make decisions about the way the work is carried out.

A) task knowledge
B) task ability
C) skill variety
D) autonomy
E) feedback

Question 67

Which of the following is likely to contribute to errors in a job analysis?

A) use of multiple analysis methods to obtain a detailed job analysis
B) inputs from multiple sources such as incumbents and supervisors
C) fixed and unchanging job descriptions for various jobs
D) a combination of internal and external sources of information for job analysis
E) the creation of comprehensive and detailed job descriptions

Question 68

Which of the following scenarios reflects a job lacking the characteristic of task significance?

A) a job requiring a variety of skills to be performed
B) a job requiring completion of the whole piece of work from beginning to end
C) a job that has minimal impact on the lives of other people
D) a job allowing individuals to make autonomous decisions about the job
E) a job where a person receives clear information about performance effectiveness from the work itself

Question 69

Javier,a regional manager for a leading automobile company in the U.S. ,decides to design a manufacturing job based on the principles of industrial engineering.Following its successful implementation,which of the following outcomes should he expect?

A) increased efficiency
B) increased complexity
C) decreased repetitiveness
D) increased skill requirements
E) decreased specialization

Question 70

In terms of the Job Characteristics Model,feedback refers to the extent to which _____.

A) a job requires a variety of skills to carry out the tasks involved in the job and its duties
B) employees are given the authority to make decisions
C) performance appraisals are perceived as transparent and fair by employees
D) a job requires a variety of skills to carry out the tasks involved
E) a person receives clear information about performance effectiveness from the work itself

Question 71

Natalie,a manager at a construction company,contends that applying industrial engineering is the simplest way to structure work and maximize efficiency.Which of the following statements supports Natalie's argument?

A) Applying industrial engineering reduces the complexity of work.
B) Applying industrial engineering makes jobs more dynamic.
C) Organizations cannot combine industrial engineering with other approaches to job design.
D) Applying industrial engineering makes training people extremely difficult and time consuming.
E) Applying industrial engineering to a job increases its complexity.

Question 72

Name the model that was developed by Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham to describe ways to make jobs more motivating.

A) the Cognitive Dissonance Model
B) the Situational Leadership Model
C) the Job Characteristics Model
D) the Fleishman Job Analysis Model
E) the Motivation-Hygiene Model

Question 73

Creations Media Inc. ,a publishing company,conducted an internal survey on employee satisfaction.The results indicated that a majority of its support staff considered their jobs to be monotonous.In order to change this,management decided to combine the job duties of assistants,typists,and file clerks into a single job that requires all three kinds of work.Which of the following techniques of job design did this move constitute?

A) job analysis
B) job review
C) job identification
D) job evaluation
E) job extension

Question 74

Which of the following is true of competency models?

A) They help HR professionals ensure that all aspects of talent management are aligned with an organization's strategy.
B) They identify and describe a few competencies required for success in a particular occupation or set of jobs.
C) They are only applicable to middle managers of an organization.
D) They focus more on tasks and outcomes and not on how people work.
E) They are only created for different occupational groups in an organization.

Question 75

All-Best Milling is a small machine shop that makes custom parts for manufacturers in the metropolitan area where it is located.For 20 years,Monica was the office assistant.She was hired to fill a position that involved keeping track of customers' orders and purchasing supplies.After Monica retired,the company hired another office assistant to perform the same tasks.Soon afterward,however,the company's owner began hearing from frustrated customers complaining that when they called the company with questions and problems,no one was taking responsibility and helping them as Monica had.What problem with job analysis is most likely to have occurred when Monica retired?

A) All-Best should have engaged in downsizing so fewer employees could get the work done.
B) When hiring the new employee,All-Best failed to use the fixed job description found on O*Net.
C) All-Best Milling wasn't adaptable,although its environment was subject to change.
D) Monica took on customer service duties,but the job description didn't reflect the change.
E) The company didn't prevent Monica from changing her job based on personal preferences.

Question 76

Which of the following is the objective of job enlargement?

A) to make jobs less repetitive and more interesting
B) to increase efficiency by identifying the best way to perform a job
C) to decrease the burden of decision-making responsibilities for employees
D) to assess the relative dollar value of each job to an organization
E) to decrease the impact a job has on the lives of other people

Question 77

Which of the following would be a benefit to the company if it plans on applying industrial engineering to existing jobs?

A) Industrial engineering will increase the complexity of the work.
B) Industrial engineering will eliminate the need for specialization in the job.
C) Industrial engineering will make jobs less specialized and less repetitive.
D) Industrial engineering will provide measurable and practical benefits.
E) Industrial engineering will represent the best way to make jobs more meaningful.

Question 78

According to the Job Characteristics Model,which of the following best describes task identity?

A) the extent to which a job requires a variety of skills to carry out the tasks involved
B) the degree to which a job allows an individual to make decisions about the way the work will be carried out
C) the extent to which a person receives clear information about performance effectiveness from the work itself
D) the degree to which a job requires completing a "whole" piece of work from beginning to end
E) the extent to which a job has an important impact on the lives of other people

Question 79

Which of the following best defines a competency?

A) It is the set of duties performed by a particular team.
B) It is the list of tasks,duties,and responsibilities (TDRs)that a particular job entails.
C) It is a set of related duties for accomplishing work.
D) It is the activity that a work unit's members engage in to produce a given output.
E) It is an area of personal capability that enables employees to perform successfully.

Question 80

Clean N Green is a two-year-old company that makes wind turbines.The business owner,Janelle,is struggling to compete.Finding enough employees who know how to do the work has been difficult,and Janelle believes that her labor costs are too high because she cannot afford to match the prices of her nearest competitors.To help with these problems,Janelle hires a new HR manager,Dylan.Dylan recommends they start by bringing in an industrial engineer.How is this approach to job design most likely to help Clean N Green?

A) by reducing injuries among workers
B) by giving employees feedback about performance effectiveness
C) by simplifying work and increasing output per worker
D) by motivating workers to do their best
E) by enlarging employees' jobs