Question 1

As the director of HR, you are in a meeting with your corporate officers discussing the firm's deliberate use of human resources to gain a competitive edge against your competitors in the marketplace. You are discussing:

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

An example of an individual challenge that HRM faces is:

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

HRM faces a number of environmental challenges, including:

Accepted Answer

Marketplace globalization is an environmental challenge for HRM as it requires adapting to diverse cultures, legal systems, and competitive pressures from around the world.

Question 4

Due to the increasing work pace and burnout in the United States, more workers are facing higher degrees of stress. According to your text, some companies have chosen to:

Accepted Answer

Some companies have chosen to provide employees with coaching/stress management courses to help them manage stress and prevent burnout.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT true of the Internet Revolution as it relates to HRM?

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural understanding remains crucial in the era of the Internet Revolution for HRM. The Internet connects people globally, making interactions across different cultures more common. Therefore, understanding and respecting cultural differences is essential, contrary to the notion that the Internet negates the need for cross-cultural skills.

Question 6

RCA is working on a corporate identity that smoothes over cultural differences in order to increase cooperation within the firm. RCA is addressing the HRM challenge of:

Accepted Answer

RCA is addressing the HRM challenge of globalization by working on a corporate identity that smooths over cultural differences to increase cooperation within the firm. This is because globalization involves managing a diverse workforce that comes from different cultural backgrounds.

Question 7

Kori and Joe are discussing their firm's HRM strategies for dealing with a sexual harassment suit. Their discussion exemplifies the HRM environmental challenge stemming from:

Accepted Answer

Discussing strategies for dealing with a sexual harassment suit directly relates to the legal environment that organizations must navigate. This falls under the challenge of legislation, as companies must comply with laws and regulations regarding workplace behavior and harassment.

Question 8

In today's labor market, companies that do not strive to be family-friendly are:

Accepted Answer

Companies that are not family-friendly risk losing talented women who prioritize family commitments, leading to a waste of potential talent.

Question 9

The need for skilled employees in the United States:

Accepted Answer

The need for skilled employees has indeed intensified in the service sector, which has been growing and producing more jobs than manufacturing, reflecting broader economic shifts towards service-oriented industries.

Question 10

The fastest growing occupations in the United States:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The fastest growing occupations in the United...

Question 11

The most important organizational issue that affects an organization's competitive advantage is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most important organizational issue that affects...

Question 12

The Imitation Products is considering how to specialize their product in order to create a niche for themselves and how much they should spend to improve the product while considering the cash flow increase that may come from product specialization. Imitation is discussing their:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Imitation Products is considering how to...

Question 13

The three elements of a company's competitive position include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Distinctive capabilities are a key element of a company's competitive position as they provide unique advantages that differentiate the company from its competitors.

Question 14

Transferring responsibility and decision-making authority from central office staff to the people closest to the situation that demands attention is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Decentralization involves transferring decision-making authority and responsibility from central management to those closer to the situation requiring attention, allowing for more responsive and localized decision-making.

Question 15

One potential pitfall of decentralizing a firm is:

Accepted Answer

Decentralizing a firm often leads to a decrease in clear communication between the firm's central authority and local employees, which can result in feelings of insecurity and a lack of focus within the firm. This is because decentralization involves distributing decision-making power and operational responsibilities to different units or locations, which can complicate communication channels.

Question 16

The current trend to downsize results in:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The current trend to downsize results in:
...

Question 17

Organizational restructuring over the past two decades has led to:

Accepted Answer

Organizational restructuring has often resulted in hybrid organizations that integrate diverse histories and workforces, adapting to globalization and technological changes.

Question 18

Tammy has a small jam-and-jelly business and has joined up with Hillside Farm to produce "Hillside Farm Preserves." This type of partnership is called:

Accepted Answer

A joint venture is when two or more parties come together to undertake a specific business project, in this case, producing "Hillside Farm Preserves."

Question 19

In 2000, mergers and acquisitions will have reached a new peak of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In 2000, mergers and acquisitions will have...

Question 20

Small businesses have grown over the last decade. This growth may be attributed to a number of factors, including:

Accepted Answer

Large corporations have become less attractive due to layoffs and fewer management opportunities, prompting individuals to start their own businesses.

Quiz 1: HRM and Competitive Advantage