Question 1

The goal of a human resource strategy is to manage labor and design jobs so people are effectively and efficiently utilized.

Accepted Answer

The goal of a human resource strategy is indeed to manage labor and design jobs in a way that optimizes the utilization of people and promotes organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

Question 2

The Hawthorne studies, which showed that there is a dynamic social system in the workplace, took place in the 1960s.

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne studies were conducted in the 1920s and 1930s, not the 1960s.

Question 3

The physical environment in which employees work may affect the quality of work life, but it does not affect their performance and safety.

Accepted Answer

The physical environment in which employees work can affect their performance and safety. For example, poor lighting, uncomfortable temperatures, and noise levels can all impact concentration, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. In addition, hazards such as slippery floors or inadequate ventilation can contribute to accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Question 4

Fredrick W. Taylor is credited with introducing psychology into the workplace.

Accepted Answer

Fredrick W. Taylor is credited with introducing scientific management into the workplace, not psychology. His focus was on improving economic efficiency, especially labor productivity.

Question 5

Self-directed teams tend to be successful in work environments where there is little employee empowerment.

Accepted Answer

Self-directed teams require a high level of employee empowerment and trust from management. They are designed to give employees more control over their work, decision-making, and problem-solving. Therefore, self-directed teams are better suited for work environments where there is a high level of employee empowerment.

Question 6

Psychological factors have little relevance in the design of assembly line jobs since they involve physical products and production technology.

Accepted Answer

Psychological factors, such as job satisfaction and employee well-being, can have a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of assembly line jobs. It is important to consider these factors in the design of such jobs to ensure optimal performance and employee satisfaction.

Question 7

Job expansion can lead to increased labor cost because of the extra workers hired in the expansion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Job expansion can lead to increased labor...

Question 8

The two extremes of employment stability policy are "follow demand exactly" and "keep demand constant."

Accepted Answer

The two extremes of employment stability policy are "follow demand exactly" and "keep employment constant," not "keep demand constant." The focus is on adjusting employment levels in response to demand fluctuations or maintaining stable employment regardless of demand changes.

Question 9

Maintaining a stable workforce generally results in the firm paying higher wages than a firm that follows demand.

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a stable workforce typically involves paying consistent wages, whereas a firm that follows demand may adjust wages based on market conditions, potentially leading to higher wages during peak demand periods.

Question 10

Hackman and Oldham's five desirable characteristics of job design include job significance and autonomy.

Accepted Answer

Hackman and Oldham's five desirable characteristics of job design include job significance, autonomy, skill variety, task identity, and feedback.

Question 11

Job rotation is an example of job enlargement.

Accepted Answer

Job rotation involves expanding an employee's job duties by rotating them through different positions within an organization. This increases the variety of tasks performed by the employee, which is a form of job enlargement.

Question 12

Flextime is a system that allows employees, within limits, to determine their own work schedules.

Accepted Answer

Flextime allows employees to have flexibility in determining their work schedules, with certain restrictions and guidelines in place.

Question 13

Mutual trust means that both management and employee strive to meet common objectives.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mutual trust means that both management and...

Question 14

An enlarged job has more responsibility than the same job enriched.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Job enrichment involves adding more responsibilities and tasks to a job, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and motivation. An enlarged job refers to an increase in the scope of the job, which may or may not involve additional responsibilities. Therefore, an enriched job can have more responsibility than the original job, while an enlarged job may or may not have more responsibility.

Question 15

Labor planning determines employment stability.

Accepted Answer

Labor planning involves forecasting and analyzing future workforce needs, and creating strategies to ensure that the necessary talent is available when and where it is needed. By doing so, organizations can create a stable and sustainable workforce that supports ongoing operations and growth. Therefore, labor planning has a significant impact on employment stability.

Question 16

Labor specialization includes the development of specialized tools to reduce labor costs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Labor specialization includes the development of specialized...

Question 17

Technology, location, and layout decisions are all possible constraints on the human resource strategy.

Accepted Answer

Technology, location, and layout decisions can impact the ability of a company to implement certain human resource strategies. For example, if a company has a decentralized location strategy with many remote employees, it may be difficult to implement a centralized training program. Similarly, if a company has outdated technology, it may limit the ability to implement certain HR technologies such as online training platforms or automated performance management systems. The layout of the workplace can also impact the implementation of certain HR strategies, such as open office plans that may impact privacy during performance reviews or limit opportunities for private conversations. Therefore, technology, location, and layout decisions can all act as constraints on the human resource strategy.

Question 18

Self-directed teams may mean having no supervision on the factory floor.

Accepted Answer

Self-directed teams are generally given autonomy to make decisions and complete tasks without constant supervision. However, they still often have a team leader or facilitator who guides their activities and provides support as needed.

Question 19

Profit-sharing is a motivation and incentive system where executives receive stock options.

Accepted Answer

Profit-sharing is a system where employees receive a share of the profits of the business, which does not necessarily involve stock options. Stock options are a separate form of incentive typically offered to executives.

Question 20

Equitable pay alone cannot achieve a reasonable quality of work life in an organization.

Accepted Answer

Equitable pay is important for ensuring fairness and avoiding discrimination in an organization, but there are many other factors that contribute to a reasonable quality of work life. Some of these factors include opportunities for growth and advancement, supportive management and coworkers, reasonable work hours and workload, adequate benefits and rewards, and a positive workplace culture. Without addressing all of these factors, equitable pay alone will not be sufficient for creating a healthy and productive work environment.

Quiz 12: Human Resources, Job Design, and Work Measurement