Question 1

When viewing applicants and employees as investors,the goal is to ________.

Accepted Answer

The concept of viewing applicants and employees as investors emphasizes the importance of giving them a return on their personal contributions to the organization, recognizing their efforts and investments in terms of time, energy, and skills.

Question 2

In which of the following cases would a company opt for a short-term staffing strategy?

Accepted Answer

A short-term staffing strategy is typically used in scenarios where the need for employees is temporary or urgent, such as to fill in for employees who have left unexpectedly or to handle a short-term increase in demand. High employee turnover is a common reason for a company to opt for a short-term staffing strategy to maintain productivity and meet operational demands. Options B, C, and D do not relate to the need for a short-term staffing strategy.

Question 3

Hiring people who are entrepreneurial,creative,and have a high tolerance for ambiguity would support a ________ competitive advantage.

Accepted Answer

Hiring people who are entrepreneurial, creative, and have a high tolerance for ambiguity would support a product leadership competitive advantage. This is because they would be able to come up with innovative ideas and solutions for products and services, positioning the company as a leader in their industry.

Question 4

Taking the time to explain the hiring process and making every effort to follow up with candidates and minimize delays is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

Making the hiring process transparent and timely is an ethical behavior that demonstrates respect for the candidates and their time. It also builds trust in the organization's hiring process.

Question 5

Compstar Limited establishes a mutually beneficial relationship in which employees are recognized as investing their resources,such as time or energy,in exchange for pay and benefits and an opportunity to develop their skills.This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes the concept of employees being viewed as investors, as they are recognized for their investment of resources (time and energy) in exchange for pay, benefits, and skill development opportunities.

Question 6

Promotions are likely to be fastest in organizations in the ________ stage of their life cycle.

Accepted Answer

Organizations in the growth stage are typically expanding and gaining more resources, which can lead to new opportunities and promotions for employees. In contrast, organizations in the introduction stage may be more focused on survival and establishing themselves in the market, while those in maturity or decline stages may be experiencing restructuring or downsizing that can limit opportunities for advancement.

Question 7

Independent bookstore Signature Books has been struggling to survive as sales declined sharply in the past year.Its main competitors are the large chain stores that have a much wider range of books and can afford to sell books at a discount,but online retailers are also eating into Signature's market.Signature Books opts for a specialization strategy,focusing on foreign-language books and learning materials.Which of the following,if true,will support Signature's decision?

Accepted Answer

By focusing on foreign-language books and learning materials, Signature Books can differentiate itself from chain stores that mainly stock books of general interest, thus catering to a niche market that may not be well-served by its competitors.

Question 8

When a firm pursues a differentiation strategy,it is attempting to ________.

Accepted Answer

When a firm pursues a differentiation strategy, it is attempting to develop products that have unique characteristics that are valued by customers and that competitors cannot easily replicate. This strategy involves creating a product or service that is perceived as unique in its industry or market segment, resulting in premium pricing, customer loyalty, and a competitive advantage.

Question 9

Which of the following is compromised when retaining workers?

Accepted Answer

When retaining workers, a regular infusion of new ideas and perspectives may be compromised as the company may not have as many new employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences entering the organization.

Question 10

To hire technical skills a company expects to need in six months,it would engage in ________.

Accepted Answer

Talent-oriented staffing focuses on identifying and hiring individuals with specific skills and abilities that the company anticipates needing in the future. This approach is proactive and allows the company to prepare for future needs rather than reacting to them when they arise.

Question 11

Organic growth takes place when an organization ________.

Accepted Answer

Organic growth refers to the growth of a company from within, by expanding its operations and increasing its sales without acquiring other companies or launching new products unrelated to its core business. Opening new factories or stores is an example of organic growth. Acquiring competitors (B), focusing on one specific line of production (C), or branching into unrelated goods (D) are not examples of organic growth.

Question 12

Hiring people who are learning-oriented,and who have good networking skills would support a ________ competitive advantage.

Accepted Answer

Hiring individuals who are focused on continuous learning and have strong networking skills would support a customer intimacy strategy, as it enables the company to build and maintain strong relationships with customers through tailoring solutions to their specific needs and preferences. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and satisfaction, ultimately providing a competitive advantage in the market. Product leadership would require hiring individuals with strong innovation and creative skills, while Operational excellence would require individuals with a strong focus on efficiency and optimization. Training and Development would be an internal process rather than a hiring strategy.

Question 13

Bella Vista Inc.needs to hire a new marketing manager after the former manager retired.The company recruited James Anderson,who was employed in Webster & Co.,and offered him the job of manager.This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The company recruited James Anderson from Webster & Co., which indicates the company is focusing on external talent.

Question 14

Jen is the Human Resources manager for Bailey's,a large department store.A competitor,ShopWell,is scheduled to open nearby in a few months and Jen is afraid that some of her staff may quit and join ShopWell.To prevent this,Jen introduces a performance incentive program that will reward Bailey's highest-performing employees at the end of the year.This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

Jen's introduction of a performance incentive program in anticipation of potential staff turnover is an example of proactive staffing, which involves taking preemptive measures to address staffing issues before they become a problem.

Question 15

When viewing employees as assets,the staffing focus is on managing ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When viewing employees as assets,the staffing focus...

Question 16

For organizations relying on new product innovation and for which the commitment and efforts of employees are key drivers of organizational performance,which of the following talent philosophies would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of For organizations relying on new product innovation...

Question 17

A software company has a high turnover rate.What staffing strategy would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The company has a high turnover rate which implies that they lose employees frequently. Therefore, the best strategy would be to fill the vacancies quickly with people who are able to perform with minimal job training so that the company can maintain productivity while minimizing the impact of employee turnover. Hiring people with the potential to be promoted over a period of years (Option A) or slowing down the hiring process to find better recruits (Option C) would not address the immediate need for replacing employees who have left. Hiring people quickly even if their skills are not as high as required (Option B) could increase turnover if the employees become frustrated with their lack of ability to perform their job duties.

Question 18

Idiosyncratic jobs are ________.

Accepted Answer

Idiosyncratic jobs are created around a current or new employee's unique skills. They are often customized positions that are tailored to fit the strengths and abilities of individual employees.

Question 19

Which of the following,if true,would require a company to respectfully and honestly explain the hiring process to all applicants?

Accepted Answer

If a company is committed to practicing ethical behavior, it should be transparent and honest about its hiring process to all applicants. This demonstrates respect for the applicants' time and effort in applying, and builds trust with potential employees. B, C, and D may or may not be true, but they do not necessarily require a company to explain the hiring process to all applicants.

Question 20

With which of the following competitive advantages is cost less of a barrier in attracting top talent for companies?

Accepted Answer

In a company with a competitive advantage in product innovation, top talent is likely to be drawn to the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and contribute to the development of groundbreaking products, which outweighs concerns about cost.

Quiz 2: Business and Staffing Strategies