Question 1

What is human resources to a firm when the human resources function develops a unique capability that creates high value and differentiates the organization from its competition?
A)emerging asset
B)critical capability
C)tangible asset
D)core competency

Accepted Answer

Developing a unique capability that creates high value and differentiates the organization from its competition is a result of a core competency. A core competency is a unique set of skills, knowledge, and abilities that a firm possesses and that provides a competitive advantage over its rivals. Therefore, the best choice is D, core competency.

Question 2

In which occupational area can be found most of the new jobs held by individuals?
A)health care
B)professions
C)information technology
D)services

Accepted Answer

The services sector is a broad category that includes a wide range of jobs, and it has been a significant source of new employment opportunities as economies shift towards service-oriented activities.

Question 3

Which of the following activities is NOT usually associated with organizational "rightsizing"?
A)closing facilities
B)merging with other organizations
C)displacing workers
D)increasing layers of management

Accepted Answer

Organizational "rightsizing" typically involves reducing the size of the organization by closing facilities, merging with other organizations, or displacing workers. It usually does not involve increasing layers of management, which would go against the goal of streamlining and becoming more efficient.

Question 4

Human resources and workforce-related expenditures can be viewed as a percentage of total company expenditures. Which of the following statements outlines the trend in this regard in the last decade?
A)Costs have remained stable.
B)Costs have been declining rapidly.
C)Costs have shown wide swings.
D)Costs have been rising steeply.

Accepted Answer

Over the last decade, there has been a general trend of rising costs for human resources and workforce-related expenditures as companies have had to invest more in attracting and retaining talent, providing benefits, and complying with regulations. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years.

Question 5

Which of the following occupational areas is a defining characteristic of the Canadian economy?
A)industrial
B)technological
C)manufacturing
D)service

Accepted Answer

According to Statistics Canada, over 70% of the Canadian workforce is employed in the service sector, making it the defining characteristic of the Canadian economy. While the other areas listed also contribute to the economy, none surpass the importance of the service sector.

Question 6

Which of the following has been the main pressure behind restructuring, rightsizing, and mergers and acquisitions?
A)the desire to increase profits
B)obsolescence of plant and equipment
C)the need to reduce costs
D)intense domestic competition

Accepted Answer

The need to reduce costs has been the main pressure behind restructuring, rightsizing, and mergers and acquisitions. Companies seek to streamline their operations and reduce expenses in order to maintain profitability and compete with others in the market. While increasing profits and domestic competition may also factor into these decisions, the need to cut costs is the driving force. Obsolescence of plant and equipment may be a reason for restructuring or mergers and acquisitions, but it is not the main pressure behind them.

Question 7

A government policy seeks to ensure that all citizens can keep their identities, take pride in their backgrounds, and feel a sense of belonging. Which of the following names the policy?
A)cultural management
B)cultural diversity
C)employment equality
D)multiculturalism

Accepted Answer

Multiculturalism is a policy that promotes the recognition and respect of different cultures within a society. It aims to create an inclusive society where individuals can maintain their cultural identities and feel a sense of belonging. The other options (cultural management, cultural diversity, and employment equality) do not fully capture the intention of the policy described.

Question 8

To which of the following conditions has the improvement in communication technology led?
A)a reduction of stress for workers
B)better work-life balance for employees in professional occupations
C)ease of managing temporary employees
D)an increase in the number of hours worked per employee

Accepted Answer

The improvement in communication technology has made it easier for employees to stay connected to work even outside of traditional work hours, leading to an increase in the number of hours worked per employee.

Question 9

Which of the following fields is fastest growing in occupations?
A)health care
B)human resources
C)manufacturing
D)the public sector

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is projected to have the fastest job growth between 2019-2029, with an increase of 15%. This is due to an aging population and an increased demand for healthcare services.

Question 10

Some businesses use contingent workers; some do not. Which of the following is NOT a reason for using contingent workers?
A)to stabilize the core workforce
B)to encourage employee loyalty
C)to reduce compensation and benefit costs
D)to potentially avoid legal liability for workers

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some businesses use contingent workers; some do...

Question 11

Which of the following statements makes an accurate link between the Canadian education system and the demands of the workplace?
A)Too many people with manufacturing skills are seeking jobs, making wages low in that sector.
B)Canadian schools are graduating more engineers than can be used in the economy.
C)Canadian students outperform students in other, directly competitive nations in math and science.
D)Canadian firms are concerned about the specific skills of new graduates.

Accepted Answer

The statement that Canadian firms are concerned about the specific skills of new graduates suggests that there is a disconnect between the Canadian education system and the demands of the workplace. This indicates that while students may be graduating with degrees, they may not possess the skills that are currently in demand in the workforce. A and B focus on specific industries and do not provide a general link between the education system and the demands of the workplace. While C suggests that Canadian students perform well in certain subjects, it does not directly address the link between education and the workplace.

Question 12

A rumour at the largest law firm in the city is that the partners may outsource much of the work done by paralegals in the firm to a company in India. If you were a paralegal at this firm, what would be the most appropriate way to respond and why?
A)Relax. Work of this level of professionalism cannot be outsourced to a foreign firm.
B)Consider your options. Only occupations that are dying are considered for outsourcing.
C)Consider your options. The firm can generate huge labour cost savings by outsourcing your job.
D)Relax. Work that requires intimate knowledge of the Canadian legal system cannot be outsourced.

Accepted Answer

As a paralegal at the largest law firm in the city, it is important to recognize that outsourcing is a real possibility, especially when it comes to administrative tasks. The firm may be able to generate cost savings by outsourcing paralegal work to a company in India. Therefore, instead of relaxing or assuming that the work cannot be outsourced, it is important to consider your options and prepare for potential changes in the job market. This may include exploring other job opportunities or developing new skills that would be valuable to the firm in order to ensure job security.

Question 13

Which of these terms encompasses temporary workers, independent contractors, and leased employees?
A)contingent workers
B)part-time workers
C)virtual employees
D)extra-organizational employees

Accepted Answer

Contingent workers refer to employees who are hired on a temporary or contract basis, including independent contractors and leased employees. Part-time workers refer to employees who work fewer hours than full-time employees. Virtual employees refer to employees who work remotely or virtually, often through technology. Extra-organizational employees refer to individuals who are not employed directly by the organization but are part of its external stakeholder network, such as vendors or suppliers.

Question 14

The chief financial officer of McGill Tubing wants to know the contribution of McGill's workforce toward creating value for shareholders. Which calculation-based analysis would provide this information?
A)the human capital revenue stream
B)profit per employee
C)return on human capital investments
D)marginal revenue generated per employee

Accepted Answer

Return on human capital investments measures the value created by the workforce by comparing the financial returns generated by employees to the costs of their employment, thus indicating their contribution to shareholder value.

Question 15

The Conference Board of Canada would define all but one of the following as soft skills needed in a knowledge economy. Which is the exception?
A)computer skills
B)communication skills
C)flexibility
D)problem-solving skills

Accepted Answer

While computer skills are still important in a knowledge economy, they are not considered "soft skills" but rather "hard skills." Soft skills are interpersonal skills, such as communication, flexibility, and problem-solving, that are increasingly valued in the workforce.

Question 16

What are flexible hours, job-sharing, child-care referral services, and flexible leave all examples of?
A)programs mandated by the Employment Equity Act
B)executive perks
C)anti-unionization measures
D)retention programs based on work-family concerns

Accepted Answer

Flexible hours, job-sharing, child-care referral services, and flexible leave are all examples of retention programs based on work-family concerns. These programs are designed to help employees balance their work and family obligations, and to make it easier for them to manage both. By offering these programs, employers can increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover, which can be costly for businesses.

Question 17

Prestige Executive Services offers companies ransom insurance policies for up to $10 million. Which of the following HR management challenges has generated this business opportunity?
A)organizational cost pressures and restructuring
B)economic and technological changes
C)workforce demographics and diversity
D)globalization of business

Accepted Answer

Globalization of business has increased the risk of international operations, including the threat of kidnapping and ransom, creating a demand for ransom insurance policies.

Question 18

Which of the following statements presents an accurate picture of the age factor in the workforce?
A)Despite the many layoffs occurring in the last decade, the average age of the workforce is older.
B)Because of the many early retirement programs instituted in the last decade, the average age of the workforce is younger.
C)As the workforce ages, the need for diversity management is decreasing-the workforce has psychological maturity.
D)Variation of ages in the workplace is not considered diversity in the same sense that variation by race and gender is considered diversity.

Accepted Answer

According to studies, the average age of the workforce has increased in recent years despite layoffs. This is due to various factors, including a declining birth rate and longer life expectancy.

Question 19

Which of the following HR management practices has NOT become Web based?
A)recruiting
B)performance improvement counselling
C)performance appraisal documentation
D)benefits enrollment

Accepted Answer

Performance improvement counselling typically involves face-to-face meetings between employees and their supervisors, and is therefore not typically conducted through a fully web-based system.

Question 20

Claude is the HR manager for a pharmaceuticals firm. One of his top salespersons, Agatha, has twin boys under age two. Despite the fact that Agatha has a full-time nanny, she is clearly overwhelmed by the demands of her work and her personal life. Which of the following should probably be Claude's main concern in this case?
A)retaining Agatha as an employee
B)getting Agatha to refocus on her career through motivational training
C)assessing whether Agatha will file lawsuit
D)persuading Agatha to resign without violating the Canadian Human Rights Act

Accepted Answer

Claude's main concern should be to retain Agatha as an employee. Losing a top salesperson could be detrimental to the company's bottom line. Additionally, Agatha may be experiencing temporary stress due to the demands of her personal life, and providing support such as flexible work arrangements or additional resources could help her balance her work and personal responsibilities. The other options, such as motivational training or persuading Agatha to resign, do not address the underlying issue and could potentially lead to legal issues or further loss of talent for the company. Assessing whether Agatha will file a lawsuit should not be Claude's main concern, as legally protecting the company should not take precedence over supporting and retaining valuable employees.

Quiz 1: Changing Nature of Human Resources Management

What is human resources to a firm when the human resources function develops a unique capability that creates high value and differentiates the organization from its competition?

In which occupational area can be found most of the new jobs held by individuals?

Which of the following activities is NOT usually associated with organizational "rightsizing"?

Human resources and workforce-related expenditures can be viewed as a percentage of total company expenditures. Which of the following statements outlines the trend in this regard in the last decade?

Which of the following occupational areas is a defining characteristic of the Canadian economy?

Which of the following has been the main pressure behind restructuring, rightsizing, and mergers and acquisitions?

A government policy seeks to ensure that all citizens can keep their identities, take pride in their backgrounds, and feel a sense of belonging. Which of the following names the policy?

To which of the following conditions has the improvement in communication technology led?

Which of the following fields is fastest growing in occupations?

Some businesses use contingent workers; some do not. Which of the following is NOT a reason for using contingent workers?

Which of the following statements makes an accurate link between the Canadian education system and the demands of the workplace?

A rumour at the largest law firm in the city is that the partners may outsource much of the work done by paralegals in the firm to a company in India. If you were a paralegal at this firm, what would be the most appropriate way to respond and why?

Which of these terms encompasses temporary workers, independent contractors, and leased employees?

The chief financial officer of McGill Tubing wants to know the contribution of McGill's workforce toward creating value for shareholders. Which calculation-based analysis would provide this information?

The Conference Board of Canada would define all but one of the following as soft skills needed in a knowledge economy. Which is the exception?

What are flexible hours, job-sharing, child-care referral services, and flexible leave all examples of?

Prestige Executive Services offers companies ransom insurance policies for up to $10 million. Which of the following HR management challenges has generated this business opportunity?

Which of the following statements presents an accurate picture of the age factor in the workforce?

Which of the following HR management practices has NOT become Web based?