Question 1

What is the main reason why HR functions are outsourced?
A)to eliminate internal tension
B)to provide consistent service despite staff turnover
C)to be able to focus on more strategic product development
D)to save money on staffing

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the main reason why HR...

Question 2

While one HR management role has been declining in emphasis, another has been increasing in importance. Which are the former and latter roles?
A)strategic, operational and advocate
B)administrative, strategic
C)operational, administrative and advocate
D)advocate, operational and administrative

Accepted Answer

The former role that has been declining in emphasis is administrative while the latter role that has been increasing in importance is strategic. This reflects a shift towards HR management becoming more focused on contributing to overall business strategy and decision-making, rather than simply carrying out administrative tasks. The option C includes advocate as increasing in importance, but that is not accurate as it has always been significant in HR management.

Question 3

The top executives of an organization may truly view the top HR manager as contributing to the strategic success of the firm. Which of these requests from top management best exemplifies that perception?
A)Improve the implementation of performance appraisals for supervisors.
B)Streamline the employee selection process.
C)Select a vendor for outsourcing benefits administration.
D)Evaluate potential merger candidates for organizational compatibility.

Accepted Answer

Evaluating potential merger candidates for organizational compatibility involves strategic decision-making and long-term planning, which is a clear example of how HR can contribute to the strategic success of the firm. The other options are more tactical/operational in nature and do not necessarily require a strategic perspective.

Question 4

Charlotte is describing her new HR position to a friend. She says that she handles most of the clerical duties involved in running the HR department, including such tasks as maintaining employee files and submitting governmental reports. Into which HR role would Charlotte's job fall?
A)administrative
B)employee advocate
C)secretarial
D)operational

Accepted Answer

Charlotte's job involves mostly clerical duties and administrative tasks, indicating that she falls under the administrative role in HR. The other choices such as employee advocate and operational roles involve more strategic and people-oriented responsibilities. The term "secretarial" has also become outdated and is not commonly used in HR roles.

Question 5

Eric belongs to an informal group of HR compensation executives from various industries who meet once a month at a local restaurant to discuss problems that they all face, for example, the challenge of designing true merit pay systems. Which of these practices are Eric and his colleagues engaging in?
A)cronyism
B)collaboration
C)collusion
D)competition

Accepted Answer

Eric and his colleagues are engaging in collaboration, or working together to solve commonly faced problems.

Question 6

As HR manager of a mid-sized auto parts manufacturing plant, you have been asked to predict the impact on the employees of a 20 percent layoff of hourly workers. Which of the following predictions are you LEAST likely to include in your memo to the CEO?
A)increased turnover of survivors
B)productivity surge by survivors
C)potential loss of employee loyalty
D)increased workload on survivors

Accepted Answer

It is unlikely that the HR manager would predict a productivity surge from the survivors of the layoff, as a significant reduction in workforce is likely to increase workload and reduce morale. The other predictions are more likely outcomes of a layoff.

Question 7

As the vice president of HR for Woodland Production, you are presenting a proposal to top management for outsourcing many of your department's administrative HR functions to vendors. You argue that HR vendors have greater expertise than your in-house staff and that outsourcing will allow you to spend more time on the strategic aspects of HR. Which of the following should be your key selling point to top management?
A)the ability to have closer contact with HR's clients, the employees
B)the prestige of retaining a world-class vendor
C)the improvement in morale of HR staff
D)the reduction in HR administrative staff

Accepted Answer

The key selling point to top management should be the reduction in HR administrative staff, as outsourcing administrative HR functions to vendors will likely result in a decrease in the number of staff needed in-house. This can lead to cost savings for the company and allow the remaining HR staff to focus on more strategic aspects of HR. The other options are not as compelling as they do not directly address the benefits of outsourcing administrative HR functions to vendors.

Question 8

Which of the following activities is categorized as an advocacy aspect of HR management?
A)engaging in community workforce development planning
B)resolving employee complaints about unfair treatment
C)conducting new employee orientations
D)engaging in labour/management negotiations

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following activities is categorized...

Question 9

Woodland Production Company employees more than 2000 hourly workers. The HR department is debating the introduction of Web-based technology to handle employment applications, employee benefit enrollments, and other related functions. Which HR department role will be most affected by the move to this technology?
A)administrative
B)operational
C)strategic
D)employee advocate

Accepted Answer

The administrative role of the HR department will be most affected by the move to Web-based technology for handling employment applications, employee benefit enrollments, and other related functions, as these tasks are primarily administrative in nature. This technology aims to streamline and automate administrative processes, making them more efficient.

Question 10

Which type of HR is it when professionals from different organizations work together to solve business problems they have in common?
A)professional
B)collusive
C)operational
D)collaborative

Accepted Answer

Collaborative HR is the type of HR where professionals from different organizations work together to solve business problems they have in common. This allows for a sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices to improve the overall effectiveness of HR practices.

Question 11

In the professional and academic communities, it is a truism that HR management must be a strategic partner in organizations. Which of the following statements is supported by research?
A)Dramatic growth of the strategic HR function has occurred.
B)HR spends less than one-quarter of its time on its strategic role.
C)Strategic HR has been largely eliminated from the organization and lodged in the position of the chief operating officer.
D)Over 70 percent of HR managers report that they function as full strategic business partners.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that HR professionals often spend less than one-quarter of their time on strategic tasks, highlighting a gap between the ideal role of HR as a strategic partner and its actual practice.

Question 12

Which is a key difference between operational HR management and strategic HR management?
A)planning oriented versus implementation oriented
B)employee focused versus organization focused
C)profit focused versus cost focused
D)pro-active versus reactive

Accepted Answer

Operational HR management is more employee-focused, dealing with day-to-day HR tasks, while strategic HR management is organization-focused, aligning HR strategies with long-term business goals.

Question 13

Which of the following terms refers to an integrated system that provides information used in HR decision making?
A)human resources information system.
B)human resources management system
C)human resources administrative system.
D)human resources operational system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following terms refers to...

Question 14

Which of the following HR roles is associated with ensuring ensure fair and equitable treatment for employees no matter what their background or circumstances are?
A)strategic
B)operational
C)administrative
D)employee advocate

Accepted Answer

The HR role associated with ensuring fair and equitable treatment for employees is the employee advocate. The employee advocate works to ensure that employees are treated fairly and that their needs are taken into consideration by the organization. This role is focused on supporting employees and promoting a positive work environment for all. The other choices, strategic, operational, and administrative, are important HR roles, but they are not specifically related to ensuring fair and equitable treatment for employees.

Question 15

Which of the following is the primary reason for compiling data in HR management systems?
A)to develop complete records about each employee
B)to facilitate HR decision making
C)to ensure that the organization's HR management system is stronger than its competitors' systems
D)to allow the HR department to retain the management system function in-house rather than outsourcing it to vendors

Accepted Answer

The primary reason for compiling data in HR management systems is to facilitate HR decision making. By gathering and analyzing data from various sources, HR managers can make informed decisions about hiring, training, compensation, and other people-related issues. While developing complete records about each employee is a secondary benefit, it is not the primary reason for compiling data in the HR management system. Similarly, ensuring that the organization's HR management system is stronger than its competitors' systems and retaining the management system function in-house are not the primary reasons for compiling data.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a typical HR operational activity?
A)monitoring safety programs
B)partnering with top executives
C)supervising compensation
D)ensuring government compliance

Accepted Answer

Partnering with top executives is typically not an operational activity of HR. It is more of a strategic activity that involves HR working closely with top management to align HR practices with organizational goals and objectives. Monitoring safety programs, supervising compensation, and ensuring government compliance are all typical operational activities of HR.

Question 17

HR management can reduce the number of employee lawsuits against the company. Which of the following roles is most influential in achieving this reduction?
A)administrative
B)strategic
C)operational
D)advocate

Accepted Answer

The advocate role is most influential in reducing employee lawsuits as it involves ensuring fair treatment, addressing grievances, and maintaining compliance with employment laws.

Question 18

Which of the following HR activities is most likely to be outsourced?
A)performance management
B)benefits administration
C)strategic planning
D)risk management

Accepted Answer

Benefits administration is a transactional and administrative task that can easily be outsourced to third-party providers. This allows HR to focus on more strategic initiatives such as performance management, strategic planning, and risk management.

Question 19

Which of the following HR roles typically involve recruiting and selecting for current openings?
A)employee advocacy
B)operational
C)strategic
D)administrative

Accepted Answer

The operational role in HR typically involves activities such as recruiting and selecting for current job openings. The administrative role focuses on tasks such as maintaining employee records and processing payroll, while the employee advocacy and strategic roles are more focused on developing and implementing programs to support employee development and organizational goals.

Question 20

Which situation is NOT affecting the roles played by HR management within the firm?
A)increasing need for high-technology workers
B)business restructuring
C)cost reduction pressures
D)globalization of business

Accepted Answer

The increasing need for high-technology workers does not directly affect the roles played by HR management within the firm; instead, it influences the type of talent that HR needs to recruit and develop. The other options (B, C, D) directly impact HR management roles through organizational changes, cost management, and international workforce management.

Quiz 1: Changing Nature of Human Resources Management

What is the main reason why HR functions are outsourced?

While one HR management role has been declining in emphasis, another has been increasing in importance. Which are the former and latter roles?

The top executives of an organization may truly view the top HR manager as contributing to the strategic success of the firm. Which of these requests from top management best exemplifies that perception?

Charlotte is describing her new HR position to a friend. She says that she handles most of the clerical duties involved in running the HR department, including such tasks as maintaining employee files and submitting governmental reports. Into which HR role would Charlotte's job fall?

As HR manager of a mid-sized auto parts manufacturing plant, you have been asked to predict the impact on the employees of a 20 percent layoff of hourly workers. Which of the following predictions are you LEAST likely to include in your memo to the CEO?

Which of the following activities is categorized as an advocacy aspect of HR management?

Which type of HR is it when professionals from different organizations work together to solve business problems they have in common?

In the professional and academic communities, it is a truism that HR management must be a strategic partner in organizations. Which of the following statements is supported by research?

Which is a key difference between operational HR management and strategic HR management?

Which of the following terms refers to an integrated system that provides information used in HR decision making?

Which of the following HR roles is associated with ensuring ensure fair and equitable treatment for employees no matter what their background or circumstances are?

Which of the following is the primary reason for compiling data in HR management systems?

Which of the following is NOT a typical HR operational activity?

HR management can reduce the number of employee lawsuits against the company. Which of the following roles is most influential in achieving this reduction?

Which of the following HR activities is most likely to be outsourced?

Which of the following HR roles typically involve recruiting and selecting for current openings?

Which situation is NOT affecting the roles played by HR management within the firm?