Question 1

Which statement best describes the skills of core employees?
A)Their skills are not directly related to company strategy.
B)They have firm-specific skills directly related to company strategy.
C)They have skills that are valuable but not unique.
D)Their skills are available to all firms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement best describes the skills of...

Question 2

ATM Company has experienced a recent growth in its business.Which of the following is NOT a likely response to its new HR demands?
A)Hire full-time employees
B)Ask employees to work over-time
C)Allow for attrition
D)Use contract workers

Accepted Answer

Allowing for attrition would not be a response to increased HR demands due to growth. Attrition means allowing the workforce to reduce naturally through retirements or resignations without hiring replacements, which would not help in meeting increased demands.

Question 3

As part of the SWOT analysis,the internal analyses of the firm would include an analysis of which of the following?
A)opportunities
B)strategy
C)threats
D)weaknesses

Accepted Answer

The internal analysis of a firm in a SWOT analysis would include an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, not opportunities, strategy, or threats. Therefore, the best choice is D, weaknesses.

Question 4

Which of the following is a graphical representation of all organizational jobs along with the numbers of employees currently occupying those jobs and future employment requirements?
A)a Markov analysis
B)a trend analysis
C)a skills inventory
D)a staffing table

Accepted Answer

A staffing table is a graphical representation of all organizational jobs along with the numbers of employees currently occupying those jobs and future employment requirements.

Question 5

During its strategic retreat,the top management team at IAMME Gold Corporation pondered on the question "What's the organization reason for being?" What was the team most likely focusing on?
A)the firm's strategic vision
B)the firm's core values
C)the firm's mission
D)the firm's competitive position

Accepted Answer

The team is pondering on the organization's reason for being, which refers to the firm's mission. The mission statement outlines the company's purpose and reason for existence.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a qualitative approach to demand forecasting?
A)trend analysis
B)Delphi technique
C)soliciting expert opinion
D)management forecast

Accepted Answer

Trend analysis is a quantitative approach to demand forecasting as it uses mathematical models to analyze historical data and identify patterns and trends in demand over time. The other options (B, C, D) are qualitative approaches that rely on subjective judgments and opinions rather than numerical data.

Question 7

Which of the following deliberations on the competitive environment generally involves an active role by HR managers?
A)an analysis of new entrants
B)an analysis of the supply and demand for labour
C)coordination with suppliers
D)minimizing the technical advantages of rival firms

Accepted Answer

HR managers are responsible for managing the human capital of the organization. Conducting an analysis of the supply and demand for labor is a critical responsibility of HR managers. It involves understanding the talent market and the types of skills that are in demand. This information is critical for HR managers to effectively recruit, retain, and develop employees who can help an organization remain competitive. The other options listed do not typically involve an active role by HR managers.

Question 8

What is the difference between trend analysis and management forecasts?
A)Trend analysis is used to analyze the business environment and management forecasts predict labour needs.
B)Trend analysis uses organizational indexes and management forecasts utilize statistical techniques.
C)Trend analysis is quantitative and management forecasts are qualitative.
D)Trend analysis has proven success and management forecasts have major shortcomings.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between trend analysis...

Question 9

Which of the following should you take into account when forecasting demand?
A)absenteeism
B)turnover
C)business cycles
D)labour mobility

Accepted Answer

Business cycles, also known as economic cycles or trade cycles, refer to fluctuations in economic activity over time. These cycles can have a significant impact on consumer demand and should be considered when forecasting. Absenteeism, turnover, and labor mobility are all factors related to workforce management and may impact production, but they are not as directly linked to demand forecasting.

Question 10

What is the most important information obtained from a Markov analysis?
A)human capital readiness
B)what types of attitudes employees have
C)what positions are going to be coming open and will require a new hire
D)how many individuals are ready for promotion

Accepted Answer

Markov analysis is primarily used for predicting future states based on current data. In the context of human resources, it helps in forecasting which positions are likely to become vacant and will require new hires, by analyzing patterns of employee movements, promotions, and turnovers.

Question 11

Which of the following is an important use of the balanced scorecard?
A)to help balance internal and external fit
B)to help managers translate their firms' strategic goals into operational objectives
C)to help managers balance the costs and benefits of HR strategies
D)to help with the SWOY analysis

Accepted Answer

The balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool that helps managers translate their firms' strategic goals into operational objectives. It provides a framework for monitoring and measuring the performance of an organization, and it balances financial and non-financial metrics. While the other options could be relevant to HR strategy or organizational analysis, they are not direct uses of the balanced scorecard.

Question 12

Kramer Athletic Equipment is planning the future of the organization.In this process,the firm is making decisions such as whether to maintain its current path as industry leader in the running shoe business,or branch out to include casual footwear.In addition,the company is also discussing the various needs it will have for new staff if it does choose to go in a new direction.What is Kramer Athletic Equipment doing?
A)strategic planning
B)human resources planning
C)applying principles of strategic human resources management
D)planning both its business needs and its HR needs

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kramer Athletic Equipment is planning the future...

Question 13

Which of the following best describes forecasting human resources needs?
A)It is scientific and relatively error-free.
B)It is difficult and should only be done on rare occasions.
C)It should rely strictly on quantitative approaches,which utilize sophisticated analytical models.
D)It estimates the number and type of people that are needed to meet organizational objectives.

Accepted Answer

Forecasting human resources needs involves estimating the number and type of people required to achieve the objectives of the organization. While organizations may use quantitative, analytical models to aid in forecasting, it is not strictly limited to such approaches. It is also not free of errors and must be done regularly to stay ahead of changes in the workforce and economy.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the core values of a company?
A)They represent the alignment of the strategic plan with the human resource plan.
B)They are strong enduring beliefs and principles of the company.
C)They are the basic purpose of the organization.
D)They provide a perspective on where the company is headed.

Accepted Answer

Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide a company's behavior and decision-making. They are enduring and typically do not change over time, serving as a foundation for the company's culture and strategy. Choices A, C, and D do not fully capture the essence of core values.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT generally considered a component of a firm's competitive environment?
A)rival firms
B)new entrants
C)labour laws
D)suppliers

Accepted Answer

Labour laws are not typically considered a component of a firm's competitive environment as they are external factors that affect the business environment as a whole rather than specific competitors in the marketplace. The other options (rival firms, new entrants, and suppliers) are all factors that directly impact a firm's competitiveness in the marketplace.

Question 16

What do we call the internal alignment of HR practices to establish a configuration that is mutually enforcing?
A)vertical fit
B)horizontal fit
C)HR alignment
D)enforcing fit

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do we call the internal alignment...

Question 17

Organization Z is planning its future.In the process,the firm is making decisions such as what type of market it wants to be the leader in and what path to take to achieve this goal.What is Organization Z doing?
A)strategic planning
B)human resources planning
C)performing a Markov analysis
D)applying principles of strategic human resources management

Accepted Answer

Organization Z is engaging in strategic planning, which involves making decisions about the organization's long-term goals and the path it will take to achieve them. Human resources planning is a more specific aspect of strategic planning that focuses on ensuring the organization has the necessary personnel to achieve its strategic goals. Performing a Markov analysis is a specific technique for forecasting workforce needs, and applying principles of strategic human resources management involves using HR practices to support the organization's strategic goals. While these other options may also be important for Organization Z, the description given indicates that strategic planning is the primary activity at this point in time.

Question 18

What is the first step in the strategic planning process?
A)putting together the human resource management team
B)executing the human resource plan
C)establishing the mission,vision,and values of the organization
D)aligning the human resource plan and the strategic plan

Accepted Answer

The first step in the strategic planning process is to establish the mission, vision, and values of the organization. This provides a clear understanding of the purpose and direction of the organization and guides the development of strategies and goals. Only after this step can the human resource management team begin to align their plan with the overall strategic plan of the organization. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are not the first step in the strategic planning process.

Question 19

Manning Logistics laid off nine employees from data-entry positions in its finance division.Two weeks later,it hired 15 employees into data-entry positions in the inventory division.What mistake has the company committed?
A)faulty cultural audit
B)not forecasting properly
C)faulty goal alignment
D)not analyzing the internal labour force

Accepted Answer

The company did not properly forecast the need for data-entry positions, which led to the layoffs and subsequent hiring in a different division.

Question 20

On the entrance to Mac Pencils' factory are the words "to provide the world with high-quality and dependable pencils." What is this an example of?
A)strategic vision
B)mission
C)core values
D)core resources

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a mission statement, which describes the company's purpose and what it aims to achieve.

Quiz 2: Strategy and Human Resources Planning

Which statement best describes the skills of core employees?

ATM Company has experienced a recent growth in its business.Which of the following is NOT a likely response to its new HR demands?

As part of the SWOT analysis,the internal analyses of the firm would include an analysis of which of the following?

Which of the following is a graphical representation of all organizational jobs along with the numbers of employees currently occupying those jobs and future employment requirements?

During its strategic retreat,the top management team at IAMME Gold Corporation pondered on the question "What's the organization reason for being?" What was the team most likely focusing on?

Which of the following is NOT a qualitative approach to demand forecasting?

Which of the following deliberations on the competitive environment generally involves an active role by HR managers?

What is the difference between trend analysis and management forecasts?

Which of the following should you take into account when forecasting demand?

What is the most important information obtained from a Markov analysis?

Which of the following is an important use of the balanced scorecard?

Which of the following best describes forecasting human resources needs?

Which of the following best describes the core values of a company?

Which of the following is NOT generally considered a component of a firm's competitive environment?

What do we call the internal alignment of HR practices to establish a configuration that is mutually enforcing?

Organization Z is planning its future.In the process,the firm is making decisions such as what type of market it wants to be the leader in and what path to take to achieve this goal.What is Organization Z doing?

What is the first step in the strategic planning process?

Manning Logistics laid off nine employees from data-entry positions in its finance division.Two weeks later,it hired 15 employees into data-entry positions in the inventory division.What mistake has the company committed?

On the entrance to Mac Pencils' factory are the words "to provide the world with high-quality and dependable pencils." What is this an example of?