Question 1

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
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Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
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What do the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey reports attempt to do?

Accepted Answer

The answer of ​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers...

Question 2

Typically,how is most of the expert information gathered using the Delphi technique?

Accepted Answer

The Delphi technique typically involves gathering expert opinions through a series of questionnaires, with feedback and analysis between rounds. This allows for anonymity and avoids the potential bias of group dynamics in interviews or discussions.

Question 3

What type of analysis presupposes that a linear relationship exists between sales and the number of employees?

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis presupposes a linear relationship between the dependent variable and one or more independent variables, and is the most appropriate method for analyzing the relationship between sales and number of employees. Ratio analysis involves comparing two or more financial variables to gain insight into an organization's operating performance and liquidity. Multivariate analysis is a statistical technique used to examine the relationship between multiple independent variables and one dependent variable. Trend analysis is a method of time-series analysis that looks for patterns and trends in data over time.

Question 4

​Canadian Engineering Shortages
According to a new Engineers Canada labour market projection report,there are currently labour shortages in a number of engineering occupations,particularly civil,mechanical,electrical,and electronic engineers,as well as a shortage of computer engineers at both the provincial and national levels.Occupation data sourced from the Canadian National Household Survey and the Canadian Labour Force Survey indicate that engineering occupations' employment and wages are increasing faster than in other occupations.Unemployment is very low,less than one percent for many engineering occupations,relative to historical data and to other occupation data.Replacement demand for engineers will be particularly relevant over the next decade as the baby boom generation retires.Economic activity is generating a stronger demand for engineers in Western Canada than in Eastern Canada.
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Out of the fourteen different engineering occupations,the forecast for civil engineers is particularly high.It is projected that there will be an average of 2 500 job openings for civil engineers annually over the next five years.Growth in industries that employ civil engineers will generate about 1 000 of these openings each year.Another 1 500 of these job openings will be related to the replacement of retiring workers,given the high average age of 48 years old for civil engineers.
The situation described in this scenario can be referred to as a tight labour market.What occurs in a tight labour market?

Accepted Answer

In a tight labour market, the demand for labour exceeds the supply of labour. This is exactly the situation described in the scenario, where there are labour shortages in many engineering occupations due to strong demand and low unemployment.

Question 5

The Oakland Athletics baseball team used statistical cause-and-effect models for HR planning.What do cause-and-effect models assume?

Accepted Answer

Cause-and-effect models assume that there is an ongoing relationship between independent and dependent variables, meaning that changes in the independent variable (such as the number of HRs in baseball) will have a direct effect on the dependent variable (such as the demand for players who can hit HRs). Option B refers to trend analysis, which is a different forecasting technique. Option C is not necessarily true for all cause-and-effect models. Option D refers to expert judgment forecasting, which is another technique altogether.

Question 6

An organization is using multiple predictor estimates of the future demand for human resources based on a variety of differing assumptions about how future events will unfold.What type of forecasting technique or analysis is it using?

Accepted Answer

The organization is using scenario forecast technique, as it is considering multiple predictor estimates based on different assumptions about future events. Scenario forecast is a method of forecasting that involves considering numerous possible future events or scenarios and analyzing the impact they would have on the organization.

Question 7

If HR specialists use multiple predictor estimates of the future demand for personnel based on a variety of differing assumptions about how future events will unfold,what type of forecasting technique or analysis are they using?

Accepted Answer

The scenario forecast technique involves creating multiple scenarios or possible versions of the future, each with different assumptions about how events will unfold. HR specialists using multiple predictor estimates of future demand for personnel based on differing assumptions are therefore using the scenario forecast technique. The Delphi technique is a method of gathering expert opinions, the nominal technique involves rating job tasks, and impact analysis involves predicting the effects of a specific event on the organization. None of these techniques fully capture the use of multiple predictor estimates with differing assumptions.

Question 8

What stage in the nominal group technique would typically ask a question like,"What will ABC Corporation's demand for production workers be in the year 2017?"

Accepted Answer

The stage that defines the question typically involves formulating a specific and focused question that the group will address during the ensuing stages. Therefore, this stage is where the question about ABC Corporation's demand for production workers in 2017 would be asked.

Question 9

What type of analysis reveals the historical relationship between the operational index and the demand for labour?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of analysis reveals the historical...

Question 10

What would be two human resource quantitative forecasting demand techniques?

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis and trend projection techniques are both commonly used quantitative forecasting demand techniques in human resource management. Regression analysis uses statistical methods to identify relationships and patterns between variables, while trend projection techniques use historical data to identify patterns and project future demand. Both techniques can be helpful in predicting future workforce demand and planning accordingly.

Question 11

In the Delphi technique,why do the experts NOT meet face-to-face?

Accepted Answer

The experts do not meet face-to-face in the Delphi technique because they worry about groupthink, which is a phenomenon where individuals conform to the opinions of the group instead of offering their own unique ideas. Removing the face-to-face element helps to reduce groupthink and encourages experts to offer their independent opinions.

Question 12

Tiger Boots,a footwear retailer,is currently determining its HR demand using ratio analysis.What would be a key operational index used by Tiger Boots in a ratio analysis?

Accepted Answer

The key operational index used by Tiger Boots in a ratio analysis would be the sales level. This is because HR demand is directly linked to the level of sales the company expects to achieve. By analyzing sales levels and customer demand, Tiger Boots can determine how many employees they need to hire to meet that demand.

Question 13

What would be two human resource qualitative forecasting demand techniques?

Accepted Answer

Scenario planning involves exploring potential future scenarios and the impact they would have on the organization's HR needs, while nominal group techniques involve gathering input and opinions from a group of experts or stakeholders. Both of these techniques are qualitative in nature, as they rely on judgments and opinions rather than numerical data.

Question 14

What would be the first step in HR forecasting once an organization has identified its organizational goals,objectives,and plans?

Accepted Answer

Once an organization has identified its organizational goals, objectives, and plans, the first step in HR forecasting would be to determine the overall demand requirements for personnel, i.e., what staff are needed, when, and where. This involves examining strategic plans and determining how many and what types of employees will be needed to achieve the desired goals and objectives.

Question 15

What method of estimating HR demand extrapolates historical organizational indices to forecast future personnel needs?

Accepted Answer

Trend analysis involves examining past employment patterns to predict future needs by extending past rates of change into the future.

Question 16

Which forecasting technique provides a long-run qualitative forecast where experts meet and give their assessments about the future?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which forecasting technique provides a long-run qualitative...

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT typically considered to be an expert for HR forecasting?

Accepted Answer

Line employees are not typically considered experts in HR forecasting as they are more involved in day-to-day operations rather than strategic planning and forecasting.

Question 18

What is the most common operational index used by organizations in a trend analysis?

Accepted Answer

Sales level is the most common operational index used by organizations in trend analysis as it provides a clear indication of the financial performance and growth of the business over time. This index can be tracked on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis to identify patterns and trends in sales, which can then be used to inform decision-making processes and strategic planning. While units produced, clients served, and production hours can also be important operational indices, sales level is generally considered the most reliable and widely-used metric for trend analysis.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT considered a benefit of the nominal group technique?

Accepted Answer

The nominal group technique is known for promoting equal participation, supporting brainstorming, and producing reliable and valid results. However, it is not specifically recognized for lowering costs and time compared to other group decision-making techniques.

Question 20

An organization wants to determine its total HR demand requirement for operational or short-run time periods.What would be the best way to gather this information?

Accepted Answer

Staffing tables are the most appropriate method for determining HR demand requirement for operational or short-run time periods as they provide a snapshot of the organization's current workforce and anticipated demand based on historical data and future projections. Markov analysis, impact analysis, and scenario forecasts are more appropriate for long-term HR planning.

Quiz 5: Determining HR Demand