Question 1

Which of the following racial groups will form the majority of the U.S.labor force according to the 2014-2024 Employment Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics?

Accepted Answer

According to the 2014-2024 Employment Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Whites are projected to remain the majority racial group in the U.S. labor force.

Question 2

Given the increasing use of computers to do routine tasks,which of the following skills is most likely to be actively sought by U.S.employers today?

Accepted Answer

With the increasing use of computers and automation for routine tasks, employers are valuing interpersonal skills more than ever. This includes communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and customer service skills, as they cannot be easily automated and are essential for a successful and collaborative work environment.

Question 3

Managing cultural diversity involves

Accepted Answer

Encouraging career development for women and minorities is the best choice when managing cultural diversity as it promotes inclusivity and equal opportunity for different groups within the organization. The other options either promote discrimination or do little to address cultural diversity within the workplace.

Question 4

In the context of alternative work arrangements,contract company workers are employed directly by a company.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of alternative work arrangements,contract...

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies an individual in the external labor market?

Accepted Answer

Jill is not currently employed and looking for a job, which puts her in the external labor market. The other options involve individuals who are already in some form of employment.

Question 6

Mega Homes wants to expand rapidly by building homes in major markets throughout the United States.Which of the following forecasts by the Bureau of Labor Statistics presents the most significant challenge to rapid expansion?

Accepted Answer

The slowing growth rate for the U.S. civilian labor force presents a significant challenge to rapid expansion for Mega Homes. With fewer people entering the labor force, there may be a shortage of construction workers and other professionals needed to build and sell homes in major markets throughout the United States. This could slow down the pace of expansion and make it more difficult for Mega Homes to meet its growth targets.

Question 7

Anne,a business researcher,believes that organizations will have to spend a lot of money on employee health care in the future.Her colleague Nick argues that organizations will not have to increase their spending on employee health care benefits.Which of the following statements weakens Nick's argument?

Accepted Answer

An increase in the proportion of older workers (at least 55 years old) in the workforce could lead to higher health care costs, as older individuals typically require more medical care, thus weakening Nick's argument.

Question 8

According to the National Association of Manufacturers,manufacturing companies have difficulty finding enough people who can operate their computer-controlled machinery.Which of the following actions is the most reasonable response to that difficulty?

Accepted Answer

Working with community colleges to set up apprenticeship and training programs would provide a solution to the shortage of skilled workers. This would allow for individuals to receive the necessary training and experience to operate computer-controlled machinery, while also promoting the manufacturing industry as a desirable career choice. It is a practical and sustainable solution to the skills gap problem. The other options, such as hiring unqualified employees or relying more on physical strength, would likely lead to decreased productivity and potential safety issues. Paying for employee tuition at four-year universities may not target the specific skills needed for operating machinery and could be expensive for the company. Hiring high school students before they learn manufacturing is not desirable may not solve the skills gap issue and may not provide a sustainable solution.

Question 9

The external labor market consists of

Accepted Answer

The external labor market refers to individuals who are actively seeking employment outside of the organization. This can include job seekers who are currently unemployed or individuals who are employed but looking for new opportunities. It does not include contract workers, current employees, or employees of competitors within the organization.

Question 10

The processing and transmission of digitized human resource information is called electronic human resource management.

Accepted Answer

Electronic human resource management (E-HRM) refers to the digitization and automation of human resource management activities through software, information systems, and other technologies. This includes the processing and transmission of digitized HR information, such as employee records, payroll data, performance evaluations, and training records.

Question 11

Best Appliances wants to improve the quality of and lower the costs in its service department.A strategy being considered involves directing technicians on exactly how to complete service calls,which should improve customer service in addition to lowering labor costs.In addition,the technicians will work under a contract so the company doesn't have to pay the employer's share of Social Security for those workers.Is this a possible strategy for Best Appliances to employ?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Best Appliances wants to improve the quality...

Question 12

Moore Corp. ,a financial services company,specializes in customers' preferences and cost-efficient processes.They also encourage self-managing teams that make all decisions regarding business development and the sale of services to their customers.The firm ensures that there is a good fit between its work system and its people.This scenario implies that Moore has a

Accepted Answer

The scenario states that Moore Corp specializes in customers' preferences and cost-efficient processes, encourages self-managing teams, and ensures a good fit between its work system and its people. These characteristics are typically associated with a high-performance work system (HPWS). An HPWS is a set of human resource management practices that aim to enhance organizational performance by improving employees' skills, knowledge, and motivation while aligning their behaviors with the organization's strategic objectives. Therefore, the best choice for the scenario is B- high-performance work system.

Question 13

Under the new type of psychological contract,organizations expect employees to contribute time,effort,skills,abilities,and loyalty in return for job security and opportunities for promotion within the organization.

Accepted Answer

Under the new type of psychological contract, organizations do not necessarily offer job security or opportunities for promotion in exchange for employee contributions. Instead, the contract is often more flexible and may include alternative incentives such as work-life balance, personal development opportunities, and a sense of purpose or meaning in the work.

Question 14

Identify the correct statement regarding the composition of the U.S.labor force during the projected 2014-2024 period.

Accepted Answer

According to projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force is expected to grow at a slower rate due to aging of the population and a smaller increase in the number of young workers. This means that the overall workforce will be aging, despite a small increase in the number of young workers. The segment of the workforce nearing retirement age is also expected to increase. Therefore, choice D is the correct statement regarding the composition of the U.S. labor force during the projected 2014-2024 period.

Question 15

Which of the following refers to organizations that have the best possible fit between their social system and their technical system?

Accepted Answer

High-performance work systems have the best possible fit between their social system (workforce) and their technical system (technology and processes). This means that employees are trained and empowered to work effectively with the technology and processes in place, leading to improved productivity and performance.

Question 16

How has the requirement for creating high-performance work systems changed?

Accepted Answer

The requirement for creating high-performance work systems has changed in recent years with employers seeking to tap people's creativity and interpersonal skills. This has resulted in a shift away from traditional hierarchical structures and towards more collaborative and team-based approaches to work. This approach allows employees to have greater autonomy in their work and encourages them to share ideas and collaborate with colleagues to achieve common goals. It also means that employers need to invest in training and development to help employees develop the skills they need to succeed in these more dynamic and fast-paced work environments.

Question 17

Rajeev,an Indian citizen,works for an automobile company in India.Currently,he is in the United States to work on a project at the company's office in Salt Lake City,Utah.In this scenario,Rajeev is regarded as an expatriate.

Accepted Answer

An expatriate refers to a person who lives and works outside their native country. In this scenario, Rajeev, who is an Indian citizen and working in the United States, can be considered an expatriate.

Question 18

Name the agency that is responsible for tracking changes in the composition of the U.S.labor force and forecasting employment trends.

Accepted Answer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is responsible for tracking changes in the composition of the U.S. labor force and forecasting employment trends. The BLS provides data on employment, wages, productivity, and other aspects of the labor market to help policymakers and the public make informed decisions about the economy. The other answer choices are either not specific to labor force tracking and forecasting or are not agencies that exist.

Question 19

In high-tech industries,such as computer software development,employers press the federal government for immigration laws that allow for a greater supply of foreign-born workers.What is the main reason these companies cite for that effort?

Accepted Answer

The main reason these companies cite for pressing the government for immigration laws that allow for a greater supply of foreign-born workers is that qualified technical workers are scarce in the United States. These companies argue that they need access to a larger pool of highly skilled workers to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Question 20

Employees' job security has increased as a result of the new psychological contract.

Accepted Answer

The new psychological contract, which emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and personal development, often leads to decreased job security as it moves away from the traditional promise of long-term employment in exchange for loyalty and consistent performance.

Quiz 2: Trends in Human Resource Management