1.4

Question 1

What is redundancy?

Answer 1

When skills of current employees are no longer needed by the business and the role no longer exists

Question 2

What is Taylor’s theory on motivation?

Answer 2

Piece-rate pay, that when employees are paid more for being productive they become more motivated and engaged in their job.

Question 3

What the advantages and disadvantages of Taylor’s theory?

Answer 3

Advantage: may improve productivity meaning business can lower costs by employing fewer employees
Disadvantage: employees may rush leading to mistakes and errors. Also means that employees become bored respecting same tasks

Question 4

What is mayo’s theory of motivation?

Answer 4

He believed workers would be more motivated if their managers were more invested in them as people.

Question 5

What are mayo’s methods to improve employee motivation?

Answer 5

-improving communication between leaders, managers and employees
-offering opportunities for group and team work

Question 6

What is Maslow theory of motivation?

Answer 6

Is known as the hierarchy of needs. This hierarchy provides five categories of needs which a business must cater to if its employees are to be as motivated as possible

Question 7

What is on the hierarchy of needs in order?

Answer 7

1. Self actualisation (full potential met through achievement)
2. Esteem
   3.belongingness and love
   4.safety + physiological needs

Question 8

What does Herzberg’s theory of motivation state?

Answer 8

That a business should offer hygiene factors such as safe working conditions, pay, relationships and clear policies. Will stop them from becoming demotivated.
Should also offer motivating factors such as opportunities for recognition, achievement and responsibility

Question 9

Advantages + disadvantages of herzbergs theory

Answer 9

Pro: structured approach to improve motivation
Con: factors may not apply to all staff. Won’t place the same importance on each hygiene and motivating factor

Question 10

Advantages of staff as asset

Answer 10

Can attract employees
Employees better trained and skilled lower labour turnover
More consultation improved motivation and more creative ideas generated

Question 11

Cons of staff as asset

Answer 11

Can be expensive (wage+training costs)

Question 12

Pros of staff as cost

Answer 12

Can meet demand more efficiently by using flexible workers
Decisions made quicker as there is no consultation with workforce

Question 13

Cons of staff as cost

Answer 13

High labour turnover leading to increased recruitment costs
Lower levels of motivation as pay is only motivator
Harder to recruit best employees with a bad reputation

Question 14

What is multi-skilling

Answer 14

Equipping employees to do more than one job within a business. Can be achieved through mentorship, training etc

Question 15

Pros and cons of multi-skilled workers

Answer 15

Pros
Allows a business to respond quicker and more effectively to problems.
Frees time for others to work on more demanding activities
Cons
No specialised staff
Expected to work harder with no extra pay
Problems if staff are not trained properly

Question 16

Pro and cons of internal recruitment

Answer 16

Pros
Employees characteristics are already known
Opportunity for promotion (is motivating)
Cons
May cause conflict between employees
Limits new ideas coming into company

Question 17

Pros and cons of external recruitment

Answer 17

Pros
Wider talent pool to select from
Expands company’s knowledge base
Cons
Higher recruitment cost
May take longer to fill vacancy

Question 18

Job description vs specification

Answer 18

JD- states title of job and outlined the tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with job(shozs what is expect employee)

JS- provides details of the qualification, experience, skill attitudes

Question 19

Pros + cons of on the job training

Answer 19

Pros
Output is being produced
Relevant to what employee will be doing
Cheaper
Easy to organise

Cons
Output may be lost if workers make mistakes
May be stressful for the worker
Unpaid trainers might be frustrated
Could be a danger to others eg surgeon

Question 20

Pros + cons of off the job training

Answer 20

Pros
Output is not affected if mistakes are made
Learning can’t be distracted by work
Training could take place out of working hours
Customers and others are not put at risk

Cons
No output bc employees don’t contribute to work
Some of the job training is expensive if done by specialists
Some aspects of work cannot be taught off the job
May take time to organise
Trainees feel that training isn’t relevant

Question 21

Pros and cons of part time employees

Answer 21

Pros
They are flexible (work during busy days/rush hour)
Lower costs
Wide range of workers

Cons
May not be fully dedicated to business as they may have a second job
May leave for a full time job
Not as much loyalty

Question 22

Temporary workers pros and cons

Answer 22

Pros
Help with seasonal demand
Make up for employee shortages
Agencies may complete paperwork

Cons
Agency staff may be expensive
Higher injury rate
Will need training(time+money)

Question 23

What is autocratic leadership?

Answer 23

Leaders that make decisions without consultations e.g army

Question 24

What is Democratic leadership

Answer 24

When the leader consults the team but makes the final decision

Question 25

What is paternalistic leadership?

Answer 25

Leader acts in a parental way towards the workforce. Decisions based on workforce as well as business

Question 26

What is laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 26

Laissez-faire (to leave alone) the leader allows them to make the decisions