1.4 Managing People

Question 1

Staff as an asset staff as a cost +-

Answer 1

asset= concentrates on needs,rewards,motivation
+ more efficient staff
-costs too high

Cost=identify needs of business e.g hiring
+more cost-effective workforce, decision making is quicker
-less successful recruitment

Question 2

Dismissal and redundancy

Answer 2

D-break of contract or unacceptable behaviour
R- job no longer exists , payable

Question 3

Role of trade unions and methods of industrial action

Answer 3

Workers in a group to protect their legal rights

1.work to rule (just do what’s on their contract, normal pay.)
2.overtime ban(refusing to work overtime)
3.go slow(working at slowest least productive rate)
4.strike

Question 4

Growth of part time and flexible working +-

Answer 4

+cheaper to employ as entitled to less benefits
+wide range of potential recruitments (working mothers)
-employees feel less loyal therefore less motivated

Question 5

Reasons to recruit employees

Answer 5

-business expansion
-existing employees leave
-business needs new people with new skills

Question 6

Methods of recruitment and +-

Answer 6

Internal recruitment= staff already employed, involves promotion
+cheaper and quicker, motivation as promotion
-limits amount of applicants
External recruitment= job centres,adverts,agencies
+large amount of applicants with new skills
-longer process

Question 7

Training leads to……

Answer 7

Better productivity
Less supervision needed
Motivation (empowerment)

Question 8

On the job and off the job training and +-

Answer 8

On the job =Employee receives training whilst in workspace (demonstrating,job rotation)
+cost effective
-bad habits may be passed on

Off the job= takes place outside of workplace (college,centres,online)
+wider range of qualification can be obtained
-more expensive

Question 9

Hierarchy,span of control,narrow and wide span, chain of command

Answer 9

Hierarchy is the number of layers within an organisation.
Span of control is number of people who a manager is responsible for .
Narrow span of control-closer supervision,effective communication.
Wide span of control- cheaper, less managers
Chain of command-the lines of authority in a business

Question 10

Tall vs flat structures

Answer 10

Tall- many layers with narrow spans of control, takes longer for communication = more staff= higher costs
Flat-few layers of hierarchy , wider spans of control, faster communication =less staff=lower costs

Question 11

+- delayering (tall to flat)

Answer 11

+ lower management costs, faster decision making and shorter communication paths.
-wider spans of control,too wide?

Question 12

Centralised and decentralised decision making +-

Answer 12

Centralised = decision making at top of hierarchy
+easier to implement policies and is simple to understand
-lack of authority Down the hierarchy may reduce manager motivation

Decentralised = decision making is spread out down the hierarchy.
+improved levels of customer service, improve staff motivation.
-harder to ensure control and consistent policies

Question 13

Delegation and empowerment +-

Answer 13

Delegation = is the assignment of tasks from authority.
+reduces manager workload and stress, subordinates feel empowered.
-quality and experience of subordinate may not be high enough.

Empowerment = giving authority to make decisions front line, higher skill task

Question 14

Theories of motivation

Answer 14

Taylor = workers are only motivated by money (piece rate payment)
Maslow = 5 levels of human needs have to be fulfilled to be motivated (self actualisation,esteem,social,safety,psychological)
Herzberg = motivate employees with recognition and promotion whilst ensuring hygiene factors are met
Mayo = better communication,involvement and working in teams = motivation.

Question 15

Difference between employee engagement and motivation

Answer 15

Engagement = employee is positive about their work, works to improve and engages.
Motivation = has will to work, due to work incentives

Question 16

Financial incentives and rewards and non financial

Answer 16

Wages, salaries, bonuses, commission, profit sharing, performance related pay, share options, fringe benefits (company cars)

Job empowerment,praise,promotion,job enrichment,job enlargement, job rotation, better communication, working environment, team work, flexible working.

Question 17

Leadership characteristics and differences with managers

Answer 17

Leadership = inspiring employees, building teams, shaping culture of business, have followers
Managers = wise authority to take decisions, manage risks, have subordinates

Question 18

Three levels of management

Answer 18

1.senior managers = board of directors, set objectives

2.middle management = accountable to senior managers, run functions and departments.

3.junior management = supervisory role, monitor and control day to day tasks.

Question 19

4 leadership styles

Answer 19

Authoritarian = power is with the manager, communication is one way , told what to do (army).
Paternalistic = leaders decides what’s best, motivating , parent child relationship.
Democratic = power is in while group , discussions decisions take longer, your choice whether follow.
Laissez-Faire = given instructions, you decide how to follow (lawyer)