2.5 - Making Human Resource Decisions Flashcards
What are directors responsible for in a business?
Responsible for the business’s strategy
They decide on strategy and targets at regular board meetings
What are senior managers responsible for in a business?
Organise the carrying out of the directors strategy
What are the four key functions of management?
Planning, Organizing, Leading, Controlling.
What is planning in management?
Setting objectives and deciding how to achieve them.
What is organizing in management?
Arranging tasks, people, and resources to accomplish goals.
What does leading involve in management?
Motivating, directing, and influencing others to work hard to achieve goals.
What is controlling in management?
Monitoring performance and taking action to ensure goals are met.
What is a SWOT analysis?
A strategic tool used to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
What are internal factors in a SWOT analysis?
Strengths and Weaknesses.
What are external factors in a SWOT analysis?
Opportunities and Threats.
What is strategic planning?
Long-term planning that sets broad goals and strategies to achieve them.
What are SMART goals?
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
What is the purpose of a mission statement?
To define the organization’s core purpose and focus.
What does a vision statement describe?
What the organization aims to become in the future.
What are the three levels of management?
Top-level, Middle-level, and Lower-level (or First-line) management
What is top-level management responsible for?
Strategic decisions and overall direction of the organization.
What is middle-level management responsible for?
Implementing policies and plans set by top management; coordinating departments.
What is lower-level management responsible for?
Day-to-day operations and supervising non-managerial staff.
What is span of control?
The number of employees a manager directly supervises
What is centralization in management?
When decision-making authority is concentrated at the top levels
What is decentralization?
Distributing decision-making authority to lower levels in the hierarchy
What is an organizational chart?
A diagram showing the structure of an organization, including roles and relationships.
What is a line organization?
An organizational structure with direct, clear lines of authority from top to bottom.
What is a line-and-staff organization?
A structure where staff specialists support line managers.
What is a matrix organization?
A structure combining functional and product departmentalization for dual authority.
Why is effective communication important in business?
It helps different parts of a business work together, improves efficiency, and reduces mistakes.
What barriers can affect communication?
Noise, language differences, unclear messages, and unfamiliar technology
What problems can insufficient communication cause?
Inefficiency, demotivation, repeated mistakes, and staff feeling left out.
What problems can excessive communication cause?
Confusion, time-wasting, low morale, and feeling overwhelmed.
What’s the difference between full-time and part-time employment?
Full-time is around 35–40 hours a week, part-time is fewer hours, offering more flexibility.
What are flexible hours?
Employees choose when to work, within limits, to balance work and life.
What are the three types of employment contracts?
Permanent (ongoing), Temporary (fixed time), Freelance (short-term or project-based).
How has technology changed working?
It allows remote work, flexible hours, faster communication, and higher productivity.
What are the stages of recruitment?
Job analysis, advertisement, receiving applications, shortlisting, interviewing, hiring.
Why should a business be clear about a job on offer?
To attract the right candidates and avoid wasting time and resources.
What’s internal recruitment?
Hiring from within the business; quicker and cheaper, but may limit fresh ideas.
What’s external recruitment?
Hiring from outside; brings new skills, but is costlier and slower.
How do CVs and application forms help?
They give structured info to compare candidates and select the best match.
Why is training important?
It helps employees learn new skills, boosts performance, and motivates them.
What are the types of training?
On-the-job (practical, at work) and off-the-job (formal, classroom-based).
What are the benefits of training?
More productivity, less waste, better morale, improved staff retention.
How do performance reviews help?
They track progress, set goals, and identify training or support needs.
Why is it important to have motivated staff?
They work harder which leads to higher productivity
More likely to stay in the firm
Attract new employees
What are examples of financial motivation?
Remuneration for the work they do for an employee
More a worker is paid, the more motivated they are to do a job
What is a salary?
Fixed amount paid every month
What are wages?
Commonly paid weekly or monthly
Amount paid is based on the work done
What are examples of extra financial incentives?
Commission - paid to sales staff for every item they sell on top of a basic salary
Bonus - a lump sum added to pay usually at te end of a year if the worker has met their performance targets
Fringe benefit - any reward not part of income. Like discounts if buying from their own firm
How can job rotation increase motivation?
A lot of production jobs can be boring and repetitive
Rotating, reduces this
Motivates so they dont get so bored
Job satisfaction
What is job enrichment?
When a worker is given greater responsibility such as supervising the work of new staff
What is autonomy?
Giving workers the freedom to make their own decisions
Motivates workers as it makes them feel trusted and like their contribution is valued
