3.6.4- Making human resource decisions: improving motivation and engagement

Question 1

Explain Taylors- scientific management.

Answer 1

• He believed workers would do the minimum amount of work when left to their own device
• He broke the work down into small repetative tasks
• He believed paying workers according to quantity was the most productive way and motivated workers

Question 2

What is an advantage of Taylors scientific management?

Answer 2

This management would motivate workers and raise productivity, meaning the business will produce more.

Question 3

What is a disadvantage of Taylors scientific management?

Answer 3

An increase in productivity could lead to a reduction in quality.

Question 4

Explain Malsows hierachy of needs.

Answer 4

Its a motivational theory comprising of a five-tier model of humans needs which only can be moved up when completed the bottom one

Question 5

What are the levels of maslows hierachy?

Answer 5

• Self actualisation: meeting potential
• Self-esteem: achievement
• Social needs: Friendship, teamwork
• Safety: Safe work environment
• Basic physical needs: Food, water, shelter, clothes

Question 6

Explain herzbergs hygiene and motivating factors.

Answer 6

• Herzberg found out what motivated and satisfied employees
• Hygiene factors are good company policy, working conditions, pay. These dont motivate but keep workers satisfied
• Motivating factors are personal achievement, interesting work. These postively motivate workers

Question 7

What is job design?

Answer 7

It sets out the details of what is to be done and how it is to be done.

Question 8

What internal factors influence the job design?

Answer 8

• The range and nature of the task
• The speed it needs to be completed in
• The quality required
• The way and order the task needs to be completed

Question 9

What are the external influences the job design?

Answer 9

• New technology
• Changes to law and legislation
• Customers demand
• Availability of certain skills

Question 10

What are the financial methods of motivation?

Answer 10

• Piece rate
• Salary schemes
• Commission
• Performance-related pay

Question 11

What is piece rate pay?

Answer 11

Workers being paid per unit produced.Theres no fixed salary

Question 12

What are salary schemes?

Answer 12

Workers are paid accordingly to a given time period. Hourly, weekly, annual wage.

Question 13

What is a commission?

Answer 13

Workers are paid a bonus on top of their salary. Based on sales or units produced.

Question 14

What is a performance-related pay?

Answer 14

Workers are paid based on their performance or performance of the business. By meeting business targerts. Done in annual appraisals.

Question 15

Give an advantage and disadvantage piece rate pay.

Answer 15

• Can motivate workers to produce a high quantity of products
• Quality and morale can suffer

Question 16

Give an advantage and disadvantage commissions.

Answer 16

• Can increace motivation and performance of sales staff
• Can lead to overselling, customers may feel overwhelmed by staff. Business also doesnt know how much labour cost will be

Question 17

Give an advantage and disadvantage salary schemes.

Answer 17

• Can motivate workers to do the amount of work required
• But workers cannot earn extra money by working harder and producing better quality work

Question 18

What are the non-financial motivational methods?

Answer 18

• Empowerment
• Team working
• Flexible working
• Job enrichment
• Job rotation

Question 18

Give an advantage and disadvantage performance-related pay.

Answer 18

• Workers are motivated to meet targets and ensure business meets objectives
• Can lead to demoralisation of staff if only certain people get an increased pay

Question 19

What is empowerment?

Answer 19

It gives poeple control over their work and a role in decision making. workers can meet to suggest improvements to the busienss

Question 20

What is team working?

Answer 20

It puts workers into small teams and lets them organise their own work- can lead to job enrichment and empowerment.

Question 20

What is flexible working?

Answer 20

When working hours and patterns are adapted to siuit the employees.

Question 21

What is job enrichment?

Answer 21

It gives workers more challenging work, and the training they ened to do. Giving employees more responsibility.

Question 21

What are the types of felixible working hours?

Answer 21

• Flexi-time
• compressed hours
• Annual hours
• Job-sharing
• Home working

Question 22

What is job enrichment?

Answer 22

It gives employees more work at the same time.

Question 23

Give an advantage and disadvantage of flexible working hours.

Answer 23

• It improves motivation so employee productivity should increase
• Home-workers may be easily distracted at home