6 - Human Resource Objectives

Question 1

What Type Of Objective Are HR Objectives?
(2 Points)

Answer 1

~ Functional / Departmental objective.

~ Driven by corporate objectives.

Question 2

What Are The 6 HR Objectives?

Answer 2

~ Employee engagement and involvement.

~ Appropriate employee mix.

~ Training employees.

~ Talent development.

~ Diversity.

~ Alignment of ‘HR Objectives’ with ‘Corporate Objectives’.

Question 3

Describe ‘Employee Engagement & Involvement’ As A HR Objectives
(3 Points)

Answer 3

~ Ensure the workplace has the right conditions, so that employees are motivated. E.g. Financial methods (Appropriate wages and salaries) and non-financial methods (Appropriate health and safety measures).

~ Motivated employees leads to higher productivity.

~ Wrong working conditions would result in higher absenteeism (Away from work) or higher staff turnover, which can lead to additional recruitment costs.

Question 4

Describe ‘Appropriate Employee Mix’ As A HR Objectives
(3 Points)

Answer 4

~ Business needs to ensure it has the right number of employees, making sure they don’t have underutilised employees.

~ Business needs to make sure employees are in the right location, particularly important for a MNC.

~ Business needs to make sure the employees have the correct skills, aligned with the focus of the business.

Question 5

Describe ‘Training Employees’ As A HR Objectives
(2 Points)

Answer 5

~ Ensure company wide training, keeping staff motivated as they feel valued.

~ Equipping staff with correct skills necessary to carry out job effectively.

Question 6

Describe ‘Talent Development’ As A HR Objectives
(2 Points)

Answer 6

~ Identify, develop and retain employees who have potential in developing the business.

~ Businesses do not want to waste their skills or for them to leave to potentially a competitor.

Question 7

Describe ‘Diversity’ As A HR Objectives

Answer 7

Having different cultures allows the business to benefit from a range of perspectives of business activities.

Question 8

Describe ‘Alignment Of (HR Objectives) with (Corporate Objectives)’ As A HR Objectives
(3 Points)

Answer 8

~ Alignment of values E.g. Cost cutting -> Recruitment freeze or Expansion -> Increase level of recruitment.

~ Maximise shareholder value -> focus on talent development.

Question 9

What Are The 2 HR Approaches?

Answer 9

~ Soft HRM.

~ Hard HRM.

Question 10

What Is Soft HRM?
(2 Points)

Answer 10

~ When a business views their employees as a strategic asset or the most important asset of the business.

~ Employees are seen from more of a democratic leadership style.

Question 11

What Are The Features Of Soft HRM?
(2 Points)

Answer 11

~ Employees should be developed overtime E.g. Training and talent development.

~ Lots of delegation and a decentralised structure.

Question 12

What Are The Strengths Of Soft HRM?
(2 Points)

Answer 12

~ Increased employee morale and motivation.

~ Increased productivity.

Question 13

What Are The Drawbacks Of Soft HRM?
(2 Points)

Answer 13

~ Training costs involved, expensive could lead to a competitive disadvantage.

~ Issues with delegation and decentralisation.

Question 14

What Is Hard HRM?
(4 Points)

Answer 14

~ When a business views its employees as being a tactical resource.

~ Employees are viewed from an autocratic leadership style.

~ Viewed in the same manner as components or raw materials.

~ Better able to focus on efficiency, which could lead to a competitive advantage.

Question 15

What Are The Features Of Hard HRM?

Answer 15

Centralised structures.

Question 16

What Are The Strengths Of Hard HRM?
(2 Points)

Answer 16

~ Focuses on efficiency thus giving a competitive advantage.

~ Lower costs.

Question 17

What Are The Drawbacks Of Hard HRM?
(4 Points)

Answer 17

~ Absenteeism could be higher.

~ Turnover issues.

~ Can be hard to find and replace current staff if they leave.

~ Lower productivity as the employees may not feel valued.