Ch. 1 - Managing Human Resources

Question 1

Define: human resource management

Answer 1

The policies, practices, and systems that influence employees’ behavior, attitudes, and performance

Question 2

Define: human capital

Answer 2

An organization’s employees, described in terms of their training, experience, judgment, intelligence, relationships, and insight

Question 3

Define: job analysis

Answer 3

The process of getting detailed information about jobs

Question 4

Define: job design

Answer 4

The process of defining how work will be performed and what tasks will be required in a given job

Question 5

Define: recruitment

Answer 5

The process through which the organization seeks applicants for potential employment

Question 6

Define: selection

Answer 6

The process by which the organization attempts to identify applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics that will help the organization achieve its goals

Question 7

Define: training

Answer 7

An organization’s planned efforts to help employees acquire job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors, with the goal of applying these on the job.

Question 8

Define: development

Answer 8

The acquisition of knowledge, skills, and behaviors that improve an employee’s ability to meet changes in job requirements and in customer demands

Question 9

Define: performance management

Answer 9

The process through which managers ensure that employees’ activities and outputs contribute to the organization’s goals

Question 10

Define: workforce analytics

Answer 10

The use of quantitative tools and scientific methods to analyze data from human resource databases and other sources to make evidence-based decisions that support business goals

Question 11

Define: human resource planning

Answer 11

Identifying the numbers and types of employees the organization will require in order to meet its objectives

Question 12

Define: talent management

Answer 12

A systematic, planned effort to attract, retain, develop, and motivate highly skilled employees and managers

Question 13

Define: evidence-based HR

Answer 13

Collecting and using data to show that human resource practices have a positive influence on the company’s bottom line or key stakeholders

Question 14

Define: sustainability

Answer 14

An organization’s ability to profit without depleting its resources, including employees, natural resources, and the support of the surrounding community

Question 15

Define: stakeholders

Answer 15

The parties with an interest in the company’s success (ex. shareholders, customers, employees, vendors, the community)

Question 16

Define: ethics

Answer 16

The fundamental principles of right and wrong

Question 17

Explain how human resource management contributes to an organization’s performance

Answer 17

• Consists of an organization’s policies, practices, and systems that influence employees’ behavior, attitudes, and performance
• Influences who works for an organization and how
• A source of sustainable competitive advantage by contributing to quality, profits, and customer satisfaction

Question 18

Identify the responsibilities of human resource departments.

Answer 18

• Analyze and design jobs
• Recruit and select employees
• Equip employees by training and developing them
• Through performance management, ensure that employees’ activities and outputs match the organization’s goals
• Plan and administer pay and employee benefits
• Engage in employee relations (ex. communication and collective bargaining)
• Establish and administer personnel policies and keep records
• Help ensure compliance with labor laws
• Support the development and execution of corporate strategy

Question 19

List the types of competencies needed for human resource management

Answer 19

• Technical - HR expertise
• Interpersonal - relationship management, communication, global and cultural competencies
• Business - business knowledge, critical thinking, cooperation and collaboration
• Leadership - leadership experience and ethical practice

Question 20

Explain the role of supervisors in human resource management

Answer 20

• Help analyze work
• Interview job candidates and participate in selection decisions
• Provide employee training
• Conduct performance appraisals
• Recommend pay increases
• Represent the company to their employees

Question 21

Identify ethical issues in human resource management

Answer 21

• Should make decisions that result in the greatest good for the largest number of people
• Should respect basic rights of privacy, due process, consent, and free speech
• Should treat others equitably and fairly
• Should recognize ethical issues that arise in areas such as employee privacy, protection of employee safety, and fairness in employment practices

Question 22

Describe typical careers in human resource management

Answer 22

• May involve specialized work (recruiting, training, labor relations)
• Generalists, performing range of activities
• A college degree in business or social sciences is usually required
• People skills must be balanced with attention to details of law and knowledge of business