Chapter 2

Question 1

external environment

Answer 1

encompasses local, national, and multinational conditions that confront an organization

Question 2

organizational environment

Answer 2

conditions within the organization itself

Question 3

economic cycles

Answer 3

used to describe the fluctuation in economic activity that occurs over long periods of time in developed market economies

Question 4

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Answer 4

an historic agreement approved in 1993, by the Canadian Parliament, the U.S.Congress, and the Mexican Congress, designed to allow for eventual free trade month these three countries

Question 5

Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)

Answer 5

Establishes free trade month the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica

Question 6

European Union (EU)

Answer 6

complex array of formal institutions designed to create a united Europe

Question 7

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Answer 7

Strives to accelerate the economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the regions through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations

Question 8

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Answer 8

Has 21 member countries bordering on the Pacific Ocean, including the United States, Japan, India, and China

Question 9

International Labor Organization (ILO)

Answer 9

the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards and it brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programs

Question 10

Social Accountability International (SAI)

Answer 10

Promoters socially responsible approaches to conducting business and administers a certification process called Social Accountability 8000 (SA 8000)

Question 11

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Answer 11

the most inclusive international trade organization, it is the only global body able to enforce decisions through its own court

Question 12

Technology

Answer 12

refers to the process of making and using tools and equipment plus the knowledge used in the process

Question 13

human resource information system (HRIS)

Answer 13

the system that results from computer technologies being used to gather, analyze, and distribute information about job applicants and employees

Question 14

electronic human resource management (e-HRM)

Answer 14

refers to the use of IT for conducting HRM activities and for social networking among employees

Question 15

company culture

Answer 15

the unique pattern of shared assumptions, values, and norms that shape the socialization activities, language, symbols, and ceremonies of people in the organization

Question 16

vision

Answer 16

top management’s view of the kind of company that it is trying to create. It can be thought of as a best-case scenario of where the company will be in the future

Question 17

mission statement

Answer 17

defines a company’s business and provides a clear view of what the company is trying to accomplish

Question 18

values

Answer 18

the strong enduring beliefs and tenets that the company holds dear and that help to define and differentiate it from other companies

Question 19

company subculture

Answer 19

exists when assumptions, values, and norms are shared by some - but not all- organizational members

Question 20

multicultural organization

Answer 20

has a workforce representing the full mix of cultures found in the population at large, along with a commitment to utilize fully these human resources

Question 21

business strategy

Answer 21

a set of integrated and coordinated commitments and actions intended to achieve stated business goals

Question 22

strategy map

Answer 22

shows the cause-and-effect relationships that ultimately determine firm performance

Question 23

competitive strategy

Answer 23

describes how a particular business or business unit competes against direct rivals who offer the same products and services

Question 24

What is the strategic importance of understanding external and organizational environments?

Answer 24

Continuous change in the external environment means that adjustments often are needed in the organizational environment. For a firm to gain a competitive advantage, all of these elements must be aligned internally and fit the conditions in the external environment

Question 25

What are the role and responsibilities of the HR Triad for understanding the external and organizational environments?

Answer 25

As organizations strive to adjust to changes in their environments, they often must develop new approaches to managing their human resources

Question 26

What are implications of economic globalization for managing human resources?

Answer 26

In high-wage countries companies find it hard to compete by keeping labor costs low. Instead, they often pursue business strategies that emphasize innovation and require employees with high levels of skill and knowledge

Question 27

What are three aspects of the political landscape that influence the managing of human resources?

Answer 27

As government administrations flux, businesses must constantly analyze the implications of their philosophies and policies. Trade policies and military conflicts can have enormous consequences. Many international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are concerned with labor issues

Question 28

Describe the US and global labor markets

Answer 28

The US Labor market is expected to see slowed growth, a decrease in skill availability, greater competition for employees, and an increased dependence on immigrants. The labor forces in Europe and Japan are declining. In Africa, Latin America, North America and Asia the labor forces are growing. Employers make decisions about where to place their operations considering factors such as labor costs, skill level and health issues.

Question 29

What are several ways in which country cultures differ and can influence the way organizations manage human resources?

Answer 29

Cultural differences in how work is designed, employees’ expectations for how they will be treated, and management styles all influence how the organizations manage their human resources

Question 30

What is the relationship between technology and managing human resources?

Answer 30

Technology makes new forms of organizing work possible as well as changing e-HRM activities

Question 31

What are the components of company cultures?

Answer 31

A strong culture provides clear guidelines for how people in the organization should behave. Components include leadership, vision, mission statement, and company values.

Question 32

How do business strategies influence the managing of human resources?

Answer 32

Among the competitive strategies a firm might use are ensuring high quality, keeping costs low, being innovative, and providing the best customer service. A firm’s competitive strategy can have many implications for the competencies and behaviors needed from employees, so HR policies and practices should be tailored to fit the strategy

Question 33

What are two current issues in understanding the external and organizational environments

Answer 33

Two current issues they must address are M&As as well as the HR implications of MNCs.