Human Resource Management

Question 1

How to identify Organisational structure

Answer 1

Business size
Type of product and suppliers
The business objectives

Question 2

Span of control

Answer 2

Narrow - leaders and managers can keep close control over activities of employees

Wide - employees gain independence

Question 3

Centralisation

Answer 3

Rapid decision making
Few people to be consulted
Ensures a business pursues objectives

Question 4

Decentralisation

Answer 4

Increase motivation as employees gain more power
However may involve training

Question 5

Traditional hierarchy

Answer 5

Authority is clearly established
Clearly signposted promotion path
Increase motivation

Organisations can have slow communication
Managers overworked if span of control is wide

Question 6

Matrix structure
(Task orientated and the use of teams)

Answer 6

Focuses on task necessary for success
Encouragers flexibility
Motivates and develops employees (challenging tasks )

Divided responsibilities
Conflict can occur between managers
Heavy expenditure in support staff

Question 7

Delegation Pros

Answer 7

Improve motivation and labour productivity
Improve quality of decision making ( employees closer to customers )
Reduce workloads for senior managers
Improve skill of employees

Question 8

Delegation Cons

Answer 8

The costs of training
Inappropriate for organisations leadership styles
Not suitable to adopt crisis

Question 9

Types of communication and pros + cons

Answer 9

Spoken, Written, Electronic, Visual

Cost of communication

Speed of communication ( efficient)

Question 10

Analysis of Communciation
Email and text message

Answer 10

Very fast
Used for mass communication
Can be personalised

Suitable for short messages and easily result in too much communication
Harder to include visual elements

Question 11

Telephone

Answer 11

Cheap
Instantaneous feedback

No visual elements
No physical record of communication

Question 12

Meetings

Answer 12

Include visual elements
Encourage interactions
Immediate feedback
Involve different locations

Time consuming
Very expensive
Remote = technical faults

Question 13

Pros and cons of technology in communication

Answer 13

Cheap quick and effective
Avoids endless bits of paper
Automatic generation of communication

Employees resistant to change
New technology can be expensive

Question 14

Method to improve communication

Answer 14

Train employees
Avoid generating too much info
Recognise the cultural differences

Question 15

Traditional view of good leader

Answer 15

Strong character
Expert in field
Autocrat
Focus of profits
Good communicator

Question 16

Modern view of good leader

Answer 16

Charismatic
Excellent communicator
Good listener
Welcoming advice
Flexible

Question 17

Golemans emotional intelligence

Answer 17

Self awareness- self confidence
Self management - adaptability
Social awareness - Empathy
Relationship management ( social skills) - teamwork

Question 18

Hard human resource management

Answer 18

Regards employees as resources

Paid as little as possible
Employees limited control
Leaders work towards theory X

Easier to adapt size of workforce
Lower costs ( cheaper pay )
Retain control

Labour turn over or absenteeism high
Demotivated ( no recognition - Mayo)

Question 19

Soft human resource management

Answer 19

Sees employees as different from and more important ( long term )

Managers consult with employees
Control over working lives
Theory Y
Emphasis on training and development

Good reputation
Improve knowledge
More creative
Increase motivation

Very expensive in short term - training

Question 20

Pros of flexible workforce

Answer 20

Reduction in training
Increase competitiveness
Manage work life balance

Some contracts may lead to decrease motivation
Increase Labour turn over