human resources Flashcards
what is an organisational structure
An organisational structure is how a business organises its staff to represent the different layers of management
what are the two main structures
flat and tall
what is a hierachal/tall structure
A hierarchical structure has many layers of management, and businesses with this structure and has a long chain of command.
narrow span of control
what is chain of command?
The route by which instructions and communications flow from the top to the bottom of a business.
what is span of control?
The number of staff that a manager has management responsibility for.
what is a flat structure?
A flat structure is an organisational structure with only a few layers of management.
managers have a wide span of control with more subordinates, and there is usually a short chain of command.
what is delayering?
a process where a business removes layers of its management to make its structure more flat
what is delegation?
a process where tasks are given to members of staff
what are subordinates?
members of staff below a manager in the chain of command
what is a centralised structure?
A centralised structure is where business decisions are made at the top of the business or in a head office and distributed down the chain of command
advantages of a centralised structure?
consistency across the business
the business has a clear direction
operations and decisions are closely controlled and managed
disadvantages of a centralised structure?
it can demotivate employees
a standardised approach may not work in all business locations
it may lower productivity
what is a decentralised structure?
A decentralised approach is where a business allows decisions to be made by managers and subordinates
further down the chain.
advantages of a decentralised?
improved employee motivation
allowing managers lower down the chain to make decisions to suit their local area and customers
more responsibility for employees
disadvantages of decentralised?
consistency is not achieved across the business
managers can make ineffective decisions
may negatively impact sales and overall business performance, eg because of ineffective decisions by managers lower down the chain
what is recruitment?
Recruitment is the process of deciding who will fulfil a specific job role. they have to have the right skills needed.
reasons for recruitment?
setting up a new business
growth
employees leaving
why do you need right employees?
high levels of
productivity
high quality products or customer service
staff retention
what is a job analysis?
The first step of the recruitment process is job analysis. process of identifying and determining the responsibilities, requirements, and nature of a job in detail
what is a person specification?
This document provides information about the type of person the business wants to hire.
includes details about the educational background, skills and experience the business wants applicants to have.
what is a job description?
the main purpose is to list all of the duties that are required in the role.
include the job title, rate of pay or salary, hours of work, location of work,
what is a CV?
It is a personal document that includes information about an applicant’s skills, experience, qualifications and hobbies.
what is an application form?
Application forms include a series of questions for an applicant to answer, and a section for applicants to write about why they are suited for the job.
what are the main ways of selection?
interview (how they do under pressure)
personality tests
what is internal recruitment?
Internal recruitment is when they advertise a job within the business.
This could be as a promotion to a higher position or a transferring an employee to a different area of the business
advantages of internal recruitment
applicants already have an understanding of the business and how it works
applicants already know their co-workers
promoting employees to a more senior role may increase motivation
no need for expensive advertising, recruitment and selection processes
disadvantages of internal recruitment?
limited number of applicants, so the firm may miss out on a better applicant externally
the business may have to pay for training to ensure the employee has the skills needed for the job
what is motivation?
Motivation determines how hard employees are willing to work for a business and how productive a business is
two methods of motivation?
financial and non-financial
what is financial motivation?
involves motivating employees with money and things associated with money.
why is it good to have motivated staff?
higher productivity
more likely to stay with the business
high staff retention is good
financial methods include
wages or salary= wages are payed weekly or monthly
salary is a fixed amount payed every month.
BONUSES= form of additional remunition
COMMISIONS= paid on top of normal wage
percentage paid to sales staff everytime they sell
non-financial methods include
TRAINING- boost motivation
trained to learn new skills and have greater responsibility
more likely to stay with the business
PROMOTION- staff will feel valued and like they are dojng something right this will increase there productivety
FRINGE BENEFITS- any reward that is not part of a workers main income. (extra little perks)
eg staff discount, company car, gym membership
cost money for the business but save it for the worker
what is induction training
induction training is for new staff, introduces employee to the workplace and makes them feel welcome.
introduce to fellow workers and can learn company rules
they know all the prodecures which will make them more productive
valued
on-the-job training
training within the business
employee learns how to do their job by being shown how to do it
good for prsactical skills being taught
advantage of on the job training
cost effective as they work and learn at the same time
disadvantage of on the job
training given by colleagues so bad working practices could be passed on
what is off-the-job-training
where staff learn away from their workplace
advanatgeds of off the job
good for learning general information about the business
good for learning a new skill that isnt related to a specific task
disadvantage of off the job training
more expensive but the training is higher quality as its taught by people who are better qualified
benefits of training for employers
produce high quality goods
better customer service
more productive and efficient
increase staff retention
benefits to employee
up to date with knowledge and skills
gaining new skills may mean getting promoted
