Module 1 - Human Resources Flashcards
The strategic HR role is BEST exemplified by
Answer: Communicating issues about organizational change.
Rationale: The strategic HR role focuses on broad issues critical to the future direction and organization of the company and includes activities such as supporting the organization’s mission and goals and communicating issues about organizational change to employees.
Which type of competitive strategy emphasizes the creation of unique products or services?
Answer: Differentiation
Rationale: The differentiation strategy involves the creation of products or services that are seen in the industry as unique; thus, the organization may assign a premium price to the products. This “unique” aspect may be associated with, for example, design, features, or customer service.
Which type of competitive advantage strategy emphasizes efficiency?
Answer: Cost leadership
Rationale: Which type of competitive advantage strategy emphasizes efficiency?
What is an effective strategy for helping employees embrace organizational change?
Answer: Involving employees throughout the change process
Rationale: Increased commitment to the outcome of change initiatives is a result of engaging employees throughout the change process.
The Interpersonal Cluster in the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge consists of all of the following competencies EXCEPT
Answer: Consultation.
Rationale: The Interpersonal Cluster in the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge consists of the Relationship Management, Communication, and Global and Cultural Effectiveness competencies.
The operational HR role is BEST exemplified by
Answer: recruiting employees in a tight labor market.
Rationale: The operational HR role focuses on day-to-day issues associated with running the organization and includes activities such as sourcing and recruiting new employees.
The examination of external forces during a SWOT analysis should focus on
Answer: enhancing the company’s ability to develop meaningful long-term objectives.
Rationale: Companies can gain competitive advantage by incorporating actions into their strategic plan that take into account external forces that may positively or negatively impact operations over the long term. This includes economic conditions, workforce indicators, social trends, technological advancements, and employment laws.
Maintaining employee records is an example of a task that falls under which key role of HR?
Answer: Administrative
Rationale: Tasks such as maintaining employee records, filing reports required by law, or administering benefit programs fall under the administrative role of HR.
Competency models are used for all of the following purposes EXCEPT
Answer: Budgeting
Rationale: Competency models are used for selection, training and development, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
During a SWOT analysis, all of the following are internal considerations EXCEPT
Answer: Geography
Rationale: A SWOT analysis considers such internal factors as organizational structure, planning, and staffing.
Answering questions about benefits is an example of a task that falls under which key role of HR?
Answer: Operational
Rationale: Tasks that focus on daily issues, such as answering questions about benefits, recruiting, and interviewing, fall under the operational role of HR.
Walmart, which focuses on selling high volumes at low prices, employs which competitive strategy?
Answer: Cost leadership
Rationale: The cost leadership strategy involves the organization producing high volumes of standardized products. The organization offers typically no-frills products that are produced at a low cost and are accessible to a large customer base.
The competency in the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge that relates to the ability to value and consider the perspectives and backgrounds of all parties is
Answer: Global and Cultural Effectiveness
Rationale: The Global and Cultural Effectiveness competency is the ability to value and consider the perspectives and backgrounds of all parties.
How frequently should a SWOT analysis review be conducted?
Answer: Continually
Rationale: An organization’s internal and external environment should be continually monitored. If an organization is not diligent in this effort, opportunities can quickly become threats and strengths can transform into weaknesses.
During an employee meeting to discuss upcoming changes in the organization’s health-care benefits, the HR manager listens actively and empathetically to the views of others. This describes which of the following HR Behavioral Competencies?
Answer: Communication
Rationale: Being able to effectively exchange and create a free flow of information with and among employees is a behavior representative of the Communication competency. Communication implies the ability to effectively exchange information with stakeholders.
