module 4-6 Flashcards
Co-determination
a system in which management shares decision-making authority with the union, and the union plays a role in day-to-day business decisions. Co-determination is rare in Canada and the United States
competitive strategy
refers to how it tries to compete in the marketplace over the long term—how it attracts buyers and improves its market share
cost leadership
a strategy in which the firm competes on the basis of price. It requires cutting costs so that products or services can be sold at a lower price. A discount retail store that carries the same products as other stores but sells them at a lower price is using this strategy
Differentiation
strategy—one that involves the firm competing on the basis of having a distinctive or unique product.
Employee involvement group
Group of employees who meet to resolve problems or offer suggestions for organizational improvement
employee-management committees
include representatives of both management and employees charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the employer. A health and safety committee is an example.
high commitment HR strategy
Involves the adoption of better technology and requires investment in training and development of human resources
job design
a more contemporary approach to enhancing organizational efficiency and worker satisfaction, through technological and human considerations.
labour relations strategy
refers to how the employer chooses to deal with the unionization of its employees. There are several possible broad choices or strategies employers can adopt, ranging from acceptance to extreme opposition
low commitment HR strategy
Involves traditional production methods and low emphasis on development of workforce skills
problem-solving groups
are teams of employees who meet to deal with particular issues such as the installation of a new computer system. Problem-solving teams make recommendations to management; however, they do not have the authority to implement their recommendations.
production design
Process that leads to the efficient and effective generation of a product or service
quality circles
are groups of employees who investigate problems relating to quality and make recommendations to management for improvements
Reengineering
Fundamental re-thinking and resdesign of business process to achieve improvement in efficiencies, cost and quality
self-directed or self-managed work teams
re distinctive because they have more autonomy and responsibility. Typically, they take on tasks previously undertaken by management. For example, work teams may assume the tasks of tracking and distributing their own overtime.
union acceptance
refers to a strategy in which the employer may not want to have a union but remains neutral in a union organizing attempt
union avoidance
another strategy used to prevent unionization, where the employer uses legal means to convince employees they do not need a union. It might involve matching the union rate of pay in an industry
union opposition
strategy used when the employer has no unionized employees and wants it to stay that way.
