test 2

Question 1

be able to identify and explain four key activities of human resource management

Answer 1

o planning (employment) – assessing current human resources and future human resource needs. Do we have the right caliber of people working for us.

o Recruiting – the process of locating, identifying, and attracting capable applicants.

o Orientation – onboarding process: reduce initial anxiety all new employees feel as they begin their job by familiarizing them with employees, the work unit, and the organization as a whole.

o Employee training – training is changing skills, knowledge, attitude, or behavior to seek a change in employees’ ability to perform on the job.

Question 2

be able to list and explain the 3 steps in the control process

Answer 2

1) measure – measure the actual performance of the workplace. (personal observation, statistical reports, oral reports, and written reports)
2) compare – determine the degree of variation between actual performance and the standard or desired performance.
3) take corrective action – attempts to correct or adjust the actual performance or the standard if needed.

Question 3

be able to list several types of inventory that a supervisor should pay attention to, and explain the characteristics or importance of each inventory type

Answer 3

Raw Material: anything coming in. Company cannot usually turn around and resell this in the state they receive it.

Work in progress: during. The raw material is in the manufacturing process to become a finished good to be sold or used.

Finished goods: anything going out to be sold, rented, or used.

Question 4

understand the four styles of decision making discussed in the text

Answer 4

o Directive – low tolerance for ambiguity, seek rationality, efficient and logical. Makes decisions quickly and focuses on short term.

o Analytic – great tolerance for ambiguity, careful decision makers with the ability to adapt or cope with new situations.

o Conceptual – broad in outlook and consider many alternatives. Focus on long term and find creative solutions

o Behavior – work well with others. Concerned with achievement of employees, receptive to suggestions, rely heavily on meetings. Avoids conflict and seeks acceptance.

Question 5

be able to identify and explain several of the advantages of group decision making

Answer 5

o ADVANTAGES
§ More complete info: more diversity and experience than just one person
§ More alternatives: more people = greater quantity and diversity of information = more alternatives
§ Increases acceptance of a solution: if people who are affected by the solution help create the solution, they will be more likely to accept it and encourage others to do so as well
§ Increases legitimacy: this process is consistent with democratic ideals and may be perceived as more legit than decisions made by one person

Question 6

be able to identify and explain several of the disadvantages of group decision making

Answer 6

o DISADVANTAGES
§ Time consuming: takes time to assemble. Interaction is inefficient.
§ Minority domination: members of the group are never equal. Higher “status” individuals can influence the final decision.
§ Pressure to conform: groupthink. Social pressure in groups.
§ Ambiguous responsibility: responsibility is watered down. Group members share responsibility but who is responsible for final outcome.

Question 7

what is Raw Material? Why is it important to a supervisor?

Answer 7

o Raw material is material that is to be consumed in manufacturing processes to produce finished goods. It is important to a supervisor because if raw material is needed for the company (Manufacturing) then the company needs it to make money. If they don’t have it, they are losing money because they are still paying employees and utility costs still add up.

Question 8

what is temporary downsizing called

Answer 8

layoff

Question 9

what is job sharing

Answer 9

o special type of part time work. Two or more individuals split traditional work week. One person from 8-12 and another from 1-5.

Question 10

what takes place during the selection process of HR management

Answer 10

o the organizations knowledge is expanded about the applicants background, abilities, and motivation.

Question 11

what takes place during the recruiting process

Answer 11

o recruiting is locating, identifying, and attracting capable applicants. People are recruited by traditional means as well as on the internet and through employee referrals.

Question 12

what are flowcharts and why are they important?

Answer 12

o Visual representation of the sequence of events for a particular process. They are important in that they clarify how things are being done so that inefficiencies can be identified and the process can be improved.

Question 13

what is the difference between concurrent control and preventative control

Answer 13

o Concurrent control is control while an activity is happening. Preventative control anticipates and prevents undesirable outcomes.

Question 14

what costs do supervisors typically focus on and try to control

Answer 14

o direct and indirect labor costs, raw materials cost, supportive supplies cost, utility costs, maintenance costs.

Question 15

what is JIT and why is it important to a supervisor

Answer 15

o JIT = Just In Time – a system in which inventory items arrive when needed in the production process instead of being stored in stock.

o JIT allows a supervisor to minimize the cost associated with inventory. A supervisor using JIT for their manufacturing plant is saving the company a lot of money because they don’t have their money tied up on their shelves. Supervisors who are using JIT to supply a customer have to be aware of where their shipments are and when they are being ordered in comparison to when are they needed. Suppliers who can master JIT have a competitive advantage.

Question 16

what are the characteristics of an effective control system

Answer 16

o timeliness – things are taken care of now instead of later
o economy – economically reasonable to operate, makes money
o flexibility – the world is dynamic, control systems must change with it
o understandability – if people cant understand controls, there is no value for them. Employees become frustrated.
o reasonable criteria – standards should be obtainable
o critical placement – place controls on areas of your units performance and where it is most important
o emphasis on the exception – place controls so that they reveal important information to you and avoid acceptable deviations.

Question 17

what is brainstorming

Answer 17

o an idea generating process that encourages alternatives while withholding criticism. Overcomes conformity.

Question 18

what is groupthink

Answer 18

o Withholding of differing views by group members to appear to be in agreement. (I don’t want to be an outlier)

Question 19

know the 7 steps of the decision making process

Answer 19

o   identify problem
o   collect relevant information
o   develop alternatives
o   evaluate each alternative
o   select the best alternative
o   implement the decision
o   follow up and evaluate

Question 20

what is sexual harassment and why is it important for a supervisor to understand it?

Answer 20

o Sexual harassment: any unwanted activity of a sexual nature that affects an individual’s employment.

o Its important for a supervisor to understand what sexual harassment is because not everyone understands what constitutes as sexual harassment. Off color jokes or revealing posters can create a hostile and intimidating environment to some which could be considered sexual harassment to a degree. This hostile environment can make some employees uncomfortable with their workplace and will in turn make them perform badly. The supervisor is ultimately responsible for knowing about things such as this and taking action against it.

Question 21

when is it acceptable for a supervisor to initiate corrective action

Answer 21

o it is acceptable for a supervisor to initiate corrective action when performance has drifted out of the acceptable range of variation.

Question 22

how does a supervisor decide on what level of performance variation is acceptable

Answer 22

Set a standard and determine the acceptable deviation from that standard.

Question 23

what can my company do to lower the risk of sexual harassment?

Answer 23

o Educate employees what sorts of things are considered sexual harassment. Some things that seem harmless to one can make another uncomfortable.

o Have an open door policy. Encourage employees to come talk to you about things in the workplace, good or bad. This will make it easier for employees to come to you in times of Sexual harassment.