theme 2.5 making human resource decisions Flashcards
what is a hierarchical organisational structure
-A hierarchical structure has many layers of management, and businesses with this structure often use a ‘top-down’ approach with a long
chain of command
-managers have narrow span of control
what is a flat organisational structure
-A flat structure is an organisational structure with only a few layers of management.
-managers have a wide span of control
-usually used by small businesses
what is span of control
the number of staff that a manager has responsibility for
what is the chain of command
the route by which instructions and communications flow from the top to the bottom of a business, explaining who is answerable to whom
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, where often managers give tasks to employees further down the chain of command
what are subordinates
members of staff below a manager in the chain of command
what is a Centralised management structure
business decisions are made at the top of the business or in a head office and distributed down the chain of command
. It is often used in retail chains.
what are the advantages of a centralised management structure
-consistency across the business
-the business has a clear direction
-operations and decisions are closely controlled and managed
-the chain of command and accountability are clear
what are the disadvantages on a centralised management structure
-it can demotivate employees
-a standardised approach may not work in all business locations
-it may lower productivity
what is a decentralised management structure
A decentralised approach is where a business allows decisions to be made by managers and subordinates
further down the chain.
what are Advantages of a decentralised management structure
-improved employee motivation
-allowing managers lower down the chain to make decisions to suit their local area and customers
-more responsibility for employees
what are the Disadvantages of a decentralised management structure
-consistency is not achieved across the business
-managers can make ineffective decisions
-may negatively impact sales and overall business performance
what is the impact of insufficient communication on efficiency and motivation
can negatively impact efficiency and motivation, employees may not fully understand what is required of them or what is happening across the business as a whole. This may have a negative impact on overall business performance and decrease the productivity
what is the impact of excessive
employees may receive too much communication in general, or they may receive the same message via multiple channels. This can often cause employees to become confused or feel stressed or overloaded
what are some barriers to effective communication
-poor explanations
-poor spelling and grammar
-incorrect language
-technology issues
-poor structuring of information
-use of jargon, technical language or slang
-lack of understanding
what is full time working
employee working more than 35 hours per week, often spread over five days each week
what is part time working
employee working for only part of the working week, or anything less than full time.
what are flexible hours
Flexible-hours workers may work any number of hours up to full time, so they may be either full or part time.
what is a permanent contract
A permanent contract is one that has no fixed end date. The employee may stay within the business until either they decide to leave or the job role no longer exists.
what is a temporary contract
A temporary contract is one that has a specific end date, where the worker is only employed for a certain period of time
what is a freelance contract
A freelance contract is usually one where a self-employed
individual is engaged to carry out a specific piece of work over a defined period of time
what does increased efficiency mean for a business
a business is able to produce items and provide services more quickly, more accurately and with fewer resources
how has technology increased efficiency for businesses
-improved the efficiency of communication in businesses.
-Messages can now be sent very quickly to a large number of people with a reduced risk of barriers to communication
what is Remote working
Remote working is where employees are able to work from home or somewhere that is not the main working environment of their employer
what in the benefit of remote working for employers
-Remote working means that employees have more flexibility – they may not have to travel as far and are less likely to take time off because of sickness or be late
what in the negative to remote working
-employees working remotely may not always work as hard
-they may not be able to seek help easily when required.
what are directors
Directors are the people at the top of a business and its
organisational structure
what is the role of directors
make the key business decisions
what are senior managers
Senior managers sit below the level of director in the hierarchy. They are the highest level of manager in a business
what is the role of senior managers
often manage a team of employees
what do operational staff do
Operational staff complete tasks that fulfil the purpose of a business
what do support staff do
Support staff assist with the daily operation and running of a business
what is recruitment documentation
Recruitment is the process of deciding who will fulfil a specific job role
what is person specification
A person specification is a document created by a business that wants to fill a vacancy.
what does a person specification include
details about the educational background, skills, experience and hobbies the business wants applicants to have.
-often split into essential and desirable
what is job description
document produced by a business that wants to fill a vacancy. Its main purpose is to list all of the duties that are required in the role.
what does a job description include
job title, rate of pay or salary, bonus information, hours of work, location of work
what is an application form
An application form is completed by a potential employee when they apply for a job.
what is on an application form
will often include a series of questions for a potential employee to answer, so that the business can learn more about them
what is a CV
A CV is a document that applicants complete and submit alongside a job application
what is on a CV
personal document that includes information about an applicant’s skills, experience, qualifications and hobbies.
what is internal recruitment
Internal recruitment is often carried out through internal job adverts published via internal emails, notice boards, business websites and internal company memos.
what are the advantages of internal recruitment
-a quick process applicants will already be known to the business
-applicants may have previous experience in the role
-cheaper to recruit and advertise roles internally
what are the disadvantages of internal recruitment
-usually a small pool of applicants
-applicants may not be experienced in the role
-a lack of fresh ideas in the business
what is external recruitment
External recruitment is often carried out through external job adverts published via external emails, job websites,recruitment agencies, the business’ own website, newspapers and
trade magazines
what are the advantages to external recruitment
-may bring new ideas into the business
-fresh enthusiasm and skills
-larger pool of potential applicants
what are the disadvantages of external recruitment
-may take the new employee time to settle into the business
-expensive to recruit
-new employee not previously known to the business
-can take more time than internal recruitment
what is motivation
Motivation refers to how driven and happy an employee is in their role. If an employee is motivated, they are more likely to do a good job and work hard.
how is attracting employees important
If a potential employee can see that a workplace has high levels of motivation, they are more likely to want to be employed there
what is retention
Retention refers to keeping employees working for a business
how is retention important
-require less monitoring and training
-skills and experience are kept within the business
-avoids wasting time and money
what is productivity
Productivity relates to how much work is completed by employees
high productivity leads to high revenue
what are financial methods of motivation
-Remuneration
-Bonuses
-Commission
-Promotions
-Fringe benefits
what are non financial methods of motivation
-Job rotation
-Job enrichment
-Autonomy
what are some common methods of job enrichment
-completing a variety of tasks
-having more flexibility in how a role is carried out
-making more decisions
-having more control of tasks and duties
-developing additional skills
-enhancing knowledge
