Unit 4 : human recourses

Question 1

What is Human Resource Management?

Answer 1

Organising the people employed by a business to achieve their aims.

Question 2

What tasks does the HR department do?

Answer 2

Sets the organisational structure, recruits, trains and motivates staff.

Question 3

What is the span of control?

Answer 3

The number of people a line manager is in charge of.

Question 4

What is chain of command?

Answer 4

The way in which responsibility is passed down the layers in the hierarchy.

Question 5

What is a tall structure?

Answer 5

Organising a business into small teams (narrow span of control) and many layers.

Question 6

What are the cons of a tall structure?

Answer 6

Cost of wages, lack of freedom for workers, top to bottom communication poor.

Question 7

What are the pros of a tall structure?

Answer 7

Supervision / support, promotions, good manager to subordinate communication.

Question 8

What is a flat hierarchy?

Answer 8

Organising a business into large teams (wide span of control) and few layers.

Question 8

What are the pros of a flat structure?

Answer 8

Less management oversight = freedom / creativity, top to bottom communication.

Question 9

What are the cons of a flat structure?

Answer 9

Lack of management control / consistency, less support for workers.

Question 10

What is centralisation?

Answer 10

The top managers in an organisation make the strategic decisions.

Question 11

What is decentralisation?

Answer 11

When junior managers / subordinates are empowered to make strategic decisions.

Question 12

What is delayering?

Answer 12

Removing a layer of management leading to a flatter structure.

Question 13

What is delegation?

Answer 13

Giving a subordinate the responsibility for completing a specific task.

Question 14

What are the main job roles in a business?

Answer 14

Directors, managers, supervisors, operators.

Question 15

What is the recruitment process?

Answer 15

Job analysis > job description / person spec > advertise > shortlist > selection tests.

Question 16

What is a job analysis?

Answer 16

Gathering and analysing information about the activities that a job role will involve.

Question 17

What are selection tests?

Answer 17

Methods used during the recruitment process to assess the skills of a candidate.

Question 18

Differentiate between full time and part time workers.

Answer 18

Full time workers = >35 hours per week, part time workers = <30 hours per week.

Question 19

What is a zero – hours contract?

Answer 19

When someone is employed but no set working hours are agreed in their contract.

Question 20

What is on the job training?

Answer 20

Training provided by the business whilst the employee is doing their job role.

Question 21

What are the pros of on the job training?

Answer 21

Specific to employee needs, employee is productive, cost efficient for business.

Question 22

What is off the job training?

Answer 22

Training provided from organisations outside the business (usually experts).

Question 23

What are the pros of off the job training?

Answer 23

Given by experts, brings in new ideas, employees can earn qualifications.

Question 24

What is induction training?

Answer 24

Training that all employees receive when they start at a new business.

Question 25

What is motivation?

Answer 25

The desire to achieve a particular goal or outcome.

Question 26

List three benefits of having a motivated workforce.

Answer 26

Higher productivity, lower absence, lower staff turnover, often better quality / service.

Question 27

What are financial motivators?

Answer 27

Wage, salary, commission, profit sharing.

Question 28

What are non – financial motivators?

Answer 28

Management (authoritarian / democratic), training, responsibility, fringe benefits

Question 29

Which form of motivation is best?

Answer 29

Depends – low paid workers = more money. Skilled workers = responsibility.