1.4 Managing People

Question 1

pros and cons of multiskilling 1,2

Answer 1

P- efficient use of labour-> lower costs and increase productivity
C- investment in training
- may require high expertise

Question 2

Pros and cons of part time/temporary working

Answer 2

P- can attract and retain workers
-may improve productivity
C- hard to communicate through different timings
- hard to monitor and manage workers

Question 3

Pros and cons to outsourcing

Answer 3

P-access to specialised skills
- reduced labour costs
C-loss of control
-can create ethical concerns

Question 4

3 main types of training

Answer 4

Induction
On the job
Off the job

Question 5

Induction training meaning and pros and cons

Answer 5

Introduction to the firm and its roles and values etc
P-helps employee understand role
- adds confidence and motivation
- redcues time needed for employee to be productive
C- time consuming and expensive
-may not be effective and can lead to staff turnover

Question 6

On the job definition and pros and cons

Answer 6

Training taken place within the workforce
P-cheaper as its taken place within work hrs
- specific to the role
-practical and relevant to job duties
C-bad habits may be passed on
-disrupts the workplace

Question 7

Off the job definition, pros and cons

Answer 7

Training taken place outside of the workplace
P-new ideas
-gain expertise from a specialist
-can be used as a reward for employees
C-expensive
- decreases productivity in workplace as less employees
- may not be directly applicable

Question 8

Hierarchy meaning

Answer 8

levels of authority within a firm

Question 9

Chain of command meaning

Answer 9

line of authority from top to bottom

Question 10

Span of control

Answer 10

number of subordinates a manager is managing

Question 11

Centralised structure meaning

Answer 11

decisions are made from people at the top- promotes control and consistency

Question 12

Decentralised structure meaning

Answer 12

decisions are distributed throughout the workforce- promotes innovation and flexibility

Question 13

Tall organisational structure , pros cons 2

Answer 13

Long CHAIN OF COMMAND
P-clear hierarchy of authority
- promotes specialisation
-promotion opportunities
C-slow decision making
-long communication

Question 14

Flat organisational structure, pros cons

Answer 14

short CHAIN OF COMMAND
P-easy communication
-fast decision making
-more innovation/creativity
C-lack of promotion opportunities
-employees may take up multiple roles->burnout

Question 15

What are the 4 motivational theories

Answer 15

Taylors scientific management
Mayo’s human relations
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Herzberg two factor theory

Question 16

What is Taylors Scientific Management, pros and cons

Answer 16

Use of DIVISION OF LABOUR and piece rate
P-efficiency
-specialisation
-reduced errors
C-repetition-> demotivation
-may exploit workers with low wages

Question 17

Mayo’s Human relation theory, pros and cons

Answer 17

Social needs should be improved to increase motivation
P-job satisfaction
-productivity
-employee empowerment
C-time consuming
- lack of control

Question 18

Maslows Hierarchy of needs

Answer 18

Workers want to achieve basic needs before being motivated for the next tier of needs (from basic needs to self actualisation)
P-motivation
-employee satisfaction
C-expensive to manage everyone’s needs
- time consuming to know everyone’s needs

Question 19

Herzberg two factor theory

Answer 19

Hygiene factors ( working conditions, pay, rules) and motivation factors (recognition, achievement, responsibility)

Question 20

4 leadership styles

Answer 20

Autocratic
Paternalistic
Democratic
Laissez-faire

Question 21

Autocratic style, pros and cons

Answer 21

Leader makes all decisions on their own
P-high output short term
C-can lead to demotivation

Question 22

Paternalistic style

Answer 22

leader consults staff before making decisions

Question 23

Democratic style

Answer 23

encourages workers to participate in decision making

Question 24

Laissez-faire style

Answer 24

hands off approach where leaders rarely interfere with day to day decisions