2.5 - making human resource decisions

Question 1

what is an organizational structure

Answer 1

how a business organises its staff to represent the different layers of management.

Question 2

What is a hierarchical structure

Answer 2

Also known as a tall structure
Has many layers of management, and businesses with this structure often use a ‘top-down’ approach with a long chain of command
managers will have a narrow span of control and a relatively small number of subordinates (staff).

Question 3

What is a flat structure

Answer 3

only a few layers of management.
managers have a wide span of control with more subordinates, and there is usually a short chain of command.
Flat organisational structures are commonly used by smaller businesses or those adopting a more modern approach to management.

Question 4

Define span of control

Answer 4

the number of staff that a manager has responsibility for

Question 5

Define chain of command

Answer 5

the route by which instructions and communications flow from the top to the bottom of a business, explaining who is answerable to whom

Question 6

Define delayering

Answer 6

a process where a business removes layers of its management to make its structure more flat

Question 7

define delegation

Answer 7

a process where tasks are given to members of staff, where often managers give tasks to employees further down the chain of command

Question 8

define subordinates

Answer 8

members of staff below a manager in the chain of command

Question 9

What is a centralised organisational structure

Answer 9

Where business decisions are made at the top of the business or in a head office and distributed down the chain of command

Question 10

What is a decentralised organisational structure

Answer 10

where a business allows decisions to be made by managers and subordinates further down the chain. This structure provides staff with more decision-making responsibilities

Question 11

What are 4 advantages of a centralised management structure

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are 4 disadvantages of a centralised management structure

Answer 12

it can demotivate employees

a standardised approach may not work in all business locations

it may lower productivity

Question 13

What are 3 advantages of a decentralised management structure

Answer 13

improved employee motivation

allowing managers lower down the chain to make decisions to suit their local area and customers

more responsibility for employees

Question 14

What are 3 disadvantages of a decentralised management structure

Answer 14

consistency is not achieved across the business

managers can make ineffective decisions

may negatively impact sales and overall business performance, eg because of ineffective decisions by managers lower down the chain

Question 15

What are flexible hours

Answer 15

You are given a set amount of hours per week and you can choose when you work those hours

Question 16

What is a freelance contract

Answer 16

where a self-employed individual is engaged to carry out a specific piece of work over a defined period of time.

Question 17

What are the 3 types of hours

Answer 17

Full time
Part time
Flexible

Question 18

What are the 3 types of contracts

Answer 18

Permanent
Temporary
Freelance

Question 19

What do directors do

Answer 19

They are at the top of the organizational structure.

they make the key decisions

Question 20

What do senior managers do

Answer 20

They sit bellow directors and are the highest level of management they make day to day operational decisions

Question 21

What do supervisors and team leaders do

Answer 21

they sit bellow senior managers and often manage a team of employees providing them with their daily duties

Question 22

What do operational staff do

Answer 22

They complete tasks that fulfil the purpose of a business. eg. a checkout operator

Question 23

What do support staff do

Answer 23

They assist with the daily operation and running of a business. Their duties do not directly contribute to the overall operation or purpose of a business
Eg. cleaners and maintenance workers

Question 24

What is a person specification

Answer 24

A document created by a business that wants to fill a vacancy.
This document provides information about the type of person the business wants to hire.

A person specification includes details about the educational background, skills, experience and hobbies the business wants applicants to have.

It is often split into essential and desirable

Question 25

What is a Job description

Answer 25

a 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.

Question 26

What is an application form

Answer 26

a form completed by a potential employee when they apply for a job.

Question 27

What is CV

Answer 27

a document that applicants complete and submit alongside a job application with all of their skills experiences and qualifications on it

Question 28

define motivation

Answer 28

The reasons an employee has for working - how driven and happy they are in their role.

Question 29

What are the financial methods of motivation(5)

Answer 29

• Remuneration - Their wages
• Bonuses
• Commission
• Promotion
• Fringe benefits eg. free holidays, company car ect.

Question 30

What are the non-financial methods of motivation(3)

Answer 30

Job rotation - adding variety into an employees day to day role
Job enrichment - giving them more responsibility/ freedom
autonomy - the degree to which employees are able to make decisions about their day-to-day roles

Question 31

what are the 2 types of job rotation

Answer 31

different job roles - eg. fixing lights or fixing tires
and
Different duties within their role eg. developing a website or developing a software package