T4:Human Resources

Question 1

What is an organisational structure?

Answer 1

The way a business is arranged to carry out its operations, showing hierarchy, roles, and communication.

Question 2

What is a hierarchy?

Answer 2

The levels of authority and responsibility in an organisation.

Question 3

What is span of control?

Answer 3

The number of employees a manager directly supervises.

Question 4

What is chain of command?

Answer 4

The route through which decisions and information pass within an organisation.

Question 5

What is centralisation?

Answer 5

When decision-making is kept at the top levels of management.

Question 6

What is decentralisation?

Answer 6

When decision-making is spread across various levels in the organisation.

Question 7

What are advantages of a tall structure?

Answer 7

Clear lines of responsibility, easier supervision.

Question 8

What are disadvantages of a tall structure?

Answer 8

Slow communication, demotivating due to many levels.

Question 9

What are the benefits of a flat structure?

Answer 9

Faster communication, employees feel more empowered.

Question 10

What are the drawbacks of a flat structure?

Answer 10

Managers may be overloaded, lack of supervision.

Question 11

What is internal recruitment?

Answer 11

Filling a vacancy from within the existing workforce.

Question 12

What is external recruitment?

Answer 12

Filling a vacancy by hiring someone from outside the business.

Question 13

What are the advantages of internal recruitment?

Answer 13

Faster, cheaper, motivates staff through promotion.

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of internal recruitment?

Answer 14

Limits new ideas, may create internal competition.

Question 15

What are the advantages of external recruitment?

Answer 15

Brings in new ideas and skills, wider choice.

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of external recruitment?

Answer 16

Costly, time-consuming, risk of poor fit.

Question 17

What is the recruitment process?

Answer 17

Job analysis, job description, person specification, advertise, shortlist, interview, hire.

Question 18

What are person specifications?

Answer 18

Details of the qualifications, experience, and qualities required for a role.

Question 19

What is employee retention?

Answer 19

How long employees stay at a business – high retention saves recruitment/training costs.

Question 20

What are part-time and full-time contracts?

Answer 20

Part-time: under 35 hrs/week; Full-time: ~35+ hrs/week.

Question 21

Why is employee motivation important?

Answer 21

Boosts productivity, improves retention, enhances customer service.

Question 22

What are financial methods of motivation?

Answer 22

Wages, salaries, piecework, commission, profit sharing.

Question 23

What are non-financial methods of motivation?

Answer 23

Job enrichment, empowerment, training, praise, fringe benefits.

Question 24

What is piecework?

Answer 24

Payment based on the number of items produced.

Question 25

What is commission?

Answer 25

Payment as a percentage of sales made.

Question 26

What are fringe benefits?

Answer 26

Extra perks such as discounts, healthcare, or company cars.

Question 27

What are the benefits of training?

Answer 27

Improves productivity, quality, motivation, and employee retention.

Question 28

What is on-the-job training?

Answer 28

Learning at the workplace while doing the job.

Question 29

What is off-the-job training?

Answer 29

Learning away from the workplace, e.g., at a college.

Question 30

What is induction training?

Answer 30

Training for new employees to introduce them to the job and workplace.

Question 31

Why is training important?

Answer 31

Ensures workers are competent, reduces mistakes, increases satisfaction.

Question 32

What is a job description?

Answer 32

Outlines the duties and responsibilities of a specific job.

Question 33

What is job analysis?

Answer 33

Determining what a job involves including tasks and responsibilities.

Question 34

What is delegation?

Answer 34

Giving someone authority to carry out tasks.

Question 35

What is delayering?

Answer 35

Removing levels of management to flatten the organisational structure.

Question 36

What is a flat structure?

Answer 36

Few layers of hierarchy with wide spans of control.

Question 37

What is a tall structure?

Answer 37

Many layers of hierarchy with narrow spans of control.

Question 38

What is staff retention?

Answer 38

The ability of a business to keep its employees over time.

Question 39

What is motivation?

Answer 39

The reason why employees are committed to and interested in their job.

Question 40

What is salary vs wage?

Answer 40

Salary: fixed annual amount. Wage: paid per hour/week.

Question 41

What is a line manager?

Answer 41

A person who is directly responsible for other employees' work.

Question 42

What is authority?

Answer 42

The power given to individuals to make decisions.

Question 43

What is delegation?

Answer 43

When authority is passed down to employees lower in the hierarchy.

Question 44

What is communication flow in organisational structures?

Answer 44

In a tall structure, communication flows top-down. In a flat structure, communication is faster and more direct.

Question 45

What is the impact of centralisation?

Answer 45

Quicker decisions made at the top but may lack flexibility or local input.

Question 46

What is the impact of decentralisation?

Answer 46

Allows quicker responses at local level but risks inconsistency.

Question 47

What is job analysis?

Answer 47

Examining a job to identify its main features, duties, and responsibilities.

Question 48

What is a job share?

Answer 48

Two employees sharing the responsibilities of one full-time job.

Question 49

What is selection?

Answer 49

The process of choosing the most suitable candidate from applicants.

Question 50

What are common selection methods?

Answer 50

CVs, application forms, interviews, aptitude tests, group exercises.

Question 51

What is a contract of employment?

Answer 51

A legal agreement between employer and employee stating terms and conditions.

Question 52

What is full-time work?

Answer 52

Usually around 35–40 hours per week.

Question 53

What is part-time work?

Answer 53

Fewer than 35 hours per week, offering flexibility.

Question 54

What are employment laws?

Answer 54

Laws protecting workers’ rights such as pay, safety, and equality.

Question 55

How does empowerment motivate employees?

Answer 55

Gives workers autonomy and responsibility, making them feel trusted.

Question 56

How do fringe benefits motivate employees?

Answer 56

Provides additional non-cash rewards such as healthcare, cars, and discounts.

Question 57

Why is motivation important for a business?

Answer 57

Motivated staff are more productive, stay longer, provide better service, and reduce recruitment costs.

Question 58

What is continuous professional development (CPD)?

Answer 58

Ongoing training to develop skills and stay updated in one's role.

Question 59

What are the disadvantages of training?

Answer 59

Costly, time-consuming, may lead employees to seek better jobs elsewhere.

Question 60

What are the differences between on-the-job and off-the-job training?

Answer 60

On-the-job is cheaper and practical, off-the-job provides broader learning in formal settings.

Question 61

What is induction?

Answer 61

Training provided when someone starts a new job, introducing them to the business.

Question 62

What is style of management?

Answer 62

The way managers interact with employees – can affect morale and efficiency.

Question 63

What is decentralised structure?

Answer 63

Structure where decisions are made by managers at various levels, not just the top.

Question 64

What is delayering?

Answer 64

The process of removing levels of hierarchy to flatten the organisation.

Question 65

What is commission?

Answer 65

Extra pay based on the value of sales an employee makes.

Question 66

What is profit sharing?

Answer 66

Employees receive a share of the business's profits as a bonus.