Theme 1.4 - Managing People

Question 1

Why is effective HR staffing important

Answer 1

To ensure
- The right roles are appointed
- Support/opportunity to succeed

Question 2

Staff as an asset

Answer 2

Staff bring knowledge, skill and a positive reputation

Question 3

Staff as a cost

Answer 3

Hiring and training costs money, as well as salaries and wages

Question 4

What is multiskilling

Answer 4

Trained to fulfil multiple job roles

Question 5

What is an advantage and a disadvantage of multiskilling

Answer 5

+ availability to utilise workforce efficiently, increased productivity
- Significant investment to train and develop

Question 6

What is an advantage and a disadvantage of part-time/temp working

Answer 6

+ flexible working arrangements, attract and retain talent
- challenging terms of communication

Question 7

What is an advantage and a disadvantage of outsourcing

Answer 7

+ access to specialised skills not available in house, reduced labour costs
- ethical concerns, mismatched values

Question 8

Advantage and disadvantage of home working for business

Answer 8

+ fewer costs, wider geographical area
- less opportunity for collaboration, and requires careful monitoring

Question 9

Advantage and disadvantage of home working for employee

Answer 9

+ commuting costs are eliminated
- workers may feel isolated from colleagues, balance between work and life is difficult

Question 10

What is dismissal

Answer 10

Termination of employment by an employer due to miss conduct or poor performance

Question 11

What is redundancy

Answer 11

Where the job is no longer available

Question 12

What is the individual approach (employer/employee relationship)

Answer 12

Focuses on relationship between e-e, each employee is unique, tailored compensations to tailor to each employee

Question 13

What is collective bargaining (employer/employee relationship)

Answer 13

Group of employees are represented by a trade union, more bargaining power - negotiate collectively

Question 14

What is the goal or recruitment

Answer 14

• to create a pool of qualified candidates

Question 15

What is the selection process

Answer 15

Define - Source - Advertise - Applications - Selections

Question 16

What is a benefit and drawback of internal recruitment

Answer 16

+ Internal candidates are already familiar with the businesses culture and process
- can lead to conflict and resentment

Question 17

What is a benefit and drawback of external recruitment

Answer 17

+ fresh ideas and concepts
- more expensive, greater degree of uncertainty

Question 18

What costs are associated with recruitment

Answer 18

• High labour turnover, need to recruit more
• If training is not effective it can impact costs, will need additional training
• When selecting background checks need to be done which again is expensive

Question 19

What are the three types of training

Answer 19

• Induction, new employees, introduction
• On the job, tailored however, may pick up bad habits
• Off the job, cost effective - expensive travel

Question 20

What is a hierarchy

Answer 20

Levels of authority within a business

Question 21

What is the chain of command

Answer 21

Formal line of authority

Question 22

What is the span of control

Answer 22

Number of employees that a manager can manage effectively

Question 23

What is a centralised structure

Answer 23

decision making authority is concentrated at the top

Question 24

What is a decentralised structure

Answer 24

decision making authority distributed throughout - flexibility + innovation

Question 25

What is the tall organisational structure

Answer 25

Multiple levels of management, long chain command

Question 26

Advantage and disadvantage of tall organisational structure

Answer 26

+ Clear hierarchy, defined roles responsibilities and promotes specialisation - Communication barrier, slow decision making, bureaucracy

Question 27

What is a flat organisational structure

Answer 27

More decentralised decision making, short chain of command

Question 28

Advantage and disadvantage of flat organisational structure

Answer 28

+ culture collar promoted, faster efficient decision making - role of ambiguity due to lack of hierarchy, no clear career advancements can lead to burnout

Question 29

What is a matrix organisational structure

Answer 29

Built around specific projects, function areas combined with specialists

Question 30

Advantage and disadvantage of a matrix organisational structure

Answer 30

+ cross functional collaboration, specialised and expertise - conflicts over priorities, resources (high degree of communication required)

Question 31

What is employee motivation

Answer 31

Inner desire of willingness to achieve a specific goal/outcome these can be either internal or external

Question 32

Impacts of motivated employees

Answer 32

Motivated employees - time efficient - engaged - higher output - higher productivity - higher profits - lower employee turnover - lower costs, less recruitment and training

Question 33

What are the four theories of motivation

Answer 33

- Taylor's scientific management - Mayo's Human Resources theory - Maslow's hierarchy of needs - Herzberg two factor theory

Question 34

What is Taylors scientific management (4 steps)

Answer 34

Process of breaking down complex tasks into simpletons with clear instructions 1. Study and analyse work process 2. Standardise (detailed procedures with clear steps) 3. Select + train workers 4. Provide incentives (bonuses)

Question 35

What are 2 benefits and a drawback of tays scientific management

Answer 35

+ Increase efficiency, lower costs + Standardised procedures, lower errors - Workers may disengage due to woking in a machine like system

Question 36

What is Mayo's human relations theory

Answer 36

Highlights the importance of social factors (communication, motivation and job satisfaction) - Through understanding, improving relations between workers, management etc

Question 37

What does Mayo's human relationship theory allow for

Answer 37

- empowering employees in decision making - providing feedback - improved job satisfaction

Question 38

What are the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Answer 38

Psychological & basic needs - safety and security - love and belongingness - esteem - self actualisation

Question 39

Advantage and disadvantage of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Answer 39

+ Higher employee satisfaction and retention - expensive to meet needs of each employee

Question 40

What is herzbergs two factor theory

Answer 40

Two things impact job satisfaction - Hygiene factors (job dissatisfaction - working conditions - unfair pay) - Motivators (job satisfaction - rewards - recognition culture opportunities for growth )

Question 41

What are three financial incentives

Answer 41

1. Piecework, payed accordingly to number of units they produce (tay's) 2. Commission, percentage of sales revenue payed to worker (herzberg) 3. Bonus

Question 42

What are three non-financial incentives

Answer 42

1. Delegation, transferring responsibility to staff (Maslow) 2. Flexible working (Maslow) 3. Job enrichment, challenging/meaningful tasks (Mayo)

Question 43

What is the distinction between management and leadership

Answer 43

Management - focuses on day-to-day organisation and has a task focus Leadership - vision direction, and focuses on goals

Question 44

Examples of key differences between leaders and management

Answer 44

Vision vs. Execution Influence vs. Control

Question 45

What are the 4 leadership styles

Answer 45

Autocratic - complete control (small businesses) Paternalistic - parental role, best interest (inexperienced staff) Democratic - involves team in decision making (encourages innovation) Laissez Faire - hands off, team manages own work (Very experienced staff)