Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Business GCSE > Unit 4: Human Resources > Flashcards

Unit 4: Human Resources Flashcards

(86 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

what is the function of the human resources department?

A

-are responsible for recruiting and hiring workers. they may handle employee relations, payroll, benefits and training

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

why have a organisational structure?

A

-important that everyone knows…
- what their duties are
-the person or people they have to report to
-the employees for whom they are responsible for

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define an organisational structure

A

the way a business arranges itself to carry out its activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

define an organisational chart

A

a plan showing the roles of and relationships between all the employees in a business

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is the responsibilities of directors

A

-establish the business´s overall goals
-set long-term plans and targets for the business

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are the responsibilities of managers

A

-work to achieve the short-and long-term targets set by the directors
-may be responsible for a function within the business
-use employees and other resources in the best ways possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are the responsibilities of team leaders (supervisors)

A

-help managers to achieve their targets by reporting any problems and passing on instructions
-take simple decisions, such as allocating jobs among different employees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the responsibilities of shop-floor workers or operatives

A

-carrying out the business’s basic duties or activities. These could be working on production line, serving customers in a shop or basic office duties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

define line manager

A

an employees immediate superior or boss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

define authority

A

the power to control others and to make decisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

define span of control

A

the number of employees managed directly by another employee

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

define levels of hierarchy

A

are the layers of authority within a business

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

define chain of command

A

the line of authority within a business along which communication passes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

define delayering

A

the removal of one or more levels of hierarchy from a business’s organisational structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

define delegation

A

the passing down of authority to more junior employees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what are the advantages to a tall organisational structure

A

-narrow span of control
-more likely to be promoted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are the disadvantages of a tall organisational structure

A

-slower speed of communication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what are the advantages of a flat organisational structure

A

-faster speed of communication
-everyone feels involved in decisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what are the disadvantages of a flat organisational structure

A

-not as much opportunity for promotion
-managers have a larger span of control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

define communication

A

the exchange if information between two or more people

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

define decentralisation

A

where important decisions are delegated to managers in other departments / locations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

define centralisation

A

where important decisions are taken at the centre and then passed out to the various departments / locations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are the advantages of decentralisation

A

-increased motivation of managers
-encourages local initiatives
-decisions based on more up-to-date information
-faster decision-making

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what are the disadvantages of decentralisation

A

-all employees must know the businesses aims and goals
-training may be needed
-managers may lack experience
-good communication is important
-duplication of functions and costs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
what are the advantages of centralisation
-tight control of decisions -decisions made by senior management -helps decisions to be consistent across the business -avoids repetition of functions
26
what are the disadvantages of centralisation
-lack of motivation of managers -central management may be 'out of touch' -may be slow to make decisions that need to be taken quickly
27
define diversification
occurs when a business starts selling new products in new markets
28
when does a business need to recruit staff?
-new -expanding -when employees leave
29
why might someone leave a job?
-retire -Move jobs -Promotion -Maternity / paternity leave
30
define retention
the proportion of a business's workforce who remain with the business over a period of time
31
define recruitment
the process of finding and appointing new employees
32
define selection
choosing the right employees from among those who have applied for a job
33
define internal recruitment
when a job vacancy is filled from within the existing workforce
34
define external recruitment
filling a job vacancy from any suitable person not already employed by the business
35
what are the advantages of internal recruitment
-experience and knowledge of the business and how it works -already know / get on well with existing staff -promotional opportunities motivates staff -cheaper-doesn't need expensive external ads
36
what are the disadvantages of internal recruitment
-may have to train staff for new role -may not have the right skills -limited pool of applicants -have to replace their old job
37
what are the advantages of external recruitment
-wider choice of candidates -brings in fresh ideas -might already have the skills so no need to train
38
what are the disadvantages of external recruitment
-more expensive -know less about the person -greater chance of making a mistake
39
define job analysis
the collection and interpretation of information about a job
40
define a job description
states information about the duties and tasks that make up a particular job
41
define a person specification
it sets out the qualifications and skills required by an employee to fill a particular job
42
define a curriculum vitae (CV)
it provides information about a person, including qualifications, employment history and interests
43
why is effective recruitment and selection so important?
-high productivity -high quality output / customer service -staff retention
44
what does the employee contract state
-hours of work -rates of pay -duties -holidays -sick pay -place of work
45
define full-time employment
when someone works a number of hours equal to the normal working week
46
define part-time employment
when an employee works for fewer than the normal number of working hours per week
47
what are the pros of full time
-better communication as speak directly -more skilled and experienced -more chance for promotions
48
what are the cons of full time
-higher employment costs -less flexibility -long hours and pressure
49
what are the pros of part time
-greater flexibility -lower wage costs -wider talent pool -better work-life balance -lower work stress
50
what are the cons of part time
-more staff to manage -lower availability -training and admin costs -low income -fewer benefits -limited career progression
51
define job share
exists when two or more employees agree to share the responsibilities of a single job
52
what are the pros to job share?
-wider skill set -high productivity -lower stress -improved work-life
53
what are the cons to job share?
-communication issues -increased admin -reduced income
54
define a zero hours contract
it allows employers to hire staff without any guaranteed hours of work
55
what are the pros to a zero hour contract
-flexible hours and staffing -low cost -opportunity to gain experience -easier to manage
56
what are the cons to a zero hour contract
-lack of communication -uncertain income -short notice availability issues -stress and insecurity
57
what are the different steps of recruitment?
-Job analysis -Job description -person specification -job advertisement -apply for the job -long list / short list candidates -interviews -selection and references -offer letter / rejection letter -contract of employment
58
define motivation
the range of factors that influence people to behave in certain ways
59
why is motivation important?
-attracting employees -retaining employees -general levels of productivity
60
What is the benefit of motivation on attracting employees?
-if a potential employee can see that a workplace has high levels of motivation, they are more likely to want to work there. -motivated staff are more likely to recommend their workplace to potential applicants
61
What is the benefit of motivation on retaining employees?
-employees who have worked for a long time require less monitoring and training -employees that stay have their skills and experience kept within business -avoids wasting time and money hiring new people -employees likely feel valued by a business that invests in their training and development
62
What is the benefit of motivation on productivity?
-high productivity leads to more revenue and potentially more profit
63
what are the financial methods of motivation?
-Remuneration -Bonuses -Commission -promotion -piece-rate pay -pensions -profit share -shares/options -salaries -wages
64
define remuneration
-it is the money employees are paid in return for working in a business. -pay rises can often make employees more motivated
65
define bonuses
-it is a form of additional remuneration -this could increase the number of sales and revenue as employees are more motivated
66
define commission
-it is paid on top of a normal wage or salary -usually given as a percentage of a sale or a specified amount of money per sale
67
define promotions
-employees are provided with a higher-ranking job with more responsibilities -this means they earn higher wages and more financial benefits
68
define fringe benefits
-additional employment perks awarded to an employee -it is a way of saving employees money rather then providing them with additional money
69
what are the non-financial methods of motivation?
-job rotation -job enrichment -autonomy -fringe benefits
70
define job rotation
-involves an employee having a large amount of variety in their day-to-day role -avoids them becoming bored with their job
71
what are the 2 types of job rotation
-employee has a number of different job roles -employee has a range of different duties
72
define job enrichment
-involves enhancing employees roles through providing a wider range of tasks for them to complete -they still continue to work in the same chain of command
73
what are the common methods of job enrichment
-completing a variety of tasks -having more flexibility in how a role is carried out -making more decisions -having more control of tasks and duties -developing additional skills -enhancing knowledge
74
define autonomy / empowerment
-it is the degree to which employees are able to make decisions about their day to day roles
75
what is the advantage of autonomy as a method of motivation?
less supervision needed
76
what is the advantage of job rotation as a method of motivation?
creates a multiskilled workforce
77
what is the advantage of job enrichment as a method of motivation?
more interesting for the worker
78
what is the advantage of team working as a method of motivation?
if someone is absent people can step in
79
what is the disadvantages of job rotation as a method of motivation?
staff don't become specialists
80
what is the disadvantages of job enrichment as a method of motivation?
training costs
81
what is the disadvantages of autonomy as a method of motivation?
mistakes can be made
82
define piecework
a method of payment under which employees are paid according to the quantity of products they produce
83
define training
a range of activities giving employees job-related skills and knowledge
84
define induction training
training given to an employee when he or she firsts starts a job
85
define on-the-job training
employee training at the place of work while he or she is doing the actual job. often trained by an experienced employee
86
define off-the-job training
training the employee away from the job or workplace

Business GCSE (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions