PHR questions & ANSWERS(RATED A)
Which of the following words is least descriptive of how HR was traditionally perceived (back when this
organizational function was known as "personnel")? - ANSWER consultant - In this evolving and newly
emerging consultative mindset, HR professionals partner to define the overall organizational strategy,
structure, and culture, as well as to enhance the effectiveness of individuals within the organization.
-enforcer, gatekeeper, authoritarian is the traditionally perceived.
You have been hired to develop a strategic approach to recruitment. Which of the following would be
most important and relevant? - ANSWER Organizational mission statement - Effective strategies must
align with the mission of the organization. For this reason, the organization's mission statement would
represent a critical starting point for developing any strategic initiative.
Which of the following knowledge/skills would be most critical for HR professionals to understand (and
be able to apply), with respect to strategic areas of responsibility? - ANSWER Change management
concepts
Which of the following statements about SWOT analysis is untrue: - ANSWER SWOT analysis is usually
best conducted by external consultants, so as to ensure objectivity - While a SWOT analysis does require
objectivity, it is not necessarily appropriate or necessary to outsource this role to outside consultants.
Individuals within an organization can often achieve the level of objectivity required to conduct an
effective, accurate, and complete SWOT analysis.
True : 1. SWOT analysis is conducted to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses that are inherent to an
organization 2. SWOT analysis requires a level of objective analysis that can be difficult for organizations
to achieve 3. SWOT analysis is conducted to ascertain the opportunities and threats that it faces from
external forces
When examining strengths and weaknesses as part of a SWOT analysis, it is necessary for such analysis
to be directed inward. This clear and objective assessment would ascertain the resources of the
organization, which would include all of the following except: - ANSWER Economic - Economic, and
economic trends, constitute an external consideration and would thus be reviewed as part of an
environmental scan rather than as part of the review of the organization's internal strengths and
weaknesses.
, SWOT - capital, human, technology, financial. brand image
An "acid test" refers to: - ANSWER A calculation that measures an organization's ability to cover liabilities
- An "acid test" is a mathematical calculation/metric that divides current liabilities into the sum of the
following: cash, accounts receivable, and short-term investments. This calculation is intended to measure
an organization's ability to cover liabilities without selling off inventory or liquidating other long-term
investments.
The 4 Ps refer to: - ANSWER The categories into which components of marketing plans can be divided -
The 4 Ps refer to the categories into which components of marketing plans can be divided: product,
place, price and promotion.
Which of the following is most descriptive of a bureaucratic organizational structure? - ANSWER Clearly
defined lines of authority and areas of responsibility are created within a hierarchical structure -A
bureaucracy is an organizational model in which clearly defined lines of authority and areas of
responsibility are created within a hierarchical structure. Bureaucracies are often characterized by many
rules, approval guidelines, and—often—a degree of rigidity.
Which of the following is least likely to be true of the introduction, or birth, stage of the organizational
life cycle? - ANSWER HR has "a seat at the table" - Depending on the organization, the HR function may
or may not exist during this phase of the organizational life cycle.
Introduction, birth cycle organization - Cash flow may be low, Employees may be paid above market
rates, Employees may earn lower cash compensation
Which theorist developed the concept of self-actualization? - ANSWER Maslow - Maslow developed the
concept of self-actualization as part of his hierarchy of needs.
Which of the following behaviors is least true of coaching/professional coaching relationships? -
ANSWER a)Coaches offer advice, guidance, and direction
Mentors—not coaches—offer advice, guidance, and direction.
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1)Coaching helps coachees to discover their blind spots-Coaches help their coachees to identify and
work through blind spots, and to support them as they do so.
, 2)Coaches empower their coachees to make informed choices -Coaches work with their coachees to
learn to make fully informed and intentional choices.
3)Coaching requires extensive training and practice
Which of the following statements is not true of the Delphi method? - ANSWER A) Experts meet in
person and process their ideas as a group-Experts meet in person and process their ideas as a group as
part of the nominal group technique, not the Delphi method.
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1)The final position generated through this forecasting technique incorporates the evolving and iterative
input of many individuals but does not unduly reflect any one position or viewpoint
2)It is a structured, nonmathematical technique in which expert opinions from a variety of individuals
are sought, distilled, and distilled again
3)An objective, neutral, uninvolved leader recaps what the experts submit, summarizes that information,
and condenses it into a more concise format
Human processual OD interventions: - ANSWER A)Seek to effect change and impact relationships within
(and between) groups and individuals--Human processual interventions seek to effect change and
impact relationships within (and between) groups and individuals.
1)Leverage the work of prominent psychologists, particularly Jung, to maximize the likelihood of self-
motivation and self-direction: No specific category of OD interventions identified in the HRBOK
specifically leverages the work of prominent psychologists, particularly Jung, to maximize the likelihood
of self-motivation and self-direction.
2)Focus on groups in the workplace and the ways in which those groups can become more (or, at least,
semi-) autonomous with respect to the performance and execution of work: Sociotechnical interventions
(rather than human processual interventions) focus on groups in the workplace and the ways in which
those groups can become more (or, at least, semi-) autonomous with respect to the performance and
execution of work.
Which of the following statements does not represent a stage in Lewin's change process theory? -
ANSWER a)Either get on the bus or get off the bus, but step out of the doorway"--While this might
represent a choice that certain employees make, this statement does not represent a stage in Lewin's
change process theory.
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1)"You know, I almost can't remember a time when we didn't take this bus"
, What once represented a change has now become, in simplest terms, the new normal.
2)"You're on the bus; now, let's get moving"
Moving, in this context, represents the process through which people are brought to accept the change
and the process through which they are brought to the point where they actually experience the new
state that the change was designed to bring about.
Which of the following questions does not correlate to a key element of Vroom's expectancy theory? -
ANSWER a) If I don't put forth the required effort, how likely is it that I would still be recognized or
rewarded in a meaningful way, based on my history of solid performance? - The question "If I don't put
forth the required effort, how likely is it that I would still be recognized or rewarded in a meaningful way,
based on my history of solid performance?" does not correlate to any key element of Vroom's
expectancy theory.
<KEY ELEMENTS>1)How likely is it that I'll be able to attain a particular goal (in this case, a certain level of
performance) if I put forth the required effort?
2)Assuming that I do attain this level of performance, how likely is it that I'll be recognized or rewarded
in some way?
3)Assuming that I am recognized or rewarded, what is that recognition or reward really worth to me?
Which of the following is an example of punishment within the context of Skinner's theory of operant
conditioning? - ANSWER An employee continues to wear a pin depicting a photo of an aborted fetus
after being asked to cover the button while away from her cubicle and is subsequently disciplined by the
employer-- When demonstrating undesirable behavior results in an undesirable outcome or
consequence, the individual might choose not to engage in that undesired behavior again. (Note: This
example speaks to Wilson v. US West Communications, Inc., 860 F. Supp. 665 [D. Neb. 1994])
Which of the following factors is not essential to successfully implementing any strategic plan? - ANSWER
a) Character--Character, while generically relevant, is not specifically relevant to constructing a strategic
plan.
1)Credibility
2)Commitment
3)Communication
A concurrent resolution - ANSWER A)Addresses a concern that pertains either to the Senate or the
House of Representatives
