WGU D351 V2 All Topics Study Guide
with Complete Solutions
What role does the planning function of human resource management play within
organizations? - ANSWER-The planning function of human resource management
involves two major activities: strategic planning, and short- and medium-range planning.
Such strategic objectives may include increasing market share, revenue growth, product
or service diversity, and profit margins, as well as planning for financial obligations and
other eventualities.
What role does the staffing function of human resource management play within
organizations? - ANSWER-recruiting job applicants (also known as candidates), and
then selecting the most appropriate applicants for the available jobs.
What are the types of employee compensation? - ANSWER-direct and indirect
compensation
What is the role of performance appraisals? - ANSWER-A performance appraisal (also
known as a performance review, performance evaluation, or career development
discussion) is a method by which an employee's job performance is evaluated.
How does HRM enhance human potential? - ANSWER-HRM field has seen a
substantial interest in both formal and informal training and development.
HRM's work on improving the workplace environment focuses on what two
environments? - ANSWER-implementing productivity improvement programs as well as
improving health and safety at work
What must management be aware of in order to maintain effective work relationships? -
ANSWER-After an organization has hired the employees it needs, it must foster a
positive workplace environment. In addition to compensation and a healthy and safe
environment, firms must provide conditions that will make it attractive for employees to
stay.
What impact has globalization had on HR practices? - ANSWER-organizations become
more global, it is essential that organizations develop and implement HRM policies with
international applicability, also making them relevant to employees from diverse cultures
and backgrounds
What are the four implicit HR objectives? - ANSWER-improve productivity, improve
quality of work life,ensure legal compliance, and foster ethical behavior.
,How can HR managers make a significant contribution toward productivity
improvements? - ANSWER-work organization and design
How do organizations improve the quality of work life? How have employees' attitudes
regarding involvement with their work shifted? - ANSWER-most employees today desire
more autonomy and a chance to make a greater contribution to the organization.
employees today prefer a greater level of involvement with their work
Why is it important that HR mangers and personnel be familiar with the laws and
regulations? - ANSWER-laws impact nearly all functions and activities with which HRM
is involved, HR managers and personnel must be familiar with regulations affecting
hiring and pay decisions, promotion activities, health and safety considerations, and
labor relations.
Define the term "moral philosophy." - ANSWER-refers to the principles, rules, and
values that individuals use in deciding what is right or wrong.
How can HR professionals create a culture where ethical behavior is encouraged? -
ANSWER-"creating a positive work environment, hiring ethical individuals, providing
ethical training, labeling and modeling ethical behavior, creating a well-defined code of
ethics, establishing an open-door policy, and providing an employee assistance
program (EAP)."
External Environment: How does international competition influence HR activities? -
ANSWER-Corporations forced to be more competitive, HR policies and practices
change significantly
Define the term "SWOT". - ANSWER-SWOT is an acronym that stands for strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
What is the purpose of a SWOT analysis? - ANSWER-Used to establish a level of
understanding needed for a successful plan
Define the term "business ethics." - ANSWER-the values and principles that are used to
evaluate whether the collective behavior of members of an organization is appropriate
What are the six major trends have been identified as influencing the work
environment? - ANSWER-increased competition, the costs and benefits associated with
HR utilization, productivity changes (resulting from changes in technology, capital
investment, the 2008-2014 recession, capital utilization, outsourcing, and government
policies), the increasing pace and complexity of social, cultural, legal, demographic, and
educational changes, the symptoms of dysfunction in the workplace, and societal trends
of the 21st century
, Internal Environment: Define "culture" and identify who shapes an organization's
culture. - ANSWER-represents the organization's value system. Top management
shapes a companies culture
Internal Environment: Define technology. - ANSWER-generally refers to the equipment
and knowledge used to produce goods and services, and the definition of technology
may vary greatly by industry
Internal Environment: How does technology influence an organization's structure? -
ANSWER-with technology and computers, close supervision of employees is
unnecessary. Furthermore, technology allows work to be performed during non-
traditional hours, away from physical manufacturing plants and offices. With technology
we can see a reduction in the work force.
Internal Environment: Organizational size is an important factor in determining
________________. - ANSWER-HR activities
External Environment: How does the economy influence HR activities? - ANSWER-A
strong economy tends to decrease unemployment, increase wages, make recruitment
more competitive, and increase the desirability of training. On the other hand, a weak
economy tends to increase unemployment, diminish wage demands, make recruitment
less competitive, and reduce the need for training and development of current
employees.
What are the six HR competencies? - ANSWER-provide transformational leadership,
collaborate and resolve strategic challenges within the firm, encourage real employee
involvement, empower and facilitate learning as well as change and decision-making,
design process and performance systems, maintain a global business perspective
HR Characteristics: What knowledge of the Business and Industry must an HR
professional possess? - ANSWER-must acquire an understanding of the firm's business
objectives and the means that must be employed to attain them
HR Characteristics: Why is it important for an HR professional to have an understanding
of the economy? - ANSWER-The globalization of markets, internationalization of
corporations, and ever-growing insistence on quality require HR professionals to be
more familiar with economic issues, such as cost-of-living indices and the
unemployment rate.
HR Characteristics: Why is it important for an HR professional to have analytical
abilities? - ANSWER-Due to increases in technology use and the emerging roles that
businesses wish to assign HR professionals, these professionals are increasingly being
asked to manage processes rather than activities. Consequently, HR managers must
develop good analytical skills so that they can diagnosis and solve problems.
