Q&A Hero

Q: Which of the following is an advantage of using a human resource information system in an organization? A. It can be used to scrutinize balance sheets. B. It can be used to develop new lines of products. C. It can be used to provide employee coaching. D. It can help avoid litigation and lawsuits. E. It can be used by salespeople to improve sales.

Q: You are required to submit a business plan for your company's proposed flower export division within the next two months. This is a: A. high-priority item. B. medium-priority item. C. low-priority item. D. task to be delegated.

Q: Employees who take assignments in other countries are called _____. A. host-country nationals B. immigrants C. external employees D. expatriates E. emigrants

Q: Linda undertakes sales training at a successful apparel manufacturing company and gets a promotion. It has been recently brought to her notice that sales have drastically dropped due to the inability of frontline sales personnel to handle customer queries at the company's retail outlets. Linda should: A. assign this issue a high priority. B. assign this issue a medium priority. C. assign this issue a low priority. D. delegate this issue.

Q: Companies are finding that to survive they must contend in international markets as well as fend off foreign competitors' attempts to gain ground in the United States. Which of the following would help businesses in the United States meet these challenges? A. They must focus on developing domestic markets rather than on developing global markets. B. They must hire only from a domestic labor pool. C. They must prepare employees for global assignments. D. They must eliminate reshoringreestablishing operations in North America. E. They must reduce the workforce with a "grenade" approachby eliminating an entire group of employees.

Q: A task that requires personal involvement and immediate action but is not your major responsibility is _____. A. assigned a low priority B. given a medium priority C. considered high priority D. a task to be delegated

Q: If a particular task does not require personal involvement, the task should ideally be _____. A. delegated to someone B. given a low priority C. assigned a medium priority D. considered insignificant

Q: Which of the following is the reason why more organizations are looking overseas to hire talented people? A. Lack of technology in the U.S. B. Lack of demand for their products in the U.S. C. Poor quality of labor in the U.S. D. Governmental pressure E. Low cost of labor in foreign countries

Q: A _____ tracks activities and enables a person to determine how time is used. A. timer B. time log C. time warp D. travelogue

Q: When large U.S. software companies open facilities in developing countries to take advantage of the highly skilled labor available there at lower pay rates, they are engaging in: A. consolidation. B. nationalization. C. crowdsourcing. D. codetermining. E. offshoring.

Q: If you are not sure of the dress style for an interview, overdressing is suggested.

Q: Which of the following best describes offshoring? A. It is the practice of having another company provide services. B. It refers to moving operations from the country where a company is headquartered to a country where pay rates are lower but the necessary skills are available. C. It is a method of staffing other than the traditional hiring of full-time employees. D. It is a complete review of the organization's critical work processes to make them more efficient and able to deliver higher quality of products and services. E. It refers to acquiring a new company in a distant location or another country in order to acquire higher market share or growth.

Q: Regardless of your good human relations skills, multitasking is critical to your career success.

Q: Daily Needs Inc. is a consumer goods company that provides the option of door-to-door delivery. The company has partnered with a packaging company for transporting its goods to the customers. This is an example of _____. A. cause marketing B. outsourcing C. reengineering D. disinvesting E. downsizing

Q: The practice of having another company provide services is known as _____. A. benchmarking B. downsizing C. codetermining D. outsourcing E. reengineering

Q: If you want a raise or promotion, it is your responsibility to prove that you deserve one.

Q: Palin Inc., an electronics manufacturer, is headquartered in Texas. The firm shifted its operations from Texas to China due to lower labor costs and the availability of required skills in China. This scenario indicates that Palin engaged in the practice of _____. A. downsizing B. reengineering C. offshoring D. benchmarking E. acquiring

Q: If a company requests that a resume be sent via e-mail, always write your cover letter in the e-mail, and send your resume as an attachment.

Q: Miller Inc., a maker of chocolate products, assigns its packaging and labeling services to Labels U.S.A., a firm that specializes in packaging and labeling other companies' products. Which of the following HRM practices does Miller Inc. use? A. Acquiring B. Reengineering C. Downsizing D. Benchmarking E. Outsourcing

Q: The interview is given the most weight in job decisions in most cases.

Q: Carroll Inc., a cell phone manufacturer, has its assembly operations performed by Mortimer Corp., a firm that deals exclusively in assembling products for other companies. This scenario indicates that Carroll engages in the practice of _____. A. outsourcing B. reengineering C. downsizing D. benchmarking E. acquiring

Q: Asking questions is a sign of intelligence and shows interest in the organization.

Q: Asking questions during an interview is a sign of indiscipline and is not tolerated.

Q: As part of a companywide business strategy, Wright Inc. conducts a comprehensive examination of its critical work techniques to increase their efficiency. The strategy is also used to provide high quality goods and services to the firm's customers. Which of the following HRM practices does Wright use? A. Outsourcing B. Reengineering C. Downsizing D. Merger E. Acquisition

Q: Most people today find jobs through networking.

Q: Brighton Corp. undertook a reengineering strategy recently to increase the efficiency of its processes. As a result, the HR department has revised the job and pay structures for employees. The firm is also hiring new employees with different skill sets. Which of the following arguments strengthens the HR department's decision? A. Reengineering demands the HR department hire another vendor or a third-party provider. B. Reengineering necessitates the HR department design and implement changes so employees will be committed to its success. C. Reengineering provides training only to those in top managerial positions. D. Reengineering involves one company buying another company. E. Reengineering results in consolidation within an industry, meaning that two firms in one industry join to hold a greater share of the industry.

Q: A cover letter should be shortone page or less, as some recruiters don't even read it.

Q: M&B Textiles Inc., a garment manufacturing company, implements a new technology to improve the speed of its production process. To implement the new technology effectively, the company decides to train its employees on how to use this new process. The company also implements new quality checks and efficiency measures to reduce costs of production, while delivering better quality products. This process of making changes to vital company technology to make it more efficient is known as _____. A. outsourcing B. codetermining C. downsizing D. hedging E. reengineering

Q: Unplanned opportunities are at best a source of distraction from a written career plan.

Q: Which of the following observations about reengineering is true? A. It is primarily concerned with production processes. B. Critical processes are not altered during this process. C. Changing customer needs and technologies necessitate reengineering. D. It has no impact on human resource practices and systems. E. Retaining the current work processes with minimal change requires reengineering.

Q: A college degree is becoming less important for developing skills and earning pay increases.

Q: When an organization undertakes a complete review of its critical work processes to make them more efficient in an effort to deliver higher quality, it is engaging in: A. outsourcing. B. offshoring. C. reengineering. D. greenfield venturing. E. codetermining.

Q: It is often more profitable to take a job that pays less but gives you experience that will help you in your career progression.

Q: Which of the following statements is true about downsizing? A. HRM cannot inform all employees why downsizing is necessary. B. HRM should withhold information regarding downsizing rather than maintain open communication with remaining employees. C. Downsizing is associated with positive stock returns. D. Downsizing results in higher profitability following layoffs. E. HRM can provide downsized employees with outplacement services to help them find new jobs.

Q: People develop expertise during their 40s.

Q: Which of the following is true of early-retirement programs that are used as a method of downsizing? A. They are the most effective. B. They are linked to greater employee suffering and distress. C. They offer a better alternative to the "grenade" approach. D. They help in distinguishing between good and poor performers. E. They are humane.

Q: Expectations that the workplace is fair and that good work will always be recognized and rewarded are the leading cause of job shock.

Q: A downsizing strategy at Archer Corp. has resulted in negative stock returns and lower profitability following the layoffs. Which of the following best explains the reason for these negative results at Archer? A. Downsizing tends to distinguish good performers from poor performers rather than eliminating an entire group of employees. B. Downsizing demands the HR department have a third-party vendor provide services, which results in lower revenues. C. Downsizing conducts a complete review of the organization's critical work processes, which results in heavy expenditures. D. The HRM of a firm is not authorized to provide downsized employees with outplacement services to help them find new jobs. E. When labor costs fall after a downsizing, sales per employee also tend to fall.

Q: Often, the so-called urgent things can wait.

Q: The management of Durrell Inc. is finding it difficult to "surgically" reduce the workforce by cutting only the workers who are less valuable in their performance. Which of the following is a reason for the difficulty faced by Durrell management? A. Durrell has to provide unemployment benefits to terminated workers. B. Durrell has a strong hierarchy. C. Durrell has good workers who have the ability to find alternative employment. D. Durrell does not encourage voluntary turnover. E. Durrell has centralized decision making.

Q: The period of time when one performs at one's best is called the effective work window.

Q: The human resource management (HRM) function during downsizing is to terminate the workers who: A. are performing multiple organizational roles. B. are less valuable in their performance. C. are a part of the external labor force. D. are older than the other employees. E. are being paid the highest salaries.

Q: The key to success is not to prioritize your schedule, but to schedule your priorities weekly and daily.

Q: A plan refers to the preference given to one activity over other activities.

Q: Which of the following is a challenge for human resource management during mergers? A. Scrutinizing balance sheets B. Evaluating the financial worth of the new company C. Developing competitively priced products D. Developing conflict resolution skills E. Sustaining the brand image of the company

Q: Priorities change when deadlines come nearer or get changed.

Q: Neo Pharmaceuticals and Ayurva Medicines combined their businesses to create a new company, Ayurva Pharmaceuticals Inc. This is an example of a(n) _____. A. acquisition B. takeover C. partnership D. strategic alliance E. merger

Q: If two firms in one industry join to hold a greater share of the industry, it will be referred to as a(n) _____. A. consolidation B. takeover C. acquisition D. conglomerate E. assimilation

Q: People who multitask are more efficient than people who focus on one project at a time.

Q: Leo Corp., a large-scale cell phone manufacturer, buys Milo Inc., a small cell phone manufacturer, to secure a greater share of the cell phone industry. This scenario exemplifies a(n) _____. A. consolidation B. partnership C. acquisition D. merger E. strategic alliance

Q: Samantha loves going to work because she has made many friends at work. To which of the following determinants can her job satisfaction be attributed? A. Coworkers B. Growth and mobility C. Pay and benefits D. Supervision

Q: Mirth Inc., a cookie manufacturer, combines with Herge Corp., a chocolate manufacturer, to form a company called Hobbes Inc. This scenario illustrates a(n) _____. A. consolidation B. partnership C. acquisition D. merger E. strategic alliance

Q: Rhonda loves her job and is very satisfied with her compensation. She is further motivated to perform efficiently when she hears that incentives will be given to efficient employees. Which of the following would be Rhonda's determinant for job satisfaction? A. Coworkers B. Work itself C. Supervision D. Pay and benefits

Q: Lewis Corp., an automobile manufacturer, purchases Vision Inc., a company that produces auto parts and accessories. This scenario exemplifies a(n) _____. A. consolidation B. partnership C. acquisition D. joint venture E. strategic alliance

Q: Which of the following statements is indicative of how work itself can be a determinant of job satisfaction? A. "I have a tight schedule as the manager is very particular about deadlines being met." B. "I am looking forward to a promotion as I had a highly productive quarter." C. "I enjoy dealing with the challenges in my job as they increase my knowledge." D. "I always find that my colleagues are very cordial despite our obvious differences."

Q: "I enjoy fixing cars; it is often challenging to determine what is wrong and how to fix it." Which of the following determinants of job satisfaction does this statement reflect? A. Work itself B. Growth and upward mobility C. Pay and benefits D. Supervision

Q: A chemical company buying a medical equipment manufacturing company is an example of a(n) _____. A. acquisition B. partnership C. consolidation D. joint venture E. strategic alliance

Q: "I'm doing a good job, and I'm in line for a promotion." Which of the following determinants of job satisfaction does this statement reflect? A. Job security B. Supervision C. Growth and upward mobility D. Pay and benefits

Q: Which of the following occurs when two companies join forces and become one entity? A. Acquisition B. Merger C. Takeover D. Joint venture E. Strategic alliance

Q: Job satisfaction is defined as: A. a set of attitudes toward work. B. a set of standards by which an individual lives. C. one's overall attitude about oneself. D. the level of one's capacity for new learning, problem solving, and decision making.

Q: According to the core values of total quality management: A. the progress of employees should be measured through self-evaluation. B. external customers should not be given any importance while developing any process. C. only key personnel should receive training in quality. D. errors in a product or service should be prevented before occurrence. E. internal customers should be valued more than external customers.

Q: Which of the following reflects a positive attitude? A. "How many times do I have to tell you not to do it that way?" B. "Don't ask me. I just work here." C. "I'm an important member of our department's team." D. "I am not to blame. The manager gave me very less time."

Q: Iris Corp. manufactures products by following traditional methods, and managers make decisions without obtaining input from their subordinates. Recently the firm has been receiving complaints from its customers regarding the quality of its products. Which of the following would help the firm avoid these complaints in the future? A. Iris should not engage in risk taking. B. Iris should not involve subordinates when solving problems. C. Iris should create an atmosphere that promotes innovation. D. Iris should focus less on creativity. E. Iris should provide quality training only to those in top management.

Q: When employees need to be made aware of their negative attitude so that they can change, their managers should: A. accentuate negative consequences. B. make working conditions as pleasant as possible. C. provide negative consequences. D. give them feedback and support.

Q: Kelton Inc. produces large quantities of products for their customers within tight deadlines. However, customers are not satisfied with the products produced by Kelton. Which of the following, if true, would best explain the customers' dissatisfaction with Kelton? A. Kelton's methods are designed to meet the needs of only internal customers. B. Kelton focuses on detecting and correcting errors rather than preventing them from occurring. C. Kelton does not adhere to quality standards. D. Kelton collaborates with other companies for product development and enhancement. E. Kelton provides quality training to subordinates as well as to top management.

Q: Which of the following is in compliance with the core values of total quality management? A. Providing quality training to specific employees. B. Detecting errors and correcting them in an error-prone product or service. C. Developing generalized methods and processes that only focus on meeting the needs of external customers. D. Encouraging employees and customers to provide input on improving quality of products and holding costs down. E. Measuring employees' progress based on the amount of work done rather than the feedback obtained from customers.

Q: What should you do when people look or act differently than you do? A. Keep an open mind. B. Generalize the behavior of all members of the group. C. See things from a narrow focus that directly affects you. D. See and hear what you want to.

Q: Milton Inc. invests heavily in training its employees to develop skills in conflict resolution. Which of the following is a possible reason for Milton's management to implement this action? A. Milton hires employees with different educational qualifications. B. Managers at Milton seldom encourage employees to voice their opinions. C. Disagreements can arise when Milton signs business deals with other companies. D. Milton does not collaborate with other companies for its business operations. E. Milton does not meet the requirements to merge with another company to hold a greater share of the industry.

Q: Being pessimistic and self-depreciating at the first sign of failure is associated with: A. being negative. B. being optimistic. C. listening to people. D. successful thinking.

Q: Work teams often assume many activities traditionally reserved for managers, such as: A. hiring new employees. B. determining company policies. C. coordinating work with customers. D. conducting training programs. E. determining employee salaries.

Q: Which of the following states that supervisors' attitudes and expectations of employees and how they treat them largely determine employees' performance? A. The expectation theory B. The Pygmalion effect C. The self-actualization theory D. The halo effect

Q: Which of the following best describes teamwork? A. It refers to centralizing responsibility and authority to make decisions regarding all aspects of product development. B. It refers to having the best possible fit between an organization's social system and technical system. C. It involves making efforts to continuously improve the ways people, machines, and systems accomplish work. D. It involves assigning work to a group of employees with various skills who interact to assemble a product. E. It refers to providing employees with individual opportunities to grow, thereby achieving organizational goals.

Q: "How many times do I have to tell you not to do it that way?" This statement best reflects the attitude of someone who believes in _____. A. Theory X B. the self-actualization theory C. Theory Y D. the halo effect

Q: Which of the following refers to full involvement in one's work and commitment to one's job and company? A. Job enhancement B. Employee selection C. Employee appraisal D. Job specialization E. Employee engagement

Q: "I'm here to see if you are adhering to the schedule." This statement best reflects _____. A. Theory Y B. the self-actualization theory C. Theory X D. the halo effect

Q: Which of the following is necessary for the success of employee empowerment? A. The jobs must be designed in such a manner that the managers have complete control over business processes. B. Employees must be properly trained to exert their wider authority and use information resources such as the Internet. C. Pay and other rewards should reflect employees' loyalty to the organization and not their authority. D. Employers should provide feedback only when employees resign and are about to leave the organization. E. Employers should create jobs that minimize the need for the employees to come up with innovative ideas and solutions.

Q: Jonathan tends to look for the natural goodness in his employees, and his employees have reported high levels of job satisfaction. Jonathan's attitude best reflects _____. A. Theory Y B. the expectation theory C. Theory X D. the self-actualization theory

Q: Maria, a new assistant manager, expects her employees to report to her every week with a detailed productivity report. Maria's attitude best reflects _____. A. the self-actualization theory B. Theory Y C. Theory X D. the halo effect

Q: How has the use of employee empowerment affected the recruitment process in the U.S.? A. It has enhanced the need for people with working knowledge of operating different kinds of machinery. B. It has substantially increased employment opportunities for workers with less education. C. It has shifted the focus away from technical skills to general cognitive and interpersonal skills. D. It has significantly reduced recruitment costs by using low-cost strategies though it hinders innovation. E. It has made the recruitment process less time consuming.

Q: The specific ways in which human resource professionals support an organization's strategy vary according to: A. their level of involvement and the nature of the strategy. B. the location of the organization's corporate headquarters. C. the government regulations of the countries in which the organization does business. D. the mastery of a particular piece of machinery among the employees of the organization. E. the organization's market share in the industry.