Review questions for academic study

Human Resource Management

HRM Questions

Companies will usually downsize in order to reduce costs, especially where a firm is making losses, or to streamline the organizational structure, which may improve efficiency. The downside of downsizing is that there is no guarantee of success, and in the downsizing process the firm may lose resources that would have been useful, including human knowledge as well as capacity which may be a negative influence a firm. One strategy often used is outsourcing, this may cut costs, or allow for access to specialist services at a lower costs that internal provision. However, outsourcing also has disadvantages including loss of control over timing and quality, costs may increase, there may also be risks in terms commercial confidentiality.

Question 7

1.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs hypothesizes that there is a pyramid of needs with individuals moving up and down over different points in their life (Torrington et al., 2011). Lower order needs include food and shelter, higher order needs include recognition, friendship and self-actualization; lower order needs have to be satisfied to prevent dissatisfaction and higher order needs may only be used as motivators when the needs below them are satisfied (Torrington et al., 2011). A manger using this approach will ensure that the lower needs are met with sufficient remuneration, and then provide motivation based on what an employee needs, for example, praise and recognition or the chance of advancement, with a flexible approach to suit different needs.

2.

Mayo found with the Hawthorne studies that the quality of the employment relationship impacted on motivation; when employees believed they mattered to the employer they were more motivated. A manager can improve the working relationship and stimulate this type of motivation by paying more attention to employees, such as management by walking around and listening as well as listening to them (Torrington et al., 2011).

3.

Goal setting theory states that employees are more likely to be motivated if they have an achievable goal to which they can work towards and feel satisfaction if they achieve. Managers may set realistic and achievable goals, and provide feedback if using this motivation theory.

Question 8

A manager using Theory X assumes employees are lazy and need coercion to work well, a manger that uses this theory may set very specific goals, make threats on what will occur if goals are missed and undertake a high level of control showing little trust. Theory Y is more optimistic, where it is believed people like to work and managers using this approach may ask employees to contribute through a more participative and trusting management style, with the belief that employees may be creative and ask for suggestions (Torrington et al., 2011). Theory Z takes theory Y to the next level and argues improvements in productivity and quality of the work life is reliant on employee involvement. This latter approach is likely to see managers expecting the highest level of participation from their employees and involve them in decision making and strategizing.

Chapter 7

Question 2

The four basic functions of management are planning, organizing, leading and controlling. As a manager of a local restaurant all functions would be present. However, if the staff were motivated and trustworthy, controlling would not be the major part of the job. Planning and organizing would take up time, organizing usually takes more time than planning. It may be argued leading would be a feature present in all tasks, so leading would always be present and the task of organizing would take the most dedicated time. Organizing may be seen in functions such as organizing staff and the organizing of everyday operations.

Question 3

The vision statement of a firm specifies what the firm would like to achieve, not necessarily what they are already achieving; it embodies aspersions. There is a link between the visions and the ethical standards, and the vision will embody the ideas on how the vision may be realized, and the standard which will apply in the way the goals are pursued. If there is not a clear vision or set of ethical standard from leadership, this will cause ambiguity and interpretation may then be subjective, leading to the use of different standard by different people or departments.

Question 8