Question 1

Describe how human resources planning is integrated with strategic planning.

Accepted Answer

Through strategic planning, organizations set major objectives and develop plans to achieve those objectives. HRP provides a set of inputs that determine what is or is likely to be possible, given the number of available people, training needs, and other people-related issues. HR strategies and action plans are developed according to the overall strategic goals that evolve from the strategy formulation process. During the strategy implementation phase, HRP must make resource allocation decisions, and implement policy, practices, and training that support the decisions and outcomes of the strategic planning process.

Question 2

Which of the following should you take into account when forecasting demand?

Accepted Answer

A)  absenteeism 
B)  turnover 
C)  business cycles 
D)  labour mobility 
A)  absenteeism 
B)  turnover 
C)  business cycles 
D)  labour mobility C

Question 3

Severance pay is usually calculated based on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  the employee's years of service and salary 
B)  complex formulas administered by the federal government 
C)  the employee's skills and abilities 
D)  the employee's education and performance 
A)  the employee's years of service and salary 
B)  complex formulas administered by the federal government 
C)  the employee's skills and abilities 
D)  the employee's education and performance A

Question 4

Scenario 2.1
Blockbuster Canada was the first of its kind in Canada in the movie and games rental business and operated for more than 21 years. However, with the advent of more modern technology accessible mainly through Netflix and Rogers On Demand, Blockbuster struggled to stay relevant in a tech-savvy environment where videos and games could now be rented conveniently from the comfort of one's couch via computer or TV. Despite efforts to try to stay relevant, Blockbuster did not leverage technology that had become an important part of their consumer base's daily lives. As a result, Blockbuster was not able to fight off the competition.
-Refer to Scenario 2.1. Blockbuster's competitive environment includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  its customers, HR strategy, new entrants, core capabilities 
B)  its environmental scanning and analysis 
C)  its environmental analysis, strategic planning, and HR strategy 
D)  its customers, rival firms, new entrants, substitutes, and suppliers 
A)  its customers, HR strategy, new entrants, core capabilities 
B)  its environmental scanning and analysis 
C)  its environmental analysis, strategic planning, and HR strategy 
D)  its customers, rival firms, new entrants, substitutes, and suppliers

Question 5

Which of the following is an important use of the balanced scorecard?

Accepted Answer

A)  to help balance internal and external fit 
B)  to help managers translate their firms' strategic goals into operational objectives 
C)  to help managers balance the costs and benefits of HR strategies 
D)  to help with the SWOY analysis 
A)  to help balance internal and external fit 
B)  to help managers translate their firms' strategic goals into operational objectives 
C)  to help managers balance the costs and benefits of HR strategies 
D)  to help with the SWOY analysis

Question 6

Scenario 2.1
Blockbuster Canada was the first of its kind in Canada in the movie and games rental business and operated for more than 21 years. However, with the advent of more modern technology accessible mainly through Netflix and Rogers On Demand, Blockbuster struggled to stay relevant in a tech-savvy environment where videos and games could now be rented conveniently from the comfort of one's couch via computer or TV. Despite efforts to try to stay relevant, Blockbuster did not leverage technology that had become an important part of their consumer base's daily lives. As a result, Blockbuster was not able to fight off the competition.
-Refer to Scenario 2.1. For years, Blockbuster survived as a successful entity with various competitors until Netflix and Rogers On Demand began making movies and games available online. Which of the following most likely contributed to Blockbuster going out of business?

Accepted Answer

A)  economic, global, political, and environmental factors 
B)  technological, psychological, and physical factors 
C)  technological changes, social concerns, and demographic and labour market trends 
D)  the lack of knowledge workers 
A)  economic, global, political, and environmental factors 
B)  technological, psychological, and physical factors 
C)  technological changes, social concerns, and demographic and labour market trends 
D)  the lack of knowledge workers

Question 7

Markov analysis focuses on the number of employees in particular jobs and their skill levels, compensation, and job tenure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The Delphi technique works best in organizations where dynamic technological changes affect staffing levels.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Scenario 2.2
Avie Products Inc. is planning to add a third shift to its production schedule. It currently has 450 workers involved in all aspects of its fertilizer business, best done in Canada. A recent surge in demand from its global customers is driving the need for more workers; however, Simi Meher, the CEO, is concerned that the surge may be temporary, especially in light of the recent economic downturns in the global environment where Avie does business.
-Refer to Scenario 2.2. Assume that Avie goes ahead with the third shift. What can the company use to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in a year's time?

Accepted Answer

A)  Markov analysis 
B)  trend analysis 
C)  skill inventories 
D)  benchmarking 
A)  Markov analysis 
B)  trend analysis 
C)  skill inventories 
D)  benchmarking

Question 10

Core capabilities provide a long-term basis for technological innovation, product development, and service delivery.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

As part of the strategic planning process, XYZ Inc. recently examined the attitudes and activities of the company's workforce. What was XYZ doing?

Accepted Answer

A)  an environmental scan 
B)  a cultural audit 
C)  a trend analysis 
D)  a demand forecast 
A)  an environmental scan 
B)  a cultural audit 
C)  a trend analysis 
D)  a demand forecast

Question 12

Environmental scanning involves the systematic monitoring of internal factors influencing the organization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

What do we call the internal alignment of HR practices to establish a configuration that is mutually enforcing?

Accepted Answer

A)  vertical fit 
B)  horizontal fit 
C)  HR alignment 
D)  enforcing fit 
A)  vertical fit 
B)  horizontal fit 
C)  HR alignment 
D)  enforcing fit

Question 14

Which statement best describes strategic knowledge workers?

Accepted Answer

A)  They have skills that are valuable but not unique. 
B)  They have firm-specific skills directly related to company strategy. 
C)  They have unique skills directly linked to the company's strategy. 
D)  As consultants, they have strategic skills. 
A)  They have skills that are valuable but not unique. 
B)  They have firm-specific skills directly related to company strategy. 
C)  They have unique skills directly linked to the company's strategy. 
D)  As consultants, they have strategic skills.

Question 15

Scenario 2.1
Blockbuster Canada was the first of its kind in Canada in the movie and games rental business and operated for more than 21 years. However, with the advent of more modern technology accessible mainly through Netflix and Rogers On Demand, Blockbuster struggled to stay relevant in a tech-savvy environment where videos and games could now be rented conveniently from the comfort of one's couch via computer or TV. Despite efforts to try to stay relevant, Blockbuster did not leverage technology that had become an important part of their consumer base's daily lives. As a result, Blockbuster was not able to fight off the competition.
-Refer to Scenario 2.1. Blockbuster Canada managers could have successfully advanced the company and remained relevant by focusing on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  an environmental analysis 
B)  what they do best, traditional rentals 
C)  technological changes including information technology and innovations 
D)  incentives to keep consumers coming back 
A)  an environmental analysis 
B)  what they do best, traditional rentals 
C)  technological changes including information technology and innovations 
D)  incentives to keep consumers coming back

Question 16

HR planning requires HR managers to focus more on an alignment between HR plans and which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  the organization's financial strategy 
B)  the organization's marketing position 
C)  the organization's strategic plan 
D)  the competitive environment 
A)  the organization's financial strategy 
B)  the organization's marketing position 
C)  the organization's strategic plan 
D)  the competitive environment

Question 17

Organizations such as Canadian Tire and CIBC conduct cultural audits to examine the attitudes and activities of the external workforce.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Scenario 2.1
Blockbuster Canada was the first of its kind in Canada in the movie and games rental business and operated for more than 21 years. However, with the advent of more modern technology accessible mainly through Netflix and Rogers On Demand, Blockbuster struggled to stay relevant in a tech-savvy environment where videos and games could now be rented conveniently from the comfort of one's couch via computer or TV. Despite efforts to try to stay relevant, Blockbuster did not leverage technology that had become an important part of their consumer base's daily lives. As a result, Blockbuster was not able to fight off the competition.
-Refer to Scenario 2.1. What is one of the most important assessments a firm like Blockbuster could have made in order to stay relevant?

Accepted Answer

A)  identifying the needs of its customers 
B)  identifying the needs of its producers 
C)  identifying the needs of its employees 
D)  teaming up with the competition 
A)  identifying the needs of its customers 
B)  identifying the needs of its producers 
C)  identifying the needs of its employees 
D)  teaming up with the competition

Question 19

Staffing tables provide data on external labour supply sources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

A cultural audit asks questions such as "How do employees spend their time?"

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Describe how human resources planning is integrated with strategic planning.

Which of the following should you take into account when forecasting demand?

Severance pay is usually calculated based on which of the following?

Which of the following is an important use of the balanced scorecard?

Markov analysis focuses on the number of employees in particular jobs and their skill levels, compensation, and job tenure.

The Delphi technique works best in organizations where dynamic technological changes affect staffing levels.

Core capabilities provide a long-term basis for technological innovation, product development, and service delivery.

As part of the strategic planning process, XYZ Inc. recently examined the attitudes and activities of the company's workforce. What was XYZ doing?

Environmental scanning involves the systematic monitoring of internal factors influencing the organization.

What do we call the internal alignment of HR practices to establish a configuration that is mutually enforcing?

Which statement best describes strategic knowledge workers?

HR planning requires HR managers to focus more on an alignment between HR plans and which of the following?

Organizations such as Canadian Tire and CIBC conduct cultural audits to examine the attitudes and activities of the external workforce.

Staffing tables provide data on external labour supply sources.

A cultural audit asks questions such as "How do employees spend their time?"

The World of Human Resources Management

Equity and Diversity in Human Resources Management

Job Analysis and Work Design

Expanding the Talent Pool: Recruitment and Careers

Employee Selection

Training and Development

Performance Management

Managing Compensation

Pay for Performance: Incentive Rewards

Employee Benefits

Promoting Safety and Health

Employee Rights and Discipline

The Dynamics of Labour Relations

International Human Resources Management

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Exam 2: Strategy and Human Resources Planning

Describe how human resources planning is integrated with strategic planning.

Which of the following should you take into account when forecasting demand?

Severance pay is usually calculated based on which of the following?

Which of the following is an important use of the balanced scorecard?

Markov analysis focuses on the number of employees in particular jobs and their skill levels, compensation, and job tenure.

The Delphi technique works best in organizations where dynamic technological changes affect staffing levels.

Core capabilities provide a long-term basis for technological innovation, product development, and service delivery.

As part of the strategic planning process, XYZ Inc. recently examined the attitudes and activities of the company's workforce. What was XYZ doing?

Environmental scanning involves the systematic monitoring of internal factors influencing the organization.

What do we call the internal alignment of HR practices to establish a configuration that is mutually enforcing?

Which statement best describes strategic knowledge workers?

HR planning requires HR managers to focus more on an alignment between HR plans and which of the following?

Organizations such as Canadian Tire and CIBC conduct cultural audits to examine the attitudes and activities of the external workforce.

Staffing tables provide data on external labour supply sources.

A cultural audit asks questions such as "How do employees spend their time?"

The World of Human Resources Management

Equity and Diversity in Human Resources Management

Job Analysis and Work Design

Expanding the Talent Pool: Recruitment and Careers

Employee Selection

Training and Development

Performance Management

Managing Compensation

Pay for Performance: Incentive Rewards

Employee Benefits

Promoting Safety and Health

Employee Rights and Discipline

The Dynamics of Labour Relations

International Human Resources Management

Filters