Question 1

According to the text,what percentage of new businesses fail in their first year of operation?

Accepted Answer

A)   30%
B)   40%
C)   50%
D)   60% B

Question 2

Firms with strong organizational cultures typically perform better than firms without such environments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

A firm that encourages an entrepreneurial climate would most likely:

Accepted Answer

A)   implement a variable pay compensation system.
B)   display a strong top-down managerial preference.
C)   discourage innovation and risk taking among workers.
D)   rely on authoritarian employee-manager relationships. A

Question 4

Additional Case 1.2
As the manager of HR of an old, established company, you are leading the management team in a strategic planning session. During the planning session, managers are being forced to think about the future, see the likely changes in the marketplace, and make plans to use company resources to enhance their competitive edge.
-Refer to Additional Case 1.2.The HR strategies suggested are examples of:

Accepted Answer

A)   intended strategies.
B)   emergent strategies.
C)   diversification strategies.
D)   business unit strategies

Question 5

What is the primary HR challenge of outsourcing?

Accepted Answer

A)   It raises labor costs because of overtime requirements.
B)   A firm is still accountable for the actions of its subcontractors, but it exercises less control over them.
C)   Subcontractors tend to take on less work than they can handle, which means that the firm needs to hire additional workers.
D)   Customers tend to be more satisfied with subcontractors than with regular employees, which creates conflict in the workplace.

Question 6

What strategic choices does a company have regarding issues such as staffing and performance appraisals? How does the concept of fit relate to decisions made about such HR strategies?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What strategic choices does a company have...

Question 7

How do human resources influence a firm's performance? How does strategic HR planning benefit a firm?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do human resources influence a firm's...

Question 8

A particular HR policy or program that helps to advance a firm's strategic goal is referred to as a(n)________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A particular HR policy or program that...

Question 9

HR strategies that fit a company's focus strategy are best described as being:

Accepted Answer

A)   between those of a prospector and a defender strategy.
B)   identical to those of a company using a defender strategy.
C)   identical to those of a company using a low-cost strategy.
D)   between those of a differentiation and a low-cost strategy.

Question 10

Beliefs that operate unconsciously and define,in a basic taken-for-granted fashion,an organization's view of itself and its environment refer to ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Beliefs that operate unconsciously and define,in a...

Question 11

Which of the following is an aspect of an organization's "personality"?

Accepted Answer

A)   Empowerment strategies
B)   Outsourcing policies
C)   Litigation actions
D)   Market posture

Question 12

You are an HR manager working for a firm that is adhering to an overall cost leadership strategy.What HR strategies would fit the strategy of the firm and help the firm gain a competitive advantage?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are an HR manager working for...

Question 13

Additional Case 1.2
As the manager of HR of an old, established company, you are leading the management team in a strategic planning session. During the planning session, managers are being forced to think about the future, see the likely changes in the marketplace, and make plans to use company resources to enhance their competitive edge.
-Refer to Additional Case 1.2.The most likely benefit of this strategic planning session is:

Accepted Answer

A)   communicating a specific business strategy for the firm.
B)   identifying the constraints and capabilities of the firm's HR.
C)   exploiting and expanding the firm's distinctive capabilities.
D)   identifying gaps between the current situation and a future vision.

Question 14

Downsizing is a type of organizational restructuring.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Emergent strategies provide organizations with a sense of purpose and a guide for allocating resources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

For an HR strategic plan to fit with organizational strategies,it most likely needs to align with:

Accepted Answer

A)   individual employees' personal goals.
B)   work flows used by the organization.
C)   the firm's corporate and business unit strategies.
D)   the company's international management plans.

Question 17

Molly heads a large company that has just experienced a major brain drain.She immediately increases compensation to new employees and gives each employee with over 10 years experience an extra 3 days of paid vacation per year.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)   strategic HR planning.
B)   proactive HR strategy.
C)   reactive HR strategy.
D)   downsizing.

Question 18

Stacey notes that her firm is risk averse,operates with a flexible,delegating management style,and is outwardly focused.Stacey's observations describe which organizational characteristic of a company?

Accepted Answer

A)   The firm's market posture
B)   The firm's organizational structure
C)   The firm's management philosophy
D)   The organization's overall personality

Question 19

Karl is trying to improve company productivity by focusing on employee competence.Karl is focusing on the ________ factor of productivity.

Accepted Answer

A)   motivation
B)   ethical behavior
C)   quality of work life
D)   ability

Question 20

Additional Case 1.3
Your company sells high-tech products throughout the world and is following a differentiation business strategy. The business environment for the company is volatile, rapidly changing, and highly complex. The company is highly entrepreneurial and has a strong moral commitment to quality products, employee job satisfaction, and corporate social responsibility. The management team has decided to create a common company culture among the various national and international subsidiaries.
-Refer to Additional Case 1.3.Which of the following HR strategies would most likely support the company's business strategy?

Accepted Answer

A)   Implementing highly structured procedures
B)   Using piece rate pay plans and bonuses
C)   Closely monitoring workers
D)   Encouraging creativity

Exam 1: Meeting Present and Emerging Strategic Human Resource Challenges