SHRM PRE-TEST QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Which method is initially used to resolve disputes regarding interpretation of a clause in
a current union contract?
- Collective bargaining
- Fact finding
- Mediation
- Grievance procedures - Answer -- Grievance procedures
Rationale
A collective bargaining agreement almost always includes a formal grievance
procedure. This process provides an orderly way to resolve the inevitable differences of
opinion in regard to the union contract.
The creation of a global compensation and benefits strategy that ignores local
differences in culture is most likely to occur in what global management approach?
Geocentric
Regiocentric
Polycentric
Ethnocentric - Answer -Ethnocentric
In an ethnocentric approach, headquarters maintains tight control over international
operations. Subsidiaries have little autonomy and key positions are held by
headquarters personnel. A strong headquarters bias often blinds management to the
subtleties of cross-cultural differences.
Which activity is part of the assessment and selection step of the global assignment
process?
Analysis of the costs versus the benefits
Preparation of the assignment plan
Cross-cultural counseling
Development of data-gathering instruments - Answer -Development of data-gathering
instruments
Rationale
Development of data-gathering instruments is critical because it will be used in to
assess candidates according to the criteria the organization has chosen. The tools must
be valid and reliable and produce consistent information for each candidate. Analysis of
the costs versus the benefits occurs during the management and assignee selection
step. Cross-cultural counseling is not necessary until the pre-departure preparation
step.
,An organization has four generations working side-by-side in the workplace. Which
practice could alleviate management concerns that intergenerational tensions and a
lack of camaraderie could undermine organizational success?
Succession planning
Flexible workplace
Sustainability initiatives
Preventive health-care and wellness programs - Answer -Succession planning
Rationale
Organizational success often depends on contributions from employees of all ages and
the open sharing of knowledge and experience that will help prepare future
organizational leaders. Succession planning can promote productive relationships,
employee motivation, collaboration, and leadership development.
What is the primary reason for developing workforce diversity programs?
To improve basic skills.
To avoid lawsuits.
To enhance productivity.
To develop language capabilities. - Answer -To enhance productivity.
Rationale
The primary reason for developing diversity programs is to make it easier for employees
to communicate effectively and work together more productively.
Under which circumstances would it be important for an HR manager to age data?
- When determining a solution for market rates having outpaced organizational pay
structures
- When trying to understand the organization's current pay competitiveness and where it
needs to be
- When comparing the organization's internal job descriptions in order to position them
in appropriate job families
- When recognizing the need for a globally consistent and efficient job evaluation
system - Answer -- When trying to understand the organization's current pay
competitiveness and where it needs to be
Rationale
In order to make data sources consistent with one another, aging of data is needed.
Aging data from surveys and comparing it to where the organization is allows an
understanding of how close you are to your compensation philosophy (lag, match, or
lead) for the organization's salary structure.
What is meant by the sustainability sweet spot?
, - The ability of an initiative to improve an organization's brand as an employer of choice
- The overlapping area of the triple bottom line perspectives
- The point at which a sustainable initiative's investment is surpassed by its economic
benefits
- The point at which management, employees, and the community agree on goals -
Answer -- The overlapping area of the triple bottom line perspectives
The sustainability sweet spot includes actions that satisfy all three of the needs in the
triple bottom line: benefits to the environment (or planet); employees, customers, or
neighbors (people); and the organization's financial health (profit).
Which assessment approach would provide the deepest insight into the potential of a
manager for a position of global leadership at corporate headquarters?
- Interviewing conducted by senior managers from the manager's home country familiar
with their work
- Interviewing conducted by senior executives from the headquarters of the global
corporation
- Panel interviewing conducted by senior managers from various locations, including
host-country managers
- Standardized testing of cross-cultural readiness administered by a consultant
independent of the organization - Answer -- Panel interviewing conducted by senior
managers from various locations, including host-country managers
Each assessment approach could provide useful data, but the perspective of managers
from multiple countries probably will provide the deepest insights, because global
leadership requires the ability to interact with and understand the issues of people living
in different countries and cultures.
A manufacturer assembles commercial equipment in its host country, using components
purchased from small manufacturers in other countries. Pursuing a new corporate social
responsibility (CSR) strategy, the manufacturer has reviewed its own processes for
potential environmental improvements related to energy and waste. HR has been
directed to survey employees' workplace impressions, implement engagement
practices, and initiate volunteer programs with local community groups. What else is HR
in a good position to do to advance the CSR program?
- Compile a list of green products to be used in the organization.
- Conduct workplace compliance audits for supply chain partners.
- Implement an employee suggestion program at headquarters.
- Train suppliers in the organization's code of conduct. - Answer -- Conduct workplace
compliance audits for supply chain partners.
Because of the manufacturer's business model, it makes sense for HR to recommend to
management that suppliers' workplaces be audited for conditions that would violate
local laws and/or the organization's own values and ethical code. The employee
Which method is initially used to resolve disputes regarding interpretation of a clause in
a current union contract?
- Collective bargaining
- Fact finding
- Mediation
- Grievance procedures - Answer -- Grievance procedures
Rationale
A collective bargaining agreement almost always includes a formal grievance
procedure. This process provides an orderly way to resolve the inevitable differences of
opinion in regard to the union contract.
The creation of a global compensation and benefits strategy that ignores local
differences in culture is most likely to occur in what global management approach?
Geocentric
Regiocentric
Polycentric
Ethnocentric - Answer -Ethnocentric
In an ethnocentric approach, headquarters maintains tight control over international
operations. Subsidiaries have little autonomy and key positions are held by
headquarters personnel. A strong headquarters bias often blinds management to the
subtleties of cross-cultural differences.
Which activity is part of the assessment and selection step of the global assignment
process?
Analysis of the costs versus the benefits
Preparation of the assignment plan
Cross-cultural counseling
Development of data-gathering instruments - Answer -Development of data-gathering
instruments
Rationale
Development of data-gathering instruments is critical because it will be used in to
assess candidates according to the criteria the organization has chosen. The tools must
be valid and reliable and produce consistent information for each candidate. Analysis of
the costs versus the benefits occurs during the management and assignee selection
step. Cross-cultural counseling is not necessary until the pre-departure preparation
step.
,An organization has four generations working side-by-side in the workplace. Which
practice could alleviate management concerns that intergenerational tensions and a
lack of camaraderie could undermine organizational success?
Succession planning
Flexible workplace
Sustainability initiatives
Preventive health-care and wellness programs - Answer -Succession planning
Rationale
Organizational success often depends on contributions from employees of all ages and
the open sharing of knowledge and experience that will help prepare future
organizational leaders. Succession planning can promote productive relationships,
employee motivation, collaboration, and leadership development.
What is the primary reason for developing workforce diversity programs?
To improve basic skills.
To avoid lawsuits.
To enhance productivity.
To develop language capabilities. - Answer -To enhance productivity.
Rationale
The primary reason for developing diversity programs is to make it easier for employees
to communicate effectively and work together more productively.
Under which circumstances would it be important for an HR manager to age data?
- When determining a solution for market rates having outpaced organizational pay
structures
- When trying to understand the organization's current pay competitiveness and where it
needs to be
- When comparing the organization's internal job descriptions in order to position them
in appropriate job families
- When recognizing the need for a globally consistent and efficient job evaluation
system - Answer -- When trying to understand the organization's current pay
competitiveness and where it needs to be
Rationale
In order to make data sources consistent with one another, aging of data is needed.
Aging data from surveys and comparing it to where the organization is allows an
understanding of how close you are to your compensation philosophy (lag, match, or
lead) for the organization's salary structure.
What is meant by the sustainability sweet spot?
, - The ability of an initiative to improve an organization's brand as an employer of choice
- The overlapping area of the triple bottom line perspectives
- The point at which a sustainable initiative's investment is surpassed by its economic
benefits
- The point at which management, employees, and the community agree on goals -
Answer -- The overlapping area of the triple bottom line perspectives
The sustainability sweet spot includes actions that satisfy all three of the needs in the
triple bottom line: benefits to the environment (or planet); employees, customers, or
neighbors (people); and the organization's financial health (profit).
Which assessment approach would provide the deepest insight into the potential of a
manager for a position of global leadership at corporate headquarters?
- Interviewing conducted by senior managers from the manager's home country familiar
with their work
- Interviewing conducted by senior executives from the headquarters of the global
corporation
- Panel interviewing conducted by senior managers from various locations, including
host-country managers
- Standardized testing of cross-cultural readiness administered by a consultant
independent of the organization - Answer -- Panel interviewing conducted by senior
managers from various locations, including host-country managers
Each assessment approach could provide useful data, but the perspective of managers
from multiple countries probably will provide the deepest insights, because global
leadership requires the ability to interact with and understand the issues of people living
in different countries and cultures.
A manufacturer assembles commercial equipment in its host country, using components
purchased from small manufacturers in other countries. Pursuing a new corporate social
responsibility (CSR) strategy, the manufacturer has reviewed its own processes for
potential environmental improvements related to energy and waste. HR has been
directed to survey employees' workplace impressions, implement engagement
practices, and initiate volunteer programs with local community groups. What else is HR
in a good position to do to advance the CSR program?
- Compile a list of green products to be used in the organization.
- Conduct workplace compliance audits for supply chain partners.
- Implement an employee suggestion program at headquarters.
- Train suppliers in the organization's code of conduct. - Answer -- Conduct workplace
compliance audits for supply chain partners.
Because of the manufacturer's business model, it makes sense for HR to recommend to
management that suppliers' workplaces be audited for conditions that would violate
local laws and/or the organization's own values and ethical code. The employee
