WGU D351 Functions of Human
Resource Management terms- Questions
& Answers
Leadership and motivation. Probably the most significant function of a line manager is that of
being a leader Correct Ans-
Training and development Correct Ans-Line managers are typically the first point of contact
to determine whether or not their workforce needs training or development to perform at a high
level. They are also the people responsible for making changes to organizational processes.
Training in these new processes is typically required to create maximum productivity in our
workforce.
Appraisal and promotion Correct Ans-Line managers are the primary individuals who
evaluate subordinates' work performance, and they should have a strong voice in who should be
eligible for promotions in the organization because their job is to know their people and each of
their capabilities and limitations.
Employee safety and security Correct Ans-Line managers have primary responsibility for the
safety and security of the workers in an organization. They have to know the laws that deal with
occupational safety and health as well as security procedures to protect their people from
individuals who might want to do them harm.
The eight major HRM discipline areas Correct Ans-The legal environment (EEO and
diversity management), staffing, training and development, employee and labor relations,
compensation and benefits, safety and security, ethics and sustainability, people analytics.
,The nine major forces of the external environment Correct Ans-customers, competition,
suppliers, labor force, shareholders, society, technology, the economy, governments
The three types of strategy Correct Ans-(1) cost leadership, focusing on keeping the cost of
producing products or services down, often selling at lower prices; (2) differentiation, focusing
on creating an impression of difference and charging higher prices; and (3) focus or niche,
focusing on a specific portion of a larger market.
The two methods of strategic analysis Correct Ans-(1) the five-force analysis to determine the
external competitive situations, analyzing the rivalry among competitors, threat of substitute
products or services, potential new entrants, power of suppliers, and power of buyers, and (2) the
SWOT analysis to analyze the internal environment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats.
The writing objective model is Correct Ans-To + action verb, + singular, specific, measurable
result + target date.
The major components of organizational structure Correct Ans-Complexity, Formalization,
and Centralization
Complexity Correct Ans-the degree to which three types of differentiation exist within the
organization. These three types are vertical differentiation, horizontal differentiation, and spatial
differentiation.
,The EEOC has three significant functions Correct Ans-(1) investigating and resolving
discrimination complaints through either conciliation or litigation, (2) gathering and compiling
statistical information on such complaints, and (3) running education and outreach programs on
what constitutes illegal discrimination.
EEOC determined employee rights Correct Ans-Bring a discrimination complaint, Participate
in an EEOC investigation, hearing, or other proceeding without threat of retaliation, Rights
related to arbitration and settlement of the complaint, Right to sue employers directly for claims
of illegal discrimination.
EEOC determined employer responsibilities Correct Ans-Avoid retaliation for employees
participating in their aforementioned rights, and avoid creating a work environment that would
lead to constructive discharge
How to reduce company risk from harassment lawsuits. Correct Ans-Develop policies clearly
stating that harassment will not be tolerated. Communicate the policy routinely—make sure
everyone is aware. Develop a mechanism for reporting harassment that encourages people to
speak out. Ensure that just-cause procedures are followed when investigating complaints.
Prepare and carry out disciplinary action against those who commit sexual harassment.
The three most common quantitative forecasting methods Correct Ans-Trend analysis, ratio
analysis, regression analysis
Trend analysis Correct Ans-allows the company to look at historical trends and make
judgments from those trends.
, Ratio analysis Correct Ans-calculates specific values by comparing a business factor with the
number of employees needed.
Regression analysis Correct Ans-a statistical technique in which we use a regression diagram
made from historical data points to predict future needs presented with a y- and x-axis.
Expectancy theory Correct Ans-proposes that employees are motivated when they believe
they can accomplish a task and that the rewards for doing so are worth the effort.
Expectancy Correct Ans-the person's perception of their ability to accomplish or probability
of accomplishing an objective
Instrumentality Correct Ans-the perception that a particular level of performance is likely to
provide the individual with a desired reward.
Valence Correct Ans-refers to the value a person places on the outcome or reward because not
all people value the same reward
Motivation Correct Ans-Motivation = Expectancy X Instrumentality X Valence
Three types of job evaluation Correct Ans-Job ranking, Point-factor, Factor comparison
method.
Resource Management terms- Questions
& Answers
Leadership and motivation. Probably the most significant function of a line manager is that of
being a leader Correct Ans-
Training and development Correct Ans-Line managers are typically the first point of contact
to determine whether or not their workforce needs training or development to perform at a high
level. They are also the people responsible for making changes to organizational processes.
Training in these new processes is typically required to create maximum productivity in our
workforce.
Appraisal and promotion Correct Ans-Line managers are the primary individuals who
evaluate subordinates' work performance, and they should have a strong voice in who should be
eligible for promotions in the organization because their job is to know their people and each of
their capabilities and limitations.
Employee safety and security Correct Ans-Line managers have primary responsibility for the
safety and security of the workers in an organization. They have to know the laws that deal with
occupational safety and health as well as security procedures to protect their people from
individuals who might want to do them harm.
The eight major HRM discipline areas Correct Ans-The legal environment (EEO and
diversity management), staffing, training and development, employee and labor relations,
compensation and benefits, safety and security, ethics and sustainability, people analytics.
,The nine major forces of the external environment Correct Ans-customers, competition,
suppliers, labor force, shareholders, society, technology, the economy, governments
The three types of strategy Correct Ans-(1) cost leadership, focusing on keeping the cost of
producing products or services down, often selling at lower prices; (2) differentiation, focusing
on creating an impression of difference and charging higher prices; and (3) focus or niche,
focusing on a specific portion of a larger market.
The two methods of strategic analysis Correct Ans-(1) the five-force analysis to determine the
external competitive situations, analyzing the rivalry among competitors, threat of substitute
products or services, potential new entrants, power of suppliers, and power of buyers, and (2) the
SWOT analysis to analyze the internal environment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats.
The writing objective model is Correct Ans-To + action verb, + singular, specific, measurable
result + target date.
The major components of organizational structure Correct Ans-Complexity, Formalization,
and Centralization
Complexity Correct Ans-the degree to which three types of differentiation exist within the
organization. These three types are vertical differentiation, horizontal differentiation, and spatial
differentiation.
,The EEOC has three significant functions Correct Ans-(1) investigating and resolving
discrimination complaints through either conciliation or litigation, (2) gathering and compiling
statistical information on such complaints, and (3) running education and outreach programs on
what constitutes illegal discrimination.
EEOC determined employee rights Correct Ans-Bring a discrimination complaint, Participate
in an EEOC investigation, hearing, or other proceeding without threat of retaliation, Rights
related to arbitration and settlement of the complaint, Right to sue employers directly for claims
of illegal discrimination.
EEOC determined employer responsibilities Correct Ans-Avoid retaliation for employees
participating in their aforementioned rights, and avoid creating a work environment that would
lead to constructive discharge
How to reduce company risk from harassment lawsuits. Correct Ans-Develop policies clearly
stating that harassment will not be tolerated. Communicate the policy routinely—make sure
everyone is aware. Develop a mechanism for reporting harassment that encourages people to
speak out. Ensure that just-cause procedures are followed when investigating complaints.
Prepare and carry out disciplinary action against those who commit sexual harassment.
The three most common quantitative forecasting methods Correct Ans-Trend analysis, ratio
analysis, regression analysis
Trend analysis Correct Ans-allows the company to look at historical trends and make
judgments from those trends.
, Ratio analysis Correct Ans-calculates specific values by comparing a business factor with the
number of employees needed.
Regression analysis Correct Ans-a statistical technique in which we use a regression diagram
made from historical data points to predict future needs presented with a y- and x-axis.
Expectancy theory Correct Ans-proposes that employees are motivated when they believe
they can accomplish a task and that the rewards for doing so are worth the effort.
Expectancy Correct Ans-the person's perception of their ability to accomplish or probability
of accomplishing an objective
Instrumentality Correct Ans-the perception that a particular level of performance is likely to
provide the individual with a desired reward.
Valence Correct Ans-refers to the value a person places on the outcome or reward because not
all people value the same reward
Motivation Correct Ans-Motivation = Expectancy X Instrumentality X Valence
Three types of job evaluation Correct Ans-Job ranking, Point-factor, Factor comparison
method.
