HR Planning - Chapter 2-5

Two qualitative techniques are very similar; however one is done anonymously and one is not. What are those two techniques?

• Delphi Technique and Management Survey

• Management Survey and Nominal Group Technique

• Nominal Group Technique and Delphi Technique

• None of these options are correct

Answer explanation

Delphi Technique:

-A process in which the forecasts and judgments of a selected group of experts are solicited and summarized in an attempt to determine the future HR demand

-Avoids many of the problems associated with face-to-face groups including reluctance on the part of individual experts to participate

Nominal Group Technique

-Long-run forecasting technique utilizing expert assessments

-Unlike the Delpha technique, group meets face-to-face

If IBM introduces a new software package in January, Microsoft can probably imitate or duplicate this package by February of the same year. However, if IBM technical support people are trained and motivated to provide “knock your socks off service,” Microsoft will have a difficult time imitating this service within a month. This is an example of how employees can provide a competitive advantage. What theory is being applied here?

• behavioural perspective

• resource-based view

• human capital

• strategic management

Answer explanation

2.2 Describe some of the strategic HRM theories, including the resource-based and contingency perspectives as well as human capital theory and behavioural theory.

Medium-term forecasting typically looks at one to two years in the future.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Current: Immediate, operating cycle, max 1 year

Short: 1-2 year

Medium: 2-5 year

Long: Over 5 years

Which of the following is a quantitative demand forecasting technique?

• Nominal Group Technique

• Delphi Technique

• Trend Analysis

• Management Survey

Answer explanation

Quantitative:

-Trend analysis

-Ratio analysis

-Time series models

-Regression analysis

-Structural equation modelling (SEM)

To the HR practitioner, what does human capital incorporate?

• knowledge, commitment, values, culture

• commitment, experience, culture, abilities

• experience, knowledge, skills, commitment

• skills, values, culture, experience

If the HR manager has noticed growth in flows of trade and financial capital across borders, what major environmental factor is the HR manager concerned with?

• globalization

• economics

• labour force

• demographics

Answer explanation

3.4 Explain the environmental factors, such as the economic climate, the political and regulatory context, and the social and cultural climate, that influence the practice of HRM.

Which of the following is a qualitative demand forecasting technique?

• Time Series Model

• Delphi Technique

• Trend Analysis

• Ratio Analysis

Answer explanation

Qualitative:

-Management Survey

-Scenario Planning

-Delphi Technique

-Nominal Group Technique

If you wanted to extrapolate from historical changes in one or more organizational indices, which method would you use?

• Management Survey

• Trend Analysis

• Ratio Analysis

• Ratio Analysis

Answer explanation

Trend Analysis: Forecast future human capital needs by extrapolating from historical changes in one or more organizational indices

A difference between qualitative and quantitative forecasting is that quantitative forecasting can use labour-force projections whereas qualitative forecasting can use societal changes.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Types of Quantitative Data:

-Economic Outlook

-Labour-force growth

-Labour-force projections

-Industry projections

-Occupational projections

Types of Qualitative Data:

-Economic Outlook

-Demographics

-Political and regulatory environment

-Technological change

-Societal change

What does an organization do once it has completed its environmental scan?

• It alters the perceptions of constituent groups to match the scan.

• It modifies the goals and objectives of the organization.

• It analyzes the external environment further for more details.

• It determines the impact on the organization.

Answer explanation

3.1 Identify the sources that HR planners use to keep current with business and HR trends.