MGT501- Human Resource Management Final Term Past Paper 2008

FINALTERM  EXAMINATION

Fall 2008

MGT501- Human Resource Management (Session - 2)

Time: 120 min

Marks: 85

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Question No: 1    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 While downsizing, organizations sometimes reduce the number of its employees by offering early retirements because:

       ► HR requirement is less than existing number of employees

       ► HR requirement is greater than the existing number of employees

       ► Company’s cost in terms of employee compensation can be saved

       ► Organizations can be more efficient by this action of management (correct)

   

Question No: 2    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following can be an alternative decision to employee termination?

       ► Demotion

       ► Retirement

       ► Resignation

       ► Lay-off (Correct)

   

Question No: 3    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 If the time between violation & the respective penalty implementation lengthens, the impact of the disciplinary action will:

       ► Be exceeded (Correct)

       ► Remain the same

       ► Become invisible

       ► Be reduced

   

Question No: 4    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Mr. Imran is appointed to supervise all the employees of the admin department. In this situation he is said to be a ___________.

       ► Manager only (Correct)

       ► Charismatic leader

       ► Leader only

       ► Leader & manager at the same time

   

Question No: 5    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 What sort of relationship exists between ‘negative-reinforcement’ & ‘punishment’?

       ► Both are similar concepts

       ► Punishment leads to negative-reinforcement (Correct)

       ► Negative-reinforcement leads to punishment

       ► Both leads to similar consequences

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Question No: 6    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 'Federal law' requiring employers to give 60 days notice prior to plant closing or major layoff, as stated by:

       ► Statutory right of employees (Correct)

       ► Employer itself

       ► Due process by an employer

       ► Union recommendations

   

Question No: 7    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following facilitates the employer to hire, fire, demote or promote anyone, in the absence of any legal obligation?

       ► Discrimination law

       ► Employment at will (Correct)

       ► Affirmative action

       ► Equal employment opportunity

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Question No: 8    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 'Honda Pakistan', implemented a safety & health program for its employees after consulting experts and management in the organization. But, no reduction in the accidents or injuries is observed. Identify a reason which is least possible to the failure of this Safety & Health program?

►Company is not considering inputs of employees regarding safety decisions

►Safety & health program is not communicated properly to all employees

►Proper safety & health training has not been provided to the employees (Correct)

►Proper budget is not allocated to safety and health program as required

   

Question No: 9    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which one of the following is NOT included in the content of 'Employee Handbook'?

►Fringe benefits

►Safety procedures

►Financial statements (Correct)

►Job duties

   

Question No: 10    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 "Accounting staff of a EFU General Insurance ltd, share information of different departments to assist in preparing the annual budget on a consistent basis". Which type of communication it is?

►Diagonal communication

►Horizontal communication (Correct)

►Upward communication

►Downward communication

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Question No: 11    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Under a strong union influence, the union members demanded the salary increment as per the rate of increase in inflation. As an HR manager what will be your initial step?

►Rejecting the request as it is unnecessary

►Approving the demand immediately

►Asking union to make a contract

►Arranging negotiation to discuss the issue (Correct)

   

Question No: 12    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 According to which of the following view, "conflict is bad and should be avoided"?

►Behavioral view (Correct)

►Traditional View

►Human Relations View

►Interactionist View

   

Question No: 13    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 If the political behavior is motivated by self-serving interests without taking into account the goals of the organization, the move would be considered as:

►Ethical

►Neutral

►Unethical (Correct)

►Intense

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Question No: 14    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Legitimate power includes which of the following?

►Acceptance of authority by organizational members (Correct)

►Limited ability to reward employees

►Ability to only punish employees

►Limited control of company’s physical resources

   

Question No: 15    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 A power base that depends on fear comes under which of the following category of power?

►Reward power

►Coercive power (Correct)

►Referent power

►Legitimate power

   

Question No: 16    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following is NOT included in time-off benefits?

►On-the-job breaks

►Annual holidays

►Flexi time (Correct)

►Paid leaves

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Question No: 17    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Ali was working as MTO in ABL & getting the package of Rs.20.000, few weeks ago he resigned from ABL & joined HBL which is offering him Rs.30,000 at the same post of MTO. In this situation HBL is adopting the ________ pay strategy.

       ► Above market rate (Correct)

       ► Below market rate

       ► At market rate

       ► All of the given options

   

Question No: 18    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 What type of pay plan is being used when workers are paid a sum for each unit they produce?

       ► Base pay

       ► Competency-based pay (Correct)

       ► Bonus pay

       ► Piecework pay

   

Question No: 19    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 To make the 'Ranking Method' of job evaluation more effective:

       ► Perform performance appraisals on regular basis

       ► Train employees prior to appraisals

       ► Develop high compensation packages

       ► Clearly define job description initially (Correct)

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Question No: 20    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Miss. Fouzia wants to excel herself in the banking field by clearing the IBP Superior Qualification (ISQ) examination. But her current job’s strict timings do not allow her to fulfill her plans. To address this problem, the bank could help her by:

       ► Providing her with a career coach

       ► Encouraging her to join a career success team

       ► Facilitating her with flexible working hours (Correct)

       ► Suggesting her a better occupation to adopt

   

Question No: 21    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following is part of a manager’s role in the career development of an employee?

       ► Communicating the mission, policies and procedures

       ► Utilizing career development opportunities

       ► Participating in career development discussions

       ► Establishing goals and career plans (Correct)

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Question No: 22    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following plays a role in assessing interests, seeking out career information and utilizing development opportunities in career development?

       ► Individual

       ► Manager (Correct)

       ► Supervisor

       ► Company

   

Question No: 23    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 The lifelong series of activities that contribute to a person’s career exploration, establishment, success, and fulfillment is called:

       ► Organizational development

       ► Career management (Correct)

       ► Career development

       ► Career planning

   

Question No: 24    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 How do compensation and benefits with a career development focus differ from compensation and benefits with a traditional focus?

       ► Employee’s productivity is rewarded

       ► Employee’s efficiency is rewarded

       ► Enhancement in abilities is rewarded

       ► All of the given options (Correct)

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Question No: 25    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Amjad has reached the age of full retirement, but he still wants to continue his job. Moreover, organization has not yet found any replacement to him. In such situation Amjad should pursue:

       ► Counseling to utilize his leisure time

       ► Search careers outside the company

       ► Psychological counseling to prepare for retirement

       ► Extension of current job within company (Correct)

   

Question No: 26    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the given objective is mainly focused during pre-retirement educational programs?

       ► Improve job satisfaction among senior staff

       ► Enhance employee performances through such concerns

       ► Prepare employees for their upcoming retired life (Correct)

       ► Minimize medical claims from retirees

   

Question No: 27    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 During which stage of socialization, employees successfully internalize the organizational norms & beliefs?

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       ► Pre-arrival stage

       ► Encounter stage

       ► Metamorphosis stage (Correct)

       ► Post-retirement stage

   

Question No: 28    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 During which of the following interview, an interviewer asks probing and open-ended questions?

       ► Structured interview

       ► Unstructured interview (Correct)

       ► Formal interview

       ► Planned interview

    

Question No: 29    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following is a process of attracting individuals on timely basis, in sufficient numbers and with appropriate qualifications, to apply for jobs with an organization?

       ► Selection

       ► Recruitment (Correct)

       ► Staffing

       ► Enrollment

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Question No: 30    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following is a force by which personality traits (expertise) affects others’ behavior?

       ► Power

       ► Influence (Correct)

       ► Authority

       ► Command

   

Question No: 31    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following practice involves the selling off portions of the company and making severe staff reductions?

       ► Redesigning

       ► Restructuring (Correct)

       ► Organizational designing

       ► Reengineering

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Question No: 32    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 People can be more productive while working in:

       ► Isolation

       ► Groups (Correct)

       ► Crowd

       ► None of the given options

   

Question No: 33    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 The MOST common reason that an expatriate fails at an international assignment is _____.

       ► Incompetency

       ► Technical demands of the job

       ► Expense

       ► Family pressures (Correct)

   

Question No: 34    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Previous company records & customer satisfaction surveys may serve as a source for:

       ► Cultivating learning culture within the organization (Correct)

       ► Determining deficiencies that require training

       ► Developing career development plans for employees

       ► Identifying training outcomes through evaluation

   

Question No: 35    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 The best hiring occurs when the goals of which of the following should consistent to each other?

       ► HR managers, Finance managers

       ► Head office, Branch

       ► Organization, Individual (Correct)

       ► Lower managers, Top managers

   

Question No: 36    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which one of the following is NOT the advantage of Workforce Diversity?

       ► Multiple perspectives

       ► Greater openness to new ideas

       ► Increased creativity and flexibility

       ► Decreased problem-solving skills (Correct)

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Question No: 37    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Due to which of the following reason, subordinates may feel dissatisfied with their appraisal interviews?

       ► They feel threatened during the interview (Correct)

       ► They can influence the course of the interview

       ► Constructive interviewer is conducting the interview

       ► Their poor performance is being highlighted

   

Question No: 38    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the given solution served as the best one for reducing the problem of central tendency in performance appraisals?

       ► Rank employees

       ► Train supervisors to avoid it (Correct)

       ► Impose a distribution for performance

       ► Consider the purpose of the appraisal

   

Question No: 39    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Some supervisors, when filling in rating scales, tend to avoid the highs and lows on the scale and rate most people in the middle. This type of evaluation is said to be effected by:

       ► Stereotyping

       ► Central tendency (Correct)

       ► Strictness

       ► Leniency

   

Question No: 40    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 “Ongoing process of managing & evaluating both the behavior & outcomes in the workplace” is known as:

       ► Training & development

       ► Performance appraisal (Correct)

       ► Compensation management

       ► Job analysis

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Question No: 41    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Employees' routine working is now being monitored through computers electronically; this trend has affected the Performance Appraisal (PA) system in which of the following manner?

       ► Development of PA on more frequent basis

       ► Enhanced importance of PA for employees

       ► PA have became more accurate & efficient one

       ► Human involvement is completely removed (Correct)

   

Question No: 42    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 By what means, organizations show concerns for their employees and earn their commitment?

       ► Solely ensuring job security of employees

       ► Provide career development opportunities (Correct)

       ► Promise after retirement incentives only

       ► Offer stock options limited to senior employees

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Question No: 43    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 The frequency of conducting the performance appraisal depends on:

       ► Environmental challenges

       ► Training sessions

       ► Job analysis

       ► Organizational policies (Correct)

   

Question No: 44    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Evaluation method generally adopted by most of the educational institutes to evaluate the students’ academic performance is:

       ► Project based method (Correct)

       ► Focal point method

       ► Anniversary method

       ► Base timings method

   

Question No: 45    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following approach emphasizes the effect of psychological & social factors on employees’ performance?

       ► Scientific approach

       ► Rational approach

       ► Human relations approach

       ► Systematic approach (Correct)

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Question No: 46    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 In Hawthorne studies which decisive factor was used in the variation of the workers’ performance?

       ► Safety measures

       ► Health condition

       ► Light variation

       ► Salary bonuses

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Question No: 47    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following signifies a term “Task” as a component of an organization?

       ► Organizational HR

       ► Organizational hierarchy

       ► Mechanical process (Correct)

       ► Existence purpose

Existence purpose

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Question No: 48    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Which of the following abilities are categorized as the Technical skill of an individual?

       ► Judgment & creativity

       ► Analysis & communication

       ► Knowledge & proficiency (Correct)

       ► Innovation & advancement

   

Question No: 49    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 Reactive approach to overcome the influence of discriminatory practices occurred in the past is referred as:

       ► Equal employment opportunity

       ► Affirmative action (Correct)

       ► HR planning

       ► Litigation process

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Question No: 50    ( Marks: 1 )    - Please choose one

 The cognitive component consists of a person’s:

       ► Emotions

       ► Knowledge (Correct)

       ► Attitude

       ► Feelings

   

Question No: 51    ( Marks: 5 )

 Yousaf has beaten his fellow employee for which his manager has dismissed him. Evaluate manager’s response in terms of ethical application of power.

Answer:

No employee is supposed to get physical with any of the colleagues. Manager’s decision was the extreme as he could have brought both employees together and tried to know the problem between them. I see this move as an unethical act by the manager.

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Question No: 52    ( Marks: 10 )

 What measures should be taken to limitize the union membership by employees? Explain each in detail.

Answer:

   

Question No: 53    ( Marks: 10 )

 When do organizational people indulged themselves in organizational politics? Discuss any five factors in detail.

Answer:

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Organizational politics are actions that allow people in organizations to attain goals without going through ceremonial channels. Whether political activities help or hurt the organization depends on whether the person's goals are steady with the organization's goals. In the impartial model of organizations, people are assumed to manage sensibly, based on clear information and well-defined goals.

There are few factors that result in political activities in an organization  and are explained as under.

1. Changes in Leadership which changes conventional associations and processes can create an opportunity for increased political behavior.

2. Changes in Coordination and integration of organizational activities used to achieve common goals can also lead to an increase in political behavior.

3. Changes in any of the five contextual forces, i.e. environment, technology, strategy, culture, and structure, can generate uncertainty over resource allocation, leading to an increase in political behavior.

4. Blame & Integration. Blaming and attacking others to deflect attention from one's mistakes and using ingratiating behavior to gain favor are unethical and negative types of political actions.

5. Building Relationship. People develop relationships through coalitions, grouping, networks, and accommodating managerial linkages. Coalitions are relationships formed over specific issues. Alliances are general agreements of support among different individuals and groups; and networks are broad, loose support systems. Relationship building can either help or harm the organization.

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Question No: 54    ( Marks: 10 )

 In order to get advantage of each method, will it be a sensible decision to simultaneously apply all the four methods of job evaluation?

Answer:

Four methods of Job evaluation

1.      Ranking Method: Raters examine the description of each job being evaluated and assemble the jobs according to their value to the corporation. This technique requires a team characteristically composed of both management and employee delegate to arrange job in a simple rank order from uppermost to lowest. The most noticeable restraint to the ranking method is its utter lack of ability to be managed when there are a large number of jobs.

2.      Classification Method: A job evaluation method by which a number of classes or ratings are defined to explain a group of jobs is known as categorization method. The classifications are created by identifying some common denominator skills, knowledge, and responsibilities with the desired goal being the criterion of a number of distinctive classes or grades of jobs.

3.      Factor Comparison Method Raters need not keep the entire job in mind as they evaluate instead, they make decisions on separate phases, or issues, of the job. A basic fundamental hypothesis is that there are five universal job factors:  (1) Mental Requirements (2) Skills (3) Physical Requirements (4) Responsibilities 5) Working Conditions.

4.      Point Method: Raters assign numerical values to specific job components, and the sum of these values provides a quantitative appraisal of a job’s relative significance. The point method requires selection of job factors according to the nature of the specific group of jobs being evaluated. After determining the group of jobs to be studied, analysts conduct job analysis and write job descriptions. Next, the analysts select and define the factors to be used in measuring job value and which become the standards used for the evaluation of jobs. Education, experience, job knowledge, mental effort, physical effort, responsibility, and working conditions are examples of factors typically used.

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