Chapter 2: Human Resource Management and Organisational Performance: in search of the HR advantage

What does Boxall mean by the acronym HCA?

Human Capital Assessment. Human Capital Analysis. Human Capital Appraisal Human Capital Allowance. Human Capital Advantage.

What does Boxall mean by the acronym OPA?

Organisational Procedure Advantage. Organisational Process Analysis. Organisational Process Advantage. Organisational Process Appraisal. Organisational Process Assessment.

What is meant by 'black box' research?

Research consisting of basic input/output models with policy inputs on the left hand side and outcomes on the right hand side. Research into the hidden and complex processes which occur between input and output, and differences between espoused and enacted practices. Research into understanding why an organisation has failed after a major event. Research which examines an organisations formal HR policies.

What is meant by the acronym RBV?

Resource Based View. Results Based View. Research Based View. Reward Based View. Reflective Based View.

What is meant by the acronym HPWS?

High Powered Work Systems. High Performance Work Systems. High Pressure Work Systems. Highly Planned Work Systems. Highly Procedural Work System.

Which of the following statements are true? Select all that apply.
Interest in people management has been elevated by the rise of the 'knowledge economy', where companies increasingly rely upon their stock of intellectual and human capital. Senior managers have been looking for ways to improve performance in increasingly competitive markets. Research into the links between HRM and organisational performance is one of the main areas of study in the field of HRM. Research demonstrates a robust relationship between HR and organisational performance.

Which of the following are typical components of most definitions of high commitment management? Select all that apply.
High compensation contingent on organisational performance. High use of temporary staff and contractors. Employment security. Extensive training. Self-managed teams/team working. Selective hiring.

The view that a distinctive set of HR practices can be applied successfully to all organisations irrespective of their setting is referred to as what?
Best process. Best performance. Best philosophy.

Best procedure. Best practice.

Which of the following studies reveal a long standing interest in the relationship between employees and organisational performance? Select all that apply.
The Hawthorne Studies. PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique). Total quality management. Scientific management.

What is the name of the approach that suggests that HR strategy should be matched to business strategy?
Best fit. Best value. Best process. Best performance. Best approach.

What do Miles and Snow (1984) call companies with narrow, stable products emphasising internal, process oriented training and pay equity?
Prospectors. Defenders. Analysers.

Which of the following statements are true? Select all that apply.
There is a need to understand more about the black box between HR and performance. Understanding processes and routines predominantly requires much more quantitative data such as surveys. Most research into HR and performance is quantitative.

Research should consider not only financial performance but also wider measures such as employee well-being.

Which of the following statements about Organisational Process Advantage are true? Select all that apply.
OPA concerns routines and processes which make up the day to day realities of organisational life. OPA concerns how practices are translated into operation. OPA concerns developing a process advantage. OPA is best studied by using sophisticated statistical packages.

Which of the following statements about Human Resource Advantage are true? Select all that apply.
HRA is comprised of Human Capital Advantage and Organisational Process Advantage. Research has often been criticised for an excessive emphasis on quantitative analysis. HCA practices are not easily copied. HRA is the series of policies, practices and processes that contribute to competitive advantage.

Which of the following statements is true? Select all that apply.

The Resource Based View is of less interest to knowledge intensive firms. The Resource Based View draws attention to the intangible assets of the firm. The Resource Based View has developed from the business strategy literature. The Resource Based View suggests competitive advantage is based on what is difficult to imitate. The Resource Based View involves looking at the internal resources of the firm.