Evolution of Human Resources in Business
44 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was one financial benefit demonstrated by the HR team at Sears, Roebuck?

  • Increased hiring costs
  • Higher employee turnover rates
  • Lower productivity rates
  • Improved employee attitudes leading to better customer experiences (correct)
  • What aspect of HR practices is often viewed negatively by business leaders?

  • Innovation in talent development
  • Classification as a cost center (correct)
  • Investment in training programs
  • Emphasis on employee engagement
  • How did IBM approach the retraining of IT consultants?

  • By hiring new employees instead of retraining existing staff
  • By providing multi-day off-site training programs
  • By requiring employees to take unpaid leave for training
  • By offering on-site training during working hours (correct)
  • What should be a focus of HR when determining the viability of outsourcing?

    <p>Assessing whether engagements will succeed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a common issue with many HR programs?

    <p>They lack significant impact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can quantifying costs and benefits in HR practices do?

    <p>Turn talent decisions into business decisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary focus of the HR function during the early 1900s?

    <p>Workforce management as a discipline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which management system was favored by supervisors during the Great Depression?

    <p>Drive system of management</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant challenge did HR face after World War II?

    <p>Replacing executives who died in office</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did HR influence the supervisor's management style?

    <p>By emphasizing a humane approach</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of programs did HR create to address the lack of talent development?

    <p>Revolutionary hiring and development programs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition made it difficult for companies to develop talent during the Great Depression?

    <p>Fear of job loss among workers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue does HR encounter with current compensation plans according to the content?

    <p>Volatility in compensation control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one major consequence of poorly managed companies during the early 1900s?

    <p>Difficulties in recruiting talented employees</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What critical necessity for supervisors was recognized by HR over time?

    <p>Training and incentives for performance conversations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors contributed to the perception of HR as a hindrance by supervisors in the 1930s?

    <p>Focus on performance management systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor that affects how employees behave in a company?

    <p>Economic stability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During what period did HR departments begin to enforce better treatment of employees?

    <p>The 1920s</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a notable trend in the late 1990s labor market in the United States?

    <p>Companies competed to be the 'employer of choice.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue was face by employees during the jobless recovery post-financial crisis?

    <p>Job insecurity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which country is Human Resources (HR) still a preferred function due to strong unions and government regulation?

    <p>Japan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sentiment do managers often express when times are stable regarding HR?

    <p>HR is not contributing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a contributing factor to wages remaining flat despite increased productivity?

    <p>Lack of demand for labor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What area did HR leaders feel least prepared in, according to a recent survey by Deloitte?

    <p>Analytics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What opportunity does HR have in current times?

    <p>To enhance strategic planning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor significantly influences HR functions in Southeast Asia, particularly in developing countries?

    <p>Investment in training and development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key challenge HR faces in India, as suggested by studies?

    <p>Shortage of trained individuals for key roles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common complaint about HR when companies face challenges?

    <p>HR policies appear superfluous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the historical significance of U.S. industry after World War II?

    <p>An unprecedented talent shortage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the labor market in Europe differ from that in the United States, according to the content?

    <p>Europe has a talent glut while the U.S. has a talent shortage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What motivates employees to work harder during a time of economic challenges?

    <p>Job security</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key function should HR continuously adapt to meet challenges?

    <p>Identifying new challenges and designing tools.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which industry is the adaptation of IT services mentioned specifically?

    <p>Chemical companies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterized the workplace environment in the U.S. compared to Southeast Asia?

    <p>More favorable conditions for employers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant reason for the birth of modern HR in the 1950s?

    <p>The urgent need to develop and retain talent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What % of positions in the 1980s were filled from within rank at a leading New York bank?

    <p>90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which practice is NOT mentioned as part of modern HR practices that arose from the need to develop talent?

    <p>Performance bonuses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary reason junior managers at the New York bank felt distracted?

    <p>Their managerial tasks distracting from individual contributions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of today’s hires are filled through internal sources, according to the content?

    <p>33%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did corporate recruiters have during the dot-com boom compared to other professionals?

    <p>They had the hottest job in the United States</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What trend was reported by John Kotter in relation to management at the leading New York bank?

    <p>There was a reduction in leadership training programs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way did HR function become viewed during the 1980s?

    <p>As a glamorous area in business</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'high-potential tracks' refer to in HR practices?

    <p>Promotional pathways for talented individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major shift has occurred in senior-level hiring practices since the 1980s?

    <p>Greater use of external executive search firms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Historical Overview of HR

    • HR emerged in the early 1900s as "industrial and labor relations"
    • In the 1920s, companies valued good workers and made efforts to retain them
    • The Great Depression saw employers favoring a "drive" system of management
    • After World War II, HR developed revolutionary hiring and development programs due to a talent shortage
    • Key fact: HR was considered the most glamorous area in business during the "gray flannel suit" era, due to its commitment to talent development

    HR's Evolution and the Labor Market

    • Today, most senior-level vacancies are filled through executive search firms
    • HR's importance fluctuates with the labor market
    • Key fact: HR is most appreciated when the labor market is tight, as it becomes difficult to find and retain good employees
    • Key fact: In contrast, when the labor market is abundant, companies have less need for HR's services
    • HR's role has expanded beyond hiring and retention, encompassing areas like succession planning and employee coaching

    Current Challenges for HR

    • Managers facing pressure to trim HR activities, viewing it as a cost center
    • HR's practices are often viewed as superfluous, despite the potential for significant returns
    • Companies are moving away from internal development programs, instead relying on external hiring
    • HR needs to demonstrate the quantifiable value of its programs to gain traction with business leaders

    The Importance of Data and Analytics

    • HR should actively contribute to making informed decisions about talent
    • Analyzing employee data to understand turnover, productivity, and other key factors is crucial for informed investment in talent development
    • HR needs to acquire business knowledge and analytic skills to effectively analyze and interpret data

    HR's Role in Outsourcing

    • HR should play a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of outsourcing, as it possesses key insights into talent and organizational dynamics

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Description

    Explore the historical development of Human Resources from its early roots in industrial relations to its current vital role in navigating the labor market. Understand how HR practices have changed over the decades and the impact of economic conditions on HR's importance within organizations.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser