Homework Questions

1. HRM has changed dramatically over the last two decades. Discuss two major trends that are

affecting and have affected HRM. Provide examples of how a company's HRM practices might

be affected by each trend.

2. Identify and explain the factors you would consider to determine if discrimination had occurred

in an employment decision. Explain how you would prevent this from occurring going forward.

3. As a strategic business partner, human resources enhances organizational performance,

expands human capital, and is cost effective. Discuss how HRM professionals contribute to

organizational performance through human capital and cost.

4. As the new human resource manager at Hardwick’s Fabric Store, which is a retail chain, you

have been tasked to develop an HRM plan. What external factors are important for you to

consider and why?

5. Part of strategic staffing is ensuring that HRM hires the right person/skills the first time. This is

completed through strategic planning as well as an efficient selection process. Describe three

selection methods used to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for candidates. Explain

how those selection methods will maximize finding the right candidate.

6. While layoffs may seem prevalent today, many companies still face the challenge of retaining

top performers and the skills needed to complete the job. Explain how you would create a

proactive retention program for a company. Describe the steps you would take and substantiate

each step.

7. Evaluate the importance of measuring training effectiveness on performance and in terms of

return on investment (ROI). Share an example of how you would measure training effectiveness.

Describe the factors/components you would include in a performance management program and

validate those items. Explain the value of performance evaluations and performance management to

the overall business.

Incentives are rewards intended to motivate a specific behavior. Appropriate incentives stimulate

performance. Explain how pay for performance plans are designed to reward individuals as well as team

results. Evaluate the value of pay for performance plans as it relates to the organization/business.