48M3 Final (McMahon) Page 1 of 8 April 20, 2009

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Nmne ________________ _
Student Number ____ _
Commerce 4BM3
Strategic Human Resources Planning
DURATION OF EXAMINATION: 2 hours
Marks: 100
McMaster University Final Examination
Note to Invigilators:
Instructor: Ed McMahon
TA: I<arlene Harry .
Monday, April 20, 2009
Students are REQUIRED to bring the case study assigned in class: "Corporate Solutions at Jones Long
LosoJle" to the final exam. The case may include additional in-class or study notes added by the
student, and such notes are permitted. Students are REQUIRED TO SUBMIT their copy of the case
WITH their exam booklets to ensure that only notes that apply to the case have been added to the
copy brought to the exam.
INSTRUCTIONS
PART A:
PARTB:
PARTe:
Answer ALL 30 questions
Answer ~ of.!! questions
Answer ALL 3 questions
TOTAL
(60 marks)
(25 marks)
(15 marks)
100 marks
1. Please fill in the answers to ALL of the 30 Multiple Choice and TruelFalse questions on
the Scantron sheet provided.
2. Make sure your student number is written CLEARLY in the space provided.
3. Hand in the Scantron sheet, examination paper, examination booklet AND the copy of
the case study "Corporate Solutions at Jones Lang Lasalle" that you have brought to this final
exam.
THIS EXAMINATION INCLUDES.!! PAGES AND 38 QUESTIONS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENSURING THAT YOUR COPY OF THE EXAM IS COMPLETE. BRING ANY DISCREPANCY TO
THE ATIENTION OF YOUR INVIGILATOR.
continued ...
4BM3 Final (McMahon) Page 2 of 8 April 20, 2009
OMR EXAMINATION - STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE ANSWER SHEET IS PROPERLY
COMPLETED. YOUR EXAMINATION RESULT DEPENDS UPON PROPER ATTENTION TO
THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
The SCalUler, which reads the sheets, senses the bubble shaded areas by their non-reflection of light. A
heavy mark must be made, completely filling the circular bubble, with an HE pencil. Marks made with a
pen or felt-tip marker will NOT be sensed. Erasures must be thorough or the SCaJUler may still sense the
mark. Do NOT use correction fluid on the sheets. Do NOT put any unnecessary marks or writing on the
answer sheet.
1. On side 1 (red side) of the form, in the top box, in pen, print your student number, name, course
name, section number, instructor name and date in the spaces provided. Then you MUST write your
signature in the space marker SIGNATURE.
2. In the second box, with a pencil, mark your student number, exam version number, and course
section number in the space provided and fill in the corresponding bubble numbers underneath.
3. To indicate your answers, mark only ONE choice from the alternatives (1,2,3,4,5 or a,b,c,d,e)
provided for each question. The question number is to the left of the bubbles. Make sure that the number
of the question on the scan sheet is the same as the question number on the test paper.
4. Pay particular attention to the Marking Directions on the form.
5. Begin answering questions using the first set of bubbles, marked "1".
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46M3 Final (McMahon) Page 3 of 8 April 20, 2009
Multiple Choice and True/False 30 questions - Answer EVERY question, worth 2 marks each.
1. The formulation of organizational missions, goals, objectives and action plans is referred to as:
a. strategic HR planning
b. human resources planning
c. strategy
d. planning
e. all of the above
2. United Parcel Service employs 152,000 people to deliver parcels in an extremely competitive
sector where a "package is a package". UPS profits by keeping labour costs low. This business
strategy is known as:
a. low-cost provider strategy
b. differentiation strategy
c, niche market strategy
d. corporate strategy
e. none olthe above
3. Another name for "stakeholders" is:
a. shareholders
b. business owners
c. constituent groups
d. lobbyists
e. none of the above
4. All of the following are compensable factors EXCEPT:
a. knowledge and skills
b. effort
c. responsibility
d. position title
e. working conditions
5. A comprehensive across-the-board software system for HR management that includes
subsystems or modules is known in HR circles as a:
a. HRIS
b. relational database
c. skills inventory
d. replacement chart
e. all of the above
6. External or environmental factors affecting forecasting include:
a. HR policies
b. Organizational structure
c. HRMS level of development
d. Corporate mission statement
e. None of the above
48M3 Final (McMahon) Page 4 of 8 .. April 20, 2009.
7. Total HR demand requirement for operational or short-run periods are displayed in:
a. a succession chart
b. budget summary
c. staffing table
d. a matrix
e. skills inventory
8. A study by Deloitte & Touche states that the majority of Canada's family businesses are facing a
leadership crisis due to a lack of:
a. business planning
b. reproduction
c. human resources planning
d. succession planning
e. none of the above
9. Competencies are:
a. groups of related behaviours
b. needed for successful performance
c. measurable attributes
d. observable behaviours
e. all of the above
10. A long-term strategy that changes the organization's culture and attitudes, and employees'
values, with the goals or reducing costs and enhancing quality:
a. downsizing
b. workforce reduction
c. work redesign
d. systematic change
e. all ofthe above
11. PepsiCo acquired KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hutt enabling its distribution of its products at these
restaurant outlets. This is an example of:
a. horizontal integration
b. vertical integration
c. takeover
d. consolidation
e. acquisition
12. Many functions are outsourced because organizations:
a. want to improve technical service
b. cannot find technical talent
c. need quick and reliable access to new technology
d. want to improve efficiencies
e. all of the above
continued ...
48M3 Final (McMahon) Page 5 of 8 April 20, 2009
13. Core competencies are activities __ .
a. traditionally performed internally
b. are most likely to be outsourced
c. critical to business success
d. (a) and (b) are correct
e. (a) and (c) are correct
14. Because each organization is different, __ organizational strategies exist.
a. circular
b. secular
c. common
d. unique
e. factorial
15. A(n) __ is a grouping of related duties, tasks, and behaviours performed by one or'more
individuals.
a. cluster
b.pod
c. skill
d. job
e. criteria
16. Corporate strategies ask questions like, "shall we be in business?" or "what business are we in?"
Business strategies are concerned with questions like "how should we compete?" "Shall we
compete by offering lowering prices than the competition?" (True/False).
17. Human capital refers to the collective sum of the attributes, experience, knowledge and
commitment that employees choose to invest in their work (True/False).
18. The influence of women, the graying ofthe workforce, and the arrival of the "Gen X's" and "Gen
Ys" are all examples of demographic factors influencing HRP (True/False).
19. Role or specific competencies are characteristics that every member of an organization,
regardless of position, function, or level of responsibility with the organization, is expected to
possess. (True/False).
20. The HRIS involves acquiring the best available software product that will encompass a limited
range of HR functions (True/False).
21. A prohibition on all external recruiting activities is also known as a hiring freeze (True/False).
22. HR managers are fully responsible for developing HR budgets independently of others in the
organization (True/False).
23. Many organizations fall short by not placing enough emphasis on retaining current employees
(True/False).
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48M3 Final (McMahon) Page 6 of 8 April 20, 2009
24. To minimize politics involved in identifying talent, management should develop a set of
principles based on the greater interests of the company. (True/False).
25. When it comes to reducing overhead costs, downsizing is really the only alternative (True/False).
26. During a merger, employees undergo stress and productivity can be expected to decrease
(True/False).
27. It is generally only small firms that outsource HR functions. Large firms do not outsource
(True/False).
28. When a company can no longer pay its creditors, the company may file for bankruptcy
(True/False).
29. When all jobs are analyzed at the same time during a job analysis, this process is referred to as
sequential (True/False).
30. The Delphi technique is a quantitative method for deriving detailed assumptions of long-run HR
demand (True/False).
continued ...
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April 20, 2009
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PART B - Short Answer Questions - Answer 5 of 8 Questions
Each short answer question is designed to be answered in 1-2 paragraphs AND is worth 5
marks.
1. Compare and contrast the HRM practices of a company using a low-cost provider strategy with
one using a differentiation strategy.
2. Define "stakeholders" and identify five major stakeholders influencing strategy in today's
workplace.
3. Identify and describe FIVE environmental factors affecting HRM.
4. Define outsourcing, and list and describe the reasons most often cited for pursuing outsourcing
solutions.
5. Identify. and describe three of the most common management development methods
organizations use to develop high-potential employees.
6. What are some the advantages and disadvantages ofthe Delphi Technique where experts do
NOT meet face-to-face?
7. What are the differences between a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and an
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution?
8. Identify and describe TWO of the three major benefits of mergers.
. continued ...
48M3 Final (McMahon) Page 8 of 8 April 20, 2009
PART C - Case Study - 3 Questions - Answer ALL 3 questions. each worth 5 marks
Refer to Corporate Solutions at Jones Lang Lasalle.
Peter Barge has identified three potential revenue attribution models for the redesigned and
restructured Corporate Solutions Group. These three are set out on page 19 of the case.
1. The case identifies and discusses a number of issues that need to be considered when selecting
the best alternative from among the three proposed. As Peter's HR partner, what would you
identify as the most important issues to be considered when making the decision about which
model to select? Why? (5 marks)
2. Assess the possible revenue attribution models against the major issues you have identified.
Which solution best addresses the most issues? Why? (5 marks)
3. The restructuring and attendant changes are not without risk. Identify the major categories of
business risk imposed by the restructuring and new financial arrangements. As Peter's HR
partner, how can you help him mitigate these risks? (5 marks)
When answering these questions, you may use tables, graphs, point form notes or full sentences.
Marks are awarded for appropriate content, not for visual style. At the same time, be aware that your
responses, if in short form, need to be comprehensible. Do NOT use abbreviations, short forms, or
acronyms.
THE END