IGCSE Business Studies 2.1. Human resource management (HRM) Topic Practice

HSN uses batch production to make breakfast cereals. The products are sold using several distribution channels. HSN employs 600 production workers. HSN has problems with many employees leaving. Following the dismissal of the Operations Manager, the Human Resources Director has to recruit a new manager. She said: 'The person must have good communication skills to help solve the communication barriers HSN has with employees.' The Human Resources Director has to decide whether to use internal recruitment or external recruitment for the new manager.

RGP owns a number of luxury hotels. The directors are planning to open a new hotel with 200 rooms. The hotel's location will be in the city centre. The Human Resources Director said: 'One of my roles is to recruit the 300 employees RGP will need from the local community. I think selecting new employees with the right personality is more important than their experience. Everyone will have 6 weeks of induction training.' She knows that effective communication between employees and customers will be important to the success of the hotel.

Explain the benefits and limitations to EC of using on-the-job training and off-the-job training. Which method of training should EC use when changing production methods? Justify your answer.

On-the-job training:

Off-the-job training:
Recommendation:

Kolo owns a successful hairdressing salon in the city centre. He has 4 part-time employees. The business has made a profit in each of the last 3 years. Kolo wants to expand by opening another hairdressing salon to take advantage of the economic boom. He plans to recruit a manager for the second salon using external recruitment. Kolo has identified 2 possible candidates for the position. Information about them is shown in Table 1.1.

VDN is a private limited company. One of VDN's objectives is to be ethical. VDN produces office products including pens and paperclips. All raw materials are imported. The Managing Director plans to introduce new machinery to help lower average costs. This will require training for VDN's 380 employees. The Managing Director also wants to introduce Kaizen into the factory.

Do you think off-the-job training is the best method for a large business to use when introducing new machinery? Justify your answer.

SSG manufactures mobile (cell) phones using batch production. Quality control is important. SSG has 130 employees who all receive on-the-job training. The Marketing Manager is analysing cost and output data for product X . An extract is shown in Table 1.1. As product X is in the maturity stage of the product life cycle SSG is considering possible extension strategies.

Define 'on-the-job training'.

FBW manufactures watches using job production. It employs 5 full-time production employees. Each worker is offered regular training. Last year FBW sold 600 watches. The Managing Director plans to use break-even analysis to help decide whether to increase the price of its products. FBW's current break-even chart is shown in Fig. 1.1.

Identify two reasons why a business might offer training to its employees.

Reason 1:
Reason 2:

TCH is a small bakery producing pastries and cakes. It operates in the secondary sector. The added value of TCH's products has increased since it opened 3 years ago. TCH uses non-financial methods to motivate its 6 employees. TCH's business objectives have changed since it started up. One of its new objectives is to expand. Many businesses use external recruitment when they expand.

Explain two methods of external recruitment a business could use. Which is likely to be the best method to use? Justify your answer.

Using Appendix 1 and other information, consider how AF may be affected by the following three changes in legal controls over employment issues in country X . Which legal control will have the most effect on AF? Justify your answer.
- Increase in the legal minimum wage
- Additional health and safety regulations
- Employees can only work a maximum of 50 hours each week

Increase in the legal minimum wage:

Additional health and safety regulations:
Employees can only work a maximum of 50 hours each week:

Conclusion:

Using Appendix 1 and other information, consider the following two applicants for the position of chef at Jemi's new restaurant. Which applicant should Jemi employ? Justify your answer.
- Tianna
- Vea

Tianna:

Vea:

Recommendation:
(b) Using Appendix 1 and other information, consider the following two applicants for the position

-

Tianna
ea
tanna
Vea:
T.