The Association of Business Executives

QCF

Human Resource ManagementWednesday 5 June 2013, Morning

1. Time allowed: 3 hours.

2. Read the instructions at the top of each section carefully. The number of questions you have to answer is marked clearly at the top of each section. Do not answer more questions than instructed.

3. The number of marks per question may vary. Marks for subdivisions of questions and the total marks for each question are shown in brackets after the question.

4. No books, dictionaries, notes or any other written materials are allowed in this examination.

5. Calculators, including scientific calculators, are allowed providing they are not programmable and cannot store or recall information. Electronic dictionaries and personal organisers are NOT allowed.

6. Candidates who break ABE Examination Regulations, or commit any misconduct, will be disqualified from the examinations.

7. Question papers must not be removed from the Examination Hall.

STRUCTURE OF PAPER: Answer ALL FOUR sections

SECTION A: Answer ANy TWO questions from Q1-Q3 13 marks each

Maximum Marks for Section A: 26 marks

SECTION B: Answer ANy TWO questions from Q4-Q6 13 marks each

Maximum Marks for Section B: 26 marks

SECTION C: Answer ANy TWO questions from Q7-Q9 12 marks each

Maximum Marks for Section C: 24 marks

SECTION D: Answer ANy TWO questions from Q10-Q12 12 marks each

Maximum Marks for Section D: 24 marks

TOTAL MARkS AvAILABLE FOR THE PAPER 100 marks

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This paper consists of FOUR SECTIONS.

Follow the instructions at the top of EACH section.

SECTION A

You must answer ANY TWO questions in this section. DO NOT answer ALL THREE questions.

Each question carries 13 marks.

Section A is worth 26% of the total marks available for the paper.

Q1 (a) Explain the term ‘HR Business Partner’. Support your answer with examples. (4 marks)

(b) Identify and describe three ways in which the HR function can positively contribute to sustained improvements in organisational performance. (9 marks)

(Total 13 marks)

Q2 (a) Explain the meaning of both ‘equal opportunities’ and ‘diversity’. (7 marks)

(b) Describe three actions an employer can take to promote equal opportunities and diversity in the workplace. (6 marks)

(Total 13 marks)

Q3 Explain the role of each of the following in the effective management and development of people:

(i) The individual employee (3 marks)

(ii) The line manager (5 marks)

(iii) The Human Resource specialist (5 marks) (Total 13 marks)

END OF SECTION A

MAXIMUM MARKS FOR SECTION A: 26

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SECTION B

You must answer ANY TWO questions in this section. DO NOT answer ALL THREE questions.

Each question carries 13 marks.

Section B is worth 26% of the total marks available for the paper.

Q4 (a) Briefly describe the importance of Human Resource (or Workforce) Planning to an organisation. (4 marks)

(b) An organisation’s Human Resource Plan shows that it will have a shortage of staff and skills.

Describe three actions that may be taken to resolve this shortage, making sure that

you give sound business-related arguments to support your answer. (9 marks)(Total 13 marks)

Q5 (a) Outline seven key stages of the recruitment and selection process. (7 marks)

(b) Identify two external recruitment sources that you would use to fill the job of an Office Administrator. Give reasons for your choices. (6 marks)

(Total 13 marks)

Q6 You are the Human Resources Manager for a large company. The manager of the Customer Services Department is recruiting three new members of staff to join her team. She is planning to use one-to-one interviews as the sole selection method.

(a) Briefly describe three typical problems of one-to-one interviews. (6 marks)

(b) Identify one selection method other than the one-to-one interview and explain how this method may overcome the problems of one-to-one interviews. (7 marks)

(Total 13 marks)

END OF SECTION B

MAXIMUM MARKS FOR SECTION B: 26

Turn over to Sections C and D

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SECTION C

You must answer ANY TWO questions in this section. DO NOT answer ALL THREE questions.

Each question carries 12 marks.

Section C is worth 24% of the total marks available for the paper.

Q7 You are responsible for a training programme designed to improve the skills of customer service staff.

Identify two ‘on-the-job’ and two ‘off-the-job’ training methods that could be used on this programme. Give reasons to show how the effectiveness of these training methods can be maximised. (12 marks)

Q8 (a) Identify and explain three purposes of performance appraisal. (6 marks)

(b) Describe three problems that can arise in the appraisal process. (6 marks)(Total 12 marks)

Q9 (a) Describe three purposes of employee reward. (6 marks)

(b) Outline and explain one benefit and one problem associated with linking employee pay to performance. (6 marks)

(Total 12 marks)

END OF SECTION C

MAXIMUM MARKS FOR SECTION C: 24

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SECTION D

You must answer ANY TWO questions in this section. DO NOT answer ALL THREE questions.

Each question carries 12 marks.

Section D is worth 24% of the total marks available for the paper.

Q10 (a) Briefly explain why many employers seek to involve their employees in the decision- making processes of the organisation. (4 marks)

(b) Describe four employee involvement techniques. (8 marks)(Total 12 marks)

Q11 (a) Describe four benefits that an organisation gains if it has a positive ‘employer brand’. (8 marks)

(b) Briefly explain why some organisations may not be concerned with having a positive ‘employer brand’. (4 marks)

(Total 12 marks)

Q12 Describe the key features of a ‘Learning Organisation’. (12 marks)

END OF SECTION D

MAXIMUM MARKS FOR SECTION D: 24

TOTAL MAXIMUM MARKS: 100

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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