Murang’a University College

(A Constituent College of Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology)

(A CONSTITUENT COLLEGE OF JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY (JKUAT))
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

UNIT NAME : LABOUR ECONOMICS

UNIT CODE : HEH 2201

DATE: 9 DEC.2013 TIME ALLOWED – 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:-
Answer question one (compulsory) and any other two questions

QUESTION 1

(a) Define labour economics and distinguish between the following sets of items
(i) Division and specialization of labour
(ii) Population growth and population density
(iii) Economies and diseconomies of scale (15 mrks)
(b) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of specialization of labour (12 marks)
(c) State the law of non proportional returns (3mrks)

QUESTION 2

Why do workers organize into unions? Explain the obstacles in the growth of strong unionism
in a country (20 mrks)

QUESTION 3

Labour is manifestly different from the other factors of production. In the light of this statement,
discuss the peculiarities of labour which distinguish it form the rest of the factors of production. (20 mrks)

QUESTION 4

(a) Describe the various types of internal and external economies of scale (14 marks)
(b) Briefly discuss any two theories of labour mobility (6 marks)

QUESTION 5

(a) Discuss the factors that are responsible for wage differentials within the same occupation
(10 mrks).
(b) Explain the essential conditions for successful collective bargaining. (10 mrks)
 Murang’a University College
(A Constituent College of Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology)

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

SPECIAL / SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF

SCIENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

UNIT NAME LABOUR ECONOMICS

UNIT CODE : HEH 2201

DATE: TIME ALLOWED – 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:-
Answer question one (compulsory) and any other two questions

QUESTION 1

(a) Explain the logic of trade unionism and critically examine the role of trade unions in
Discuss the factors that are responsible for territorial division of labour (10 mrks)

QUESTION 2

(a) Explain the reasons why agricultural wages tend to be lower than industrial wages (10 mrks)
(b) Discuss the limitations of division of labour (10 mrks)

QUESTION 3

(a) Discuss the factors that are responsible for wage differentials between occupations (10 mrks)
(b) Discuss the economic effects of overpopulation (10 mrks)

QUESTION 4

(a) Describe the various types of internal and external economies of scale (14 marks)
(b) Briefly discuss any two theories of labour mobility (6 marks)

QUESTION 5
(a) Suggest measures for making collective bargaining effective (10 mrks)
(b) Labour differs in efficiency. In the light of this statement, explain the factors that affect
labour efficiency (10 marks).