HUMBUS3

JULY 2016 EXAMINATION

NATIONAL QUALIFICATION (NQF)
DATE: 8 JULY 2016
TIME: 14H00 – 16H00 TOTAL: 100 MARKS
DURATION: 2 HOURS PASS MARK: 50%

(RX-28)
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3

THIS EXAMINATION PAPER CONSISTS OF 4 SECTIONS:

SECTION A: CONSISTS OF:

(i) 10 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (10 MARKS)
(ii) 5 TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS (10 MARKS)
(iii) 10 MATCHING-STATEMENT QUESTIONS (10 MARKS)
ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS

SECTION B: CONSISTS OF 3 SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS (10 MARKS)

SECTION C: CONSISTS OF 4 LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS (40 MARKS)

SECTION D: CONSISTS OF 1 INTERPRETATIVE QUESTION

ANSWER THE QUESTION (20 MARKS)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Read the following instructions carefully before answering the paper, as failure to act upon them will
result in a loss of marks.
2. Write your answers in your answer book, which is provided in the exam.
3. Ensure that your name and student number are clearly indicated on your answer book.
4. Write your answers in either blue or black ink in your answer book.
5. Read each question very carefully before you answer it and number your answers exactly as the
questions are numbered.
6. Begin with the question for which you think you will get the best marks.
7. Note the mark allocations for each question  give enough facts to earn the marks allocated.
Don't waste time by giving more information than required.
8. You are welcome to use diagrams to illustrate your answers.
9. Please write neatly  we cannot mark illegible handwriting.
10. Any student caught cheating will have his or her examination paper and notes confiscated.
The College will take disciplinary measures to protect the integrity of these examinations.
11. If there is something wrong with or missing from your exam paper or your answer book, please inform
your invigilator immediately. If you do not inform your invigilator about a problem, the College will not
be able to rectify it afterwards, and your marks cannot be adjusted to allow for the problem.
12. This paper may be removed from the examination hall after the examination has taken place.

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__________________________________________________________________________
SECTION A (30 MARKS)
__________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
__________________________________________________________________________

(i) MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

Choose the correct option for each of the following. Write only the
question number and your chosen answer. For instance, if you think that
the correct answer for number 1 is (a), then write it as 1. (a).

1. Which one of the following is not a human resource management

basic dimension?

(a) macro-strategic dimension

(b) macro-technical dimension
(c) micro-technical-administrative dimension
(d) micro-situational dimension

2. Which statement is incorrect with regard to personality?

(a) an organisational whole

(b) observable
(c) product of the social and cultural environment
(d) does not include common only unique characteristics

3. Which statement would not describe the philosophy of the

organisation?

(a) expresses company values

(b) expresses the formulation of activities
(c) expresses company culture
(d) expresses how to treat people

4. Which statement is false with regard to adult learning?

(a) Adults prefer a self-directed approach to learning.

(b) Adults possess vast experience.
(c) Adults act from external motivation.
(d) Adults are problem and task-orientated.

5. Which statement would not apply to an open system?

(a) self-sustaining
(b) interaction between the system and the environment
(c) it depends on the environment
(d) the environment depends on it

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6. Which of the following would not involve the employee’s job

context environment?

(a) Salary
(b) Leadership style
(c) Working environment
(d) Nature of the job

7. Which statement does not apply to Affirmative Action?

(a) Long term

(b) Organisational culture
(c) Redress past injustices
(d) Employee potential is important

8. Which of the following agreements would infringe upon one’s

‘freedom of association’ right?

(a) Contract of employment

(b) Collective agreement
(c) Closed shop agreement
(d) Agency shop agreement

9. Which of the following is not an individual performance appraisal

technique?

(a) Graphic rating

(b) Critical incident
(c) Forced distribution
(d) BARS

10. Which statement would not describe Strategic Human Resource

Management (SHRM)?

(a) Proactive approach

(b) Limited company strategy influence
(c) Focuses on organisation-wide human resource concerns
(d) Functional line managers are the important internal clients [10]

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 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3

(ii) TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS

Choose whether the following are True or False. Motivate your answer.

1. Policies express shared guidelines.

2. Labour turnover prevents stagnation and is always of benefit to

the organisation.

3. The calculative psychological contract is less clear-cut and is

based on mutual trust.

4. Labour relations manages groups.

5. The company’s employment equity plan is an internal factor

affecting planning. [2 x 5 =10]

(iii) MATCHING-STATEMENT QUESTIONS

Match the statements in Column B to the statements in Column A. Write down

the answers only, for example 1. (a).

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. Interaction management (a) Management
2. Personality (b) Power
3. Task orientated (c) Individualist cultures
4. Think creatively (d) Individuality
5. Effective dispute resolution (e) Involvement
6. Encouragement of initiative,
(f) Loyalty
flexibility and experimentation
7. Encouragement of group
(g) Behaviour modelling
conformity
8. A social process influencing the
(h) Grievance procedure
behaviour of others
9. An outcome of attachment (i) Collectivist cultures
10. A definite acceptance of the
(j) explore change
organisational culture and goals
[10]
[30]

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__________________________________________________________________________
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (10 MARKS)
__________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
__________________________________________________________________________

QUESTION 1

Briefly describe the main reasons for employee development and

training. [3]

QUESTION 2

Define organisational development. [4]

QUESTION 3

Various human resource strategic considerations have to be revisited

and redesigned from time to time. Name any three individual level
considerations. [3]

[10]

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_________________________________________________________________________
SECTION C: LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (40 MARKS)
_________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
__________________________________________________________________________

QUESTION 1

HR needs to align their strategies and practices with the overall

business strategy of the organisation. A lack of adequate talent may be
the single major constraint on future company growth, therefore
systematic strategic planning is crucial. Contrast the difference between
strategic and coordinative planning. [10]

QUESTION 2

The labour relations policy of an organisation is the expression of top

management’s philosophy towards the human resources of the
organisation. Bearing this statement in mind, briefly describe the
aspects that should be included in the labour relations policy. [10]

QUESTION 3

Effective goal setting and continual monitoring thereof provides an opportunity to

recognise and reward employees for good performance, resulting in job
satisfaction and productivity. Employees need to feel that they are making a
valuable contribution and therefore it is important for them to understand how
their personal goals integrate into the organisation’s goals.

(a) Briefly outline the affect of employees’ increased involvement in the

organisation. (4)

(b) Explain the criteria against which performance should be measured. (6) [10]

QUESTION 4

Discuss 5 factors which need to be taken into account to aid decision makers in
selecting methods for developing managers and other staff, according to Gerber
et al (1999), quoting Nel(1977). [10]

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__________________________________________________________________________
SECTION D: INTERPRETATIVE QUESTIONS (20 MARKS)
__________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER ONE OF THE QUESTIONS
__________________________________________________________________________

QUESTION 1

Transformative leadership is imperative. Discuss this statement and include in

your answer what transformational leaders do. [20]

OR

QUESTION 2

CASE STUDY

Fridays are normally cheerful at LemonHeaven, with smiling faces as staff leave the factory
to enjoy their weekend. However, on Friday 30 April, all was doom and gloom! All employees
were advised that LemonHeaven has to undergo some organisational changes, and that
there is a possibility that management has to review staffing levels. After management held
its annual budget-planning meeting, reality struck! Negotiations took place with the trade
union, who accused LemonHeaven of putting shareholder interests first. One of the major
changes would be a more automated production line.

In the communication to the staff, the financial situation of the company was explained. The
terrible drought conditions, amongst other things, had had a devastating effect on the
company’s ‘bottom line’. It was reiterated that the contribution from all staff to the previous
success of LemonHeaven was appreciated. Management have been meeting in recent
weeks to plot a formal long-term strategy, which would be communicated shortly to the staff.

LemonHeaven started as a small family business, but has since grown into a permanent staff
complement of 540 and seasonal staff of approximately 150 during lemon picking season. No
formal strategic planning or human resource policies and procedures exist – only a
relationship between management and staff built on loyalty and trust. Although
LemonHeaven recognises the employee trade union, there has never been much conflict
between the two parties. Now, due to the latest developments, the relationship between the
two parties has deteriorated.

Supervisors have never been formally trained, and staff, on average, are semi-skilled and
have grown up in lemon country. In addition, the only contract binding LemonHeaven and the
staff are psychological contracts. The company has not kept up with the times; the staff have
been doing the same jobs year in and year out, their individual goals have not been
addressed, and the company goals have not been communicated effectively. Instead of
management spending more time on core functions, most of their time is spent resolving
supervisors and staff problems.

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 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3

You are the Human Resource Manager of the local co-op and have been asked
by the management of LemonHeaven to give your insight concerning the
transition LemonHeaven will have to undergo in order to survive and serve the
long-term interests of all stakeholders.

What advice would you present to LemonHeaven about managing their human
resources?

Include in your answer strategic issues; HR management; labour relations;

performance management; change management and the individual and the
organisation [20]

[20]

Section A: 30 marks
Section B: 10 marks
Section C: 40 marks
Section D: 20 marks
TOTAL: 100 MARKS

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