A case Study on The Fall of

Quest

By Deborina Bhattacharyya
University of Kalyani
3rd Semester,
MBA(HR)
 Compaq Computer Case

Compaq Computer Company was a leader in the

computer hardware industry. Its name became
synonymous with cutting edge, high quality, products
that sold for a premium. This premium price for its
products allowed Compaq to outspend most of its
competitors on research and development (R&D).
As technology and the marketplace changed,
Compaq lost its ability to charge a premium price for
its products. 
Q.1) What are competencies and how
are they related to performance? 

Having the required competencies means that a

person is qualified to perform a task or job.
This in turn means that it will be performed to
the best interest of the organization
 Q.2) How do Skills, Knowledge, and
Attitudes (SKA) fit into competencies? 

In order to have a competency, you must first have-

Skill – It is something learned through experience. It is used to carry

out complex activities or job functions to achieve pre-determined
results.

Knowledge - It is the level of education, experience or training that an


individual must have at a minimum to be considered qualified for a
role.

Attitudes- You have the attitude to do something.

 Q,3) What are some short-term human
resource strategies that can be
implemented to help Quest become more
competitive?

Having discussions between the workers and top

leadership (getting a dialog going), implementing
development and educational programs to
increase the quality of leadership within all ranks,
teach management—by—walking—around to top
management in order to help develop trust, etc.
Q.4) What role should the human resource
department perform in an organization?
Why did the last regime go out of bounds

The human resources department handles a range

of different functions within an organization.

 Recruiting
 Training & Development
 Employee Relations
 Employee Benefits
Cont….

The last regime went out of bounds because they

looked after their interest first instead of their
people and the organizations.
Q.5) How can you help the departments'
managers to determine when they are
meddling in other departments affairs,
and when the are actually helping other
departments?

One way is by helping to create a healthy dialog and

fostering relationships.