UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA
College of Business
Management 341
Human Resource Management
D.M. Partridge
Fall 2007
SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR EXAM I
NOTE: The questions below illustrate the type of questions one could expect to see on the first exam. The exam
will consist of six identification terms (with a choice out of seven) [30%], 20 multiple choice questions [40%], and
one essay question (with a choice out of two) [30%]. Keep in mind that you are responsible for material covered in
the text, class lecture, and discussion. A good written answer is one that demonstrates command of the basics; an
excellent answer is one that goes beyond the basics to integrate text, class lecture and discussion, and/or other things
such as examples from one’s work experiences. Conversely, a deficient answer is one that fails to demonstrate a
command of the basics.
Part I. Course Vocabulary.
You will be asked to explain the meaning (the definition) and significance (the “so what”) of the term.
Chapter 1
corporate strategy
decentralization
distinctive competencies
downsizing
empowerment
line employee
organizational culture
outsourcing
quality of work life
staff employee
TQM
Chapter 3
adverse impact
affirmative action
Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Americans with Disabilities Act
BFOQ
compensatory damages
disparate treatment
EEOC
Equal Pay Act
four-fifths rule
hostile work environment sexual harassment
OFCCP
punitive damages
quid pro quo sexual harassment
reasonable accommodation
reverse discrimination
Title VII
Chapter 2
boundaryless organizational structure
bureaucratic organizational structure
business process reengineering
contingent workers
flat organizational structure
flextime
job analysis
job description
job design
job enlargement
job enrichment
job rotation
job sharing
job specification
organizational structure
self-managed team
telecommuting
virtual teams
work flow analysis
Chapter 4
diversity
diversity audit
glass ceiling
management of diversity
old boys’ network
senior mentoring program
Part II. Multiple Choice Questions. These questions will be based primarily on text material. Material covered both
in the text and in class has a greater likelihood of appearing on the exam.
Part III. Essay Questions. These questions will be quite similar to those appearing below. Students are encouraged
to develop outlines for the essays, working either alone or with classmates, although no outlines may be brought into
the examination.
1. The Human Resource function faces a number of challenges. Briefly discuss: (a) the benefits of strategic HR
planning; (b) the challenges of strategic HR planning; and (c)
2. Fair employment legislation has a considerable impact on HR policies and practices. Briefly discuss: (a) the
meaning of illegal discrimination: (b) the meaning of affirmative action and its impact on a firm’s recruitment and
selection practices; and (c)
3. The labor force is becoming more diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and
other cultural factors. Briefly discuss: (a) why employee diversity should be managed and the distinction between
diversity management and affirmative action; (b) challenges in managing diversity; and (c)
4. Job design and analysis is a procedure through which one finds out the nature of the job and the kinds of people
that should be hired. Briefly discuss: (a) the several types of teams used in organizations today; (b) various
approaches to job design; and (c)