FIJI.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies

School of Management and Information Systems

Department of Management IR & OHS

HRM703: HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Final Examination: Trimester II, 2012

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. "Weighting: 50% of Total Assessmenf

Instructions
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Read the following instructions before writing

1. Time Allowed: 3 hours with additional 10 minutes reading time.

2.. .Answer Book,lcet:,Au. ansyvers are to be written in the Answer Booklet.

3. You must get at least a minimum exam mark of 20 out of 50 to pass this course.
4. Write your ID Number on all the sheets of paper in your Answer Booklet that you use. Please
also number all the sheets paper/pages that you use.
5. This paper is divi~e4 i~to THREE Sections.
6. " Readthe question properly as per instructions given ill'each section.
Sections Question I Marks I
Section A: Short Answer
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Answer any FIVE (5) out of SIX
(6)
20
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Section B: Essay Questioh
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Answer any FOUR (4) out of
FIVE (5)
40
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Section C: Case Study All compulsory 40

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 SECTION A - SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

(20 marks)
There are SIX questions in this Section. Answer any FIVE of them. All questions carry equal
marks{i.~. 4 markS each)

Q.L By way of illustrations or examples, distinguish between human resources management &
strategic human resources management; which particular concept is considered most critical in
the context of human resources development?

Q.2. Effective workforce planning is an aspect of human resources management that is integral
to organizational strategic planning. Describe what is human resources planning; examine two
key factors'that could either affect or inhibit the human resources planning process.

Q.3. Succession management is a critical factor in many leadership development programs. By

~ay of illustration 01' examples, describe what succession planning is?; critically examine' at least
two limitations or constraints in the succession planning process.

Q.4. Perfonnance appraisals and performance management are key functions of HR Managers.
Distinguish betweenPerformance Management (PM) & Performance Appraisal (PA); is there a
relationship betWeen PM, PA, and human resources development (HRD)?

Q.5. A prudent HR Manager is not only one who is familiar with all HR functions but also
l.U1clerstarids the laws, their interpretation, and application. Discrimination is rife' and a
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i i c'entr81 concern in the 'workplace; describe the two (2) common types of discrimination; provide
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Q.6. Globalization is allowing skilled workers to move like capital across the world to locations
that
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offer bestcompensaticiil
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and the best
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future. As a management student, provide advice and
recommendations to your CEO on the retention strategy or proactive measures you' believe
~ocld help minimize the f~I1ow of new graduates for greener pasture now and in the future?

 SECTION B - ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS

(Marks 40)

There are FIVE questions in this section. Answer any FOUR of them. All questions carry equal
marks (i.e., 10 marks each)

Q.l. HR departments can use various approaches to locate and attract external candidates during
their recruitment. Analyze what would be some of advantages and disadvantages of using
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professional recruiting consultants.

Q.2. An organization's success depends on it having the right people, in the right place, and at
the right time provided the interview process' is weli structure & coordinated. Distinguish
between structured & unstructured interview; critically examine one advantage in an
unstructured interview; which interview methodology would you recommend to your Company's
Director HR & why?

Q.3. The hiring and retention of key human resources isa critical issue for organization.' Identify
and critically examine four (4) factors that will help HR Managers make a decision either to hire
or not to hire a potential candidate. Which particular factor do you consider most significant and
why?

Q.4. Realistic career planning forces employees to be proactive and to anticipate problems and
opportunities. Critically analyse the two (2) processes that involve career planning and
development; which approach would you recommend and why?

Q.5. HR policies have fostered workforce homogenization; that is, they promote similarity rather
than differences amongst organizational members. Critically examine the differences between
diversity management & equal employment opportunities; which one is most critical in fostering
& sustaining long term employment relationship in the workplace?

 SECTION C - CASE STUDY

(Marks 40)

Carefully study the case given below and answer the FIVE questions that follows. All questions
are compulsory

MANAGING CHALLENGES WITH VOLUNTEERS

Source: Fiji Times: Tuesday, May 22, 201

Josh Fliegel from Peace Corps speaking on managing challenges with volunteers.

VOLUNTEER groups were told that the lack of commitment, specialized skills and motivation
were challenges they needed to overcome to run efficient volunteer programs.

The comments were made by the Peace Corps director Program and Training, Josh Fliegel,
during the recent volunteer management symposium in Suva with over 40 volunteer
organizations.

"The sustainability of projects and activities once volunteers moved on was another challenge,"
Mr. Fliegel.said.

He however, praised ,thy amazing work conducted by majority of volunteer groups in the
country.

The Peace Corps representative also suggested volunteer assignments that involved co-workers,
co-:volunteers,community members with aligning organizations under clear volunteer goals
could also be solutions to volunteer management issues.

"Quality staI19.ard of training and development was essential for capacity building of volunteers,"
said Training and Productivity Centre operations manager Satendra Nair.

AgairJ,st the above ba9kground, you are required to answer ALL questions outline below.
Further, you are also allowed to make assumption to help present your case of point argument in
a rpore interesting, persuasive, and meaningful way.

Question 1

There are several .pertinent issues highlighted in this case study. Critically analyze what you
consider as the key or contentious issue in the article. (5 marks)

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 Question 2

What do you consider as the key challenges facing the volunteer groups in terms of efficient and
effective service delivery; do you believe it is management or volunteers' responsibility?
Discuss? (5 marks)

Question 3

Critically analyze what you perceive as current potential problems for volunteers in the quality of
. their service delivery now and in the future? (5marks)

Question 4

Assuming you were Mr. Josh Fliegel, examine the short term strategy or proactive measures you
will implement immediately to ensuring quality service delivery? (10 marks)

Question 5 '
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Assuming you are a HR Consultant, critically analyze which form of advice or recommendations
would you provide to bring about efficiency, productivity, and most importantly, in achieving the
volunteer group's goals and objectives. (15 marks) .

(TbeEnd)