Making Human Resource Decisions | Edexcel GCSE Business (1BS0)
Making Human Resource Decisions
- 78 questions
- 5 subtopics
- Paper 2
- Paper 2
Making Human Resource Decisions is examined in Paper 2, Building a business (Theme 2).
It covers organisational structures and communication, different ways of working, effective recruitment, effective training and development and motivation in the workplace.
Sample questions from Making Human Resource Decisions
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Organisational structures and communication
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a flat structure?
Show the answer
A flat structure gives fast communication and lower management costs. Managers may be overstretched, and there are fewer chances of promotion. -
Organisational structures and communication
Why is effective communication important in a business?
Show the answer
Effective communication ensures staff understand their tasks and the business's goals. Clear communication reduces mistakes and keeps staff motivated. -
Different ways of working
What right to request flexible working do UK employees have?
Show the answer
Since April 2024, UK employees can request flexible working from their first day in a job. An employer must consider the request but can refuse it for a sound business reason. -
Different ways of working
Why might a small marketing agency use freelance designers?
Show the answer
Freelancers provide specialist skills only when a project needs them. The agency avoids paying salaries, holiday pay and pensions for staff it rarely needs. -
Effective recruitment
What is a job description?
Show the answer
A job description sets out the title, main tasks and responsibilities of a job. A job description tells applicants what the role involves. -
Effective recruitment
What is internal recruitment?
Show the answer
Internal recruitment is filling a vacancy with someone who already works for the business. Vacancies are advertised on staff noticeboards or the intranet. -
Effective training and development
What are the drawbacks of informal training?
Show the answer
Informal training may pass on the bad habits of the colleague doing the teaching. Standards can vary from one trainee to another. -
Effective training and development
How is training linked to motivation?
Show the answer
Training shows employees that the business values them and invests in their future. Staff who feel confident and valued are more motivated.
The 5 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Organisational structures and communication | Hierarchical and flat structures, spans of control, centralisation and decentralisation, and the effects of too little or too much communication and how to overcome barriers. | 16 |
| Different ways of working | Full-time and part-time work, flexible hours and the right to request them, permanent, temporary and freelance contracts, and remote working and technology. | 15 |
| Effective recruitment | The roles of directors, managers, supervisors and staff, job descriptions and person specifications, application forms and CVs, and internal against external recruitment. | 16 |
| Effective training and development | Induction, formal and informal training, self-learning, target setting and performance reviews, how training links to motivation and retention, and retraining for new technology. | 15 |
| Motivation in the workplace | Why motivation matters for attracting and keeping staff, remuneration, bonuses, commission, promotion and fringe benefits, job rotation, job enrichment and autonomy. | 16 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
Edexcel GCSE Business Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 672 questions with their answers.