VCE Business Management Question Thread!

[EspoirTron]

Can someone please help me with these two questions    1A:Compare the methods for resolving conflict under a centralised system of employee relations with those under a decentralised employee relations system
1B :Evaluate the effectiveness of trade unions in terms of their ability to bring about resolution to disputes in light of the current state of australian employee relations

From compak 2013 exam

Okay so for 1B)
I will assume this question is 5 marks.
This is how I would approach.

Unions refer to bodies that represent employees amidst enterprise bargaining or act as representatives for employees during an industrial dispute.
During a dispute the advantages of a union may include:

- Unions can give bargaining to employees who have little negotiating skills or authority within the workplace. This can enable a fair and equitable solutions to be made for all employees allowing for an effective resolution to disputes between an employer and employee.
- Unions can also put pressure on organisations to adopt particular practices that may be favourable for the employee. For example, unions may put pressure on organisations to adopt particular policies that allow employees better leave entitlements and this can resolve conflict associated with undesirable enterprise agreements.

The disadvantages, however, include:
- Unions may be too biased towards employee needs and this may further frustrate management and cause a mutually agreeable outcome to be inaccessible.
- Unions may not properly understand the desires of employees and may resolve the conflict so it is more advantageous for the employer.

Overall, despite unions sometimes not being able to effectively negotiate, it occurs rarely and the overall benefits of unions far outweigh the negatives and they can effectively resolve disputes placing employees in an advantageous position.

[soNasty]

Okay so for 1B)
I will assume this question is 5 marks.
This is how I would approach.

Unions refer to bodies that represent employees amidst enterprise bargaining or act as representatives for employees during an industrial dispute.
During a dispute the advantages of a union may include:

- Unions can give bargaining to employees who have little negotiating skills or authority within the workplace. This can enable a fair and equitable solutions to be made for all employees allowing for an effective resolution to disputes between an employer and employee.
- Unions can also put pressure on organisations to adopt particular practices that may be favourable for the employee. For example, unions may put pressure on organisations to adopt particular policies that allow employees better leave entitlements and this can resolve conflict associated with undesirable enterprise agreements.

The disadvantages, however, include:
- Unions may be too biased towards employee needs and this may further frustrate management and cause a mutually agreeable outcome to be inaccessible.
- Unions may not properly understand the desires of employees and may resolve the conflict so it is more advantageous for the employer.

Overall, despite unions sometimes not being able to effectively negotiate, it occurs rarely and the overall benefits of unions far outweigh the negatives and they can effectively resolve disputes placing employees in an advantageous position.

great answer 

[Werewolf]

If you get a question that says 'compare' between x and x and is presumably worth four marks, should you be doing 1 similarity and 1 difference between the two and explaining the difference between the two, or should you just be starting 2 similarities and 2 differences?

[EspoirTron]

If you get a question that says 'compare' between x and x and is presumably worth four marks, should you be doing 1 similarity and 1 difference between the two and explaining the difference between the two, or should you just be starting 2 similarities and 2 differences?

I would give a quick description on what the two things are. Then follow through by stating to similarities and two differences. The word 'compare' now means to compare and contrast.

[Jason12]

What management style should be used in times of crisis such as when a company needs to do a product recall?

[lala1911]

Autocratic
One of their advantages is to be able to make quick and strict decisions.

[Jason12]

okay and what about during a time of industrial action? Is it better to be autocratic and do a lockout to prevent further damage to the business or to be participative?

[Frozone]

okay and what about during a time of industrial action? Is it better to be autocratic and do a lockout to prevent further damage to the business or to be participative?

I'd say participative. As it allows for 2 way communication between the employee and employer, so therefore there is negotiation.With the participative style the employees are more likely to accept the change as they are involved in the decision making. The autocratic style uses one way communication so this means that the manger isn't listening to the employees demands, therefore nothing will be done.

Did that help?

[Jason12]

yeah thanks for that. I was thinking participative too

[Jason12]

what is a strategy that an organisation like rio Tinto can use to optimise operations in relation to their supply chain?

Could I say 'supply chain management' as the strategy and just talk about how suppliers need to be contacted earlier to avoid delays etc.

[Frozone]

what is a strategy that an organisation like rio Tinto can use to optimise operations in relation to their supply chain?

Could I say 'supply chain management' as the strategy and just talk about how suppliers need to be contacted earlier to avoid delays etc.

Yeah i'd probably say that.

Now my question:
What is the relationship between the HRM function and business objectives and strategies?
And what is the difference between the operations function and business objectives and strategies?

I said that they both allow the organisation to better achieve their objectives. E.g the hr strategy of training to improve productivity.
Is my answer right?

[Jason12]

what I'm thinking is that HRM can mean anything such as motivational theories, employment cycle, employee relations etc. so you could say the use of motivation theories would help to increase motivation allowing workers ot be more committed and productive, therefore achieving objectives faster. HRM strategies can be the use of motivation theories i think.

[Werewolf]

Yeah i'd probably say that.

Now my question:
What is the relationship between the HRM function and business objectives and strategies?
And what is the difference between the operations function and business objectives and strategies?

I said that they both allow the organisation to better achieve their objectives. E.g the hr strategy of training to improve productivity.
Is my answer right?

This one is easy I think.

Organisational Objective = > Human Resource Objective => Human Resource Strategy.

[unfamila]

Can someone explain to me what a Human Resource strategy actually is; they seem to be very broad.

[Frozone]

Can someone explain to me what a Human Resource strategy actually is; they seem to be very broad.

There are many HR strategies. In regards to what?
If it was in regards to improving productivity a hr strategy would be to train employees.
If the objective was to improve job satisfaction a HR strategy could be to reward and recognize as well as training.
Tbh training solves a lot of answers.