Contingency Perspective

16 important questions on Contingency Perspective

What are the 7 best practices of Pfeffer?

1. Employment security (Ontslag wet)
2. Selective hiring
3. Decentralization of decision making
4. High wages (minimum loon)
5. Training and developments
6. Reducing status distinctions (hierarchy)
7. Sharing information throughout the organization

What is contingency perspective mean?

Best fit approach. Existing HR practices and policies but changing them so they fit the context of the organization. No copy paste!

What does the contingency perspective mean for HRM?

It means that HR policies are effected by the internal and external organization factors. Think of the business strategy and labor law. HR policies and practices have to be aligned with these.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

When the organization strategy asks for a cost reduction strategy. What should HR implement to get alined with this strategy?

HR should reduce training and development, narrowly define career paths and short term result oriented performance appraisal so management could closely control employees activities.

When the organization strategy asks for a innovation strategy. What should HR implement to get alined with this strategy?

HR should broaden career paths so employees have more space to explore outside their function, long term group performance appraisals and skill development opportunities.

Explain what a environmental fit is.

HR practices and policies should be alined with cultural norms and traditions and local labor law and other policies.

What is a dynamical fit?

If the organization is cable to keep up with the changes

Explain which 2 situation there are with system thinking and for  which one of the 4 SHRM fits this applies to.

System thinking happens in the internal fit.
The HR practices could either have a powerful connection or a deadly combination. This means that the HPWS is effectieve or a disaster.

Explain what the difference between HPWS and HR bundles are and what is more effective in an organization?

HPWS is a set of HR practices. HR bundels are AMO enhancing HR practices. Implementing HPWS is more effective than HR bundles separately.

What are the 4 steps for a strategic (vertical) fit?

1. Desired strategy
2. Required employee behaviors
3. Supportive HR practices
4. HR outcomes (behavior is alined with strategy)

The age of the workforce has an impact on the organization fit. Explain the difference in HR practices for a young and old workforce and in what type of organization do these HR practices have a bigger positive effect.

- in a young workforce development HR practices have a stronger effect, such as training, promotion, career development and job enrichment.
- in an old workforce maintenance HR practices have a stronger effect on work attitudes, such as job security, flexible work schemes and teamwork.
- the effect is stronger in big firms, because they have more HR practices to choose from

According to Tzabbar, In what type of organization does HPWS have a bigger effect and in which one no effect?

In a manufacturing HPWS has a positive effect. Service organization less and high-technology no effect

Explain what International HRM is? And as a HRM'er what should you take into account when implementing HR practices worldwide?

HRM across borders in a multinational company. HR should integrate practices and should also slightly differentiate so they can adopt to the local environment.

What are surface layers?

HR practices that are driven by context

What are underpinning layers?

General principle how you treat people.

Why does the industry matter for HRM and labor productivity?

The type of industry asks for a different set of HR practices that stimulates the labor productivity. The contingency approach shows and universal approach are both supported.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo