GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is a ‘job applicant’? A person who would like to be considered for appointment to a particular job with a business GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is a ‘job description’? A document that describes the duties of a worker and his or her status within the organisation. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is a ‘person specification’? A document that describes the skills and qualities that a person needs to have in order to do/get the job. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is an ‘application form’? A document to be filled in with personal details in order to apply for a job. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is a ‘Curriculum vitae’ or ‘CV’ ? A document that a person creates which lists their qualifications / work experience and contact details. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What does the word ‘motivation’ mean? In business, it’s the desire to complete a task. E.g. The motivation for Fred to work late was the extra money he would earn! GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is a ‘hierarchy’ or ‘organisational structure’? It’s a diagram which shows the internal structure of a business. It also shows how responsibility is organised. E.g. Who is responsible for whom! GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is a ‘function’ in a business? It refers to the tasks or jobs that a business does. Businesses are mostly organised by their ‘function’ which means grouping people into different departments. E.g. Finance and production. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What does the word ‘delegate’ mean? It is the giving of responsibility. E.g. John delegates the task of ordering new stock to Fred. This means John trusts Fred to get the job done and it is now Fred’s responsibility. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What does the word ‘subordinate’ mean? It is someone who receives responsibility. E.g. John delegates the task of ordering new stock to Fred. Fred is the subordinate who is receiving responsibility from John. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

Define ‘chain of command’ The number of layers a message has to go through to get from the top to the bottom of the hierarchy / organisation. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

Define ‘span of control’ The number of people a manager is directly responsible for. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources What is ‘delayering’? The removal of one or more layers of management in an organisation. The hierarchy becomes more ‘flat’ with a shorter chain of command. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources What is ‘empowerment’? Giving more responsibility to workers further down the chain of command. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is ‘centralisation’? A type of business organisation where decisions are made at the centre (or head office) and decisions are passed down the chain of command. E.g. McDonald’s head office decide all the menu, uniform, pay, machinery etc. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is ‘decentralisation’? A type of business organisation where decision making is given further down the hierarchy – to individual departments or branches. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What are the five layers of ’Maslow’s hierarchy of needs’? GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

Describe what ‘internal communication’ is. Communication within the business. E.g. A manager to an employee NOTE: Someone working for Apple UK emailing someone working for Apple US is still internal, even though it’s in a different country! GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

Describe what ‘external communication’ is. Communication between the business and an outside individual or organisation. E.g. A business placing an order with a supplier, or speaking to a customer. GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is ‘communication’? It is a message that is passed between a sender and a receiver, through a medium (e.g. a letter, email, speech, telephone call). GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is ‘horizontal communication’? Communication between people at the same level in the organisation. E.g. branch manager talking to another branch manager GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources

What is ‘vertical communication’? Communication up or down the hierarchy. For example, a manager sending an email to the assistant manager is vertical (downwards), so too is a shop worker emailing the managing director (upwards). GCSE Business Studies - Human Resources