Ch10 HR, Job Design & Work | Test Bank – 10th Global

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Operations Management, 10e, Global Edition (Heizer/Render)

Chapter 10 Human Resources, Job Design, and Work Measurement

1) Self-directed teams may mean having no supervision on the factory floor.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

2) The goal of a human resource strategy is to manage labor and design jobs so people are effectively and efficiently utilized.

Diff: 1

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

3) Equitable pay alone cannot achieve a reasonable quality of work life in an organization.

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

4) Mutual trust means that both management and employee strive to meet common objectives.

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

5) Technology, location, and layout decisions are all possible constraints on the human resource strategy.

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

6) Labor planning determines employment stability.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

7) The two extremes of employment stability policy are "follow demand exactly" and "keep demand constant."

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

8) Maintaining a stable workforce generally results in the firm paying higher wages than a firm that follows demand.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

9) Flextime is a system that allows employees, within limits, to determine their own work schedules.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

10) Labor specialization includes the development of specialized tools to reduce labor costs.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

11) An enlarged job has more responsibility than the same job enriched.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

12) Job rotation is an example of job enlargement.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

13) Fredrick W. Taylor is credited with introducing psychology into the workplace.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

14) Psychological factors have little relevance in the design of assembly line jobs since they involve physical products and production technology.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

15) Self-directed teams tend to be successful in work environments where there is little employee empowerment.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

16) The Hawthorne studies, which showed that there is a dynamic social system in the workplace, took place in the 1960s.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

17) Hackman and Oldham's five desirable characteristics of job design include job significance and autonomy.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

18) Job expansion can lead to increased labor cost because of the extra workers hired in the expansion.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

19) Profit-sharing is a motivation and incentive system where executives receive stock options.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

20) The physical environment in which employees work may affect the quality of work life, but it does not affect their performance and safety.

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

Objective: LO10-3

21) Ergonomics is a branch of economics that deals with costs of scheduling workers.

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

Objective: LO10-3

22) An operations chart, or right-hand/left-hand chart, points out wasted motion and idle time.

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

23) Kanbans and andons are both elements of the visual workplace, because they are visual signals that replace printouts and paperwork.

Diff: 2

Topic: The visual workplace

AACSB: Communication

Objective: LO10-4

24) "Visual workplace" is a term coined by Hawthorne, and refers to the need for proper lighting at employee workstations.

Diff: 2

Topic: The visual workplace

Objective: LO10-4

25) The purpose of labor standards is to accurately define the skills required to complete a job.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

26) Two uses of labor standards are to determine the labor content of items produced and to determine staffing needs.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

27) One use of labor standards is to determine what makes a fair day's work.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

28) Labor standards based on historical experience are relatively inexpensive to obtain.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

29) Labor standards based on historical experience are the preferred method of choice.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

30) Standard time may be less than average observed time.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

31) The classical stopwatch study, or time study, was originally proposed by Western Electric's Hawthorne Commission in the 1920s.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

32) A time-study procedure involves timing a sample of worker's performance and using it to set a standard.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

33) The allowance factor that increases normal time to standard time compensates for inadequate worker training and lack of worker dexterity.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

34) Normal time is always less than the average observed time.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

35) Standard time is always greater than normal time, due to the inclusion of allowances for personal time, delay, and fatigue.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

36) Rest allowances can include amounts for the effects of lighting, heat and humidity, and noise.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

37) The rest allowances that convert normal time to standard time have three components: personal time allowances, delay allowances, and fatigue allowances.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

38) In constructing the standard time for a task, the elements that make up the task must use the same performance ratings factor.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

39) If a manager conducting a time study needed an accuracy of ± 0.1 minutes, rather than ± 0.2 minutes, the adequate sample size would have to be twice as large.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

40) UPS may run the "tightest ship in the shipping business," but they got that high level of efficiency without time standards, because their contract with the Teamsters Union forbids them.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

41) A modern "stopwatch" study can be conducted using a special-purpose PDA, one which can digitally capture events, times, and other variables for later analysis on a spreadsheet.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

AACSB: Use of IT

Objective: LO10-6

42) Work sampling and time studies are similar in that the analyst in both cases records the time taken by the worker to accomplish each step of the task.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6, LO10-7

43) A Therblig is a very small amount of time, one hundred-thousandth of an hour.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

44) An advantage of predetermined time standards is that the standard can be set before a task is actually performed.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

45) Most unions do not accept the use of predetermined time standards.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

46) Work sampling estimates the percent of time that a worker spends on various tasks.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

47) An advantage of work sampling is that it completely breaks down work elements.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

48) Normal time equals the average observed time multiplied by the allowance factor.

False

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

49) A NASCAR pit crew consists of how many members?

A) 7

B) 5

C) 9

D) 10

E) 4

Diff: 2

Topic: Global company profile

Objective: no LO

50) Most pit crew members have background experience in what area?

A) mechanical engineering

B) athletics

C) No specific area, crew members come from all sorts of backgrounds.

D) automobile race drivers

E) car mechanics

Diff: 2

Topic: Global company profile

Objective: no LO

51) Which of the following best describes mutual commitment in an organization?

A) an instance in which management is committed to the employees and the employees are committed to management

B) both management and the employees are committed to the same objective

C) both management and the employees are committed, but to different objectives

D) management obtains the commitment of the employees to a stated objective

E) both management and the employees can rely on each other

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

52) Mutual trust is

A) when employees have gained the trust of management

B) reflected in reasonable, documented employment policies, honestly and equitably implemented to the satisfaction of both management and the employees

C) when management has gained the trust of the employees

D) when management recognizes that the employees are competent, motivated people both able and willing to perform at the level required to produce a quality product

E) when management and the employees both agree on the objectives

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

53) The objective of a human resource strategy is to

A) produce the demand forecast at lowest labor cost

B) match employment levels with demand

C) achieve a reasonable quality of work life at low cost

D) manage labor and design jobs so people are effectively and efficiently utilized

E) all of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

54) The two most basic policies associated with employment stability are

A) job enrichment and job enlargement

B) employment for life and guaranteed minimum wage

C) follow demand exactly and hold employment constant

D) incentive plans and piece-rate plans

E) none of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

55) A manufacturing plant allows its engineers to come in at 7 A.M. plus or minus an hour but still requires them to work 8 hour days. Which of the following scheduling techniques is the firm employing?

A) flextime

B) constant employment

C) part-time status

D) flexible workweek

E) compressed workweek

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

56) Working 4 shifts of ten hours instead of 5 shifts at 8 hours each is known as

A) flextime

B) constant employment

C) part-time status

D) flexible workweek

E) none of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

57) Four of the components of job design are

A) employment stability, work schedules, work sampling, motivation, and incentive systems

B) job specialization, job expansion, psychological components, and self-directed teams

C) labor specialization and enrichment, motivation and incentive systems, employment stability, and work sampling

D) ergonomics and work methods, method time measurement, work schedules, and incentive systems

E) labor specialization, time studies, work sampling, and pre-determined time standards

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

58) Job rotation is an example of

A) job enrichment

B) job scheduling

C) job training

D) job enlargement

E) job incentive

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

59) The behavioral approach to job design that involves giving the worker a larger portion of the total task is

A) job enlargement

B) job enrichment

C) job enhancement

D) job rotation

E) job involvement

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

60) When a worker has a say in the work methods that he/she wishes to utilize, his/her job is characterized by

A) skill variety

B) job identity

C) job significance

D) feedback

E) autonomy

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

61) Which of the following terms implies an increase in responsibility and control in the vertical direction?

A) job rotation

B) job enrichment

C) job re-design

D) job enlargement

E) job satisfaction

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

62) Which of the following statements describes job rotation?

A) The job contains a larger number of similar tasks.

B) The job includes some planning and control necessary for job accomplishment.

C) The operator works on different shifts on a regular basis.

D) The operator's schedule is flexible.

E) The operator is allowed to move, for example, from one type of CNC machine to the other.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

63) The difference between job enrichment and job enlargement is that

A) enlarged jobs involve vertical expansion, while enriched jobs involve horizontal expansion

B) enriched jobs enable an employee to do a number of boring jobs instead of just one

C) job enlargement is more psychologically satisfying than job enrichment

D) job enrichment is suitable for all employees, whereas job enlargement is not

E) enriched jobs involve vertical expansion, while enlarged jobs involve horizontal expansion

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

64) A manufacturer of hotplates decides to change the assembly process. Originally five workers manned different stations of the assembly line, rotating between the various jobs. Quality of the final product was low when tested by another department, and management designed a new setup to increase ownership of production by the employees. In the new setup each worker assembles the entire hotplate, from basic components through testing. The company has performed which of the following?

A) job enrichment and rotation

B) job enlargement and rotation

C) job enrichment and employee empowerment

D) employee empowerment and autonomy

E) autonomy and feedback

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

65) A job characterized by __________ allows a worker to use his/her dexterity, physical strength, and skills to do his/her work.

A) feedback

B) skill variety

C) job identity

D) job significance

E) autonomy

Diff: 3

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

66) When a worker obtains clear and timely information about his/her performance, his/her job is characterized by

A) feedback

B) skill variety

C) job identity

D) job significance

E) autonomy

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

67) Which of the following is not a limitation of job expansion?

A) higher capital cost

B) higher wage rates

C) smaller labor pool

D) higher training costs

E) All of the above are limitations of job expansion.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

68) Management and labor share the labor cost reductions in which of these compensation schemes?

A) bonus system

B) quota system

C) Scantron plan

D) Scanlon plan

E) measured day work plan

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

69) Which of the following statements regarding incentive systems is false?

A) Bonuses are often used at the executive levels.

B) About half of all American manufacturing firms use productivity incentives.

C) Knowledge-based pay systems are increasing in use.

D) The Scanlon plan is based on team productivity.

E) Increasing use of cross-training has led to increasing use of knowledge-based pay systems.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

70) Ergonomics is not concerned with

A) levels of illumination, noise, temperature, and humidity

B) adjusting and providing input to the machine

C) feedback (providing information to the operator)

D) adequate compensation schemes

E) the design of functional and comfortable office furniture

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

Objective: LO10-3

71) One of the elements of ergonomics is

A) allocating work time based on economic studies

B) the cost justification of technology

C) designing tools and machines that facilitate human work

D) the use of automation in a manufacturing organization

E) the establishment of time standards

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

Objective: LO10-3

72) Managers should seek to control such work environment factors as

A) illumination

B) noise and vibration

C) temperature

D) air quality

E) all of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

Objective: LO10-3

73) Which of the following is not an analytical target of methods analysis?

A) movement of capital

B) body movement

C) movement of individuals

D) movement of materials

E) crew activity

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

74) Methods analysis focuses on

A) the design of the machines used to perform a task

B) establishing time standards

C) reducing the number of skills needed for the completion of a task

D) issues such as the movement of individuals or materials

E) evaluating training programs to see if they are efficient

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

75) Which of the following is used by methods analysis in analyzing body movement at the workstation level?

A) MTM chart

B) flowchart

C) operations chart

D) process chart

E) improvement chart

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

76) "Designed to show economy of motion by pointing out waste motion and idle time" describes

A) flowcharts

B) an activity chart

C) an operations chart

D) all of the above

E) none of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

77) In a large aerospace company, it has been discovered that some insulators have been damaged. A methods specialist is sent out to follow the insulators through the production and storage processes and to try to find out where in the process they are damaged. The specialist should use

A) left- and right-hand charts

B) man-machine charts

C) job analysis charts

D) flowcharts

E) activity charts

Diff: 3

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

78) Methods analysis employs which of the following charts in its analysis of the movement of workers and materials?

A) micro-motion chart

B) flowchart

C) activity chart

D) man-machine chart

E) movement chart

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

79) Flowcharts are used to analyze

A) movement of people and materials

B) utilization of an operator and machine

C) body movements

D) time taken by various activities

E) unnecessary micro-motions

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

80) Activity charts help analyze

A) movement of people and materials

B) utilization of an operator and machine

C) body movements

D) activities that can cause injuries

E) unnecessary micro-motions

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

81) "Schematic used to investigate movement of people or material" describes a(n)

A) flowchart

B) activity chart

C) operations chart

D) right-hand / left-hand chart

E) none of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Methods analysis

Objective: LO10-4

82) The visual workplace

A) uses low-cost visual devices to share information

B) is an effective means of rapid communication in a dynamic workplace

C) replaces difficult-to-understand paperwork

D) eliminates non-value added activities by making problems and standards visual

E) all of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: The visual workplace

AACSB: Communication

Objective: LO10-4

83) Ethical work environment decisions by managers may be guided by

A) state agencies

B) trade associations

C) insurers

D) employees

E) all of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Ethics and the work environment

AACSB: Ethical Reasoning

Objective: no LO

84) Labor standards are defined as the

A) preset activities required to perform a job

B) amount of space required by a specific crew to perform the job

C) standard set of procedures to perform the job

D) standard labor agreements

E) amount of time required to perform a job or part of a job

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

85) Labor standards can help to determine

A) labor content of a product

B) staffing needs

C) incentive plans

D) efficiency

E) all of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

86) Labor standards were pioneered by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and

A) Frederick Taylor

B) Eli Whitney

C) Henry Ford

D) Alan Smith

E) GE

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

87) Which of the following is not a method used to set labor standards?

A) historical experience

B) time study

C) predetermined time standards

D) work sampling

E) government laws and regulations

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

88) Normal time for a stopwatch study is equal to

A) Average time * Performance rating

B) Average time + Performance rating

C) Average time / Performance rating

D) Average time — Performance rating

E) None of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

89) Suppose that the allowance factor for a job is .5 and the normal time is 5 hours. What is the standard time?

A) 5 hours

B) 2.5 hours

C) 10 hours

D) 7.5 hours

E) cannot determine with the given information

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

90) A worker completed a job 10 times during a period in which a normal, trained employee completed the task 8 times. What is the worker's performance rating?

A) 125%

B) 150%

C) 100%

D) 112.5%

E) cannot be determined with given information

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

91) Which of the following is not a use of labor standards?

A) labor content of items produced

B) cost and time estimates prior to production

C) crew size and work balance

D) basis of wage-incentive plans

E) All of the above are uses of labor standards.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

92) Labor standards can help a firm determine expected production, which in turn enables

A) crew sizes to be determined

B) managers and workers to know what constitutes a fair day's work.

C) labor cost to be calculated

D) work cells and assembly lines to be balanced

E) work sampling to take place

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

93) Which of the following techniques may not provide reliable and accurate time standards?

A) historical experience

B) method time measurement (MTM)

C) time studies

D) work sampling

E) predetermined time standards

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

94) Timing a sample of a worker's performance and using it to set a standard is the work measurement technique of

A) predetermined time standards

B) time studies

C) work sampling

D) methods time measurement

E) left-hand, right-hand charting

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

95) For a time study, the three factors that determine how large a sample size to take are

A) the level of confidence, the z-value, and normal time

B) needed accuracy, desired confidence, and absolute amount of error

C) the level of confidence, the z-value, and the work sampling idle percent

D) actual time, normal time, and standard time

E) actual time, standard time, and mean time

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

96) A manager who is conducting a time study now needs an accuracy of ±0.1 minutes, rather than ±0.2 minutes as in the past. Because of this change in accuracy, the adequate sample size becomes

A) one-fourth as large

B) one-half as large

C) twice as large

D) four times as large

E) none of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

97) In time studies, average observed time for an element is

A) the ratio of normal time to standard time

B) the difference between normal time and the allowance factors

C) for all observations, the sum of all times recorded divided by the number of observations

D) the percent of a worker's time spent performing that element

E) how many observations must be taken in order to achieve a specified level of accuracy

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

98) A time study is being conducted to determine the standard time for a job that is made up of several elements. This standard time requires as input(s)

A) the average observed time for each element

B) one average observed time for all elements

C) one performance rating factor to be used by all elements

D) a separate allowance factor for each element

E) all of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

99) In time studies, normal time is

A) average observed time multiplied by a performance rating factor

B) larger than standard time

C) determined by historical experience

D) converted to standard time by the performance rating factor

E) one hour later during the summer months

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

100) Standard time

A) needs to be adjusted for worker performance ratings

B) needs to be adjusted for worker fatigue

C) is average observed time divided by the allowance factor

D) accounts for performance rating factors and for allowances

E) is normal time divided by the performance rating factor

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

101) The smaller the percentage established for allowances,

A) the closer is normal time to standard time

B) the closer is average observed time to normal time

C) the larger is the performance rating factor

D) the larger is the adequate sample size

E) the larger is the number of observations in the work sampling

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

102) In a stopwatch time study, the average time it takes a given worker to perform a task a certain number of times, without correction for performance rating or allowances, is the

A) average observed time

B) standard time

C) performance rating time

D) normal time

E) allowance time

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

103) Which of the following are true regarding allowances in time studies?

A) They have a "constant" and a "variable" component.

B) They are adjusted for work conditions such as heating, lighting, and noise.

C) They include allowances for personal time, delay, and fatigue.

D) They represent the adjustment between normal time and standard time.

E) All of the above are true.

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

104) In work measurement, personal time allowances are often established in the range of

A) 0 - 2%

B) 3 - 5%

C) 4 - 7%

D) 6 - 10%

E) 10-15%

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

105) The actual average observed time for a given job is 10 minutes. The performance rating is 80%, and allowances are set by contract at 10%. What is the time standard?

A) 8.80 minutes

B) 8.88 minutes

C) 10 minutes

D) 19.0 minutes

E) 19.8 minutes

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

106) The data below represent time study observations for an assembly operation. Assume a 7% allowance factor. What is the normal time for element 3?

A) 1.7 min.

B) 1.96 min.

C) 2.11 min.

D) 10.1 min.

E) 11.2 min.

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

107) The accuracy of a labor standard is to be within 5%, and the confidence level is 95%. The standard deviation of the sample is 2 and the mean is 8. What sample size should be used?

A) 8

B) 10

C) 96

D) 127

E) cannot be determined from the information given

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

108) Which of these is the most common predetermined time standard?

A) CSD

B) TMU

C) RCH

D) SAE

E) MTM

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

Objective: LO10-6

109) A work sampling study requires an acceptable error level of 10 percent and z = 2 for 95.45 percent confidence. The adequate sample size is __________ if the sample proportion is thought to be as large as 50 percent, but __________ if the sample proportion is thought to be about 20 percent.

A) 50; 20

B) 100; 64

C) 100; 16

D) 20; 50

E) cannot be determined from the information given

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7

110) Sample observations of a claims processor made over a 160-hour work month reveal that the worker produced a total of 384 completed claims forms. The performance rating was 80%. The worker was idle 20% of the time (so that idle time should be subtracted from the total time when computing the average observed time). The allowance factor is 8%. What is the normal time per unit?

A) 0.42 minutes

B) 16.0 minutes

C) 17.4 minutes

D) 20.0 minutes

E) 21.7 minutes

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

111) Sample observations of a claims processor made over a 160-hour work month reveal that the worker produced a total of 384 completed claims forms. The performance rating was 80%. The worker was idle 20% of the time (so that idle time should be subtracted from the total time when computing the average observed time). The allowance factor is 8%. What is the standard time per unit?

A) 0.42 minutes

B) 16.0 minutes

C) 17.4 minutes

D) 20.0 minutes

E) 21.7 minutes

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7

112) A Time Measurement Unit, or TMU, is

A) the same as a Therblig

B) 0.00001 minute

C) 0.00001 hour

D) the duration of the easiest GET motion

E) an historical experience standard

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

Objective: LO10-6

113) Therbligs

A) were invented by Frederick W. Taylor

B) were used during the scientific management era, and are no longer in use

C) are hyperactive rodent-like pets, whose name is associated with time standards

D) were named by Frank Gilbreth

E) none of the above

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

Objective: LO10-6

114) Therbligs are

A) the smallest unit of time used in methods time measurement exercises

B) the largest unit of time used in methods time measurement exercises

C) the smallest unit of basic motion used in methods time measurement exercises

D) the largest unit of basic motion used in methods time measurement exercises

E) the smallest amount of time required to complete a job

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

Objective: LO10-6

115) Predetermined time standards are an outgrowth of basic motions called

A) flow diagrams

B) activity charts

C) SAE standards

D) man-machine charts

E) therbligs

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

Objective: LO10-6

116) Among the advantages of predetermined time standards are all of the following except

A) unions accept them as fair

B) they are available before a task is actually performed

C) they can only be determined after work actually takes place

D) they can be established in a laboratory setting

E) All of the above are advantages.

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

Objective: LO10-6

117) All of the following are advantages of predetermined time standards except

A) they are customized to your company

B) they are well accepted

C) no performance ratings are necessary

D) the standard can be set before the task is done and then can be used for planning

E) they are based on a large number of workers

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

Objective: LO10-6

118) Which of the following is true regarding work sampling?

A) The technique was developed in the 1890s.

B) It can be used to estimate the percentage of time workers spend in unavoidable delays.

C) The method was developed by Frank Gilbreth.

D) The method makes extensive use of rest allowances.

E) All of the above are false.

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

Objective: LO10-7

119) A technique for estimating the proportion of time a worker spends on various activities is

A) stopwatch time study

B) simultaneous motion study

C) work sampling

D) standard elemental (historical) times

E) predetermined (published) time standards

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

Objective: LO10-7

120) A bank manager wants to determine the percent of time the bank's tellers are working and idle. He decides to use work sampling, and his initial estimate is that the tellers are idle 20% of the time. Approximately how many observations should be taken to be 95% confident that the results will not be more than 5% away from the true result?

A) 6

B) 16

C) 44

D) 210

E) 246

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7

121) The tally sheet data from a work sampling study provides information regarding

A) the number of wasted motions

B) the level of difficulty in a motion

C) the percent of time spent on various tasks

D) the quality of the work environment

E) the number of micro-motions involved

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

Objective: LO10-7

122) An advantage of work sampling is that

A) no observation is required

B) it involves study of the equipment only

C) a performance rating is necessary

D) the time spent observing the employee is relatively short

E) it is more effective than time studies when task times are short

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

Objective: LO10-7

123) A disadvantage of work sampling is that

A) it tends to be less accurate, particularly when task times are short

B) it observes several workers simultaneously

C) it is more expensive than time-study methods

D) it is more intrusive than time-study methods, and therefore generates more complaints

E) All of the above are disadvantages of work sampling.

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

Objective: LO10-7

124) __________ means a job that is not only reasonably safe and for which the pay is equitable, but which also achieves an appropriate level of both physical and psychological requirements.

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

125) __________ is a means of determining staffing policies dealing with employment stability and work schedules.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

126) __________ refers to a work schedule that deviates from the normal or standard five 8-hour days.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

127) __________ is an approach that specifies the tasks that constitute a job for an individual or a group.

Diff: 1

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

128) __________ is the grouping of a variety of tasks using the same approximate skill level.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

129) __________ is a method of giving an employee more responsibility that includes some of the planning and control necessary for job accomplishment.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

130) __________ showed that there is a dynamic social system in the workplace.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

131) __________ involves enlarging employee jobs so that the added responsibility and authority is moved to the lowest possible level in the organization.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

132) A(n) __________ is a group of empowered individuals working together to reach a common goal.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

133) __________ is a system providing some portion of any profit for distribution to employees.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

134) The study of work, often called human factors, is called __________.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

135) __________ are drawings used to analyze movement of people or material.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

136) Keyboard design, noisy work environment, and dangerous materials or operations in the workplace are all __________ issues with ethical implications.

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

AACSB: Ethical Reasoning

Objective: LO10-3

137) Properly set labor standards represent the amount of time that it should take an average employee to perform specific job activities under __________.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

138) __________ allowances are those that include the distance from employees to restrooms, water fountains, and other facilities.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

139) __________ involves timing a sample of a worker's performance and using it as a basis for setting a standard time.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

140) __________ divide(s) manual work into small basic elements that have established and widely accepted times.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

141) __________ estimates, by sampling, the percent of time that a worker spends on various tasks.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

142) The two most complex motions in the methods time measurement (MTM) system are __________ and __________.

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

143) Provide examples of non-monetary incentives.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

144) What is quality of work life? What is its relation to a firm's human resource strategy?

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

145) Describe some impacts of noise in the workplace.

Diff: 2

Topic: Ergonomics and the work environment

Objective: LO10-3

146) What is mutual trust? What is its link to a firm's human resource strategy?

Diff: 2

Topic: Human resource strategy for competitive advantage

Objective: LO10-1

147) What are the advantages and the disadvantages of the employment-stability policy "holding employment constant?"

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor planning

Objective: LO10-1

148) How does labor specialization assist in reducing labor costs (list three ways)?

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

149) Identify the limitations to job expansion.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

150) Explain how job expansion can lead to higher pay rates.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

151) It is said that job expansion has both a vertical component and a horizontal component. Explain, with reference to such terms as job enrichment, job rotation, job enlargement, and employee empowerment.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

152) What impact did the Hawthorne studies have on human resource strategy?

Diff: 1

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

153) Identify the five components of job design.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

154) List Hackman and Oldham's five desirable characteristics of job design.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

155) To maximize team effectiveness, managers need to do more then just form teams. What should managers do to maximize team effectiveness?

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

156) Describe how supervisors might need to change their roles after organizing self-directed teams.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

157) Identify three forms of monetary rewards.

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-2

158) What is methods analysis?

Diff: 1

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-4

159) What are operations charts used for?

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

Objective: LO10-4

160) How might ergonomics be used to help design an employee workstation?

Diff: 2

Topic: Job design

AACSB: Reflective Thinking

Objective: LO10-3

161) Describe how the "visual workplace" can increase information flow, improve efficiency, and eliminate non-value-adding activities. Support your argument with a few examples.

Diff: 2

Topic: The visual workplace

AACSB: Communication

Objective: LO10-4

162) What is meant by the visual workplace? Provide two examples.

Diff: 2

Topic: The visual workplace

AACSB: Communication

Objective: LO10-4

163) Explain in broad terms, not fine detail, using a sentence or two, what is meant by a "classical stopwatch study."

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

164) List the eight steps used to develop a time study-based labor standard.

8. compute the standard time.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

165) If historical experience data are so widely available and so easy to obtain, why aren't they more widely used to set labor standards?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

166) Define the average observed time.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

167) Define standard time.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

168) How do we establish a fair day's work?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-5

169) What three broad categories do allowances fall into? Discuss why "allowances" are included to adjust normal time to standard time. Support your position with a few simple examples.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

170) What is a "normal" pace, and what is its connection to normal time and labor standards?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

171) How is the statistical tool of adequate sample sizing used in work measurement?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

172) What are predetermined time standards?

Diff: 1

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-6

173) List the steps in the work-sampling procedure.

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

174) What kind of work circumstances call for the use of work sampling instead of stopwatch study?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

175) What are the advantages of work sampling over time-study methods?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

176) What are the disadvantages of work sampling?

Diff: 2

Topic: Labor standards

Objective: LO10-7

177) A time study of a certain service task found an average time of 15 minutes, with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. These figures were based on a sample of 100 measurements. Is the sample large enough that we are 95% confident that standard time is within 5% of its true value?

n = = = 170.74 or 171

No, the sample was too small.

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

178) How many observations would be necessary for a time studies analyst to be 99% confident that the average time is within .1 minutes of the true value if the average time is 10.5 minutes and the standard deviation is 3 minutes?

n = = = 54.34 or 54

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

179) A work sampling study requires an acceptable error level of 10 percent and 95 percent confidence. a. What is the adequate sample size if the sample proportion is as large as 50 percent? b. What is the adequate sample size if the sample proportion is estimated to be about 20 percent?

b. 1.962 x .2 x.8 / .12 = 61.46 or 62

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7

180) In a preliminary work sample of an operation, out of 50 observations the operator was observed idle in 5 observations. What sample size is required for a work sampling study if the desired confidence level is 98% and the desired accuracy level is 5%?

n = = = 195.4 or 195

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7

181) A brake system installer in an auto factory has an actual average time of 10 minutes on her task. The performance rating of the worker timed was estimated at 110%. Practice in this department is to allow 9% for the constant allowances. There is currently no variable allowance.

a. Find the normal time for the operation.

b. Compute the standard time for the operation.

c. Recompute the standard time if a variable allowance of 7% is factored in.

a. Normal time = 10 minutes * 1.10 = 11 minutes

b. Standard time = = = 12.09 minutes

c. New Standard time = = = 13.10 minutes

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

182) The data in the following table represent time-study observations on a new operation with three work elements. On the basis of these observations, find the standard time for the process. Assume an 8% allowance factor.

Normal time for process = 116.025 + 103.365 + 125.523 = 344.91 seconds

Standard time for job = = = 374.9 seconds

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

183) A Methods and Measurements Analyst needs to develop a time standard for a certain task. The task involves use of ruler, square, and portable electric saw to mark and cut the "notch" in a rafter (a standard carpentry task of home construction). In a preliminary study, he observed one of his workers perform this task five times. The observations were made in an air-conditioned, well-lighted training facility, at ground level, with all tools and equipment clean and readily available.

a. What is the actual average time for this task?

b. What is the normal time for this task if the employee worked at a 20% faster pace than is typical for adequately trained workers?

c. What is standard time for this task if allowances are 8% constant and 6% variable?

d. If the analyst then thought more carefully about his experiment, and decided that the variable allowances needed to be increased to match the real (outside, unair-conditioned) work environment, and that the proper variable allowance was not 6% but 12%, what is the revised standard time?

c. Standard time is 94.8 / (1-.14) = 110.23 seconds. d. The revised standard time is

94.8 / (1-.20) = 118.5 seconds.

Diff: 3

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

184) A task involves positioning two metal parts with a rubber gasket sandwiched between them, inserting two bolts into predrilled holes, threading a nut onto each bolt, and tightening each bolt with a pneumatic wrench. In a preliminary study, the manager observed one of his workers perform this task five times. The observations were made in an air-conditioned, well-lighted training facility, at ground level, with all tools and equipment clean and readily available.

a. What is the average observed time for this task?

b. What is the normal time for this task if the employee worked at a 10% slower pace than is typical for adequately trained workers?

c. What is standard time for this task if allowances are 8% constant and 6% variable?

Diff: 3

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

185) The data in the following table represent time-study observations on a new operation with three work elements. On the basis of these observations, find the standard time for the process. Assume a 15% allowance factor.

Normal time for process = 109.32 + 30.88 + 137.00 = 277.20 seconds

Standard time for job = = = 326.12 seconds

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

186) An operation in a television factory has an average observed time of 6 minutes. The performance rating of the worker timed was estimated at 90%. Practice in this department is to allow 8% for the constant allowances. Currently, there is no variable allowance.

a. Find the normal time for the operation.

b. Compute the standard time for the operation.

c. Recompute the standard time if a variable allowance of 8% is factored in.

b. Standard time = = = 5.87 minutes

c. New standard time = = = 6.43 minutes

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

187) An initial analysis of a laboratory activity resulted in the first table below. After this analysis, the managers determined that their element descriptions were not as accurate as they should have been–they had left out an element, underestimated a distance, and understated the need for accuracy. They revised the table of element data, which appears in the second table.

Calculate the total standard minutes for the original activity "pouring tube specimen." Calculate the total standard minutes for the revised activity "pouring tube specimen." What is the increase, in seconds, from the first version to the second?

Diff: 2

Topic: Predetermined time standards

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

188) A grocery store is trying to determine how many checkouts per hour its cashiers should perform. The checkout consists of three components; checking, bagging, and payment. A cashier was rated as 80%, 120%, and 95% on the three different components respectively. If a stopwatch timed her as averaging 20 seconds for each component and the store wants a 10% allowance calculate the total standard time.

Checking Standard time = Average Observed*PF/(1-AF)=20sec*.8/(1-.1)=17.8 seconds

Bagging standard time = 20*1.2/(.9)=26.7 seconds

Payment standard time = 20*.95/.9 = 21.1 seconds

Total standard time for the process is the sum, or 17.8+26.7+21.1 = 65.6 seconds

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

189) A manufacturing plant is trying to determine standard production per day for an incentive program. Suppose that the incentive program will pay $1 per unit produced above standard rates. A worker is timed at 280 seconds per unit, with a performance rating of 105%. The plant has an allowance factor of 13%. If he produces 100 units in an 8 hour shift, how much would he receive under the incentive plan?

8 hours * 60 minutes * 60 seconds = 28800 seconds available

Available/Standard rate= Standard production = 85.22 units

The worker produced 100 units, or ~15 more than standard (students may round up the standard production to 86, giving only 14 more units), thus he would receive $15 in incentive pay.

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

190) A manufacturing plant assembly line job has a standard time of 5 minutes. A worker with a performance rating of 87% is assigned the task and given an allowance factor of 13%. What is the worker's average observed time?

Average observed time = Normal time/ PF = (.87(5))/.87 = 5 minutes

Diff: 2

Topic: Time studies

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-6

191) What is the required sample size to be 95% confident that the observed average time is within 2% of the actual value if the process has a standard deviation of 1 minute and mean of 50 minutes?

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7

192) Suppose that an analyst takes 50 samples of size 100. The process mean is 100 is standard deviation 3. If the max error can be no more than 1 minute how confident can the analyst be in the results?

Then using the table in appendix I the value of z/2 must be used on the one-sided table (gives a value of.3810). Since this value is only half the contained confidence interval, the analyst can be 2*38.10% = 76.2% confident in the results.

Diff: 2

Topic: Work sampling

AACSB: Analytic Skills

Objective: LO10-7