CAMBRIDGE AS LEVEL
BUSINESS 9609
UPDATED SYLLABUS 2023
REVISION
65 DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Revision for students
SIR MUZAMMIL BUSINESS SCHOOL
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Management
Management is the process of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources (such as people, finances, and
materials) to achieve specific goals efficiently and effectively.
Planning
A management function where they plan business objectives or aims for the future. It may include planning for corporate
objectives, departmental objectives, or individual objectives of all staff within an organization
Organizing
A management function where they decide what resources will be needed to achieve the overall business objectives
Commanding
A management function where they guide employees in the right direction to work and what they are expecting from them so that
a business is able to achieve its objectives
Coordinating
A management function where they integrate different departments and individuals to complete their tasks so overall business
objectives can be achieved
Controlling
A management function that supervises that the business is in the right direction to meet its objectives; therefore it is necessary
to check progress and the extent to which targets are being met.
Employee morale
Employee morale refers to the overall attitude, satisfaction, and outlook that employees have toward their work, workplace, and
employer.
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Interpersonal role
Interpersonal role is one of the three key managerial roles identified by Henry Mintzberg, where a manager interacts and builds
relationships with people inside and outside the organization.
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills are the abilities that allow a person to effectively communicate, interact, and work with others.
Figurehead
A figurehead is a managerial role identified by Henry Mintzberg, where the manager performs ceremonial and symbolic duties as
the official representative of the organization.
Liaison
A liaison is one of Mintzberg’s interpersonal managerial roles, where the manager acts as a link between the organization and
external or internal contacts to build relationships and gather information.
Management style
Management style refers to the way a manager makes decisions, communicates with employees, and exercises authority in the
workplace.
Autocratic management style
Autocratic management style is a leadership approach where the manager makes all decisions alone, without seeking input or
feedback from employees.
Employee Welfare
It refers to all the services, benefits, and facilities provided to employees for their well-being and comfort, beyond wages or
salaries.
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Democratic management style
Democratic management style is a leadership approach where the manager involves employees in decision-making, encourages
open communication, and values their input and feedback.
Laissez-faire management style
Laissez-faire management style is a hands-off leadership approach where the manager gives employees full freedom to make
decisions, manage their work, and solve problems with little or no direct supervision.
Paternalistic management style
Paternalistic management style is a leadership approach where the manager acts like a parent figure, making decisions in the best
interest of employees while still maintaining strong authority and control.
Fair dismissal
Fair dismissal is when an employer legally terminates an employee’s contract for a valid and justifiable reason, and follows a
proper and fair procedure during the process.
Employment agencies
External firms that help businesses find suitable candidates (can be private or government-run). They may offer temporary,
contract, or permanent staff.
Online recruitment
Using websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or a company’s own site to post vacancies and accept applications.
Empowerment
A non-financial motivation method within an organization when someone is assigned decision-making power to perform the tasks in
his job
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Motivation
Motivation is a tool that managers use to encourage workers to work happily as hard as possible to achieve business objectives
Motivation factors
Motivation factors include those factors that can motivate someone in the workplace. i.e. achievement, and work recognition.
Voluntary redundancy:
The employee chooses to leave, often in exchange for a financial incentive
Involuntary redundancy
The business forces the employee to leave because the job is no longer needed
Unfair dismissal
The employee is fired without a valid reason or due process
Performance related pay
A financial method of motivation where workers are paid based on targets being met on time or exceeded within an organization
Job redesign
A non-financial method of motivation involves changing the tasks involved in a particular role within a business to make the job
more challenging and interesting for the employee with his consent
Workforce plan
A workforce plan (also called human resource plan) is a strategic document that outlines an organization’s future staffing needs
and how these will be met.
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Commission
A financial method of motivation where payments are made to employees in a specific percentage of the value/volume of sales
achieved
Piece rate
Piece rate is a payment method where workers are paid for each unit produced within an organization
Financial rewards
Monetary rewards are given to workers in return for their services. These include salary, commission, bonus, performance-related
pay
Non-financial rewards
Non-monetary rewards are offered to workers with monetary rewards. These include free transport, accommodation, etc
Bonus
A payment method where the employee is rewarded when a target is achieved by the organization.
Trade union
Group of workers within a business who join together for their common interest where their rights are protected
Collective bargaining
A process of negotiation between employer and employee on any disputes within a business
Team working
A method of motivation where groups of workers/staff work together toward a shared goal within an organization
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Job rotation
A non-financial motivation method where a business switch the worker’s job from one place to another place
Job enlargement
A non-financial motivation method is where workers are given additional but similar tasks to a job.
Job enrichment
A non-financial motivation method is a vertical extension of the person’s job and represents a greater challenge with additional
responsibility. It is a sort of vertical promotion within an organization
Quality circles
Voluntary groups of workers meet regularly to discuss work-related problems. Quality circles can also be used to make employees
feel as though their efforts are appreciated and valued
Internal Recruitment
Internal recruitment is the appointment of staff to posts from within the current workforce.
External recruitment
External recruitment involves filling job vacancies by applicants from outside the organization.
Workforce planning
A function of HRM where they analyze and forecast the numbers of workers and the skills of those workers that an organization
requires to achieve its objectives
Curriculum vitae (CV):
A document prepared by the applicant, outlining qualifications, work experience, skills, and achievements.
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Cell production
A non-financial method of motivation where the groups of employees will be given the responsibility to produce a certain product.
Employee participation
A non-financial method of motivation where the workers can get involved in the organization, management, or decision-making of
their business
Human resource management
A functional department that deals with human capital including recruitment and selection, training, and objectives of workers to
achieve business objectives
Recruitment
Recruitment is the process of attracting and encouraging potential candidates to apply for a job vacancy in an organization.
Redundancy
Redundancy is when a job is no longer required in a business and the employee doing that job loses the job through no fault of
their own
Dismissal
Dismissal is when an employee is removed from an organization for a cause relating to performance/non-performance such as
gross misconduct
Employment contract
A legal agreement between the employer and employee setting out terms and conditions that applies to an employee
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Job description
A document that shows the duties and responsibilities of an employee for the advertised post.
Person specification
A document that shows a person’s qualifications, skills, experience, and personal attributes a successful candidate
should possess. It is published in job advertisement
Equality
Equality means ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and given the same opportunities, regardless of their
background, characteristics, or circumstances.
Diversity
Diversity’ means having employees in a workforce that have variety of skills, experiences, characteristics and different
cultural background
Off-the-job training
A type of training where employees are taken away from their work place
Work-life balance
Work-life balance refers to the ability of an individual to effectively manage their time and energy between work
responsibilities and personal life, such as family, health, and leisure activities.
Selection
Selection is the process of choosing the most suitable candidate from the pool of applicants generated during recruitment.
Sir Muzammil Business School
DEFINITIONS UNIT 2
Labour turnover
It measures in percentage of how many employees leaving a business in a given time period from the total number of employees.
It is calculated as follows:
Training
The process of increasing the knowledge and skills of the workforce to enable them to perform their jobs effectively
Induction training
Induction training is a type of training given to new employees when they join an organization, to help them settle into their role and
workplace effectively.
On-the-job training
It is a type of training where employees learn skills and gain experience while working at their actual job, under the supervision of a
manager, trainer, or experienced colleague
Self-actualization
One need of Maslow’s theory that means the opportunity for an individual to be able to fulfill their own potential
Hygiene factors include those factors that can demotivate someone at the workplace but cannot motivate workers. i.e. salary,
relationship with peers
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