Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (Inc.
)
Chartered Qualification in Human Resource Management
Batch Level Pillar
CQHRM DPHRM 1. Key HR Drivers
Unit Titles S1 – HRM as a Professional Practice
S2 – Principles of Management and Management
Process
S3 – HR Policies & Procedures
Assessment mode Closed Book Examination
Examination Date
Examination Time
Duration 02 Hours
INSTRUCTIONS
a. This is a closed book examination. Therefore, all closed book examination rules and
regulations will be applicable.
b. There are four sections in this paper, namely Part A, B, C, and D. Part A is compulsory
(10 short questions), You are required to answer one question from each Part B, C, and
D.
c. All notes, files, etc.… should be kept away at a place prescribed by the invigilator.
d. Show clearly, the number of questions attempted on the appropriate pages of the answer
booklet.
e. Write your index number on each page of your answer booklet. Do not write your name.
f. All answers MUST be written in legible handwriting, and well-focused answers will earn
more marks.
g. Please return your answer scripts directly to the invigilator.
Page 01
PART A – Compulsory Questions
1) Answer all of the ten questions below. Clear and focused answers are expected.
i. What is an HR Policy? Explain your understanding based on your handout.
ii. Name and briefly explain the 03 Basic Elements of Organizing.
iii. Name 03 values expressed in overall HR Policy.
iv. Dave Ulrich (1998) was of the view that HR Professionals must become more proactive and
strategic. In this thinking, it was enunciated that HR Professionals must become “business
partners” by playing four key roles. Name the four key roles and briefly explain each role.
v. Name 03 characteristics of HR Policy.
vi. The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management identifies ten core competencies for Human
Resource practitioners, and one of them is “Professional Credibility”. Name 04 more.
vii. Explain the difference between the Bureaucratic management approach and the Scientific
management approach.
viii. What are the 03 types of HR Policies?
ix. What are the 03 parts of forming an HR Policy?
x. Diversity management is a Hot Topic in every organization. What does this mean to you?
(04x10 = 40 Marks)
PART B – HRM as a Professional Practice
Note: Essay type questions (Answer one from the following questions)
2) The HR Architecture of an organization is built on the HR system, HR practices and the HR model
aligned with the organization. The nucleus of the HR architecture emerges from the key result areas
of HRM. Discuss all 02 more areas. For example, Planning is one; ensure to elaborate on Planning
and explain clearly why this is important?
(20 Marks)
3) Based on our class notes and handouts, in today’s business environment, there are ten problems
faced by organizations where one of them being Uncertainty. Name 03 more problems and briefly
explain each.
(20 Marks)
Page 02
PART C – Principles of Management and Management Process
Note: Essay type questions (Answer one from the following questions)
4) Lalan Bedding is a subsidiary of the Lalan group of companies located in Kelaniya. Lalan Bedding
intends to expand its operations by selling individual franchises to young entrepreneurs within Sri
Lanka. This company is led by Jayakody Padma, who is the current chief operating officer, and he
intends to open ten retail showrooms within the vicinity of Colombo within the next 02 years. Once
he establishes his business model through opening the showrooms then, his vision is to sell
individual franchises to young entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka. Lalan Bedding has been operating
for the past 02 years with 02 retail showrooms and a manufacturing plant.
Lalan Bedding currently manufactures Rubber Latex mattresses (organic and natural), Pillows,
Cushions and other bedding comfort enhancements. All the bedding comfort enhancement products
are manufactured at the Kelaniya plant and delivered to each showroom. Lalan Bedding’s key
competitors are Arpico, Damro, and a few other family-owned outlets across the country. Lalan
Bedding has a key advantage due to its parent company being one of the largest producers of Organic
and Natural Latex in Sri Lanka. Although fierce competition is expected, Lalan Bedding intends to
lead the bedding market in Sri Lanka through its attractive pricing strategy.
Currently, the COO (Jayakody) reports to the CEO of Lalan group of companies. Mr. Jayakody has
03 other Senior Directors who are part of the Top Management. Each Senior Director is accountable
for Finance, HR and Operations. Currently, the COO oversees the marketing department. The lower
level management includes the Operations Managers and Retail Showroom Managers. Mr. Jayakody
holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Kelaniya, and he worked his way up
the ladder at the Lalan group being an aggressive marketer. Mr. Jayakody is perceived to be ideal
figurehead, Leader and Liaison for Lalan Bedding. His Charismatic Leadership style and excellent
soft skills have enabled him to attract and retain his executive team and the lower level Line
Managers. However, due to a lack of department heads and functional managers, he is unable to
increase productivity at the manufacturing plant. Besides, the retail showroom sales have been
stagnant due to Covid-19.
Page 03
Based on this short case study, answer the following questions.
a) Management Process is based on the three levels of management ( the first one being the TOP
LEVEL) Does Lalan Bedding have all three levels of management. If so, explain all three levels
and your recommendations to the COO.
(10 Marks)
b) Based on Mintzberg’s roles, would you consider Mr. Jayakody to be an Interpersonal,
Informational or a Decisional role at Lalan Bedding and Why?
(10 Marks)
5) Nuwara Latex is a prominent Latex manufacturing company located in Seeduwa, Sri Lanka. Nuwara
Latex was established in 2010 by the Lalan group of companies. Although Nuwara Latex’s Sales
Revenue was booming in 2019, due to COVID-19, their sales have plummeted since March 2019.
Current CEO Mr. Lalith Silva was advised by his Board of Directors to make drastic changes which
included, cost-cutting measures, new pricing strategy and re-structuring the current management.
Currently, Mr. Lalith Silva’s management team is unable to function effectively due to lack of
management functions. Raw material prices have increased due to the Covid-19 crisis. Also, Nuwara
Latex’s Human Resources team is trying to identify the gaps in each function of management.
Name all four functions of management and briefly explain each.
(20 Marks)
Page 04
PART D – HR Policies & Procedures
Note: Essay type questions (Answer one from the following questions)
6) Martin Brothers is a reputable shoe manufacturing company located at Katunayake, Sri Lanka.
Currently, there are 300 employees including 50 staff members. Martin Brother’s Human Resources
Department has had numerous issues with their current policies. The following are the characteristics
of the current Human Resources Policies at Martin Brothers.
HR policies are flawed, and they don’t seem to guide this organization. Their actions don’t
support nor reflect the ethical values of the employees at Martin Brothers.
HR policies are stated in a narrow-minded manner. Employees are unable to use this as a guide
and they are unable to practice the policies.
HR policies at Martin Brothers are rigid and they haven’t been reviewed for the past two years.
The above-mentioned characteristics aren’t helping Martin Brothers. Many of these policies are
viewed and understood by the management incorrectly.
You are requested to review the above-mentioned characteristics at Martin Brothers and re-write
them in the correct way. Your goal is to correct these policies and help the organization.
(20 Marks)
7) Tesco(PVT) Ltd is a food supermarket chain with 100 locations located in the Western Province in
Sri Lanka. This organization began its operations in 2010 and has experienced the following issue
due to lack of proper policies and procedures.
Due to frequent changes in upper management, Tesco failed to comply with the ministry of labour
regulations. Many employees have resigned from their positions due to a lack of caring and feedback
from managers. Attendance among all employees is an ongoing issue. As of now, Tesco does not
have a policy related to reporting to work on time. Should an employee come to work late, no actions
are taken by his/her supervisor.
You are requested to write a brief Policy on Employee attendance.
(20 Marks)
Page 05