Discussion Questions
1. What is a sector partnership? Why is it important? Provide an example of a sector
partnership.
Answer: Sector partnerships refer to government agencies, industry trade groups that help
identify the skills that local employers require and work with community colleges,
universities, and other educational institutions to provide qualified employees. Sector
2. What are some of the potential legal issues that a trainer should consider while planning an
adventure learning program?
Answer: The trainer would need to consider the potential risks of injury, as the trainer would
be liable for any injuries that take place during training. Also, the trainer will need to ensure
3. Explain the relationship between “managing diversity and inclusion” and “diversity
training.” Which is most effective? Why?
Answer: Diversity can be considered any dimension that differentiates a person from another.
Inclusion refers to creating an environment in which employees share a sense of belonging,
Managing diversity and inclusion involves creating an environment that allows all employees
to contribute to organizational goals and experience personal growth. This environment
Managing diversity and inclusion can provide companies with a competative advantage in
several different ways. It helps a company develop a reputation as a favorable employer,
4. How would you prepare a team of three managers to go to Warsaw, Poland, to oversee the
operations of a recently acquired financial services firm? They will be leaving in one month,
and the assignment lasts two years.
Answer: To prepare employees for cross-cultural assignments, companies need to provide
Competent in their areas of expertise
Able to communicate verbally and nonverbally in the host country
Cross-cultural preparation involves three phases: predeparture, on-site, and repatriation
(preparing to return home). Before departure, employees need to receive language training
On-site training involves continued orientation to the host country and its customs and
5. What should companies do to develop talented women to take top management positions?
Provide support for your recommendations.
Answer: Career encouragement from peers and senior managers does help women advance to
higher management levels. Managers making developmental assignments need to carefully
Recommendations for melting the glass ceiling and helping retain talented women are:
Make sure senior management supports and is involved in the program
Make a business case for change
6. How are career paths useful for employees? How can they contribute to company
effectiveness?
Answer: A career path is a sequence of job positions involving similar types of work and
skills that employees move through in the company. Career paths help companies offer
Developing career paths involves analyzing work and information flows, important
7. What is job hopping? Which career challenges might a company focus on to reduce job
hopping?
Answer: Job hopping refers to employees changing jobs, usually between companies, every
Companies are unlikely to eliminate job hopping. However, companies can reduce job
8. What advantages and disadvantages might a company gain by using phased retirement?
Answer: Many companies are also using phased retirement and alternative work
arrangements such as rehiring retired employees to help employees make the transition into
retirement while at the same time continuing to use their talents. Phased retirement involves
The use of phased retirement plans is complicated by regulations regarding taxation of
retirement benefits and concerns about continued health care coverage (e.g., there is no legal
9. What are work-life programs? How are they related to work-family programs? What are
some of the challenges in developing and using work-life programs?
Answer: Work-life balance refers to helping employees deal with the stresses, strains, and
conflicts related to trying to balance work and non-work demands.
There are several challenges with the use of work-life balance policies. The first challenge is
using them to help employees achieve work-life balance without hurting business needs such
as customer service and productivity. Second, managers need to understand and accept the
10. How could you help the survivors of a downsizing remain motivated and productive? Which
of your recommendations is most important? Explain why.
Answer: Students’ answers will vary. Survivors are more likely to view layoffs as fair if
employees are asked to cut costs to avoid layoffs, if the factors used to decide whom to lay
off (e.g., performance, seniority, etc.) are applied equally to individual contributors and