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Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Answers to In-Text Questions
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Resource Management
HRM in Context: The Case of Chobani’s Evolving HR Culture
Case Discussion Questions;
1. Chobani has grown a great deal since its founding in 2005. How do you think growth has
influenced its HR practices beyond what is mentioned in this case? Please share specific
insights.
Chobani experienced tremendous growth within 2 years of opening. HR most likely did not
2. Craig Gomez, Chobani’s former Chief People Officer, makes a strong case for HR being in
the business of solving problems for the organization. Do you agree with this position? Why
or why not?
Gomez‘s position that HR is a partner in problem solving is one of the key elements in
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
3. Why do you think that Chobani’s founder, Hamdi Ulukaya, gave away 10% of his company
to his current full-time employees? Do you think this is a wise idea or a foolish one? Why?
By giving employees shares of stock, Ulukaya potentially created a great deal of loyalty from
all employees. The original five employees, who really took the biggest chance on the success
4. Do you consider Chobani’s policy of offering 6 weeks of paid parental leave to all full-time
employees a waste of money or a wise investment? Be prepared to defend your response.
Chobani is continuously striving to be a people-centered company. By providing paid
Spotlight on Ethics: SHRM Code of Ethics
Ethics is critically important to the effective practice of HRM. Ethical decisions and actions lead to
greater trust and engagement within organizations and allow for all types of information to emerge,
which is important for effective decision making. Given the importance of ethics to HRM, the Society
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
for Human Resource Management (SHRM), which is the world's largest professional society for human
resource management, developed a code of ethics. We encourage you to read this code of ethics
Questions
1. Describe a hypothetical scenario in which you as an HR professional would need to apply
certain principles from the SHRM Code of Ethics.
Responses will vary by students. There are many potential areas where ethics are an
2. Choose a business situation from the news or the HR literature where principles from the
SHRM Code of Ethics made a difference or could have made a difference. Specifically,
what did the decision makers do right, or what could they have done better?
There are many examples of ethical violations in the news on a regular basis. Students
may discuss whistleblower issues such as those at Enron and Arthur Anderson, or
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Mini-Case Analysis Exercise: Information Seeking as a New Employee
You have started work at a small company, Johnson Natural Shoes, which designs and produces
children’s shoes. The company has an innovative approach and uses all-natural materials. Its product has
You do not have a job description or formal job title. But you are the only person in the organization with
a degree in business, and Shannon mentioned to you that you were hired in the hopes you could help the
company manage its rapid growth. At this point, the company is on track to double in size this year
compared to last year when it only had 28 employees.
Now it is your turn to decide how to help:
1. Given that you are still new to the company, how would you approach learning
more about the company and its employees?
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
There are many examples to be learned by referencing back to the Chobani case.
2. What are specific key questions you might want to ask employees about the
company?
While student responses will vary, it is important to try to determine what is being
3. Based on your knowledge of business, what would you advise Shannon to
consider as HR priorities as the organization experiences high growth?
Shannon needs to consider how to attract and retain employees with expertise
HR Decision Analysis Exercise: Unlimited Vacation?
In this chapter, we presented a lot of information regarding HRM and approaches to business in general.
Given how many different things you have considered, we would like you to take some time to focus in
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Your company is considering giving everyone in the organization unlimited vacation time
regardless of how long they have been with the company or how much they currently make. This
[Insert Figure 1.0 here]
Please generate questions and provide the rationale for them around each of the following
characteristics. In other words, what questions do you need to have answered to determine if this
is an effective HRM decision?
Legal, ethical, and fair
Answers will vary but might cite laws that indicate these policies are legal. In terms of being ethical and
fair, students may want to consider how many vacation days are actually used when unlimited vacation
policies exist. While on the surface, this sounds like a great benefit, it can be more difficult for employees
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Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
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Evidence based/evidence informed
Students should look at which firms are using a similar policy and consider the number of days actually
being taken and the cost to the organization. A comparative analysis might be done to look at retention,
Fosters healthy employee–employer relationships
This might be harder to measure. On the surface this has the potential to be a great policy, thereby
improving employee–employer relationships. However, consideration must also be given to the idea that
an employee may decide to take 6 weeks off work to travel or spend time with family, and the work
usually performed by that employee must still be completed. The students must also consider the attitudes
of those managers and supervisors who are responsible for ensuring work is accomplished in a timely
manner.
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
vacation at the same time.
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Timely and cost-effective
Student discussion should consider why this is the right time for such a policy, and what does the
Takes a systematic stakeholder perspective
In addition to considering the effects of this policy on the employees and the organization (including the
recruitment and retention goals of the organization), students must consider all stakeholders. How will
this policy be perceived by suppliers, vendors, customers, and what effect will such a policy have on the
value of the organization if it is a publicly traded organization?
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
of notice does an employee need to give to take vacation? What happens when an employee takes an
extended vacation then gives notice?
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Considering your analysis, overall, is this an effective decision? Why, or why not?
Answers will vary by student. On this surface, this is a great policy for the employee and might be viewed
What, if anything, do you think should be taken into consideration to help make this decision most
effective?
There are many things students will identify as part of the decision making process. Some will look at this
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
HR Decision-Making Exercise: The Changing Context of HRM
Making HRM decisions is often a group activity as seldom does one person have all the required
information, context, and expertise to tackle every HR issue. Working in a group, review the six
1. Form your group.
2. Decide if there are additional trends your group believes might be as important or
more important than these six.
The trends identified as most important by the group will depend on who is in the group
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
3. As a group, decide which trend your group collectively feels is the most important
factor that will influence HRM. It is as important to justify your answer in terms
of your selection of the most important factor as it is to defend why the others are
not seen as equally important.
