IB Business Management Revision

Human Resource Management

Organisational structure, leadership, motivation and industrial relations.

Human Resource Management is a core part of IB Business Management. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

AutocraticLeader decides; workers obey
DemocraticLeader consults; team votes
Laissez-faireLeader steps back; team self-directs
Tannenbaum-Schmidt1958 continuum from boss-led to team-led
Trade unionWorker body bargaining with employer
Collective bargainingUnion negotiates pay for members
Job descriptionTasks and duties of the role
PersonSkills and qualities of ideal candidate
Internal recruitmentFilling vacancy from existing staff
Induction trainingIntroduction to firm for new hires
On-the-job trainingLearning by doing the role
Off-the-job trainingTraining away from the workplace
Maslow's hierarchyFive-level pyramid of needs (1943)
Herzberg two-factorHygiene prevents dissatisfaction; motivators satisfy

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Does producing more always increase profit?✗ Yes, more output always means more profit.   ✓ No — overproduction raises costs and waste if it isn't sold.
Why does a business motivate its staff?✗ Motivation has no effect on performance.   ✓ Motivated staff are more productive and stay longer.

Practise Human Resource Management — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →

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