Department of Humanities and Management

(18-03-2024) MID TERM EXAM - HUM 3052 ESSENTIALS OF MANAGEMENT (SCHEME)

Q1. True or False (with respect to Job analysis)? Q7. True or False? (With respect to SWOT Analysis)
(i) Job description is prepared based on the work (i) Company X with good financial capabilities decides
performance of an employee to acquire a promising start up company having a
(ii) “Training Prerequisites” for a job comes under job lower financial capability. This is an example of SO
specification (0.5) strategy.
(ii) A company decides to increase the price of its highly
(a) Neither (i) nor (ii) true popular product to negate the increased goods
(b) **Only (ii) is true service tax imposed by the government. This is an
(c) Only (i) is true example of ST strategy. (0.5)
(d) Both (i) and (ii) true
(a) Both statements are false
Q2. This analysis would enable an assessment of the (b) Only (i) is true
number and types of human resources necessary for the (c) Only (ii) is true
performance of various jobs and accomplishment of (d) **Both statements are true
organizational objectives. (0.5)

(a) Breakeven analysis Q8. The form of organisation known for giving rise to
(b) **Workload analysis rumours is called_______. (0.5)
(c) Workforce analysis
(d) All of the above (a) Decentralised organisation
(b) Formal organisation
Q3. The basic purpose of ______ process is to make the new (c) Centralised organisation
employees aware of the organization’s policies and (d) **Informal organisation
procedures, and is conducted after the ______ process. (0.5)
(a) induction, recruitment Q9. Through this management principle, Henri Fayol advises
(b) placement, selection managers to show exemplary conduct, and warns them not
(c) placement, recruitment to be tempted to abuse their powers for personal gain at the
(d) **induction, selection expense of the organization’s general interest. Which
management principle is described in the above statement?
Q4. Decentralisation is ______. (0.5) (0.5)

(a) **Optional (a) Order

(b) Compulsory (b) **All options are wrong
(c) All answers are correct (c) Equity
(d) None of the options are correct (d) Decentralization

Q5. True or False? (With reference to Mintzberg’s Q10. Which of the following guideline is NOT true for MBO?
Managerial Roles) (0.5)
(i) In a disseminator role, the manager communicates
to the wider community. (a) Objectives should not be used to frighten and
(ii) In a liaison role, manager makes contacts outside dominate people
his/her vertical chain of command. (0.5) (b) The list of objectives should not be too long
(c) **Objectives should be qualitative
(a) Both statements are true (d) Objectives should present a challenge,
(b) Only (i) is true indicate priorities, and promote personal and
(c) **Only (ii) is true professional growth and development
(d) Both statements are false

Q6. True or False?

(i) Generally, programs and budgets can be considered
as examples for standing plans.
(ii) Policies are generally not considered as a single-use
plan. (0.5)

(a) **Only (ii) is true

(b) Both statements are false
(c) Both statements are true
(d) Only (i) is true
Q11. Prof. Dr. Peter, from an Indian Engineering College (IEC), Mumbai attends an International conference, on Current Trends in
Engineering Education, in Japan. During the conference, he speaks to many other participants about the way they design their
curriculum in their countries and shares his views with them. Prof. Dr. Peter realizes that most of the colleges in other countries
have introduced a concept of open electives in their curriculum. After coming back to IEC, he speaks to the college management
and other heads of departments and convinces them about the benefit of introducing open electives concepts in the engineering
curriculum. IEC introduces open electives in their curriculum and this move is widely appreciated by the students and also by the
companies that come to IEC for placements.

Citing the lines from above case, state the managerial roles (sub-role and main-role) played by Prof. Dr. Peter (by referring to
managerial roles by Mintzberg) at each stage. Define the sub-role played by Dr. Peter. (4)

Answer:
Citing from Case: During the conference, he speaks to many other participants about the way Marks can be deducted if
they design their curriculum in their countries and shares his views with them. CITING OF LINES is missing.
MAIN ROLE: Information role SUB ROLE: Spokesman role
Citing from Case: Prof. Dr. Peter realizes that most of the colleges in other countries have 4 points * 1 mark each = 4
introduced a concept of open electives in their curriculum. marks
MAIN ROLE: Information role SUB ROLE: Monitor role
Citing from Case: After coming back to IEC, he speaks to the college management and other
heads of departments and convinces them about the benefit of introducing open electives
concepts in the engineering curriculum.
MAIN ROLE: Information role SUB ROLE: Disseminator role
Citing from Case: IEC introduces open electives in their curriculum and this move is widely
appreciated by the students and also by the companies that come to IEC for placements.
MAIN ROLE: Decisional role SUB ROLE: Entrepreneur role

Q12. Three years ago Mr. Akarsh completed his degree in food processing. He worked for one year in a company manufacturing
noodles, masala powders and pastas. He was not happy in the company and decided to have his own organic food processing unit
for the same. He set the objectives and the targets and formulated action plan to achieve the same. One of his objectives was to
earn 10% profit on the amount invested in the first year. It was also decided that raw materials like fruits, vegetables, spices etc.
will be purchased on three months’ credit from farmers cultivating organic crops only. He also decided to follow the steps required
for marketing of the products through his own outlets. He appointed Ms. Keerthana as a production manager who decides the
exact manner in which the production activities are to be carried out. Ms. Keerthana also prepared a statement showing the
number of workers that will be required in the factory throughout the year. Mr. Akarsh informed Ms. Keerthana about his sales
target for different products, area wise for the forthcoming quarter. While working on the production table a penalty of 100 rupees
per day for not wearing the caps, gloves and apron was announced.

Question to be answered: Quoting lines from the above paragraph, identify any four types of plans discussed, and briefly explain.
(4)

Answer:
1. Objectives: Objectives are the end results of the activities that-an organisation seeks to achieve (any 4 points*1
through its existence. All other activities within the organisation are directed towards achieving mark each=4 marks)
these objectives.
“One of his objectives was to earn 10% profit on the amount invested in the first year.”
2. Policy: A policy is a set of general guidelines that helps in managerial decision making and action.
“It was decided that the raw materials like fruits, vegetables, spices, etc. will be purchased on
three months credit from farmers cultivating only organic crops.”
3. Procedure: A procedure contains a series of specific steps to be performed in a chronological
order to carry out the routine activities.
“He also decided to follow the steps required for marketing of the products through her own
outlets.”
“The exact manner in which the production activities are to be carried out.”
4. Rule: A rule is a specific statement relating to the general norms in terms of Do’s and Dont’s that
guide the behaviour of people. It commands strict obedience and a penalty is likely to be imposed
on its violation.
“While working on the production table, a penalty of 100 per day for not wearing caps, gloves and
aprons was announced.”
5. Budget: A budget refers to a financial plan that is expressed in numerical terms.
“Keerthana prepared a statement showing the number of workers different products for the
forthcoming quarter.”
Q13. The shape of Manipal has changed drastically in the last 10 years with respect to food joints, shopping malls, and multiplexes.
With the help of proper examples, explain how various business units in Manipal are using the three generic strategies given by
Porter. (3)

Answer:
Students are expected to provide the explanation under 3 headings along with proper (3 points *1 mark each=3
examples: marks)
(1) Overall Cost Leadership strategy
(2) Differentiation strategy
(3) Focused strategy

Q14. In industries, you find as many as 15 sub-ordinates reporting to their team head and the team head is able to manage the
sub-ordinates’ work. In some of the departments of an engineering college, you find as many as 90 faculty members reporting to
their head of the department (HOD) and HOD is able to manage the sub-ordinates’ work.
How is it possible? Discuss the answer with reference to Span of control and the factors affecting the span of control. (3)

Answer:
Span of Control: The maximum number of immediate subordinates reporting to one superior.
The optimal span of control is dependent on the following factors:
Communication techniques: Broader span is feasible if the manager can communicate effectively.
Kind of activity: If the activities are highly important and complicated, then small span is
recommended. Discussion on any 5
Kind of organization: Centralized organization requires narrow span. Decentralized organization factors is required.
decisions are made at lower level and there is freedom of action. (2.5 marks)
Organizational level: If delegation of authority done at lower level, then we can have a wider span of
control.
Subordinates training: Well-trained subordinate requires less time of supervisor. In this case a broader
span is feasible.
Delegation of authority: If manager clearly delegates the authority, then a subordinate can get it done
with a minimum superiors’ time and attention.
Planning: Clear policies to guide decisions for the subordinates’ result in fewer dependencies on
superiors’ time.
Rate of change: Dynamic industry calls for narrow span, if stable business, broader span.
Head of the department (HOD) is able to manage 90 faculty members’ work for the following (0.5 marks)
reasons:
The daily work done by the faculty members is more routine in nature, and, the faculty members are
well trained in those routine matters. Faculty members are located at lower levels on the organization
chart and the delegation of authority is clearer in engineering colleges when compared to industries.

Q15. With the help of a common example, discuss the steps involved in Managerial Planning. (3)

Answer:
Writing the 8 steps along with details (2 marks)
Example running through 8 steps (1 mark)

Q16. With the help of a block diagram, explain briefly the systems approach to selection of managers? Why is it called a systems
approach? List any one internal factor and external factor affecting staffing. (3)

Answer:
Why is it called a systems approach?
(1) Candidate attending the selection process are being evaluated from multiple perspectives.
(2) Internal factors as well as external factors affecting staffing are being considered.
(3) While calculating the human resource requirements, immediate requirements as well as the future requirements are
being considered.

Sketch (1.5 marks)

Explanation in brief and why is it called a systems approach? (1 mark)
Listing any one internal factor and external factor. (0.5 marks)
Q17. PSN Corporation, a leading conglomerate, has decided to implement an enterprise-wide resource planning system to
enhance operational efficiency. The company has contracted with Shivamaya Tech Solutions, their own subsidiary to develop and
implement the ERP system. Ms Sneha is appointed as the project manager for this initiative and provided with one module
manager each to support her. The ERP system will be implemented across four business units located in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi
and Bengaluru. The ERP system would include centralized modules of Manufacturing, Finance, Human Resources, and Supply
Chain for Bengaluru and Mumbai. Manufacturing module is not needed in Chennai location as they don’t have a production plant
in Chennai but they need the other three modules. Delhi branch needs ONLY the Supply Chain module as the branch only holds a
distribution warehouse.

(i) Help Ms Sneha to design and draw a departmentalization structure for Shivamaya Tech Solutions in handling PSN Corporation's
ERP project that enables management to pinpoint project/product - profit responsibility across all locations.
(ii) Also mention two main advantages & disadvantages each that would accompany your recommended style of
departmentalization. (3)

Answer:
i) 2 marks for the diagram
Ms Sneha
Project Manager - ERP

Manufacturing Finance Human Resource Supply Chain

Module manager Module manager Module manager Module Manager

Bengaluru

Mumbai

Chennai

Delhi

ii) 0.25 marks for each point (student needs to answer any two advantages and any two 0.25 x 4 = 1 mark
disadvantages)
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Pinpoints product profit responsibility • Unity of command is violated
• Oriented towards end results • Conflict in organization authority exists
• Professional identification is maintained • Requires manager effective in human relations

Q18. ‘Haldiram Sweets’ is a renowned name for quality sweets since 1935. Harsh, the owner of Haldiram Sweets was worried as
the sales had declined during the last three months. When he enquired from the Sales Manager, the Sales Manager reported that
recently there were some complaints regarding the quality of sweets. Therefore, Harsh collected a sample of sweets mainly for
checking the quality.

(i) Identify the managerial function being performed by Harsh.

(ii) List the steps involved in the managerial function identified above. (2)

Answer:
The management function performed here is controlling (0.5 marks)

Steps involved in controlling have to be briefly explained (Theoretically or Pertaining to the case) (1.5 marks)