MS-01
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS- 01: Management Functions and Behaviour
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-01
Course Title : Management Functions and Behaviour
Assignment Code : MS- 01/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30t h April, 2018 to
the coordinator of your study center.
1. Briefly describe the Management processes. Explain any one of them with respect to
its significance and importance in organisational performance and efficiency. Explain
with your organisational experience. Briefly describe the organisation, you are
referring to.
2. What are the techniques used in different steps of Decision-making? Based on your
organisational experience, discuss the importance and rules of Brainstorming in the
process. Briefly describe the organisation and the situation, you are referring to.
3. What are the major antecedent conditions for change? Based on your organisational
experience, discuss the necessity or otherwise of ‘why all organisations must change’
in the background of ‘how an organisation grows’. Explain the situation and
organisational settings you are referring to.
4. 4. Base on your organisational experience/exposure critically discuss the role and
impact of formal and informal groups on ‘Management’. Briefly describe the
organsational setting, you are referring to.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 2: Management of Human Resources
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-2
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 2
Course Title : Management of Human Resources
Assignement Code : MS-2 /TMA/SEM – I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018
to the coordinator of your study center.
1. Explain the process of human resource planning. Describe how HR forecast is
carried out in the organisation you are working with or an organisation you are
familiar with.
2. Discuss the concept of ‘performance appraisal’. Explain any two methods of
performance appraisal that you are familiar with citing suitable organisational
examples.
3. Define mentoring and distinguish it from performance coaching. Assume you are
responsible for mentoring of employees in a large organisation. Discuss how you
will make mentoring a strategic function. Illustrate.
4. Discuss the laws covering wages. Analyse the recent amendments and trends in
laws covering wages in India.
5. Critically evaluate the state of workers’ participation in Management in the present
day business scenario. Explain with examples your answer giving due details of
the organizations and the sources you are referring to.

Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 03: Economic and Social Environment
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-03
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 03
Course Title : Economic and Social Environment
Assignment Code : MS-03/TMA/SEM - I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. Discuss the critical elements of macro-economic policies. How economic environment
gives a direction to the changes in the economic planning?
2. Differentiate between Economic Growth and Economic Development. Why is growth
and development synonymously used in economic discussion?
3. Discuss the genesis of mixed economy framework in India.
4. “An important factor which influences the Balance of Payment of an economy is the
exchange rate of its currency vis-à-vis other major currencies”. Explain the statement
given above.
5. How the twin objective of equity and justice was met by the economic reforms of 1991?
Explain.
6. Write short notes on the following:
(i) Trade Union Movement
(ii) Public Accountability
(iii) Administered prices
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 04: Accounting and Finance for Managers
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-04
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-04
Course Title : Accounting and Finance for Managers
Assignment Code : MS-04/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. How is ‘Financial Accounting’ different form ‘Management Accounting’? Discuss the role
and activities of an Accountant.
2. The Balance Sheets of XYZ Ltd as on 31st December, 2016 and 2017 are as given below:

Additional Information:-
(i) Depreciation provided on plant was 8,000 and on building was Rs. 8,000.
(ii) Provision for taxation made during the year is Rs. 38,000.
(iii) Interim dividend paid during the year is Rs. 16,000.
From the above information, you are required to prepare Schedule of changes in Working
Capital and Funds Flow Statement.
3. What do you understand by CVP Analysis. Explain the effect of Price and Volume on the
Net Profit, with the help of a suitable illustration.
4. The Management of ABC Ltd. is considering a proposal to purchase an improved model
of a machine which gives increased output. Its existing machine which has been in
operation for 2 years has current market value of Rs. 1,00,000, its remaining estimated
useful life is 10 years, with no salvage value at the end.

Repairs and Maintenance per
year
9,000 6,000
Working Capital 25,000 40,000
The company follows the straight-line method of depreciation and is subject to 50% tax.
Should the existing machine be replaced? Assume that the company’s required rate of
return is 15% and that the loss on sale of Assets is tax deductible.
5. As a Finance Manager how would you determine the Optimal Cash balance that would be
required by your Organisation? What measures you would take to ensure the smooth and
efficient Management of Cashflows in the Orgnisation?
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 05: Management of Machines and Materials
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-05
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-05
Course Title : Management of Machines and Materials
Assignment No. : MS-05/TMA /SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. It is generally felt that “rural areas are good for locating large plant, semi-urban areas for
locating medium-sized plants, and urban areas for small-scale plants”. Comment.
2. (a) Define job design. How has management viewed job design since the industrial
revolution?
(b) List the important factors that must be addressed in job design and briefly discuss the
importance of each one.
3. Under what circumstances would you use PERT as opposed to CPM in project
management? Give some example of projects where each would be more applicable than
the other.
4. What do you understand by acceptance sampling? In what situations it is used? Briefly
discuss the sampling plans.
5. “Inventory management for slow moving expensive items should focus more on lead
time reduction than anything else”. Critically examine the statement.
6. Write short notes on any three of the following:
(a) Intermittent flow processes
(b) Uses of work sampling
(c) Helgeson and Birnie Method of line balancing
(d) Benefits of value engineering
(e) Objectives of codification.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 06: Marketing for Managers
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS- 06
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 06
Course Title : Marketing for Managers
Assignment Code : MS-06 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study centre.
1. (a) Define the term „Marketing‟ with suitable examples. Discuss the scope and significance of
marketing function in a developing and fast emerging economy like India.
(b) What are the various components/ elements of marketing mix in case of products and
services marketing. Discuss with suitable examples of your choice.
2. (a) Explain the concept of Product Life Cycle by taking an example one each from a consumer
durable and any service offering of your choice.
(b) Distinguish the concept of market vs the concept of a segment and their relationship in
marketing, with suitable illustration.
3. (a) Discuss the various steps involved in the marketing research process that help in decision
making process. Briefly discuss a few application areas of marketing research in the current
business environment.
(b) Distinguish a Product from a Brand with suitable examples. Explain packaging as a market
development tool.
4. (a) Why pricing and promotional elements of marketing mix primarily decide the success of
any brand? Explain. Discuss the strategic and tactical decisions that a manager should consider
in pricing and promoting the firms offering. Take one product and one service offering and
discuss their success story.
(b) “Consumer” is the king does this statement still holds good in the era of online/digital
marketing? If yes or no substantiate and justify accordingly.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 07: Information Systems for Managers
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-55: LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
MS-07
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-07
Course Title : Information Systems for Managers
Assignment Code : MS-07/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018
to the coordinator of your study center.
1. Why is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is called the “Brain” of the Computer?
What are the components of a CPU? What factors affects the speed of a computer?
2. Define data and information. What is the difference between the two? What are the
main characteristics of information?
3. What are the types of inventory management systems? Define them and partition
them into further classes. Also, briefly explain each subdivision.
4. How can you use the Web as a data source for your data warehouse? What types of
information can you get from the Web? Explain briefly the steps needed to ensure
that only good quality, reliable data is loaded into the data warehouse from the
Web.
5. What are expert systems? Mention the working principles of expert systems. Also
discuss how knowledge can be represented in expert systems.
6. Write short notes on any three of following:
(a) Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
(b) Polymorphic viruses
(c) Business software solutions firm Microsoft
(d) Features of JAVA.
(e) Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 08: Quantitative Analysis for Managerial Applications
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-08
ASSIGNMENTS
Course Code : MS 08
Course Title : Quantitative Analysis for Managerial Applications
Assignment No. : MS-08/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. A sample survey of 100 families belonging to the middle income group revealed the following
distribution according to their annual savings. Find a) average annual sayings, using the
efficient method, b) 5th decile, and c) 90th percentile.
Savings (Rs ‘000) 05-09 09-13 13-17 17-21 21-25 25-30 30-35
Number of Families 07 10 15 23 25 14 06
2. It is known that the number of heavy trucks arriving at a railway station follows the
Poisson distribution. If the average number of truck arrivals during a specified period of half
an hour is 2, find the probabilities that during a given half an hour a) no heavy truck will arrive,
b) at least two heavy trucks will arrive, c) at the most 3 heavy trucks will arrive, and d)
between 1 and 3 heavy trucks will arrive.
3. A sample survey of tax-payers belonging to business class and professional class yielded the
following results:
Business class Professional class
Sample size n1 = 400 n2 = 420
Defaulters in tax payment x1 = 80 x2 = 65
Test the hypothesis at α = 0.01 level of significance that
a) defaulter rate is the same for the two classes of tax-payers, and
b) defaulter rate is higher in the business class than in the professional class by 0.03.
4. A set of paired data on X and Y has mean of X as 36, mean of Y as 85, standard deviation
of X as 11, standard deviation of Y as 8, and coefficient of correlation between X and Y as
0.66. Obtain a) the two regression equations, and b) value of X when Y= 75.
5. Write short notes on any three of the following:
(a) Absolute value function
(b) Baye’s Theorem
(c) Multistage Sampling
(d) Delphi method of forecasting
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 09: Managerial Economics
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-09
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-09
Course Title : Managerial Economics
Assignment Code : MS-09/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. Explain the Opportunity Cost Principle? Substantiate with the help of an example how
production possibility reflects opportunity costs?
2. How are Demand, Price Elasticity and Revenue determined? Explain Price Elasticity with
the help of any particular example of your choice.
3. Discuss Economies and Diseconomies of Scale. How is Economies of Scope different
from Economies of Scale? Explain.
4. Explain “Barriers to Entry” of a firm. Differentiate between legal barriers and natural
barriers with the help of any example of your choice.
5. Trace the chronology of deregulation of Indian Telecom from 1992 to 2003. Explain the
special role played by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
6. Write short notes on any two of the following:-
(a) Decision under risk
(b) Biometric forecasting
(c) Kinked demand curve
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 10: Organisational Design, Development and Change
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-10
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 10
Course Title : Organisational Design, Development and Change
Assignment Code : MS-10/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018
to the coordinator of your study center.
1. Describe the factors that affect organisational design and explain different
approaches in assessing organisational effectiveness with the help of examples.
2. Describe and discuss the trends in the present day work organisations and the role
of management in ‘quality of work life’.
3. What are the different sources of resistance to change? Describe the process of
overcoming resistance to change. Discuss with examples.
4. Enlist the types of organisation structure. Discuss few organisational structures and
identify their type.
5. Explain the concept of workplace and architectural ergonomics with the help of
examples.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS-11: Strategic Management
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-11
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-11
Course Title : Strategic Management
Assignment No. : MS-11/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: There are five questions in this assignment. Attempt all the questions and send them on or
before 30th April, 2018 to the Coordinator of the Study Centre you are attached with.
1. Discuss in what sense the top management takes decisions for a company and in what
sense it does not takes the strategic decisions for a company alone? Illustrate with
suitable examples.
2. Explain any two of the growth strategies you have studied and highlight the conditions
under which each is the most appropriate. Illustrate your answer with the help of
examples.
3. Identify two companies that have recently merged. Read the published information on
both the companies. Based on the study, identify the issues and challenges the two
companies are currently facing in combining their respective organizational cultures.
4. Select an organization of your choice which has adopted focus strategy. Analyze as to
how the focus strategy has been useful for the organization to build its competitive
advantage.
5. Describe different styles of leadership for Top Management with the help of real world
examples.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 21: Social Processes and Behavioral Issues
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-21
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 21
Course Title : Social Processes and Behavioral Issues
Assignment Code : MS-21/TMA/SEM - 01 /2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: a. There are two sets of assignments. Set A is for the students who have registered for MS-21
prior to January 2018. Set B is for students who have registered for MS-21 in January, 2018
b. Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
SET A
1. Describe the emerging scenario of organizations. Explain the steps to be taken by management into
bring in the mindset of employees conducive to changing reality of business in an organization you
are aware of. Briefly describe the organization you are referring to.
2. Explain the relevance of behaviour modification in organizations and briefly discuss the role of
ethics in behaviour modification.
3. Briefly discuss how organizational culture can be developed and describe the attributes of work
culture and their relevance.
4. Describe the process of perception. How behaviour is influenced by perception? Explain with the
help of examples
5. Roles and norms are control mechanisms of groups. Discuss with the help of examples.
SET B
1. Discuss the modern theories of leadership citing relevant examples.
2. Differentiate between counseling, guidance and psychotherapy. Explain various approaches to
counseling with the help of examples,
3. Explain any two theories of motivation citing relevant examples,
4. What is organisational citizenship behaviour? Discuss different approaches to OCB.
5. Explain the statement, “Words are symbols and meaning exist in mind”. Supplement with relevant
examples.
MS-22
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS- 22: Human Resource Development
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-22
Course Title : Human Resource Development
Assignment Code : MS- 22/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to
the coordinator of your study center.
1. What is the Concept of Career? In our society people face many career transition in
changing their profession, organisation, and geographic location, to name a few. What is
the role of HRD in dealing with this issue at organisational level? Explain with the
organisational examples you are aware of. Briefly describe the situation and the
organisation, you are referring to.
2. What are the major methods and movements to increase organisational performance?
Explain any one of them based on your organisational experience. Briefly describe the
organisation, you are referring to.
3. What are the basic tenets of Rewarding System? Briefly explain with organisational
examples you have come across. Explain the situation and the organisation, you are
referring to.
4. “Managing Diversity is currently enjoying a great deal of support from the world of
business. Proponents of diversity in organisations have emphasized its benefits, and
managing diversity is portrayed as a product of enlightened corporate self interest.”
Elaborate the above statement and discuss the underlying concepts based on
organisational experience, you have or you are aware of. Briefly describe the
organisation, you are referring to.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 23: Human Resource Planning
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-23
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 23
Course Title : Human Resource Planning
Assignment Code : MS-23 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study centre.
1. Explain the concept of human resource forecasting. Describe various techniques used in
forecasting human resource planning.
2. Discuss the objectives of job evaluation. Explain the various job evaluation methods.
Briefly describe the recent developments in job evaluation system.
3. Discuss the aims and objectives of career planning. Describe the benefits of career
planning. What are the factors which go into the shaping of a career?
4. Explain the significance of information system in Human Resource Management.
Describe the various approaches to managing information at the macro and micro level.
5. Explain the concept, need and scope of HR audit. Describe the essential steps being
involved in the Auditing process.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 24: Employment Relations
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-24
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 24
Course Title : Employment Relations
Assignment Code : MS-24 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018
to the coordinator of your study centre.
1. Explain the procedure for registration of a Trade Union under the Trade Unions
Act. Discuss the objects general and political funds are spent under the Trade
Union Act.
2. Describe the present position of Trade Unions in India. What are your suggestions
for strengthening the Trade Unions in India.
3. Explain the meaning and concept of Collective Bargaining. Describe the process
of collective bargaining. Discuss the conditions for success of collective
bargaining.
4. Discuss the aims and objectives of workers participation in Management.
Describe the workers participation, employee involvement practices of any
organisation you are familiar with.
5. Explain various cultural aspects of employment relations. Discuss the recent
developments in employment relations. Discuss the impact of specialization,
centralization and globalisation on new employment relations.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 41: Working Capital Management
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-41
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-41
Course Title : Working Capital Management
Assignment No. : MS-41/TMA /SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. The annual figures of Alpha Ltd are as follows:
(i) Sales at home, at 1 month credit Rs. 12,00,000.
(ii) Export at 3 months credit, S.P. 10% below the home price Rs. 5,40,000.
(iii) Materials used, suppliers extend 2 months credit Rs. 4,50,000.
(iv) Wages paid, half month in arreas Rs. 3,60,000.
(v) Manufacturing expenses, paid one month in arreas Rs. 5,40,000.
(vi) Depreciation on fixed assets Rs. 60,000.
(vii) Administrative expenses, paid one month in arrear Rs. 1,20,000.
(viii) Sales promotion expenses, payable quarterly in advance Rs. 60,000.
Alpha Ltd. sells goods in the domestic market on a gross profit of 25%. It keeps one
month stock of raw materials as well as finished product and believes in keeping Rs.
1,00,000 available to it. You are required to calculate the working capital requirement of
the company, assuming 15% safety margin.
2. Give a complete overview of the different marketable securities that are available for
investments.
3. Select any financial Institution/ Organisation of your choice and obtain information about
the important components of its credit policy and the attributes that they take into
consideration while deciding the credit wortheness about its customers.
4. Describe the creation of Euro Money and Eurocurrency Markets? Discuss the factors
contributing to the growth of the Euromarkets.
5. ‘The Working Captal Module is divided into three additional parts beyond the investment
information presented in the Capital Investment (CI) module’. Discuss of objectives and
operation sequential operation of the working capital module. Discuss the objectives and
operation of each these three parts.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 42 Capital Investment and Financing Decisions
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-42
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-42
Course Title : Capital Investment and Financing Decisions
Assignment No. : MS-42/TMA /SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study center.
1. What is meant by a firm's capital structure? Explain the Modigilian - Miller (MM) theory
and Traditional approach to capital structure of a firm.
2. Explain the concept of project life cycle? How are the work breakdown structure and
linear responsibility chart prepared?
3. What is Project Risk? Briefly explain the techniques used for the measurement of project
risk
4. Explain the various instruments through which corporates procure finance both for long
term and short term. Discuss the circumstances under which they are preferred. Give
reasons for the same.
5. What is Corporate Restructuring? What factors motivate an enterprise to undertake
restructuring exercise?
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS – 43: Management Control Systems
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-43
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS-43
Course Title : Management Control Systems
Assignment No. : MS-43/TMA/SEM-I/2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
Coordinator of your study center.
1. Explain the concept of Strategy? Describe the different Models that help in formulating
business unit strategies.
2. Explain the ARM’s length principle and discuss its application.
3. Discuss in detail the three organisational Incentives systems viz the Scanlon plan, the
Kaiser-United Steel Workers plan and profit sharing and explain their applicability.
4. Select any Bank/ Insurance company of your choice and discuss the management control
system, that is prevalent, in that Institution.
5. Study the ‘Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore’ case and answer the
questions given at the end of the case.
Management Programme
ASSIGNMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
2018
MS - 51: Operations Research
School of Management Studies
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
MS-51
ASSIGNMENT
Course Code : MS - 51
Course Title : Operations Research
Assignment Code : MS-51/TMA/SEM - I /2018
Coverage : All Blocks
Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
coordinator of your study centre.
1. Solve graphically:
Minimize Z=6x1 + 14x2
Subject to
5x1 + 4x2 ≥ 60
3x1 + 7x2 ≤84
x1 + 2x2 ≥ 18
x1, x2 ≥ 0
2. Five employees of a company are to be assigned to five jobs, which can be done by any
of them. The workers get different wages per hour. These are: Rs 5 per hour for A, B, and
C each, and Rs 3 per hour for D and E each. The amount of time taken by each employee
to do a given job is given in the following table. Determine the assignment pattern that
(a) minimizes the total time taken, and (b) minimizes the total cost, of getting five units
of work done.

3. 
   What is the importance of integer programming models in supporting managerial
   decisions? Describe the rationale behind Cutting Plane Method used for solving integer
   programming models.
   4. A wholesaler supplies 30 stuffed dolls each day to various shops. Dolls are purchased
   from the manufacturer in lots of 120 each at Rs. 1200 per lot. Every order incurs a
   handling charge of Rs 60 plus a freight charge of Rs 250 per lot. Multiple and fractional
   lots can also be ordered, and all orders are met the next day. The incremental cost is Rs
   0.60 per year to store a doll in inventory. The wholesaler finances inventory investments
   by paying its holding company 2% monthly for borrowed funds.
   How many dolls should be ordered at a time in order to minimize the total annual
   inventory cost? Assume that there are 250 week-days in a year. How frequently should he
   order?
   5. What is simulation? Describe the simulation process. State the major two reasons for
   using simulation to solve a problem. What are the advantages and limitations of
   simulation?
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS - 52: Project Management
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-52
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 52
   Course Title : Project Management
   Assignment Code : MS-52/TMA/SEM - I /2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to
   the coordinator of your study center.
   1. What are the phases of a project development cycle? Give the salient tasks under each
   phase. What are the outlines of opportunity studies in project management? How do there
   impact upon project feasibility studies?
   2. “Doubled Project Report (DPR) forms the foundation on which the entire superstructure of
   the project is built – if it is weak, project cannot weather the turbulent times ahead.” Bring
   out the do‟s and don‟ts of a good DPR.
   3. “Meticulous Management of activities on the critical path is crucial to completing projects
   on time.” How can we „beat‟ the critical path and improve our on-time performance?
   4. A good tem-work speed up project implementation justify. Developing self directed project
   teams is the key to improving effectiveness in project management. Elucidate.
   5. Explain the importance of „project review‟ in the context of control of a project. How are
   cybernetics concepts applied to project management?
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS - 53: Production/Operations Management
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-53
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 53
   Course Title : Production/Operations Management
   Assignment Code : MS-53/TMA/SEM - I /2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study center.
   1. Over the years many variations on classical Delphi have been forwarded. Discuss these variants.
   2. Capacity will be modified in response to demand. Demand will be modified in response to
   capacity. Which of these two statement is correct? Why?
   3. (a) What is Line-Balancing of assembly operations? Illustrate with examples.
   (b) What approach would you suggest for increasing throughput rate of assembly lines and why?
   4. Inventory of materials provides operational flexibility. But, many flexible operational systems
   need little inventory. Explain this seeming contradiction.
   5. Discuss preventive maintenance. In what ways is preventive maintenance absolutely necessary in
   JIT/ kanban/ pull manufacturing as opposed to push manufacturing.
   6. Write short notes on any three of the following:
   (a) Quality and profitability relationship.
   (b) Stopwatch Time Study method.
   (c) The KANBAN System
   (d) Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II)
   (c) Classification of manufacturing technology.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS - 54: Management Information Systems
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-54
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 54
   Course Title : Management Information Systems
   Assignment Code : MS-54/TMA/SEM - I /2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April,
   2018 to the coordinator of your study center.
   1. How the functional areas can be separated from MIS point of view. List down
   major subsystems and the typical generated within the functional area in your
   organization.
   2. How much importance should be accorded to implementation phase as part of the
   total MIS development activity? Explain. Briefly discuss the various
   implementation strategies. Under what circumstances are they suitable?
   3. What are expert systems and how do they help in decision-making? Can you give
   examples to illustrate the same? What kinds of decisions can be appropriately
   programmed on expert systems? Give examples.
   4. Outline the basic sequence of steps to acquiring a DMBS. What steps are the
   mists important? Why should an organization be careful about placing over
   reliance on “benchmark” tests in selecting a DBMS?
   5. Differentiate among Trojans, Worms and Viruses. Give one example for each.
   “Computer virus is a major threat to computer security”. Justify the statement.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS – 61: Consumer Behaviour
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-61
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 61
   Course Title : Consumer Behaviour
   Assignment Code : MS-61 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study centre.
   1. What do you understand by the term ‘consumer behaviour’? Explain the scope of
   consumer behavior giving suitable examples.
   2. With the help of examples discuss the characteristics that distinguish organizational
   buying from individual buying.
   3. Explain the concept of learning and discuss its marketing implications.
   4. What is a reference group? Name two reference groups that are important to you. In
   what ways do they influence you in your purchasing behaviour?
   5. Explain the concept of culture and subculture. Discuss the relevance of subcultural
   segmentation in case of the following products:
   (a) Ready to eat food products
   (b) Apparels
   6. As a marketer of consumer durables like refrigerators, washing machines etc., what
   strategies would you adopt for responding to post purchase feelings of your consumers?
   Discuss.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS-62: Sales Management
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS- 62
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 62
   Course Title : Sales Management
   Assignment Code : MS-62 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study centre.
   1. (a) Discuss the role and responsibilities of a Sales Manager, associated with a fast moveing
   consumer goods firm with pan India operations.
   (b) Why is Personal Selling method is still very much in vogue in the current market
   environment. Elaborate with suitable examples. Briefly discuss the various situations
   conductive for Personal selling other than the list mentioned in the study/ course material.
   2. (a) Discuss the AIDAS theory of selling by taking a suitable example of your choice. What are its
   merits and drawbacks of this theory.
   (b) What are Selling skills. List out and explain the various types of skills. How does these skills
   help a salesman in effectively discharging the responsibilities assigned to him.
   3. (a) As a Sales Manager of a Publishing House what methods would you adopt in identifying
   training needs for the sales force. Discuss briefly the various steps in training process.
   (b) What are the basic components of a compensation package? Why and how the compensation
   package differ between the companies selling similar and different types of products?
   4. (a) Discuss the importance of Sales planning function in the following
   (i) Single Product firm targeting North India Market.
   (ii) Multi Product firm targeting all India Market.
   What is territory Planning? What are the steps involved in territory Planning and its
   importance in achieving the sales objectives. Discuss.
   (b) Discuss the meaning and importance of Sales Budgeting. What are the different methods of
   Sales Budgeting that are generally adopted by a firm.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS – 63: Product Management
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-63
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 63
   Course Title : Product Management
   Assignment Code : MS-63 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study centre.
   1. What is a product? Taking the example of T.V., explain the anatomy of the product i.e. the
   core benefits, tangible specifications, and augmented features.
   2. Briefly explain the concept of Product Life Cycle (PLC). Do all the products follow the bell
   shaped curve of PLC? Discuss giving suitable examples.
   3. What are the objectives of test marketing? How would you go about test marketing a new
   chocolate? Discuss.
   4. Explain the stages involved in new product development process, giving suitable examples.
   5. Indian toothpaste market is witnessing a lot of changes, with many FMCG companies,
   Indian as well as MNCs, launching ‘herbal’ toothpastes. This segment is growing fast and
   every player wants to corner a significant share of it. You are a product manager-incharge of
   toothpaste category-in a FMCG company which also intends to enter ‘herbal toothpaste’
   segment.
   (a) How can you use ‘Attribute Analysis’ to generate new product ideas for the
   proposed herbal toothpaste? Discuss.
   (b) Suggest alternative basis for positioning of the new product.
   (c) Discuss the functions that packaging can perform in marketing of toothpaste.
   (d) Suggest a brand name for the new product to be introduced by the company,
   giving reasons why your choice is a good one.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS – 64: International Marketing
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-64
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 64
   Course Title : International Marketing
   Assignment Code : MS-64 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study centre.
   1. Describe the differences between ethnocentric, polycentric, regiocentric and geocentric
   orientations. How do these orientations affect international marketing practices? Explain with the
   help of examples.
   2. Discuss the significance of letter of credit in international marketing. Explain the operations of a
   letter of credit.
   3. Explain the scope of international marketing research. What are the advantages and limitations of
   online surveys?
   4. How does culture influence international marketing decisions? Explain with the help of suitable
   examples.
   5. You are the marketing executive in a food processing company producing and marketing fruit
   juices and frozen vegetables in India. The company is exploring the possibilities of entering
   international markets. The management has asked you to prepare a preliminary report covering the
   following five aspects:
   (a) Advantages and challenges for the company in entering the international markets;
   (b) Different modes of entering international markets and potential difficulties involved with
   each option;
   (c) Whether making exercises for product adaptation for different markets is worth it;
   (d) Physical distribution implications and
   (e) Support the company can receive from the institutional framework for export available in
   India.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS – 65: Marketing of Services
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-65
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 65
   Course Title : Marketing of Services
   Assignment Code : MS-65 /TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note: Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study centre.
   1. What are the implications of the services marketing triangle? Explain giving suitable
   examples.
   2. What are the differences between ‘search’, ‘experience’ and ‘credence’ qualities? Explain
   with the help of examples.
   3. Explain the importance of physical evidence for the following:
   (a) A restaurant
   (b) An insurance company.
   4. As a customer relationship manager of a luxury resort, you have a received a mail from a
   guest who stayed with his family at your resort last week. He has complained that the
   quality of food served was not satisfactory. Also, he has criticized the staff members that
   they did not listen to his complaint properly. What steps would you take in response to
   this letter? Discuss.
   5. Explain the role of non-monetary costs in pricing of services by taking the example of a
   service of your choice.
   6. Identify and explain the product support services which a washing machine marketer can
   offer for gaining competitive advantage.
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS - 91: Advanced Strategic Management
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-91
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 91
   Course Title : Advanced Strategic Management
   Assignment Code : MS-91/TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study center.
   1. Explain the role of Strategists in Corporate Management. Discuss with reference to any
   company of your choice.
   2. Discuss how good Corporate Governance as a system of governance is essential from all
   points of view. Explain with reference to Corporate Governance at TISCO.
   3. Briefly describe the main modes of entering a foreign market.
   4. What are Web-based Business Models? Explain the impact of E-Business on
   organizations.
   5. How do we relate strategic philanthropy and economic motivations? Discuss.
   6. How do Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation built up long term supply
   arrangements and manufacturing capacity?
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS - 92: Management of Public Enterprises
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-92
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 92
   Course Title : Management of Public Enterprises
   Assignment Code : MS-92/TMA/SEM - I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study center.
   1. How is Ownership and Management decided for Public Sector Enterprises? Why is coordination and control an important aspect of Public Enterprises? Explain.
   2. Describe the three phases of development of Public Sector Enterprises in India. Explain in detail
   the reasons for disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) with reference to any
   particular PSU of your choice.
   3. What are the distinct modes and services of India’s transport system. Explain the role of
   Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the development of Road Transport and
   Highways.
   4. “Wage Policy is part of Compensation Management.” Trace the evolution of Wage Policy in
   India from Payment of Wages Act 1936 to Pay Commissions keeping in mind the institutions
   related to compensation for private sector and public sector.
   5. What are the oldest and the traditional form of Public Enterprises and how does the government
   undertake and perform various economic and social strategic functions? Cite examples from any
   two of the PSUs.
   (a) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
   (b) Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)
   (c) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS- 93: Management of New and Small Enterprises
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-93
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS - 93
   Course Title : Management of New and Small Enterprises
   Assignment Code : MS-93/TMA/SEM - I /2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study center.
   1. Define Competence. What are the various components of entrepreneurial competencies?
   Explain any particular entrepreneurial competency which is most important for an
   entrepreneur.
   2. Differentiate between Marketing and Selling? Explain the need for market assessment.
   Why is selling more important than marketing explain with reference to air travel?
   3. What are the general financing schemes of the banks with respect to MSME? Briefly
   explain the financing programmes of SIDBI.
   4. How do you explain productivity? Substantiate work measurement and work
   measurement techniques.
   5. Explain Production Schedule as an evaluation and control tool.
   6. Write short notes on any two of the following:-
   (a) SEBI
   (b) Manpower
   (c) Partnership
   P
   Management Programme
   ASSIGNMENT
   FIRST SEMESTER
   2018
   MS - 95: Research Methodology for Management Decisions
   School of Management Studies
   INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
   MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI – 110 068
   MS-95
   ASSIGNMENT
   Course Code : MS-95
   Course Title : Research Methodology for Management Decisions
   Assignment No. : MS-95/TMA /SEM-I/2018
   Coverage : All Blocks
   Note : Attempt all the questions and submit this assignment on or before 30th April, 2018 to the
   coordinator of your study center.
   1. How would you distinguish between a management decision problem and a management
   research problem? Do all decision problems require research? Explain and illustrate with
   examples.
   2. ‘Majority of the researches make use of primary sources of data and secondary data sources do
   not really contribute to a scientific enquiry.’ Do you agree/ disagree with this statement. Explain.
   3. Explain an itemized rating scale. What are the various issues involved in constructing an
   itemized rating scale?
   4. A researcher conducts a survey to find out whether the inhabitants of a metro town are in favour
   of capital punishment (F) or against it (A). The sequence of responses to the question asked is
   given below. Use the run test at α = 0.05 to test whether the responses are random.
   F F A F F F A A A A A F F A
   A A F F A A A A A A F F A A
   A A A A F F F A A A F A F F
   F F A A A A F F F A A A F F
   5. Explain the following concepts.
   (a) Null and alternative hypothesis
   (b) One and two-tailed test
   (c) Type I and type II error
   (d) Level of significance
   (e) Power of test