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Monday, 30 November 2015 09:13

Business management important questions

                         

 

Business management important questions

 

Q. 1. What is `management' ? Discuss the importance of management in modern business organisations.

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Define 'management'. What is the importance of management in today's business world ?

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"Management is the ordering and coordinating of functions and of the men fulfilling these functions in order to achieve a given purpose." Discuss.

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"Management is the art of setting things done through and with the people in formally organised groups." Explain this statement.

Q. 2. Define `management' and discuss its characteristic features.

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Discuss the nature of management.

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What are the characteristics of management? Discuss its nature as art and a science.

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Discuss the nature and characteristics of management. Is management a science, an art, or a profession?

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Is management a profession? Discuss.

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"Management is an art of setting things done, and a science of decision making." Discuss.

Q. 3. What are the functions of management ?

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"Management is the force which leads, guides and directs an organisation in the accomplishment of predetermined objectives." Discuss.

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"Management is what management does." Discuss.

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"Management has to perform a series of jobs." Discuss.

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Describe the essential functions which constitute the process of management. What is the relative importance of such functions?

Q 4 . Write short notes on the following :

(a) Levels of Management; (b) Managerial skills.

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"Levels of management refers to a line of separation between different positions held by seniors and juniors drawn with a view to distinguish each-other in respect of their duties, responsibilities, rights and authority." Explain this statement.

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"Different skills are needed at different managerial levels." What are these levels and skills ? Discuss fully.

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Identify and briefly explain the different kinds of skills needed by managers to perform the task of management in organisation. What is the relative mix of these skills at different levels of organisational levels ?

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What are the different levels of management ? Describe the role of the people at each such level.

Q 5 . Critically examine the managerial roles approach to management as t forth by Mintzberg.

Q .6.Briefly describe the evolution of management thought from early days to modern times.

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Give a brief account of the growth and development of management till modern era.

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Examine the evolution of management thought from the early pioneers to modern thinkers.

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Describe briefly various schools of management thought prevalent from time to time.

Q 7. What is scientific management ? Discuss the main elements of scientific management.

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Discuss the contribution of Frederick W. Taylor to the theory of management.

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Who is recognised as the father of scientific management? What is meant by scientific management ? What weaknesses in scientific management did lead to the emphasis on human relations ?

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Assess the contribution of scientific management to the development of management thought.

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"Scientific management aims to develop each man to his greatest efficiency and prosperity." Discuss.

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Present a case for and against of scientific management.

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"The principles of scientific management mark the beginning of management movement." Discuss. Bring out clearly the broad principles of  scientific management.

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Discuss the techniques of scientific management.

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"One of the basic principles of scientific management is mental revolution. " Explain this statement.

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"Scientific management involves in its essence a complete mental revolution on the part of the workmen and an equally complete mental revolution on the part of those on managerial side." Examine.

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"Scientific management is nothing, but a mental revolution." Discuss this statement.

Q. 8. Describe in brief the administrative theory of management.

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Briefly explain the Fayol's general principles of management.

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"To manage is to forecast and plan, to organise, to command, to coordinate and to control." Discuss.

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Discuss the contribution of Fayol to the science of management.

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Write a critical note on Fayol's contribution to the theory of management.

Q. 9. Who is the father of management—Taylor or Fayol ? Discuss.

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Write a comparative note on the contributions of Taylor and Fayol.

Q. 10. "The terms management and administration are interchangeable and are often used as synonymous." Critically examine this statement.

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"Admin4stration is the determinative function. Management, on the other hand, is an executive function that is primarily concerned with carrying out the broad policies laid down by the administration." W.R. Spriegel. Elucidate.

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Are `management' and `administration' different ? How will you comment on their terminological conflicts ?

Q 11. What are management principles ? Explain the nature of management principles.                                                               Or

Why management principles are needed? What are their limitations ? What is meant by management principles ? Enlist the imporant principles of management.

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Explain the management principles and give their importance.

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"Principles of management are helpful in increasing productivity “ Elucidate this statement. In this connection, briefly discuss the management principles.

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"principles of management are flexible and not absolute, but must be utilised in the light of changing and special conditions. Fayol Comment and summarise the principles of management as enunciated by Henri Fayol.

Q. 12. Are management principles universal in nature ?

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Give arguments for and against the universality of the management concept.

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The fundamental principles of scientific management are applicable to all human activities from our simplest individual acts to the work of our great corporations." (Taylor) Bring out the universality of management principles.

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What is the concept of universality of management ? Do you think that there are universal principles of management that effect the success of all organisations and managers ?

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Express your views about the universality of management principles.

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Do you agree that management principles are of universal application ? Explain and illustrate your answer.

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"The principles of management are not the monopoly of economic sector alone." Discuss.

Q 13 . What is human relations approach to management ? Critically evaluate its contribution to management theory.

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Discuss the impact of Hawthorne Experiments on management thought.

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Describe the main elements of human relations approach to management.

Q.14. . Write a comprehensive note on behavioural approach to management.

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Explain the significance of the behavioural approach to management.

What are its main features ? Discuss.

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Consider the principal focal points of social science approach to management

Q.15.. What is management science approach to management ? Critically examine it.

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Define management science approach and explain the characteristics of the situations in which management science applications are usually made.

Q. 16. Write an explanatory note on `systems approach' to management.

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What is systems approach to management ? Explain salient characteristics of the system.

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Explain the systems approach to management. Discuss with example how does it provide feedback mechanism to continue the whole cycle.

Q.17. Write an explanatory note on Contingency Approach to Management.

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Critically evaluate contingency approach to management.

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What is contingency theory of management ? How do you evaluate it ?

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Describe the situational theory of management.

Q 18 . Write an essay on `Management Development in India.'

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Attempt an essay on `Professionalisation of Management in India.'

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"The importance of formal management education is not suffieient!v recognised in this country." Is this true ? What steps would you suggest to bring a wider recognition for a formal management education in India ?

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"Industrial management is a profession like any other technical branch and men acquiring specialised knowledge and skill pertaining to this discipline can be utilised in managing business and industry in this country, yet (here is no recognition of a formal management education in this country." Elucidate the statement.

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What future do you visualise for management education in India ? Are present facilities adequate to cater to the national requirements ? Discuss.

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What are the different institutions that promote management in India ? What role private sector has played ? Discuss.

 

Q.19.  How can managers deal with their organisation's environment ? Explain.

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"For the survival and growth of the organisation, the managment has to cope successfully with the environment of its organisation." In the light of this statement discuss various ways open to managers to cope with organisation's environment.

Q.20 What is internal environment ? How managers can match the internal environment with the external environment of their organisation ?

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Explain the meaning of `internal environment'. What are the tools available to managers for matching the internal environment with the external environment.

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Explain some important techniques by means of which proper organisational strategy may be systematically developed to match the internal environment with the external environment.

Q 21 . What do you understand by `Management by Objectives'? Describe the process Management by Objectives.

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Define Management by Objectives. Discuss its benefits and limitations. What do you suggest to improve the effectiveness of Management by Objectives "

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What do you mean by Management by Objectives ? Explain the goal-setting process through Management by Objectives.

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Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Management by Objectives. What are the minimum requirements of an Management by Objectives programme ?

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"Efficient management is management by objectives." In the light of this statement, discuss the essential characteristics of Management by Objectives.

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Define Management by Objectives. Explain the Management by Objectives Cycle.

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What is meant by Management by Objectives ? What are the different steps involved in it .

Q 22  What do you understand by the term 'forecasting' ? How is it related to planning ? Explain its significance.

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"Looking ahead is the essence of managment." (Henri Fayol) Discuss the statement bringing out clearly the meaning of forecasting.

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"'Sound forecasting are the foundations of business management." Discuss the statement.

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What do you understand by forecasting ? Explain its nature and significance.

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What are elements of forecasting process ? Discuss its advantages and limitations.

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"Planning and forecasting arc inextricably, intertwined." Discuss.

Q.23. Briefly explain the various techniques used in business forecasting.

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Discuss the forecasting methods as used by managers to forecast the future. What are the limitations of statistical methods of forecast 7 How would you select a suitable forecasting technique

Q 24  What do you understand by decision making ? What are its basic elements ?

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"Decision is an art of choice wherein an executive forms a conclusion about what must not be done in a given situation." Comment. In the light of this statement bring out clearly the meaning and characteristics of decision making.

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"Decision making is the primary test of management." Discuss this statement and explain the process of decision making.

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"Whatever a manager does, he does through decision making." Critically examine this statement.

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What is the significance of decision making ? What procedure should be followed in arriving at a correct decision ?

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"Decision making is the vehicle for carrying managerial workload and discharging the managerial responsibilities." Evaluate the statement and examine the significance of rational decision making in management.

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"Decision making is at the core of planning." Discuss this statement and spell out the nature of decision making.

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What is decision making ? What are the important factors that influence decision making ?

Q.25 . Discuss in brief different theories of decision making.

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What are the principles of decision making ? How and why the employee participation in decision making process should be introduced ?

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Make out a case for employees' participation in decision making.

Q.26 . "Policies are guide-posts for managerial action." Discuss this statement and give at least two examples of policies in any area of business management.

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What is `policy' ? What characteristics do policies have ? Also discuss various classifications of an industrial policy.

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"Policies establish the framework upon which planning procedures and programmes are constructed." Discuss the statement bringing out the meaning and characteristics of policy.

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What is `policy formulation' ? What is the process of policy formulation ?

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What is `policy' ? What are the essentials of a sound policy ?

Q. 27. Explain the models of decision making behaviour of managers.

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What are the approaches to decision making behaviour of managers ? Discuss.

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Discuss and compare the classical and behavioural models of decision making.

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What is bounded rationality ? Discuss the limits to rationality.

Q 28 . What is meant by `leadership' ? What are its important characteristics ? Spell out the significance of leadership.

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What is leadership ? Why is there a need for leadership ? Discuss various styles of leadership.

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Define leadership. Explain the nature of leadership. What is the importance of leadership ?

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"Management is executive leadership; it makes things happen and gets things done through others." Discuss.

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Briefly discuss various leadership styles and also refer to their advantages, disadvantages and conditions of use. Which is the best style in your opinion ?

Q 29 . Briefly describe various theories of leadership.

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Discuss different approaches to leadership.

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Explain the main theories of leadership.

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Differentiate between tratist and situationalist theories. Which of the

two is near to the modern thinking?

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Ely crate the qualities of leadership.

Q. 30 How would you define motivation ? Set out the importance of motivation in an organisation.

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What is motivation ' Discuss its nature and process.

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Define motivation. Explain important characteristics of motivation and the motivational process.

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Explain the meaning and significance of motivation. What would be important elements of a sound motivation system ?

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`Magic power of liquid cash is still an important motivator'. Comment and set out the essential requirements of a motivation system.

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Explain the term motivation. What does motivate people in an organisation "

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"Motivation is getting the members of the team to pull weight effectively, to give their loyalty to group, to carry out properly the activities allocated and generally to play an efficient part in the purpose or task that the organisation has undertaken." Discuss the importance of motivation with reference to this statement. Explain the methods of motivation that can be adopted by the management.

Q 31  Briefly describe the modern theories of motivation.

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How do McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y of human behaviour help motivation of employees ? Do you think an integrated approach, an amalgam of these two theories may be more effective in our country 7 Comment.

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"A more complete theory of motivation recognises that an individual works to fulfil a variety of need" Examine critically. (Maslow's Needs Hierarchy).

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Discuss Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory.

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Define and distinguish between Theory X and Theory Y of motivation.

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Distinguish between Maslow's need priority model and Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation.

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Examine Abraham Maslow's theory. How does this theory help managers in motivating employees ?

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Identify and briefly explain the various approaches to motivation.

Q.32.. What is morale ? How do you measure it ? Explain the techniques of ``maintaining and improving employee morale.

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How morale is related with motivation and productivity ? What measures would you take as a manager-leader to build the morale of your men ?

Q.33 Briefly describe Ouchi's Theory Z.

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What is Theory Z management ? Discuss briefly.

Q 34.  Define communication. What is the purpose of communication in an organisation? Discuss the nature of communication process in the direction of men at work.

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What is management communication? Explain its importance in business management.

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What are the elements of the communication process? Detail out the factors responsible for ever-enlarging scope and importance of communication.

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What are various types of communication? Briefly discuss them.

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Explain the principal barriers to managerial communications. Suggest maesures for removing them.

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What is communication? What steps would you suggest to make the communication network effective in an industrial undertaking?

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What is the importance of communication in an industrial organisation? How will you ensure effective communication in a large manufacturing organisation? Explain.

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Define communication. Mention the essential elements of communication.

Q. 35. What is coordination ? Explain its importance.

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Define `coordination'. What are its important features ? Discuss salient techniques of coordination.

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"Coordination is the essence of management." Discuss the importance of coordination in the light of this statement.

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"Each of the managerial functions is an exercise contributing to coordination" Discuss. Explain the importance of coordination,

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' Explain meaning of coordination. What are the principles of coordination ? Explain the need of coordination.

Q 36 . What is meant by managerial control? Explain the nature of control

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Define control. Discuss the importance of control in organisational system. Explain the elements of control.

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What are the basic steps of control? Discuss the requirements of an effective control system.

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Define control. Explain various types of control used in an organisation.

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"Planning is looking ahead and control is looking back." Comment.

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"Planning is meaningless without control and control is aimless without planning. " Discuss

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"Planning and control are the inseparable twins of management." Comment.

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"Control is best aimed at results not at people as such." Discuss the essentials of an effective control in the light of this statement.

Q 37 Discuss briefly the various managerial control techniques.

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Discuss the objectives of budgetory control. What are the benefits and limitations of budgetary control?

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Explain the term `budgetary control.' What are the prerequisites for effective budgetary system?

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"Budgetary control still continues to be an effective technique of managerial control" Discuss this statement and suggest steps to make budgetary control more effective.

Q 38 . Define the term 'social responsibility'. is it necessary that a company should feel responsibility towards social and community development ?

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What do you understand by corporate social responsibility ? The objective function of a business is to maximise profits. It has nothing to do with the social responsibilities. Do you agree with this ?

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"The responsibility of business do not end with caring for their own factories, their own business and their own men. They owe a debt to society". Comment.

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Discuss in brief the major social responsibilities of a business manager.

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"Economic goals and social obligation of business are always in conflux with each other and cannot be reconciled" Comment.

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Discuss the arguments for and against the social responsibility of business.

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"Social responsibility, of business is an exercise of balancing of objectives of society on one hand and the objectives of the business on the other hand" Discuss.

Q.39. What is the concept, nature and process of planned change ? Discuss.

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flow a planned change can be introduced in an enterprise ? Explain.

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Why do people resist change ? Suggest measures to overcome resistance to change.

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What is change ? Discuss how a manager manages change effectively ?

Q.40. Write a note on 'emerging horizons of management in changing environment.'

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Discuss the tasks expected to he performed by future management to effectively deal with the various challenges in future.

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Write an explanatory note on challenges of management in future.

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"Managerial environment in future is going to be more challenging requiring high degree of professionalisation from managers." Comment.

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Discuss the important challenges to management in future. How can they be met ?

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"The manager of tomorrow will not be a bigger man than his father was before him." In the light of this statement discuss the tasks expected to he performed by future managers to affectively deal with management challenges.

Q 41 Define organisation. What are its basic principles? Explain.          

Q.42. What are organisation charts ? Discuss their advantages and limitations.

Q.43.. What do you understand by span of management? Explain the factors that determine the span of management. What is its impact on organisation?

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`The span of management is the corner-stone concept in traditional management theory.' Do you agree?

Q.44. What is an informal organisation? How does it differ from a formal organisation ''

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Define a formal and an informal organisation. Explain the difference between the two.

Q.45. What is informal organisation numerate the salient characteristics of informal organisations.   

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What do you understand by informal organisation ? Why informal organsiations emerge ? Explain.

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Discuss the managerial implications of informal organisations.

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What are the benefits of informal organisations ? Explain their dysfunctions too.

Q 46  Discuss the meaning, methods and importance of departmentalisation. What basic factors would you keep in mind while creating departments in an enterprise?

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"The organisation structure should divide and group the activities of an enterprise that they contribute most effectively and efficiently to the attainment of enterprise purpose." Discuss the statement and short' the place of `departmentalisation' in an organisation.

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What is departmentalisation? What are its bases? Explain its need.

Q47.  What do you understand by the term `authority' in relation to an organisation ? Row Max Weber distinguishes between organisation types on the. basis of authority ?

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"Authority does not always exact obedience." Explain.

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Explain the reasons as to why subordinates comply with their superior's authority ?

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Explain the concept of `responsibility'. Can responsibility be delegated ?

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Explain in brief the vertical dimensions of the organisation.

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What is `managerial hierarchy' ? Explain this concept with the help of a diagram.

Q.48. What is meant by delegation of authority? What are the elements of the process of delegation? Explain the benefits of delegation.

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Define delegation of authority. Briefly discuss the principles of delegation. What are barriers to effective delegation?

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"Delegation has been called as the hey to organisation. " Discuss explaining the meaning and basic principles of delegation.

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What is delegation of authority? Bring out the difference between delegation and decentralisation.

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What are the obstacles in effective delegation? What would you suggest to achieve effective delegation?

Q.49. What are centralisation and decentralisation ? Explain the merits and limitations of decentralisation.

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Define delegation and decentralisation. Explain the difference between delegation and decentralisation. What factors determine the degree of decentralisation? How would you measure the degree of decentralisation?

Q 50 . What do You understand by `staffing' ?

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Define `staffing' a Describe the need and importance of staffing function in an enterprise.

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"Staffing the formal process of ensuring that the organisation has qualified workers at all levels to meet its short-term and long-term objectives". Elucidate. Briefly explain the major principles of staffing.

Q 51 . What is the staffing process ? Explain the steps involved in this process.

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Briefly describe the elements of staffing functions.

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What is the importance of placement and orientation for effective job performance of a new employees.

Q. 52  Explain the sources of recruitment  of new employees.

                                                   or

What are the different sources of recruitment ? Discuss their advantages and limitations.

Q.53. Explain in detail the process of selection.

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Discuss the various steps or elements involved in the`3elect,on process.

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Do you agree that combination of written test and interview provides better results in selection.

Q.54. What are the objective of training and development? Discuss their need and importance.

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Explain in brief the various methods adopted for training the employees in an organisation.

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Why is training so important for manpower development ?

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Describe in brief the techniques used under off-the-job training.

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What are the steps involved in the training and development process ?

Q 55. Write a note on `Organisation as a socio-technical system'.

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"Organisation is a socio-technical system". Explain. Also describe briefly the principles which the socio-technical approach follows.

Q.56. Discuss the Concept of Organisational Climate. What are its important Elements ? Explain the Nature of Organisational Climate

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What is Organisation climate ? Discuss its impart on the working of an Organisation and its members

Q.57. What is status ? What are its Determinants ? What are the various categories of status ? Explain.

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Discuss the relevance and functional value of status systems.

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Explain the dysfunctions of status systems and distinctions.

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Write notes on : (r) Status Systems (ii) Status Equity (iii) Status Symbols (iv) Status motive.

Q.58. What is conflict ? What are its sources ?

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What do you understand by conflict ? Discuss various consequences of conflict.

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What are causes of conflict ? How would you resolve them ?

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What are the main strategies to deal with conflict ? Explain them in brief.

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How would you manage conflict in your organisation ? Explain.

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"Modern approach to conflict in quite different from traditional approach". Explain.

Q.59. Define Organisation Development. What are Organisation Development values Explain.           

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What do you understand by Organisation Development (Organisation Development) ? Briefly explain the objectives of Organisation Development.

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What is Organisation Development process ? Explain.

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What is an Organisation Development intervention ? Explain any two Organisation Development interventions.

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Explain the concept of Grid Organisation Development.

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Write notes on the following :

              I.      Role analysis

           II.      Team building

         III.      Sensitivity training

        IV.      Transactional analysis

           V.      Survey feedback

        VI.      Third party peace making.

      VII.      Confrontation meeting.

   VIII.       Quality of work life (OWL)

 

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