Test Papers / Previous Question Papers of IGNOU MS1 Management Functions and Behaviour June 2000

MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Term-End Examination

June, 2000

MS1 : MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS AND BEHAVIOUR

Time: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 100
(Weightage 70%)

SECTION A

1 Explain the approaches to leadership and discuss which could be the best suitable style of leadership. Give reasons.

2 “Communication is considered to be the most important and most effective ingredient of the management process.” Elaborate this statement and discuss the underlying concept with suitable examples.

3 Discuss whether you need any control when everything is going as planned.

4 Define organisational structure and explain with suitable examples, how structure and productivity can be linked to each other.

5 Define and differentiate between centralisation and decentralisation of authority. Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems in organisational context.

6 Write short notes on any three of the following :
(i) Delphi technique
(i) Johari Window
(iii) Democratic vs Laissez-Faire
(iv) Semantic barrier
(v) Informal groups

SECTION B

7 Read the case given below and answer the questions given at the end.

Ms. Subhashini had graduated with a degree in foreign languages. As the child of a military family, she had visited many parts of the world and had traveled extensively in Europe. Despite these broadening experiences, she had never given much thought to a career until her recent divorce from Mr. Srinivas.

Needing to provide her own income, Ms. Subhashini began to look for work. After a fairly intense but unsuccessful search for a job related to her foreign language degree, she began to evaluate her other skills. She had become a proficient typist in college and decided to look into secretarial work. Although she still wanted a career utilizing her foreign language skills, she felt that the immediate financial pressures would be eased in a temporary secretarial position.

Within a short period of time, she was hired as a clerk/typist in a typing pool at Life Insurance Company. Six months later, she became the top typist in the pool and was assigned as secretary to Mrs. Arora, manager of marketing research. She was pleased to get out of the pool and to get a job that had more variety in the tasks to perform. Besides, she also got a nice raise in pay.

Everything seemed to proceed will for the next nine months. Mrs. Arora was pleased with Subhashini’s work, and she seemed happy with her work. Subhashini applied for a few other more professional jobs in other areas during this time. However, each time her application was rejected for lack of related education and/or experience in the area.

Over the next few months, Arora noticed changes in Subhashini. She did not always dress as neatly as she had in the past, she was occasionally late for work, some of her lunches extended to two hours, and most of her productive work was done in the morning hours. Arora did not wish to say anything because Subhashini had been doing an excellent job and her job tasks still were being accomplished on time. However, Subhashini’s job behavior continued to worsen. She began to be absent frequently on Mondays or Fridays. The two-hour lunch periods became standard, and her work performance began to deteriorate. In addition, Arora began to suspect that Subhashini was drinking heavily, due to her appearance some mornings and behavior after her two-hour lunches.

Arora decided that she must confront Subhashini with the problem. However, she wanted to find a way to help her without losing a valuable employee. Before she could set up a meeting, Subhashini burst through her door after lunch one day and said :

“I want to talk to you Mrs. Arora.”

“That’s fine,” Arora replied, “ Shall we set a convenient time?”

“No ! I want to talk now.”

“OK, why don’t you sit down and let’s talk?”

Arora noticed that Subhashini was slurring her words slightly and she was not too steady.

“Mrs. Arora, I need some vacation time.”

“I’m sure we can work that out. You’ve been with the company for over a year and have two weeks’ vacation coming.”

“No, you don’t understand. I want to start it tomorrow.”

“But, Subhashini, we need to plan to get a temporary replacement. We can’t just let your job go for two weeks.”

“Why not? Anyway anyone with an IQ above 50 can do my job. Besides, I need the time off.”

“Subhashini, are you sure you are all right?”

“Yes, I just need some time away from the job.”

Arora decided to let Subhashini have the vacation, which would allow her some time to decide what to do about the situation.

Arora thought about the situation the next couple of days. It was possible that Subhashini was an alcoholic. Hoever, she also seemed to have a negative reaction to her job. Maybe Subhashini was bored with her job. She did not have the experience or job skills to move to a different type of job at present. Arora decided to meet with the Personnel Manager and get some help developing her options to deal with Subhashini’s problem.

Questions :

1. What is the problem in your opinion? Elaborate.
2. Assume that you are the Personnel Manager. What are the alternatives available with Mrs. Arora?
3. What do you consider the best alternative? Why?