Indian Management Thoughts and Practices April 2002 University Question Paper

April 2002

N.B. (1) Both the sections are compulsory

(2) Section I : All the questions are compulsory

(3) Section II : Attempt any three out of five questions.

(4) Figures to the right indicate marks.

Section I

(1)    Answer briefly: (10)

(a)    Explain the concept of karma

(b)   What is a learning organization?

(c)    What are the different styles of leadership?

(d)   What important issue was brought out in ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’?

(e)   How relevant are ethics to business?

(2)    Analyze the following case study and answer the questions given below:

Mr. P. B. Rao looked back at his career in the consumer goods company (Manufacturing soaps, detergents and toiletries, which was a part of a large Indian business) with pride and satisfaction. He had joined the company in the early seventies as a management trainee and rose to the position of General Manager (Marketing) after a service of over thirty years.

As a management trainee, he had received training in each department of the company is manufacturing finance, personnel etc. After a period of one year he was appointed as a junior executive in the marketing Department. The Head of the Department assigned a set of products to him and gave him challenging targets. Mr. Rao worked hard and tried his best to justify the confidence the boss had placed in him.

Because of his good performance Mr. Rao’s responsibilities were increased and he was given charge of additional products. His job also involved touring different parts of the country. After three years Mr. Rao decided that in order to progress in his career he should take up a part time evening course in Business Management. He was happy that the company agreed to pay the fees.

On completion of the course Mr. Rao was promoted as Brand Manager. Thereafter he progressed steadily but not specularly in his career. Because of his long hours of work, the responsibility of his childrens education fill mainly on his wife.

One of his sons qualified as a computer professional and was selected to join the same business group where Mr. Rao had served. The job involved signing a bond for three years which the son signed and for which Mr. Rao was one of the guarantors. The son was sent abroad for training in computers and on his return was appointed as a Project Manager.

One day the son informed the father that he had received an extremely lucrative offer from a computer grant in the U.S. which he desired to accept. Mr. Rao was disturbed as his son had not served the bond period and in any case he strongly disapproved of job hopping.

(a)    What are the conflicts brought out by this case? (10)

(b)   In your opinion should the son accept the offer in the U.S. Justify. (10)

Section II

(3)    Compare and contrast the value systems of India with that of U.S.A. (10)

(4)    Is leadership situational? Explain giving examples. (10)

(5)    How important is it for organizations to ensure that ecological balance in nature is maintained when setting up a new factory/plant? (10)

(6)    The ancient scriptures state ‘As the king so the people’ Apply this principle to modern day organizations. (10)

(7)    What are the essential differences between traditional and modern methods of learning? (10)