Principles of Management

SVKMS NMIMS
Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce

Program: B.B.A./BSc.(Finance)/BCom(Hons.) I Year Semester I
Academic Year 2021-2022
Subject: Principles of Management Date:
Marks: 50 Time: 2
hours
Term End Examination 2021-2022
Instructions: Candidates should read carefully the instructions printed on the question paper and
on the cover of the Answer book, which is provided for their use
NB:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Support your answers with examples.
3. Figures in bold on the right hand side of questions indicate full marks.
1. The TATA group has an ambitious plan for “TATA digital” its youngest business built around
the “super app” theme. The super app is like a digital mall where the customer can buy everything
they require be it groceries, medicines, clothes and much more. The TATA group plans to host
products and services across e-commerce, financial services, fashion, lifestyle amongst others. In
order to build the same TATA has acquired a number of companies like Big Basket, 1 MG (online
medicines), Curefit, JustDial. There have been reports that they are in the market to buy Dunzo
and a payment wallet.
a) Each of these businesses is expected to operate on their own as separate businesses. However,
TATA is looking at opportunities of cross selling (a person who buys fashion also buys groceries
etc.) amongst the various divisions. Hence while the businesses will be independent and operating
under the TATA digital banner – there will be a need for coordination between the departments.
List 3 benefits of this organizational structure and 2 methods to ensure coordination between the
departments 5 marks
b) During acquisitions – a major concern for the company being acquired is that of a culture
change. While TATA plans to allow the companies to operate on their own, some of the TATA
culture and synergies of a large organization are expected to trickle down into their organization.
This will cause a level of discomfort in the organization. Explain the model TATA Digital should
use to help acquired employees adapt to the change. 5 marks
2. Raman and Aman are the managers in the same company. Before starting a project Raman said
‘Let’s start planning’. But Aman said ‘No’ to planning because he thinks that organization has to
constantly adapt itself to changes. It became difficult to accurately assess future trends in the
environment and once the plans are in the process of implementation, managers are not allowed to
deviate from plans nor are they allowed to act on their own. Other than this there are number of
incidental costs like expenses on boardroom meetings, discussions with professional experts and
preliminary investigations to find out the viability of plan. Further he says planning takes so much
time that no time is left for the implementation. On the other hand, Raman is of an opposite view
as he says that planning by stating in advance is what is to be done and how it is to be done. It
shows the way to deal with changes and uncertain events. Planning helps a manager to look into
the future and make choice from amongst various alternative courses of action. It provides goals
and standards against which actual performance is measured.
a) Based on the above discussion, explain the importance and limitation of planning? 5 marks
b) How planning determines the adaptability of an organization? 5 marks
3. Read the following case and answer the below questions 10 marks
Recently, Rohit Bajaj, the CEO of food aggregator firm Quick Chef, fired 200 employees over a
single 5-minute Zoom call. The termination was implemented effective immediately for 16% of
the workforce. In his blunt tone, he reasoned it out that employees were lazy, unproductive, and
stealing from their customers. He further mentioned that such a big layoff was due to market
fluctuations. The controversial Zoom call lay-off has triggered a mass resignation in Quick Chef.
Rohit was being strongly advised to not do this over a zoom call and conduct the lay off in phases.
He refused to listen to others. In fact, he wanted to create a history and teach his employees a
lesson.
This recent incident has raised several questions on how a leader should direct, motivate and lead
organisations. What distinguishes a forceful leader, in business or politics, is self-confidence and
charisma. Great leaders are bold and strong-willed. They have a vision for creating something new
or remaking a company or a country. They challenge conventional wisdom and are slowed by
neither self-doubt nor criticism. These are the individuals whom corporate boards tend to select as
CEOs, especially in times of upheaval, when the status quo is failing. They’re adept at self-
promotion and shine in job interviews. Then, once they’re in power, we find out who they really
are.
Sometimes they’re as good as their promise. But many turn out to be not just confident but arrogant
and entitled. Instead of being bold, they’re merely impulsive. They lack empathy and exploit others
without compunction. They ignore expert advice and treat those who differ with contempt and
hostility. Above all, they demand personal loyalty. They are, in short, raging narcissists.
a) In the light of mass layoffs, what advice would you give Mr. Rohit Bajaj in motivating his
existing workforce? The mass layoffs have eroded which human need as per the hierarchy of
needs theory and the McClelland’s three-need theory? 5 marks
b) What traits make a good leader? Explain the leadership style followed by Mr. Rohit?
5 marks
4. Safety4U is a cybersecurity company giving specialized services to corporates by testing out
networks and exposing attack vulnerabilities. Safety4U consultants also take up short term
contracts for maintaining networks for firms.
a) What type of span of control would be suitable for this firm and why? 5 marks
b) In reference to Likert’s Leadership styles, is the authoritative leadership suitable for
managing employees in this firm? Why or why not? 5 marks
Q5) Write Short notes on the following (Any 2 out of 4) 10 marks

1. Learning Organizations
2. Digital Taylorism
3. Mintzberg Managerial Roles
4. Focus-Energy Matrix

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SVKMS NMIMS

Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce

b) How planning determines the adaptability of an organization? 5 marks

Q5) Write Short notes on the following (Any 2 out of 4) 10 marks

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