EXECUTIVE M.B.A. DEGREE EXAMINATION, MAY 2017
First and Second Years
PERSPECTIVES OF MANAGEMENT
Time 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 70
SECTION-A × 5 15)
Answer Three questions
Q1) Scope of Management.
MBO.
Decentralisation.
EDPs.
Leadership traits.
Plural executive.
SECTION-B × 15 45)
Answer Three questions.
Q2) Define Management. Explain its functions.
Q3) Briefly explain different types of plans.
Q4) Give an overview on decision tree analysis.
Q5) State the features of formal and informal organizations.
Q6) Enumerate the role of media in communication.
Q7) Bringout the management development practices in India.
SECTION-C
Compulsory
Q8) Case study
Dr.R.R. Pandit, a professor of strategic management, proposed a topic for group
discussion to be discussed on the next day. The topic was 'Rationality in
Business Decision-Making'. As per schedule, Dr. Pandit introduced the topic
and asked the students to proceed.
First Student: I think, in professional management, most decisions are rational.
When professional managers are responsible to take decisions for impersonal
needs, and when decisions are based on facts and processed information,
decisions tend to be rational.
Second Student: No, this in not always the case. Professional managers are
human beings. Their personality traits are always reflected in the decisions they
make. They are required to apply their creativity and talent. As a result, there is
limit to rationality in decision-making. Decisions can never be purely rational.
Third Student: You are right. The decision-making mechanism does not permit
rationality. Decisions can be made rationally if we remove human organism
from the decision-making mechanism. This is impossible.
Fourth Student: I think the need of creativity and active involvement of human
factor in decision-making restricts pure rational decisions. Evaluation and
selection are based on decision-maker's motivation, perception, personality, and
learned experience. In addition, choice of the alternative depends on
personalized and qualitative information and its interpretations. In addition, our
decisions are significantly affected by others
Fifth Student: Decisions need to be rational. They can be rational if some
conditions are fulfilled. It seems impossible. Pure rational decisions are not
possible. However, the decision-maker must follow certain principles for
successful decision-making. Maturity level of the decision-maker and his
commitment to organizational objectives can make a difference.
Other students did not contribute to the group discussion. Professor Pandit
concluded, 'You are all right in your own way.' The professor left the
conference room and the discussion ended.
Questions:
According to you, what is rational decision?
Why is pure rational decision-making not possible?