2017

Section A (50 marks)

1. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o (a) Management by exception
o (b) Principle of accountability
o (c) Empowered organization
o (d) Trait theory
o (e) Cynical puppeteering of people
2. Answer the following:
o (a) "The critics of organizational theory are of the view that the modern theory of
organization is like 'an old wine in a new bottle'." Examine this statement. (20 marks)
o (b) Organizational environment decides the success or failure of an enterprise. Do you agree?
Provide arguments. (20 marks)
o (c) Virtual organization emphasizes the vitality and growth of an organization. Elucidate. (10
marks)
3. Answer the following:
o (a) Theories of motivation are not competitive but require integration. Suggest steps for this
integration. (20 marks)
o (b) "Quality circles tend to show little or no effect on productivity." Do you agree? Provide a
framework to improve. (20 marks)
o (c) "Leadership vacuum works as a double-edged sword." Discuss the implications. (10
marks)
4. Answer the following:
o (a) Explain the technique of management by objectives and provide suggestions for
improvement. (20 marks)
o (b) Discuss the internal and external changes management must consider in policy framing.
(20 marks)
o (c) Line and staff functions in a modern organization are irrelevant. Do you agree? Comment.
(10 marks)

Section B (50 marks)

5. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o (a) Job-psychographic method
o (b) 360° feedback system
o (c) Merit rating vs. job rating
o (d) Strikes vs. Lockouts
o (e) International Labour Organization (ILO)
6. Answer the following:
o (a) "One thing is now universally accepted: in the long run, the cost of not training is always
more than the cost of training." Comment. (20 marks)
o (b) "In an organization, we pay for jobs but not for men." Do you agree? Discuss how job
evaluation affects human relations. (20 marks)
7. Answer the following:
o (a) An employee challenges your company's decision to hire externally despite a promotion-
from-within policy. Draft a response. (10 marks)
o (b) "The Indian trade union movement has failed to serve the purpose of its formation."
Develop a framework to improve trade unions in India. (20 marks)
o (c) Discuss the essentials of a satisfactory wage system, methods of wage payment, and their
merits and demerits. (20 marks)
8. Answer the following:
o (a) "One of the instruments of industrial democracy is workers’ participation in
management." Comment and provide suggestions to improve participation. (20 marks)
o (b) Define employee selection and explain types of selection tests used. (10 marks)
o (c) Examine the influence of human resource outsourcing on businesses and suggest relevant
measures for improvement. (20 marks)
 2018
Section A (50 marks)

1. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o (a) Benchmarking
o (b) Organisational Re-engineering
o (c) Halo Effect
o (d) Adaptive Coping Cycle
o (e) Red-tapism

2. Answer the following:

o (a) How does a learning organisation differ from a traditional organisation? What impact do these
differences have on the way people are managed? (20 marks)
o (b) "The political power game is very real in modern organisations." Comment on this statement.
Also, examine its postulates of power in organisations that help focus on the political realities. (20
marks)
o (c) What is meant by impression management? Distinguish between impression motivation and
impression construction. (10 marks)

3. Answer the following:

o (a) "There are a number of misconceptions about the glass ceiling." What are some of these? Also,
what can organisations do to help break the glass ceiling? (20 marks)
o (b) What are the major contributions of Herzberg’s theory of motivation? Do you think it makes a
contribution to the better understanding of motivation in the workplace? Comment and give
arguments in support of your answer. (20 marks)
o (c) What is the nature of ‘selfs’ in the Johari Window? What implications does each have for
interpersonal conflict? (10 marks)

4. Answer the following:

o (a) “The overriding purpose of Quality of Work Life (QWL) is to change the climate at work so that
the human-technological-organisational interface leads to a better quality of work life.” Examine this
statement. How do gaps create problems for this interface? (20 marks)
o (b) What are some styles of charismatic leadership? Critically examine the Robert House theory of
charismatic leadership in the context of the Indian scenario. (20 marks)
o (c) Examine the attributes of a virtual organisation. Also, assess their implications in the Indian
corporate sector. (10 marks)

Section B (50 marks)

5. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o (a) OCTAPAC Culture
o (b) Repertory Grid
o (c) Golden Handshake
o (d) Standing Orders
o (e) Dissolution of Trade Union

6. Answer the following:

o (a) “Merit-based promotion leads to dissatisfaction of all except one, hence the resulting effect is
negative; seniority-based promotion has the distinctive advantage of satisfying all in due course of
time.” Critically evaluate this system. Also, suggest a suitable promotion policy for Indian enterprises.
(20 marks)
o (b) “Demand forecasting of human resource is the process of estimating the future quantity and
quality of people required.” In the light of this statement, evaluate various techniques specially
applicable to the service industry. (20 marks)
 o (c) What is meant by attrition rate? Why and how are Indian information technology and marketing
companies facing this growing attrition rate? Develop a suggestive framework to overcome these
problems. (10 marks)

7. Answer the following:

o (a) How is a performance management system different from a performance appraisal system? Also,
explain how customized performance appraisals can be used as a strategic tool for a performance
management system. (20 marks)
o (b) “Collective bargaining is important to both employers and employees, but there are certain snags.”
Do you agree with this statement? Suggest measures to make the process more effective. (20 marks)
o (c) “The basic aim of talent management is to develop and maintain a talent pool consisting of a
skilled, engaged, and committed workforce.” Do you agree with this comment? Assess its
implications in the context of recent government initiatives for the development of talent management
in the country. (10 marks)

8. Answer the following:

o (a) “In India, workers' participation in management is a farce and an ineffective mechanism but it can
be reinforced with suitable legal initiatives.” Comment and offer your suggestions to make the legal
framework more effective and viable. (20 marks)
o (b) Discuss the objectives and functions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Also,
critically examine its pattern of structure and contribution in the field of the Indian labour market. (20
marks)
o (c) “It is often argued that reward systems should be adjusted in line with changing organisational
strategic objectives — yet in the real world, this is not often the case.” Comment on this statement.
(10 marks)
 2019
Section A (50 marks)

1. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o (a) Goal Succession
o (b) Span of Management
o (c) Managerial Grid
o (d) Quality Circles
o (e) Perceptual Selectivity

2. Explain the concept and rationale of decentralization. What are the factors that influence
decentralization? (20 marks)
3. “The line managers’ orientation differs considerably from that of expert advisors.” Examine this
statement. (10 marks)
4. What are the main features of Neo-Classical Organisation Theory? Explain the implications of this
theory for organizational design. (20 marks)
5. “There is a need for integrating individual and organizational goals for effective performance.”
Explain this statement. (10 marks)
6. “It is desirable to measure the personality of organizational members to take advantage of their
personality characteristics.” Elucidate this statement and explain various methods of measuring
personality. (20 marks)
7. Explain the nature of perception. How does management affect perception in the organization? (20
marks)
8. “Organizational change has to be managed on technological, social, and economic dimensions.”
Elaborate on this statement. What precautions should be taken in a democratic setup to make change
acceptable to the personnel? (20 marks)
9. What do you understand by role conflict? What are its causes? Discuss methods to overcome role
conflict. (10 marks)
10. “Transactional analysis is a method of analyzing and understanding interpersonal behavior.”
Examine this statement. (10 marks)

Section B (50 marks)

1. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o (a) Job Specification
o (b) Human Resource Planning
o (c) Trade Union Rivalry
o (d) Exit Policy
o (e) Wages vs. Productivity

2. Explain the concept of ‘Management by Exception.’ What are its limitations? Suggest measures to
overcome them. (10 marks)
3. “The fundamental aim of industrial relations is to maintain sound relations between employees and
employers.” Elucidate this statement. What are the various approaches to industrial relations? (20
marks)
4. “The compliance with statutory labour welfare provisions in India is half-hearted and inadequate.”
Do you agree with this statement? Comment. (20 marks)
5. “The Trade Union movement in India has not developed on healthy lines.” Examine this statement.
(10 marks)
6. “Job analysis is useful for the overall management of all personnel activities.” In the light of this
statement, explain the purpose and methods of job analysis. (20 marks)
7. “Performance appraisal is not merely for appraisal but also for accomplishment and improvement of
performance.” Comment. (20 marks)
8. “Selection is virtually a kind of elimination process.” In light of this statement, explain the objectives
and process of selection. (20 marks)
9. What are the recommendations of the International Labour Organization for minimizing labour
problems related to the international workforce? To what extent have these recommendations been
fulfilled in the Indian context? (20 marks)
10. What are the causes of industrial disputes? Explain the steps taken for preventing and settling
industrial disputes in India. (10 marks)
 2020

Section A (50 marks)

1. Explain each of the following in about 150 words:

o Line and Staff Conflicts and their resolution
o Social Systems Approach of Management
o Integrative Model of Leadership
o Problems of Management by Objectives (MBO)
o Assumptions of Theory X and Theory Y

2. (a) "A manager, while delegating authority, should observe certain principles." Elaborate. (20 marks)
(b) Explain the different types of conflicts in an organization. What are the different styles of
handling interpersonal conflicts? (20 marks)
(c) "Perception consists of three elements: the perceiver, the context, and the target." Elaborate. (10
marks)
3. (a) What are the reasons for adopting a matrix organization? Discuss the various problems involved
in it. (20 marks)
(b) What are the determinants of personality? Explain the major attributes influencing organizational
behavior. (20 marks)
(c) Discuss the different tactics used to gain power in an organization. (10 marks)

Section B (50 marks)

1. Explain each of the following in about 150 words:

o Talent Management
o Adjudication and Collective Bargaining
o Principles of Wage and Salary Administration
o Transfers and Separations
o Computerized and Web-based Method of Performance Appraisal

2. (a) What are the different barriers to an effective training programme in an organization? (20 marks)
(b) "The main concern of trade unions is that such unionism will lead to fragmentation and
weakening of the trade union movement." In light of this statement, discuss the challenges faced by
different trade unions. (20 marks)
(c) Discuss the influences of ILO on Indian labor legislation and the system of labor relations. (10
marks)
3. (a) "Human Resource Planning (HRP) is essentially concerned with the most effective use of scarce
talent." Justify. (20 marks)
(b) "Job analysis is mainly and essentially a data collection process." In light of this statement,
elaborate on the different methods of data collection. Compare Position Analysis Questionnaire
(PAQ) with Management Position Description Questionnaire (MPDQ). (20 marks)
(c) "A good incentive plan should have sufficient incentives for workers to raise their output and also
should not put undue burden on management." Elaborate. (10 marks)
4. (a) "Management Development Programmes (MDPs) are understood as a conscious effort to
improve managerial effectiveness through a planned and deliberate learning process." In light of this
statement, discuss the two broad methods of developing managers and supervisors in an
organization. (20 marks)
(b) "Management should try to remove the irritants which encourage the exit of workers." In view of
this, discuss the different methods of reducing labor turnover. (20 marks)
(c) "The objective of workers’ participation has been to bring labor and management closer and work
for achieving organizational goals." In this context, discuss the various reasons responsible for the
failure of workers’ participation schemes in India. (10 marks)
 2021

Section A (50 marks)

1. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o Non-Verbal Communication
o Factors Affecting Quality of Work Life
o Transformational Leadership
o Sources of Resistance to Change
o Power and Authority

2. Explain the following:

o The environment as a major contingency that an organization must plan for and adapt to.
o The important structural dimensions of organizations.
o The difference between rules and norms, and their importance in organizational design.

3. Comment on the following statements:

o "An organization without goals is like a rudderless ship." Explain the importance of goals.
o Explain the objectives and phases involved in establishing a Quality Circle system for an
organization.
o "Organic structures are the opposite of mechanistic structures." Discuss.

4. Explain the following:

o How promotion can be used as a tool to enhance job performance.
o The relevance of Transactional Analysis in modern organizations and the key types of transactions.
o The Path-Goal theory of leadership and its associated leadership styles.

Section B (50 marks)

1. Explain the following in about 150 words each:

o Strike vs. Lockout
o Performance Management
o Philosophy of Workers’ Participation in Management
o Scope of Industrial Relations
o Labour Absenteeism

2. Explain the following:

o The importance and types of training in organizations.
o What constitutes a good job description, and methods for collecting job description information.
o Placement and the components of an Employee Induction Programme.

3. Discuss the following:

o Different types of tests used in employee selection.
o The implications of Maslow’s need hierarchy theory and Herzberg’s two-factor theory in relation to
employee motivation and compensation.
o The difference between traditional and modern methods of Performance Appraisal.

4. Critically evaluate the following:

o "Trade unions are an impediment to the growth of industry." Do you agree? Discuss the role of trade
unions in the present context.
o "Industrial conflict is basically a struggle between management and workers." Examine this
statement.
o The importance of industrial relations (IR) and how it can be enhanced in organizations.
 2022

Section A (50 marks)

1. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

 (a) “MBO (Management by Objectives) is a mixed blessing.”

 (b) How does the matrix structure challenge the unity-of-command principle?
 (c) Discuss the impact of personality traits on organizational behavior.
 (d) Define the 'systems approach' in organizational theory evolution.
 (e) Discuss the key systems of organizational effectiveness.

2. Critically evaluate the statement:

"The choice between centralization and decentralization cannot be made in isolation; neither is inherently
good nor bad." (20 marks)

3. Discuss the causes of distortion in perception and suggest measures to enhance the perceptual capabilities
of managers. (10+10=20 marks)

4. Analyze how conflict can be beneficial to an organization. (10 marks)

5. Use expectancy theory to explain why many employees are not motivated in their jobs and only do the
minimum required. (20 marks)

6. Define organizational culture as a set of assumptions, beliefs, values, and norms shared by members.
Discuss the positive and negative impacts of organizational culture. (6+7+7=20 marks)

7. Critically examine the Freudian stages of personality development. (10 marks)

8. Evaluate Fiedler’s contingency theory of leadership. How does it differ from the Hersey-Blanchard
situational leadership theory? (10+10=20 marks)

Section B (50 marks)

5. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

 (a) Differentiate between 'transfer' and 'promotion/demotion' and explain the purposes of transfer.
 (b) Discuss the four integrated components of 360° feedback.
 (c) Explain why excessive labor turnover is detrimental to both employers and employees.
 (d) Outline the essential conditions for maintaining good industrial relations.
 (e) State the responsibilities of Industrial Relations Managers.

6. Discuss the evolution of Human Resource Management and the ongoing transformation in its approach.
(20 marks)

7. Critically analyze the weaknesses of the conciliation machinery in settling industrial disputes. Suggest
measures to make it more effective. (10+10=20 marks)

8. Explain the relationship between job specification, job analysis, and job requirements. (10 marks)

9. Discuss the significance of Human Resource Planning as a prerequisite for effective management of
human resources. (20 marks)

10. “Recruitment is often a strenuous, time-consuming, and expensive process that can also be frustrating for
the organization.” Suggest methods to improve the objectivity of the recruitment process. (20 marks)
11. Discuss the impact of globalization on industrial relations in India, considering the rapid
industrialization. (10 marks)

12. Critically examine the strengths and weaknesses of industrial relations in the public sector. (10+10=20
marks)

13. State the criteria for recognizing Trade Unions in India and discuss the rights of a recognized Trade
Union. (10+10=20 marks)

14. Comment on the statement:

“Collective bargaining in India has not been very successful.” Suggest ways to improve the functioning of
collective bargaining. (10 marks)
 2023

Section A (50 marks)

1. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

o (a) What are the external environmental factors that are essential to an organization?
o (b) Describe the main propositions of the neo-classical organizational theory.
o (c) Explain the relationship between organizational culture and climate.
o (d) How does the policy of ‘Flexitime’ affect organizational functioning?
o (e) Explain the three forms of intra-personal conflict.

2. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

o (a) How is power used as a tool of organizational control? Elaborate on the various sources of
power.
o (b) "Profit maximization as a goal is being gradually considered less important in many
organizations." Express and justify your opinion.
o (c) Critically analyze the Path-Goal Theory of Leadership.
o (d) How is Herzberg’s ‘Motivation-Hygiene Theory’ useful to organizations? List any five
hygiene factors applicable to Indian organizations.
o (e) Describe the importance of ‘Quality of Work Life’ in improving employee work
efficiency.

3. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

o (a) Delineate any five complementary transactions in relation to Transactional Analysis.
o (b) Describe the perceptual process. Explain the selection, organization, and interpretation of
stimuli.
o (c) Identify some changes observed in the demographic composition of the Indian IT sector.
Describe the impact of these changes on organizational design and structure.
o (d) How can the practice of Organizational Behavior help in reducing production costs?
Explain.

Section B (50 marks)

4. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

o (a) "A good job description leads to improved employee satisfaction." Explain.
o (b) Explain the purpose of employee orientation.
o (c) Why is controlling absenteeism necessary for organizations? Explain.
o (d) Write a note on 'Collective Bargaining.'
o (e) "Competition among industries often leads to labor turnover." Do you agree with the
statement? Justify your answer.

5. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

o (a) How do Trade Unions contribute to the betterment of employer-employee relations?
o (b) "Employee welfare is the joint responsibility of the state, employers, and trade unions."
Comment on this statement.
o (c) Describe the relationship between the activities of performance appraisal and job analysis.
o (d) "The ILO is still relevant for Modern India." Elaborate in detail.
o (e) "Industrial Democracy functions in India through the demarcation of levels of
participation and accordingly, matters of participation." Explain.

6. Answer each of the following in about 150 words:

o (a) "Placement problems arise more in larger and geographically scattered organizations."
Comment.
o (b) Describe the scope and relevance of HRM in organizations today.
o (c) Describe the status of industrial relations in the Indian public sector undertakings.
o (d) How do organizations identify the training needs of their employees? Explain.