Ch-5-organising- Casestudies
Ch-5-organising- Casestudies
Ch-5-organising- Casestudies
CASE STUDIES
Question 1.
‘Rats & Fleas’ is a pesticide producing company. The company identifies the various
types of activities to be done. For this it divides the work into various departments.
The company then gets involved in its business with a lot of zeal.
After one year of successful run the company decides to transfer the decision
making authority to the lower most level of the employees. For this a major policy
decision is taken.
Identify the function of management highlighted above and another concept also.
Give the next two steps of this function. Also give one importance of the other
concept which you have identified.
Answer:
The function of management highlighted in the above case is ‘Organising’. This can
be seen in the first paragraph.
The other concept of management which is highlighted in the second paragraph is
‘Decentralisation’. After one year of successful run the company decides to transfer
the decision making authority to the lower most level of the employees. For this a
major policy decision is taken.
The next two steps of this function ‘Organising’ is
Question 2.
Alliance Ltd. is engaged in manufacturing plastic buckets. The objective of the
company is to manufacture 100 buckets a day. To achieve this, the efforts of all
departments are coordinated and interlinked and authority-responsibility relationship
is established among various job positions. There is clarity on who is to report to
whom.
Name the function of management discussed above.
Answer:
Organising.
Question 3.
To make the annual function of the school successful the principal of the school
divided all the activities into task groups each dealing with a specific area like
rehearsals, decoration, stage management, refreshments etc. Each group was
placed under the overall supervision of a senior teacher. Identify the function of
management performed by the Principal in doing so.
Answer:
Organising
Question 4.
To make the sports day of the school successful the Headmaster of the school
divided all the activities into task groups each dealing with a specific area like
holding of event, arrangement of medals, refreshments etc. Each group was placed
under the overall supervision of a senior teacher. The physical education teacher
was made responsible for holding different events, the home science teacher for
refreshments and the Maths teacher for medals.
Identify the function of management performed by the Headmaster in doing so.
Answer:
Organising.
Question 5.
An Indian information technology company presently employing 10,000 people,
desires to expand its business in manufacturing, trading, etc. It wants to become a
global company. To achieve its objectives it has started shifting from a centralised
to a decentralised management system.
Identify the management function being performed by the company to become a
decentralised company.
Answer:
Organising.
Question 6.
Due to proper organizing and division of work, a company goes for systematic
assignment of jobs among the employees, wmch importance of organizing is
highlighted here? Give three more importance of organizing?
Answer:
The importance of organizing which is highlighted here is ‘Benefits of specialisation’.
Three more importance of organizing:
Question 7.
A school principle believes in proper organizing. He time and again tells his staff to
be organized as he believes that through proper organising they can move away
from present norms and accept new challenges with success. They will be able to
add more activities and projects in their yearly plan.
Which importance of organizing has been indicated in the above paragraph?
What is Organisation Structure? Which type of organisation is ‘School’?
Answer:
A school principle believes in proper organizing. He time and again tells his staff to
be organized as he believes that through proper organising they can move away
from present norms and accept new challenges with success. They will be able to
add more activities and projects in their yearly plan.
The importance of organizing which is indicated above is ‘Expansion and Grdwth’.
Organisation structure is the framework within which managerial and operational
tasks are performed within an organisation. It explains the relationship between
people, the work to be done by them and the resources to be utilized by them.
School is a formal organisation.
Question 8.
‘Aasmaan Colours’ is a profit making colour producing company. The company deals
in making different types of colours used in painting. The organisation has always
been systematic in its approach and due to good organizing has seen a continuous
increase in its revenue. Workers are given their respective jobs clearly which leads to
gaining of experience since they do their respective jobs on a regular basis leading
to high
productivity. The organisation has many challenges and it wants to improve. There is
no doubt in the lines of communication and everyone knows who has to report
whom. With passage of time, there is more need to connect with the employees.
They are the most important asset to the organisation. When managers delegate
work to their subordinates they set themselves free from routine jobs and this leads
to great amount of learning for the subordinates in practical situations.
Which importance of organizing has been highlighted in the above case?
How would a company adapt to changes with the help of organizing?
Answer:
The importance of organizing highlighted in the above case:
The company would adapt to the changes in the environment by modifying the
organisation structure according to the requirement. The relationships among
various job positions can be altered or changed according to the requirements. Even
if a change is required in the managerial levels the Company may have to go ahead
with it.
Question 9.
An organisation is working by clubbing similar related jobs under different
departments. The HR department is not in direct touch with the Marketing
Department and this has created problems. The HR head feels that he only knows
about the HR department and similar is the case with the Marketing department.
However the truth is both of them have limited and specific skills.
Which type of organisation structure does this organisation has? What will be the
outcome of this mode of thinking in the near future for the organisation? Name one
more disadvantage of this type of organisation structure?
Answer:
The type of organisation structure which is present is functional structure. Similar
related jobs are clubbed under one department.
The reason for the limited scope of vision for both these department heads is their
limited set of skills and knowledge only about their departments. In the future these
departmental heads won’t be able to reach the top most level of management. This
means their managerial development will not reach its peak because people at the
top management should have knowledge about every department.
One more disadvantage of this type of structure is the resulting of conflicts.
Question 10.
Identify the following into formal and informal organisation:
Answer:
Question 11.
‘Steelo Ltd/ decided to set-up its steel manufacturing factory in the backward area of
Orissa where very less job opportunities were available. People of that area
welcomed this effort of ‘Steelo Ltd.’ To attract people to work in its factory it also
decided to provide many other facilities like school, hospital, market, etc. in the
factory premises.
‘Steelo Ltd.’ started earning huge profits. Another competing company asked its
production manager ‘Aslam’ to investigate the reasons of earning huge profits by
‘Steelo Ltd.’
Aslam found that in both the companies there was systematic coordination among
the various activities to achieve organizational goals. Every employee knew who was
responsible and accountable to whom. The only difference was that in his
organization communication took place only through the scalar chain whereas
‘Steelo Ltd.’ was allowing flow of communication in all the directions as per the
requirement which lead to faster spread of information as well as quick feedback.
1. Identify the type of organization which permits ‘Steelo Ltd.’ the flow of
communication in all the directions.
2. State another advantage of the type of organization identified in (a)
above.
3. State any two values which ‘Steelo Ltd.’ wanted to communicate to the
society
Answer:
1. Informal organization
2. Advantage. Informal organization helps in fulfilling the social and
affiliation needs of the members of the organization and thus enhances
the level of job satisfaction.
3. Two values communicated by Steelo Ltd. are:
o Development of backward area thereby fulfilling social
responsibility.
o Providing employment to the needy and creating
employment opportunities.
Question 12.
In the above cases identify the ‘basis’ on which these organisations are categorized
into formal or informal.
Answer:
The basis of each case is given:
Question 13.
Lalit has joined a manufacturing firm as a worker. He has recently started working
on the shop floor. The management is quite liberal and has allowed the workers to
form a hockey club. The workers assemble and play hockey in the evening after the
completion of their work. However the management is a little worried about the
outcomes. The management is trying to change the schedule of the workers but they
are unsure about the reaction of the workers. Though majority of the workers are
sincere, like Lalit, yet the management is concerned about their companions in the
hockey club.
Which type of organisation is the hockey club? Name two disadvantages which you
can predict from the above case?
Answer:
The type of organisation which is discussed above is Informal Organisation (Hockey
Club). The two disadvantages which can come up in the above case are:
Question 14.
Identify the type of organisation structure in the following cases:
Answer:
1. Functional structure
2. Divisional structure
3. Functional structure
4. Divisional structure
5. Functional structure
6. Divisional structure
Question 15.
A company has been registered under the Companies Act with an authorized share
capital of Rs.20,000 crores. Its registered office is situated in Delhi and
manufacturing unit in a backward district of Rajasthan. Its marketing department is
situated in Bhopal. The company is manufacturing Fast Moving Consumer Goods
(FMCG).
Answer:
1. Divisional structure:
Question 16.
Ajanta Foods Ltd. is engaged in the trading of ‘Noodles’. It has its registered office in
Kolkata, manufacturing unit in Solan and marketing department at Delhi. Which type
of organisational structure the company should adopt to achieve its target?
Answer:
Functional Organisation Structure.
Question 17.
In the above cases (in Question 9) identify the ‘basis’ on which the organisation
structures are categorized into functional or divisional.
Answer:
1. Basis: Formation
2. Basis: Specialisation
3. Basis: Responsibility
4. Basis: Managerial development
5. Basis: Cost
6. Basis: Coordination
Question 18.
A Company named Mahi Cycles has decided to start a new branch in the Middle
East. The company has recognised the amount of work to be done in number of
hours. The company has found out that it will take 25000 hours of man work and has
subsequently divided the number of hours for different operations. The real
challenges of the company begin here. Very methodically responsibility of the
recognized amount of work has been given to different individuals according to their
capabilities.
Which function of management is highlighted above? Identify the two steps of this
function indicated above.
Answer:
The function of management which is highlighted above is ‘Organising’.
The two steps of Organising which are indicated in the above case are:
1. Step 1: Identification and division of work. The Company has found out
that it will take 25000 hours of man work and has subsequently divided
the number of hours for different operations.
2. Step 2: Assignment of duties. Very methodically responsibility of the
recognized amount of work has been given to different individuals
according to their capabilities.
Question 19.
Rolling Eagle is an organised firm. The firm has been considered as one of the major
producers of steel in the manufacturing industry. A group of people from foreign
countries have come to India to find out the reason for their success. They found
that there is proper utilisation of resources and this has led to a great control of
management over every aspect. The company has reached this place after a lot of
research and its application. Every person knows what he has to do and this has led
to the achievement of great skill development at ‘per employee level’. The company
has a monitoring cell which keeps track of all the major developments around. This
has made it possible for the company to change itself according to the requirements
of the outside environment.
In the above case which concept of management is highlighted? Discuss its three
types highlighted in the above case?
Answer:
The concept of management which is highlighted above is ‘Importance of
Organising’.
The three different types of’Importance of Organising” indicated above are:
Question 20.
Kaamna is a bright young management trainee. After six months of testing by her
organisation she is given charge of her office as an assistant manager. She starts
her job with a lot of enthusiasm but realises that it won’t be possible for her to
continue without sharing her tasks. She keeps a secretary who takes orders from
her. This has reduced her burden of work and has helped her to focus on priority
assignments.
Which concept of management is discussed in the above case? Name two
importance of this concept.
Answer:
The concept of management which is discussed above is ‘Delegation’.
The two importance of Delegation:
Question 21.
Aman Chadha started ‘Bulls Eye’ a company for providing cyber security solutions to
businesses. Its objective is to prevent, detect and respond to cyber attacks and
protect critical data. He was a hardworking software engineer and an expert in cyber
security. His reputation grew by leaps and bounds as he was not only a person of
integrity but also did his work with utmost honesty and sincerity.
The business started growing day by day.
He was delighted when he was offered a big project by the Ministry of Defence.
While working on the project, he found that the volume of work made it impractical
for him to handle all the work by himself. He decided to expand the team. The
company maintained a close liaison with a local engineering college. During a
campus placement, Ishan and Vrinda were appointed to work for the new project.
He found the new employees capable, enthusiastic and trustworthy. Aman Chadha
was thus, able to focus on objectives and with the help of Ishan and Vrinda, the
project was completed on time. Not only this Aman Chadha was also able to extend
his area of operations. On the other hand Ishan and Vrinda also got opportunities to
develop and exercise initiative,
1. Identify and briefly explain the concept used by Aman Chadha in the
above case which helped him in focusing on objectives.
2. Also, state any four points of importance of the concept identified in (a)
above.
Answer:
Question 22.
Alpha Tonics is a progressive company which has achieved new records in the field
of medicines. Recently the company decided to go for a major shift in policy decision
by handing over the decision making authority to the lower most level of employees.
For this the company went for a thorough planning. Within four months the positive
results of this major policy decision was recognizable. The employees felt a lot of
development in their skill of taking first step to manage things on their own. Some
major newspapers also covered this development. The production of the company
increased. The company’s top management could now focus on new areas of
innovation as the employees turned more reliable.
One day it so happened that the company’s manufacturing branch in south could not
fulfill even half of its production target and the operations manager was held
answerable for the assigned target. He was called in the office. When he was
questioned it was found that his right to command the workers was insufficient and
it should have been more to create results. The management decided to listen to him
and he was given more power. When he went to the shop floor he told the workers
that the standard of behavior of the workers should come from the official rules and
procedures.
In the above case which concept of management has been related to in the first
paragraph of the case?
Which two advantages of this concept have been highlighted in the above case?
Which two elements of delegation have been highlighted in the second paragraph of
the case?
Which one feature of the informal organisation has been opposed by the operations
manager in the above case?
Answer:
The concept of management highlighted in the first paragraph of the case is
‘Decentralisation’. Recently the company decided to go for a major shift in policy
decision by handing over the decision making authority to the lower most level of
employees.
The two advantages highlighted of this concept are:
The two elements of delegation highlighted in the second paragraph of the case are:
1. Accountability. The operations manager was held answerable for the
assigned target.
2. Authority. When he was questioned it was found that his right to
command the workers was insufficient.
Question 23.
Arnav Electricals is a company which has in recent years adopted the decentralized
method of running the organisation. The company has grown dynamically and the
decisions taken by the lower level management are implemented which saves time
as people taking decisions are near the point of action. However, recently chairman
of another manufacturing firm who is also a good friend of Arnav, chairman of Arnav
Electricals, met him and asked him how he could evaluate performance of
employees in case he goes for a decentralized approach. A few hours later Amav’s
secretary calls him and asks for the list of works to be done the next day. He
narrates him all the important tasks to be executed.
Which importance of decentralisation has been highlighted in the above case?
What advice do you think Arnav should give to have better control in a decentralized
organisation?
Which concept of organizing is taking place between Arnav and his secretary?
Which type of scope does this concept have?
Answer:
The importance of decentralisation which is highlighted above is Quick decision
making. (The company has grown dynamically and the decisions taken by the lower
level management are implemented which saves time as people taking decisions are
near the point of action).
The advice that Arnav should give in order to get a better control is to make the
departments answerable for the final outcomes. Better control systems like balance
score card, management information system and observation through CCTV
cameras to be adopted to keep track of the employees’ performance.
The concept of organizing which is taking place between Arnav and his secretary is
‘Delegation’. As it is a superior subordinate relationship involving sharing of tasks of
Arnav, the manager, here.
Delegation has a narrow scope as it is limited to superior and his immediate
subordinate.
Question 24.
‘Pappu Sweets Makers’ is a sweets making company which has turnover in crores. In
order to manage the work in the organisation the departments have been created on
the basis of functions.
Examine the following situations of this organisation and give answers accordingly:
Situation 1: It is expected that employees who are performing similar tasks work
under the same department. So the company now has HR, Marketing and Finance
departments. The division is based on specific functions.
Situation 2: There are similarities in the tasks performed within the same
department.
Situation 3: The profit is increasing month by month due to the success of this
structure of the organisation.
Situation 4: There has been minimum duplication of efforts as the same department
is taking care of single function.
Answer:
Question 25.
Mr. Atul is the owner of a garment manufacturing company. He finds the spreading
of message in his organisation a problem as a lot of time is taken. On many
occasions he tried to bring different equipments and software systems to increase
the speed of spreading of message. In the month of February this year a new type of
machine was installed in the production department. He wanted to have a candid
opinion about the utility of the machine from the employees but no one had the
courage to tell him about the flaws of the machine on his face. After three months
when there were shortcomings in the production of garments he realised his
limitation. With passage of time he found the motivation level of employees too low.
Many of the employees and workers were new and found the place unfamiliar and
didn’t have friends which resulted in the lowering of production.
Answer:
Question 26.
Mr. Manuj is an efficient manager working in a multinational company. He is fond of
completing all his work by himself. As a human being he is very good and supportive
and due to this he doesn’t want to put burden of work on others. Sometimes he is so
much involved in doing different types of works in the office that he even misses the
priorities areas.
Which concept of management is seen violated here? What is going to be another
disadvantage of this violation? Also identify one disadvantage given in this case.
Answer:
The concept of management which is violated here is ‘Delegation’. He is fond of
completing all his work by himself.
Another disadvantage. Employees need for recognition won’t be satisfied. They
won’t be able to develop their skills if they will not share tasks in actual work
environment.
The disadvantage of violating delegation given in the case is the lack of priority given
by the manager to key areas as he is involved in tasks which can be handled by his
subordinates.
Sometimes he is so much involved in doing different types of works in the office that
he even misses the priorities areas.
Question 27.
‘Money Makers’ is a leading toy manufacturing company. With the help of proper
delegation it has enabled the existence of proper workforce to take up leading
positions in several challenging projects. The company has been in news for good
reasons related with innovation. Due to proper delegation the relationships between
the superiors and the subordinates are properly defined at various levels leading to
creation of a strong management structure. Last year it was awarded for good
administration. Due to proper delegation there is no overlapping of duties and
duplication of efforts as there is clarity of working relationships.
The company is acting as a role model for other players in the industry. The
productivity of the organisation has improved as it is very organized. Specific jobs
are done only by specific workers resulting in increase of efficiencies at individual
levels. The company is now thinking of going global and has recently opened a
branch in Europe. However the conditions are going to be different there. Keeping in
mind the strong organizing of the company it is expected that it will be able to
modify its organisational structure and prove its superiority there also.
Recently a meeting is held by the top management. It is decided that the
organisation will go for a major shift in policy decision and involve the lower level of
management in decision making. The size of the company is growing so it will
require more participation from the employees.
Answer:
Question 28.
Samir Gupta started a telecommunication company, ‘Donira Ltd.’ to manufacture
economical mobile phones for the Indian rural market with 15 employees. The
company did very well in its initial years. As the product was good and marketed
well, the demand of its products went up. To increase production the company
decided to recruit additional employees. Samir Gupta, who was earlier taking all
decisions for the company had to selectively disperse the authority. He believed that
subordinates are competent, capable and resourceful and can assume responsibility
for effective implementation of their decisions. This paid off and the company was
not only able to increase its production but also expanded its product range.
1. Identify the concept used by Samir Gupta through which he was able to
steer his company to greater heights.
2. Also explain any three points of importance of this concept.
Answer:
1. Concept used—Decentralisation
2. Importance of Decentralisation:
o Reduces the burden of top management: A decentralized
structure lays emphasis on the delegation of authority at all
levels. This relieves the top management of routine and
time-consuming tasks. Decentralisation reduces the burden
of top executives and provides them enough time to
concentrate on other important functions.
o Develops initiative among subordinates: Decentralization
creates self-confidence amongst the subordinates. This is
because when lower managerial levels are given freedom to
take their own decisions, they learn to depend on their own
judgement. It works as an initiative and helps to promote
creativity in them.
o Develops managerial talent for the future: As a result of
decentralization, employees get more opportunities to
develop new skills. It makes them better future managers.
o Prompt decisions: Decentralisation provides more freedom
to lower level managers to take their own decisions. There
is no more need to get approval from higher level. It helps in
quicker and better decision-making.
Question 29.
In a progressive company the HR department decided to go for a unique way of
controlling the performance of the employees. They decided to give every employee
a balance score card through which their performance could be measured. The top
brass could leave the decision making on the employees. Due to this change in the
approach of the management the evaluation of employees and departments became
easier. Since the decisions were not to be taken now by the top management only,
the speed at which the decisions were taken got increased. The top management
could now see the changes in the organisation. It was quite obvious that they could
now sit, relax and focus on other areas.
Since this organisation is a formal organisation. In a recent assessment meeting by
the top management it was found that the company was meeting the following
criteria:
The respective outcomes of the advantages of the formal organisation given in the
case are:
Question 30.
Identify the category of ‘Organisation A’ in the following cases:
Answer:
1. Informal organisation
2. Informal organisation
3. Formal organisation
4. Informal organisation
5. Formal organisation
6. Formal organisation
7. Informal organisation
8. Formal organisation
9. Informal organisation
10. Formal organisation
Question 31.
Gargi Chemicals has many branches throughout the country. The company has
recently adopted the decentralisation model. This has given the freedom to the lower
level managers to take decisions on their own and have faith on their own
judgments. This has really helped the organisation in taking the business to new
heights. The employees are handling the projects independently and the experience
thus gained can help them rise in the organisation earning them responsible
positions in the management in the future.
The organisation knows that there is no substitute to delegation. In the past when
the optional policy decision of decentralisation was not adopted even then the
company was doing good. The managers knew that through proper delegation they
could leave the routine work on subordinates and focus on priority areas. This was
how the company grew. It was due to delegation that superior-subordinate
relationship got established and there was clarity of reporting relationships.
The company works on product specialisation. We can see that in the future the
managers will have full scope to develop their managerial talents.
In the above case identify the advantages of decentralisation.
Delegation is must for the organisation. What advantages of delegation are indicated
in the above case?
What type of organisation structure does the company have?
Why will managers be able to maximize their potential in the above organisation
structure?
Answer:
The company works on product specialisation. We can see that in the future the
managers will have full scope to develop their managerial talents.
The advantages of decentralisation highlighted above are:
Question 32.
Identify the type of organisation structure in the following cases:
Answer:
1. Divisional structure
2. Divisional structure
3. Divisional structure
4. Functional structure
5. Functional structure
6. Functional structure
7. Functional structure
8. Functional structure
9. Functional structure
10. Divisional structure
11. Divisional structure
12. Divisional structure
13. Functional structure