Dr. B. R.

AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY

ROAD NO. 46, JUBILEE HILLS, HYDERABAD – 500 033

Dear Student,

We are enclosing two assignments in each course, for all the six courses of first year MBA
Program (2016-17 & earlier batches). Please note the following points while answering these
assignments:

1. Assignments are compulsory for MBA Program. They have a weight age of 30% in each
course.

2. You have to submit both the assignments compulsorily. You will not be allowed to
appear for the year-end examination for any course if you do not submit the specified
number of assignments in time for that course.

3. Each assignment carries a maximum of 15 marks and you have to get a minimum of
40% of marks, i.e., 6 out of 15, to qualify in that assignment. If you fail to get the
minimum marks in any assignment, you have to resubmit that particular assignment.
Repetition of the same assignment will not be allowed more than once.

4. The maximum marks for each course at the year-end examination are 70 and you
have to get a minimum of 40% i.e., 28 out of 70.

5. Division will be awarded on the basis of the aggregate marks obtained in assignments
as well as in the year-end examinations.

6. Dates of submission for the assignments are:

All the Six Courses

FIRST ASSIGNMENT & SECOND ASSIGNMENT: 20.10.2019

ASSIGNMENTS SUBMITTED AFTER THE DUE DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

7. If, under unavoidable circumstances, you fail to submit the assignments within
the stipulated time, your results will be declared only after the submission and
evaluation of all the assignments.
8. If any student fails to submit all the assignments within the stipulated time, he/she
has to answer the set of assignments that are sent to the batch in progress at that
time.

9. You have to submit your assignments in the Study Centre to which you are attached.
10. The first page of your response sheet should be in the following format.

Enrolment No. :

Name :

Address :

Course Code :

Course Title :

Assignment No. :

Question No. :

Study Centre :

Date of Submission :

Signature :

11. Please go through the relevant course units thoroughly before you answer assignments.

12. If the assignment is of a problem model, you have to answer it in the proper format. You
should give working notes also wherever necessary.

13. Before submitting the assignment, check it up carefully to make sure that you have
attempted all the main points of the question.

14. You are required to use only foolscap size paper for your response. Allow some margin
on the left in order to facilitate the evaluator to record his comments.

15. You have to answer the assignments in your own words. Kindly do not borrow sentences
or paragraphs directly from the course material.

16. Do not copy from the response sheets of other students. If copying is noticed, the
assignments of all such students will be rejected.

17. Start each assignment on separate sheets of paper.

18. You can consult your counsellors and clarify your doubts, if any, while answering the
assignments.

19. The assignments should be neatly hand written. Typed or Computerized assignments
will not be accepted.

20. You have to prepare your responses in duplicate, submit the original at your study centre
and file the second copy with you as a record.
21. You can collect back the evaluated assignments from your study centre, if you want.

22. In case you request for a change of study centre, you should submit your assignments
only to the original study centre until the University effects the change of the study
centre.

23. Further correspondence should be made to the following address:

The Director (SSB)

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Open University
Prof. G. Ram Reddy Marg
Road No.46, Jubilee Hills
Hyderabad – 500 033.

HEAD
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
 DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) PROGRAMME

MBA – 1: ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT PROCESS

(FOR 2016-17 & Earlier Batches)

ASSIGNMENT – I (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS
1. “Management is a blend of various functions which are independent as well as
interdependent” – Critically examine the statement.

2. Explain lucidly what MBO is meant by, and also give its evolution, need and the process
involved in it.

3. Write a short note on organizational culture and climate. Discuss briefly about the common
dimensions of organizational culture and climate.

ASSIGNMENT – II (MARKS: 15)

ANSER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. “Planning and control are complementary to each other.” – Elaborate this statement giving
sufficient and pertinent examples.

2. Define ‘managerial communication’. Explain the purpose and significance of ‘effective

managerial communication’.

3. Analyze the following case-let and answer the questions given at the end:
Herbert Kellher was the founder and CEO of Southwestern Airlines. He was known as an
empathetic and charismatic leader that earned him respect throughout the industry resulting
in a profit for 24 consecutive years. Southwestern is 5th largest airline in the United States.

During the oil crisis, almost all aircrafts were grounded in US. But Southwestern airlines
continued their operations. The employees were so committed to the company that they
worked for 6 months without salary during the oil crisis and ensured that the airline was
operating.

This was possible because of the exemplary leadership of Kellher. He knew each and every
employee, sent greeting cards on their special occasions, looked after the education of the
employee children, was like a family member to the employees at Southwestern Airlines.
Questions:
a) In this context state the qualities which should be in an ideal leader.
b) Which style of leadership do you see in Southwestern Airlines?
c) Analyze this case using any theory of leadership which would be apt.

*****
 DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME

MBA – 2: MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS

(FOR 2016-17 & Earlier Batches)

ASSIGNMENT – I (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. Enumerate the various decision-making problems which a management executive has to deal
with in the performance of his/her role in the organization. Explain, as to how the knowledge
of managerial economics helps him/her in arriving at optimal solutions for such problems.

2. What is law of demand? List out its exceptions. What is ‘Veblen Effect’?

3. A householder spends his monthly income on, say, three products, viz., J, K, L. He buys
2,200 units of ‘J’ at Rs. 20 per unit, 1,700 units of ‘K’ at Rs. 40 per unit, and 800 units of ‘L’
at Rs. 60 per unit. The price of L increases by 10% but there is no change in the prices of K
and L. He now buys 1,760 units of K and 760 units of L. You are required to calculate his
price elasticity of demand for product J.

ASSIGNMENT – II (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. Explain the factors that determine the nature of competition for a product/service, and also
describe in brevity, the prevailing competitive situation for internet service providers (ISPs)
in India.

2. “In theory, we assume perfect competition and profit maximization in reality, we find
neither” – Comment.

3. a) Explain briefly the Economist’s Theory of the firm.

b) Given a monopolist firm’s demand function is P = 22,200-60q and the total cost function
is C = 8,00,000+600q-60q2+q3. Equating the MR and MC of the firm, find its equilibrium
price, output and profit earned.

*****
 DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) PROGRAMME

MBA – 3: MARKETING MANAGEMENT

(FOR 2016-17 & Earlier Batches)

ASSIGNMENT – I (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. “Marketing is nothing but selling stuff. Anybody can do that without taking a
course.” – Do you agree with this statement? Substantiate your answer with
some suitable examples.

2. Explain the following:

i) Market Oriented Organisation, and
ii) Applications of Marketing Research.

3. Discuss briefly the following, in the context of understanding Hindustan

consumers:
a) ‘Buyer’ verses ‘User’, and
b) Psychological factors influencing consumer behaviour.

ASSIGNMENT – II (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. a) Define the term ‘branding’? Explain the various branding strategies available to present
day management.
b) What is packing? Explain its importance.

2. Enumerate briefly the stages, according to Paul E. J. Gerhald, that advertising moves through
before accomplishing its purpose of performing the various marketing and communication
functions.
3. Analyze the case-let given below and answer the questions following it:

M/S. MACRONA BISCUITS COMPANY

Macrona Biscuits, Secunderabad, are in the field for little over six years. During this
time, they have consistently increased their sales. This was possible mainly due to good
quality of biscuits, a good distribution network and promotion policy. The company has
shown innovative ability by bringing out variety of biscuits to cater to vario0us tastes in the
consumer market.

A study made on the biscuit industry by the Hindustan Biscuit Manufacturers’

Association highlighted that out of the total consumption of biscuits; almost 21% are
consumed by children below the age of 11. The management of company decided to develop
special biscuits to cater to this market segment. After working out different possibilities, it
was finally decided that biscuits made in different animal shapes would be introduced which
would certainly appeal to the younger generation. As such, samples were prepared. The
company carried out a small exercise in test marketing the biscuits in their home town. A
sample size of 200 was selected for this purpose. Majority of the sample consumers showed
their interest and informed that the children have liked the products.

With a lot of publicity, the company introduced this new range of biscuits in all the four
metropolitan cities and its home town. The results for first six months were encouraging. The
results from the seventh month, the sales started declining. In the twelfth month the total
sales of this type of biscuits were reported only at 25 per cent of the peak reached. The
quality was maintained. The price right from the beginning was 10 per cent higher than the
other types of same weight.

Questions:

1. What caused the downward trend of sales for animals shaped biscuits?
2. What remedial actions would you suggest to maintain the sales at a particular level?

*****
 DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) PROGRAMME

MBA – 4: QUANTITATIVE METHODS

(FOR 2016-17 & Earlier Batches)

ASSIGNMENT – I (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. a) “Statistics is the science of averages.” – Comment.

b) Solve the following equations using ‘Gauss – Jordon Method’:
i) 8x + x = 0;
16x + 2x = 0, and
ii) 2x - 4x + 6x = 0;
4x + 10x + 12x = 0.

2. a) Find the derivative of √(16x+36) from first principles.

b) Differentiate w.r.t. ‘x’:

3. a) Find graphically the value of Median, D7 and P72 from the following:

Age (Years) 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55

No. of Students in
60 80 100 160 150 100 150
an Open University

b) Calculate the Mean Deviation from Mean and Median, and their respective Coefficient of
Mean Deviation for the following data:

Course Code 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
No of Students (X) 54 71 57 52 49 45 72 57 47
 ASSIGNMENT – II (MARKS: 15)
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. A survey result of radio listeners’ preference for different types of music under various age
groups is as follows:

Age Group
Type of Music Preferred
18-25 26-35 Above 36
National 80 60 9
Foreign 210 325 44
Indifferent 16 45 132

Is preference for type of music influenced by age? Test and comment.

(Table Value = 9.488)

2. In a bakery, the average number of a popular brand’s 100% wheat breads sold is 30 per day.
Due to starting a new hospital in the vicinity, the sales increased during first 27 days and
these are found to be:

31 32 32 32 33 34 34 35 35
36 32 34 34 30 32 32 33 34
39 28 31 27 29 32 32 33 31

Discuss that the sales of burgers have increased.

3. Calculate the Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation from the following data:

P 12 9 8 10 11 13 7
Q 14 8 6 9 11 12 3

Now, each value of P is multiplied by 2 and then it is added with 6. Similarly, each value of
Q is multiplied by 3 and 2 is subtracted from it. What will be the correlation coefficient
between the new series of P and Q?

*****
 DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME

MBA - 05: ACCOUNTING FOR MANAGEMENT

(FOR 2016-17 & Earlier Batches)

ASSIGNMENT – I (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS
1. Explain the usefulness of financial accounting to an organization’s management both in
decision making process and in creation of business policies. Also, distinguish between
‘Financial Accounting’ and ‘Management Accounting’.

2. From the following details relating to the accounts of M/s. C Co. Ltd., you are asked to
prepare a Statement of Sources and Application of Funds as on 31 March, 2019:

BALANCE SHEET
(Rs. 000’s)
March 31 March 31
Liabilities 2019 2018 Assets 2019 2018
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Share Capital 4,00 3,00 Goodwill 90 1,00
General Reserve 1,00 80 Plant and Machinery 4,29 2,98
Profit & Loss Account 50 30 Investments 60 1,00
Debentures 1,00 1,50 Stock 80 50
Sundry Creditors 70 90 Sundry Debtors 1,10 1,60
Income-tax Provision 40 50 Prepaid Expenses 6 4
Proposed Dividend 40 30 Cash & Bank Balance 20 10
Debenture Discount 5 8

Total 8,00 7,30 Total 8,00 7,30

Foot Notes:
a. 15% depreciation has been charged in the accounts on plant and machinery.
b. Old machines costing Rs. 50,000 (WDV Rs. 20,000) have been sold for Rs. 35,000.
c. A machine costing Rs. 10,000 (WDV Rs. 3,000) has been discharged.
d. A plant costing Rs. 2,30,000 was purchased during the year.
e. Rs. 10,000 profit has been earned by sale of investments.
f. Debentures have been redeemed at 5% premium.
g. Rs. 45,000 income-tax has been paid and adjusted against Income-tax Provision Account.
3. The following balances were extracted from the books of M/s. ‘FMS’ Limited for the year
ended December 31, 2019:
Buildings - Rs.6,00,000, Furniture - Rs.60,000, Motor Vehicles - Rs.60,000 Equity
Shares in Companies - Rs.4,00,000, Sundry Debtors - Rs.2,80,000, Cash at Bank -
Rs.1,72,000, Advances (against construction of building) - Rs.1,30,000, Share Capital:
(10,000 equity shares of Rs. 100 each) - Rs.10,00,000, Sundry Creditors - Rs.3,50,000, P &
L A/c (Credit) - Rs.20,000, Gross Profit - Rs.10,00,000, Salaries - Rs.2,20,000, Directors’
Fees - Rs.8,000, Electricity Charges - Rs.25,000, Rates, Taxes and Insurance - Rs.10,000,
Auditor’s Fees - Rs.15,000, Stock in Trade (at Cost) - Rs.4,00,000, Dividends (received on
investments) - Rs.10,000.
Prepare the Profit and Loss Account of the company for the year ended December 31,
2019 and the Balance Sheet as on that date after the following adjustments:
i) Provide 10% depreciation.
ii) Stock has been valued at Rs.3,60,000. This has not been considered.
iii) Debts for more than 6 months are Rs.80,000.
Note: Ignore provision for taxation.

ASSIGNMENT – II (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS
1. The given below transactions in respect of material ‘ZED’ occurred during the half year
ending March 31, 2019.

Month Receipts Price Issues

(Kg) (Rs/Kg.) (Kg)
Oct. 31 220 5.00 250
Nov.30 250 4.00 220
Dec.31 240 5.20p 200
Jan. 31 220 4.60p 240
Feb. 28 260 5.00 210
Mar.31 200 4.55p 210
The opening stock on Oct.1 was 240 kg at Rs.4.80 p kg.
The closing stock on March 31 was 300 kg at Rs.4.70 p kg.
Do you consider the value of closing stock shown above to be justifiable one? Give
reasons and also show the Stores Ledger under the same method as was applied.

2. Write briefly about any TWO of the following:

a. Cost of Sales Adjustment (COSA).
b. Foreign Exchange Markets and their Functions.
c. Current Cost (Replacement Cost) Accounting.
d. General Purchasing Power Accounting.
3. Journalize the following in the books of ABC Company, under the given scenarios, if the
company:
i. Issues 4,000, 10% Debentures of Rs. 1,000 each at par and redeemable at par.
ii. Issues 4,000, 10% Debentures of Rs. 1,000 each at par and redeemable at a premium of
10%.
iii. Issues 4,000, 10% Debentures of Rs. 1,000 each at a discount of 5% and redeemable at
par.
iv. Issues 4,000, 10% Debentures of Rs. 1,000 each at a discount of 5% and redeemable at
premium of 10%.
v. Issues 4,000, 10% Debentures of Rs. 1,000 each at a premium of 10% and redeemable at
par.
vi. Issues 4,000, 10% Debentures of Rs. 1,000 each at a premium of 8% and redeemable at a
premium of 15%.

*****
 DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR OPEN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME

MBA – 6: INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTERS

(FOR 2016-17 & Earlier Batches)

ASSIGNMENT – I (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

1. Explain the role and significance of computer-aided decision-making in the management of

any business organization. Write the merits and limitations of proper handling of information
system through computers.

2. Giving briefly the characteristics of inventory, state the purpose of computerized inventory
control system.

3. a) What do you understand by formulation of LPP?

b) Solve the following linear programming problem using graphical method:
Minimize Z = 2x1+3x2
s.t.c.:
x1 + x2 > 6
7x1 + x2 > 14
and x1, x2 > 0.

ASSIGNMENT – II (MARKS: 15)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS
1. a) Use Vogel’s Approximation Method (VAM) and obtain an initial basic feasible solution
(IBFC) for the given following transportation cost matrix:

R1 R2 R3 R4 Supply
S1 110 130 170 140 125
S2 160 180 140 100 135
S3 210 240 130 100 140
Requirement 120 122 78 80

b) What is meant by ‘Degeneracy’? Explain with an example.

2. Consider the list of activities given in the Box below, where the activity time in weeks is
mentioned, you are asked to draw the network in AOA (Activity on arrow) convention. Find
the total time for project completion, critical path, and total floats available on non-critical
activities.

Box: Project Activity Details

Task A B C D E F G H I J
Time 3 5 7 4 6 4 5 8 2 4
Predecessors - A A B C C D,E G,F G H,I

3. a) What have you understood by the acronym ‘CBIS’, that you have learnt in your Course?
b) Give a table summarizing the various activities involved in the development of a CBIS of
your choice.

*****