✅ Correct Answer: a, c and e only

✅ Explanation:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are best known for simulating the following types of intelligence:

• a. Visual-spatial: AI can process and generate visual data (e.g., facial recognition, autonomous navigation, image classification).

• c. Interpersonal: AI chatbots and virtual assistants can mimic interpersonal communication and interaction (e.g., emotional AI, sentiment analysis, virtual customer support).

• e. Logical-mathematical: AI excels at pattern recognition, numerical analysis, and algorithmic reasoning — the foundation of machine learning, data mining, and decision-making algorithms.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• b. Intrapersonal: Refers to self-awareness and introspection, which AI cannot truly simulate as it lacks consciousness and subjective self-reflection.

• d. Creative: While AI can generate art or music, it’s not truly creative in the human sense — it relies on learned patterns, not original ideation or emotional insight.

✅ Final Answer: a, c and e only

✅ Correct Answer: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

✅ Explanation:

Let’s re-examine both statements carefully:

• Assertion (A):
  “A stereotyped and male-centered vision discourages some women from participating in business activities that could have a consequence on people who interact with women at the community level.”
  ✔️ This is true — cultural stereotypes and patriarchal norms often limit women’s participation in entrepreneurship.

• Reason (R):
  “Attributions of the society and the different socialisation processes relating to men and women may create obstacles for women due to unequal distribution of assets and services.”
  ✔️ This is also true — gender-based socialization and systemic inequality (e.g., limited access to finance, education) are fundamental reasons why such stereotypes persist.

• Link between A and R:
  The reason (R) explains why a male-centered vision (Assertion A) exists and persists — because women have historically been socialized differently and denied equal resources. Therefore, R directly supports and explains A.

✅ Final Answer: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

✅ Correct Answer: Actual production was less than the normal level of output

✅ Explanation: An unfavorable overhead volume variance occurs when the actual production level is less than the standard or normal production level. Since fixed overhead costs are allocated based on the expected level of output, when actual production falls short, the fixed overhead is under-applied. This means that the company is unable to absorb all of the fixed overhead, resulting in an unfavorable variance. In essence, fewer units are produced than expected, and the fixed overhead is spread over fewer units, increasing the cost per unit.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Total fixed overhead has exceeded the standard budgeted amount: This would be related to an overhead expenditure variance, not a volume variance. It reflects that actual overhead costs exceeded the budget, not the volume of production.

• Variable overhead per unit has exceeded the standard budgeted amount: This refers to a variable overhead cost variance (specifically a rate variance), not a volume variance. It is concerned with the rate or price of overhead, not the volume of production.

• Actual production was more than the normal level of output: This would result in a favorable overhead volume variance. More units produced than planned would absorb fixed overhead more efficiently, making the variance favorable.

✅ Final Answer: Actual production was less than the normal level of output.

The correct answer is P > ATC.

Explanation:

In a competitive market, firms will enter the market if they expect to make a profit. The condition for this is when the Price (P) is greater than the Average Total Cost (ATC).

• P > ATC: This means that the firm’s total revenue from selling the good is greater than its total cost of production, so the firm is making a profit. If firms see existing firms in the market making profits, new firms will be incentivized to enter the market to take advantage of these profits.

• P < ATC: This means the firm is making a loss, as the price it can sell the good for is less than its average total cost. In this case, new firms would not enter the market, and existing firms may exit the market.

• P = MC: This condition refers to allocative efficiency, where the price of the good is equal to the marginal cost of production. This condition doesn’t necessarily signal profitability or the decision to enter a market; it’s about efficient resource allocation.

• P = MR = MC: This condition describes the equilibrium point for a perfectly competitive firm where price equals marginal cost (P = MC) and marginal revenue equals marginal cost (MR = MC). This condition is typically associated with a firm that is in the long-run equilibrium, where the firm is making zero economic profit. At this point, firms are neither incentivized to enter nor exit the market because they are earning just enough to cover their costs.

Conclusion:

A new firm will enter the market when P > ATC, as this indicates that existing firms are making a profit, which attracts new entrants to the market.

✅ Correct Answer: Realisation Concept

✅ Explanation: The Realisation Concept in accounting states that profits are recognized when the title to goods passes to the customer, not necessarily when the payment is made. This concept focuses on the idea that revenue is considered earned when the goods or services are delivered or the ownership is transferred, and not when cash is received. It aligns with the accrual basis of accounting, where revenue is recognized at the point of sale or delivery, even if the customer hasn’t yet paid.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Matching Concept: This concept requires that expenses be matched with the revenues they generate in the same accounting period. It focuses on ensuring that costs are recorded in the same period as the revenues they help to generate, not on the timing of revenue recognition itself.

• Prudence Concept: The Prudence Concept (or conservatism) dictates that accountants should be cautious when making judgments under uncertainty. It ensures that revenues are not overstated and expenses are not understated. It doesn’t directly deal with the timing of revenue recognition.

• Materiality Concept: The Materiality Concept allows accountants to disregard certain small or insignificant transactions if the impact on financial statements is minimal. It focuses on whether a financial item is large enough to impact decision-making, rather than on the timing of recognizing revenue.

✅ Final Answer: Realisation Concept.

✅ Correct Answer: a, e, d, c, b

✅ Explanation:

To arrange the state cooperative milk brands in ascending order of revenue generation, we look at the latest available data and general market dominance. Here’s the order based on their reported or estimated annual turnovers:

1. Vita (Haryana) – Among the smaller state cooperatives in terms of revenue.

2. Milma (Kerala) – Has a moderate market size, but lower than northern counterparts like Verka.

3. Verka (Punjab) – Slightly higher in revenue than Milma.

4. Nandini (Karnataka) – One of the top state brands, recently challenging even Amul in southern markets.

5. Amul (Gujarat) – India’s largest milk cooperative, with the highest revenue among all state brands.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• e, d, a, b, c – Puts Amul before Nandini, which is wrong. Also places Vita too high.

• c, e, a, d, b – Puts Nandini first, but it earns more than all others except Amul.

• d, c, a, e, b – Misplaces Verka and Vita compared to Milma.

✅ Final Answer: a, e, d, c, b

✅ Correct Answer: a, c and e only

✅ Explanation:

Let’s examine each statement to identify which ones are true:

• a. Innovations are a must to survive in business
  ✅ True – Innovation is essential for competitive advantage, market relevance, and adapting to changing consumer needs.

• b. Discontinuous innovations lead to failures
  ❌ False – Discontinuous innovations are radical or breakthrough innovations (e.g., the smartphone), and while risky, they don’t necessarily lead to failure. Many transform industries.

• c. Continuous innovations do not disrupt established usage and behavior patterns
  ✅ True – These are small improvements (e.g., new toothpaste flavor) that don’t require consumers to significantly change habits.

• d. Line extensions are discontinuous innovations
  ❌ False – Line extensions (e.g., a new variant of an existing product) are considered continuous or incremental, not discontinuous.

• e. In discontinuous innovations, there is a change not only in technology but also in behavioral patterns of usage and consumption
  ✅ True – Discontinuous innovations often introduce new technology and require users to adopt new behaviors (e.g., electric cars vs. petrol cars).

✅ Final Answer: a, c and e only

✅ Correct Answer: a. Interpersonal relations, e. Salary

Explanation:

According to Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, there are two types of factors that influence job satisfaction and motivation:

1. Motivational factors (Satisfiers): These factors are related to the nature of the work itself and can lead to higher motivation and job satisfaction when present. Examples include:

   • Work itself (b)

   • Achievement (d)

   • Advancement (c)

2. Hygiene factors (Dissatisfiers): These factors are related to the environment or conditions in which the work is performed. Their absence can lead to dissatisfaction, but their presence does not necessarily lead to higher motivation or satisfaction. Examples include:

   • Interpersonal relations (a)

   • Salary (e)

✅ Final Answer: a. Interpersonal relations, e. Salary

✅ Correct Answer: a – iv, b – iii, c – i, d – ii

📘 Explanation:

Matching List I (Organisational Appraisal Techniques) with List II (Proposers):

a. Balanced Scorecard → iv. Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton

• A strategic tool that helps align business activities to the vision and strategy of the organization.

b. Economic Value-Added (EVA) Analysis → iii. Stern Stewart & Company

• A financial performance measure developed by this firm to assess true economic profit.

c. VRIO Framework → i. Barney

• A resource-based view model developed by Jay Barney, analyzing Value, Rarity, Imitability, and Organization.

d. Business Intelligence → ii. Howard J. Dresner

• Coined by Howard Dresner (Gartner analyst) to describe data-driven decision-making tools and systems.

✅ Final Answer: a – iv, b – iii, c – i, d – ii

The correct answer is: Economies of Scope

Explanation:

• Economies of Scope refer to the cost savings that occur when a firm produces multiple products together rather than separately. It occurs because the firm can share resources, technology, and other capabilities across the production of different products, leading to lower costs.

• Economies of Scale refer to the cost advantages that a firm experiences as it increases its production scale of a single product, resulting in lower average costs per unit.

• Economies of Specialisation refer to the cost benefits derived from individuals or firms specializing in specific tasks or activities, improving productivity.

• Technical Efficiency refers to the ability of a firm to produce the maximum output with the given input, without wastage.

In the question, the cost savings when producing two or more products together are best explained by Economies of Scope.

✅ Correct answer: Okun’s law.

✅ Explanation:
Okun’s law describes the relationship between unemployment and economic growth. Specifically, it states that for every 1% increase in the unemployment rate, a country’s GDP will be roughly an additional 2% lower than its potential GDP. Thus, it directly connects extra unemployment to a larger loss in national output.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Sacrifice ratio: Refers to the cost of reducing inflation, not unemployment — it measures how much output must be sacrificed to reduce inflation by 1%.

• Phillips curve: Shows the inverse relationship between inflation and unemployment, not the relation between unemployment and GDP loss.

• Misery index: Is the sum of inflation and unemployment rates, used to indicate the economic well-being of a country, not directly related to GDP loss.

✅ Final Answer: Okun’s law.

✅ Correct Answer: c, d, a, e, b

✅ Explanation:

The Brand Dynamics Pyramid (developed by Millward Brown) explains the relationship between customers and brands through five levels of brand equity—from basic awareness to strong brand loyalty.

Here’s the correct sequence from bottom to top:

1. c. Active familiarity with the brand based on post trial, saliency or knowledge of the brand promise
   ➤ This corresponds to Brand Presence — basic awareness that the brand exists.

2. d. Relevance of brand to consumer’s needs in the right price range or in the consideration set
   ➤ This is Brand Relevance — is the brand personally relevant?

3. a. Belief that the brand delivers acceptable product performance and is on the consumer’s short-list
   ➤ This is Brand Performance — belief in the functional satisfaction of the brand.

4. e. Belief that the brand has an emotional or rational advantage over other brands in the category
   ➤ This is Brand Advantage — customer sees clear benefits over competitors.

5. b. Rational and emotional attachments to the brand to the exclusion of most other brands
   ➤ This is Brand Bonding — highest level of brand loyalty and preference.

✅ Final Answer: c, d, a, e, b ✅

✅ Correct Answer: a, c, b, e, d

✅ Explanation:

Computers and AI can simulate different types of human intelligences, but to varying degrees. Here’s how they generally rank from easiest to hardest to simulate (ascending order):

1. a. Visual-spatial – Computers are good at visual and spatial tasks (e.g., object detection, image recognition, self-driving cars using LIDAR/vision).

2. c. Linguistic – Natural Language Processing (NLP) has advanced significantly, allowing for translation, summarization, chatbots, etc.

3. b. Logical-mathematical – Computers are most efficient at calculations, logical reasoning, algorithms, and rule-based systems.

4. e. Bodily-kinesthetic – Though robots can replicate movements, they still struggle with the fine motor control and adaptability of human physical intelligence.

5. d. Interpersonal – Social and emotional understanding is the most difficult to simulate; machines still lack true empathy, emotional intelligence, and nuanced social reasoning.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• c, d, a, e, b – Puts logical-mathematical (the strongest area for AI) last, which is incorrect.

• c, a, d, e, b – Interpersonal should be at the end; logical-mathematical should be earlier.

• a, c, e, b, d – Places bodily-kinesthetic before logical-mathematical, which is not accurate.

✅ Final Answer: a, c, b, e, d.

✅ Correct Answer: a and e only

📘 Explanation:

✅ a. The total amount of work on a line is divided into different tasks.

• True. This is fundamental to line balancing, where work is split into discrete tasks to be distributed across workstations.

✅ e. Tasks are assigned to workstations that allow the work to be performed in a feasible sequence.

• True. Line balancing respects precedence constraints, ensuring tasks are assigned in logical order.

❌ Why other options are incorrect:

❌ b. Line balancing mainly ensures that each work station gets approximately equal amount of time.

• Not entirely true.

  • The goal is to meet the required cycle time and ensure balanced workload, but not necessarily that every station has exactly equal time.

  • Focus is more on efficiency and smooth flow, not perfect time equality.

❌ c. Cycle time is determined by the minimum time required at any workstation.

• False.

  • Cycle time is set based on demand rate and defines the maximum time any workstation should take — not the minimum.

❌ d. Line balancing is not useful for the process industry.

• False.

  • While more common in discrete manufacturing, line balancing principles can apply to process industries, especially in packaging and repetitive tasks.

✅ Final Answer: a and e only

✅ Correct Answer: Dissonance reducing buying behaviour

✅ Explanation:

Dissonance-reducing buying behaviour occurs when:

• The consumer is highly involved in the purchase (due to it being expensive, infrequent, or risky).

• However, the perceived differences among brands are few or minimal.

Since the differences between brands are not very visible, the buyer may choose quickly and then experience post-purchase dissonance (buyer’s remorse) due to the difficulty of making a confident choice.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Complex Buying Behaviour:
  High involvement and significant differences among brands (e.g., buying a car or laptop).

• Habitual Buying Behaviour:
  Low involvement and few differences among brands (e.g., buying salt).

• Variety Seeking Buying Behaviour:
  Low involvement but many perceived differences (e.g., choosing snacks for variety, not necessity).

✅ Final Answer: Dissonance reducing buying behaviour ✅

✅ Correct Answer: A is correct but R is not correct

✅ Explanation:

Assertion (A): Correct.
IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, especially US GAAP) are indeed two major accounting frameworks. They represent different accounting philosophies and have historically been seen as competing systems for international acceptance, particularly as globalization of financial markets increased the need for standardized reporting.

Reason (R): Not Correct.
Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) are converged only with IFRS, not with GAAP. India chose to align its accounting standards with IFRS, making necessary adjustments for local economic and legal conditions (these are called carve-outs and carve-ins). GAAP, on the other hand, particularly US GAAP, is not the basis for Ind AS convergence.

✅ Final Answer: A is correct but R is not correct

✅ Correct Answer: Accepting an incorrect hypothesis

📘 Explanation:

✅ Final Answer: Accepting an incorrect hypothesis

✅ Correct answer: a, c and d only

✅ Explanation:

Dimension reduction methods (like Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Factor Analysis, etc.) aim to simplify high-dimensional data by leveraging the correlation structure among predictor variables. Let’s examine each statement:

🔹 a. To reduce the number of predictor components ✅

✔ True
This is the main purpose of dimension reduction — reducing a large set of variables to a smaller set of representative components, while retaining the most important information.

🔹 b. To help ensure that these components are dependent ❌

✘ False
Dimension reduction methods (especially PCA) aim to produce independent or uncorrelated components, not dependent ones.

🔹 c. To provide a framework for interpretability of the results ✅

✔ True
By simplifying the data into fewer dimensions, it becomes easier to interpret patterns, relationships, and clusters in the data.

🔹 d. To help ensure that these components are independent ✅

✔ True
Especially in PCA, the resulting principal components are orthogonal (i.e., uncorrelated), ensuring statistical independence.

🔹 e. To increase the number of predictor components ❌

✘ False
The goal is the opposite — to reduce, not increase, the number of components.

✅ Final Answer: a, c and d only ✅

The correct answer is: a – iii, b – i, c – ii, d – iv

Explanation:

1. a – iii (Implicit Cost):

   • Implicit cost refers to the imputed value of inputs owned and used by the firm. These are the opportunity costs of using resources that the firm already owns (such as the owner’s time or capital) rather than renting or buying them from outside.

2. b – i (Marginal Cost):

   • Marginal cost is the change in the total cost per unit change in output. It reflects how much the cost increases when the production of an additional unit of output is made.

3. c – ii (Incremental Cost):

   • Incremental cost is the total increase in costs resulting from the implementation of a particular managerial decision. It refers to the additional costs incurred when a company undertakes a new project or decision.

4. d – iv (Sunk Cost):

   • Sunk cost refers to costs that are not affected by managerial decisions. These costs have already been incurred and cannot be recovered, regardless of future actions or decisions.

Thus, the correct matching is:

• a – iii: Implicit cost refers to the imputed value of resources owned and used by the firm.
• b – i: Marginal cost refers to the change in total cost per unit change in output.
• c – ii: Incremental cost refers to the increase in costs due to a specific managerial decision.
• d – iv: Sunk cost refers to costs that are not affected by future decisions.

Therefore, the correct answer is a – iii, b – i, c – ii, d – iv.

✅ Correct Answer: a, b, d only

✅ Explanation:
These three factors—hollow talk, debilitating fear, and mindless reliance—are key obstacles that prevent managers from effectively implementing strategies and ensuring long-term sustainability:

• a. Hollow talk: Refers to empty communication or unfulfilled commitments, which damages credibility and erodes trust in leadership. When managers talk about change but don’t act, implementation suffers.

• b. Debilitating fear: Fear of failure, conflict, or making mistakes can paralyze decision-making. Managers who operate under fear often avoid taking necessary risks or making bold changes required for sustainability.

• d. Mindless reliance: This means blindly depending on established methods or tools without adapting to new circumstances. Such rigidity prevents innovation and hinders long-term success.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• c. Complex measurement systems: While they may be a challenge, they don’t directly prevent implementation. With the right training and tools, these systems can be simplified or managed effectively.

• e. Constructive internal competition: This refers to healthy competition within an organization, which can boost performance and motivation. It typically enhances implementation and sustainability rather than obstructing them.

✅ Final Answer: a, b, d only.

The correct answer is a, c, and e. Here’s why:

Explanation:

• a. An organisational charter of core values and principles:

  • A vision statement often reflects the core values and principles of the organization. These are foundational beliefs that guide the behavior of the company and shape its future direction. Therefore, a vision should include these core values.

• c. The source of priorities, plans, and goals:

  • The vision provides the broad direction and purpose that shapes the organization’s priorities, plans, and goals. It serves as the basis for setting these priorities by helping guide decision-making in the future. The vision is essential for defining where the organization aims to go, and the goals are a means to achieve that future.

• e. A determination and publication of what makes an organisation unique:

  • The vision should reflect the organization’s uniqueness—what sets it apart from others in its industry or market. It helps in articulating the distinct values and aspirations that the company wants to be known for in the future.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

• b. A strategy or plan and a view from the top:

  • The vision is more abstract and long-term. It’s not about specific strategies or plans, which are usually derived from the mission and more concrete actions. A vision provides broad guidance, not specific plans or strategies.

• d. A pusher into the future:

  • While a vision does guide and inspire, it is not explicitly termed as “a pusher into the future.” It’s more about defining the desired future state rather than pushing or forcing change.

Conclusion:

The correct answer is a, c, and e, because a vision statement should reflect the organization’s core values, shape its priorities, and define what makes it unique.

✅ Correct Answer: Fishnet Organisation

✅ Explanation:
A Fishnet Organisation is a flexible, network-based structure that can form and reform connections as needed. It allows teams and relationships to adapt quickly to changing demands and situations.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Virtual Organisation 🌐: Focuses on remote work and technology, not on flexible structure.

• Learning Organisation 📚: Emphasises continuous learning, not adaptability of structure.

• Spaghetti Organisation 🍝: Chaotic and inefficient, lacks clear structure.

✅ Final Answer: Fishnet Organisation.

✅ Correct Answer: Opportunity, Leadership

✅ Explanation:

Entrepreneurs are generally opportunity-obsessed, meaning they are constantly seeking and evaluating new opportunities to create value, solve problems, and meet market needs. At the same time, they are leadership-balanced, indicating they possess the leadership skills necessary to mobilize resources, inspire teams, and execute their vision effectively.

This combination ensures that while they are driven by the pursuit of innovation or market gaps, they also maintain the organizational and interpersonal balance required to lead ventures successfully.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Innovation, Risk: While entrepreneurs are innovative and willing to take risks, these traits don’t capture the dual focus of obsession and balance as accurately.

• Creativity, Innovations: Creativity is crucial, but “innovation” alone doesn’t represent the balancing factor of leadership.

• Profit, Creativity: Profit is an outcome, not typically what entrepreneurs are “obsessed” with from the outset; also, creativity does not equate to balance.

✅ Final Answer: Opportunity, Leadership

✅ Correct Answer: Let it go

📘 Explanation:

The 5 Core Principles of Kaizen are:

1. Know Your Customer – Focus on delivering value and quality to customers.

2. Go to Gemba – Observe and understand work processes directly at the source.

3. Let It Flow – Improve efficiency by streamlining processes and reducing waste.

4. Empower People – Encourage employees to contribute ideas and take ownership of improvements.

5. Be Transparent – Use data, visualization, and clear communication to track progress and ensure accountability.

✅ Final Answer: Let it go

✅ Correct Answer: Medium enterprise in manufacturing sector with an investment in plant and machinery of Rs 15 crores

✅ Explanation:
Udyog Aadhar registration (now replaced by Udyam Registration) is available only to businesses that fall within the defined limits for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The investment ceiling for medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector is Rs 10 crores.

An enterprise investing Rs 15 crores in plant and machinery exceeds this limit and is therefore not eligible for registration under the MSME framework.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Micro enterprise with Rs 20 lakhs investment: Fits within the limit for micro enterprises (up to Rs 25 lakhs for manufacturing).

• Small enterprise with Rs 3.5 crores investment: Within the small enterprise limit (up to Rs 5 crores for manufacturing).

• Small service enterprise with Rs 1.50 crores investment: Falls well within the small enterprise limit for services (up to Rs 2 crores).

✅ Final Answer: Medium enterprise in manufacturing sector with an investment in plant and machinery of Rs 15 crores

The correct answer is Organizational effectiveness.

Explanation:

• Organizational effectiveness: This is a measure of how well an organization achieves its goals and objectives. It refers to the extent to which the organization is successful in fulfilling its mission, meeting its goals, and satisfying its stakeholders. It evaluates the appropriateness of the goals and how well these goals are being met.

• Organizational transparency: This refers to the openness of the organization in sharing information with its stakeholders. It is important for trust and accountability but does not directly measure how well goals are being achieved.

• Organizational citizenship: This concept refers to the voluntary behaviors and actions of employees that are beneficial to the organization but are not part of their formal job requirements. It’s about employees going beyond basic job expectations.

• Organizational efficiency: This refers to how well the organization uses its resources (like time, money, and labor) to achieve its goals. Efficiency is about doing things in the best possible way, with the least waste, but it does not necessarily measure how well the goals are being met or the appropriateness of the goals.

Conclusion:

Organizational effectiveness measures how well an organization is achieving its goals, making it the correct answer.

✅ Correct Answer: a – i, b – iii, c – iv, d – ii

✅ Explanation:

Here’s the correct matching between emphases of Organizational Behavior (OB) and their related disciplines:

✅ Final Answer: a – i, b – iii, c – iv, d – ii

✅ Correct Answer: a – iii, b – iv, c – ii, d – i

📘 Explanation:

• a. Grouping of products → iii. Aggregate Planning
  👉 Aggregate planning focuses on grouping products for effective capacity and resource planning.

• b. Allocation of job tasks → iv. Assignment Model
  👉 The Assignment model is used to assign tasks/jobs to resources (like machines or workers) efficiently.

• c. Evaluating facility location → ii. Transportation Model
  👉 The Transportation model helps evaluate and optimize logistics and facility locations.

• d. Demand forecasting → i. Delphi Method
  👉 The Delphi Method is a structured forecasting technique using expert opinion over multiple rounds.

✅ Final Answer: a – iii, b – iv, c – ii, d – i

✅ Correct Answer: Production scheduling

📘 Explanation:

A Gantt chart is a visual tool used to plan, schedule, and track specific tasks or activities over time. It is especially useful in production scheduling for the following reasons:

• It shows the start and end dates of tasks.

• It helps allocate resources effectively.

• It tracks progress in real time.

❌ Why other options are incorrect:

• Time Study: Focuses on measuring how long tasks take, not on scheduling them over time.

• Sales Forecasting: Involves predicting future sales trends, which uses statistical tools, not scheduling charts.

• Motion Study: Analyses movements to improve efficiency — again, not related to scheduling.

✅ Final Answer: Production scheduling

✅ Correct Answer: Imported stress

✅ Explanation:
The standard categories of stress include:

• Acute stress – short-term stress that arises from specific events or situations.

• Chronic stress – long-term, ongoing stress resulting from persistent issues.

• Eustress – positive stress that can motivate and enhance performance.

Imported stress is not a recognized or standard category in psychological or organizational stress theories. It appears to be a distractor with no formal basis in stress research.

✅ Final Answer: Imported stress

✅ Correct Answer: Statement I is true, Statement II is false.

✅ Explanation:

Statement I: The status of the person being perceived will greatly influence others’ perception of the person.

Factors in the Target: The status of the person being perceived plays a significant role in shaping how others perceive them. High-status individuals are often viewed more favorably and are attributed with greater competence, authority, and respect. Their position in a social or professional hierarchy influences the way they are evaluated by others, regardless of their actual behavior or traits.

❌Statement II: The visible traits of the person perceived will not influence others’ perception of the person.

Factors in the Perceiver: Visible traits such as appearance, body language, and attire do influence how people are perceived. These traits form first impressions and can lead to biased judgments about a person’s professionalism, trustworthiness, or attractiveness. People often make assumptions based on visible cues, and these initial perceptions can strongly shape how they interact with the person.

✅ Final Answer: Statement I is true, Statement II is false.

✅ Correct Answer: USA’s exports were labor-intensive and imports were capital intensive

✅ Explanation:

The Leontief Paradox is a famous empirical finding by economist Wassily Leontief that challenged the Heckscher-Ohlin theory of international trade.

According to the Heckscher-Ohlin theory, a capital-abundant country like the USA should export capital-intensive goods and import labour-intensive goods.

However, Leontief’s 1953 study revealed the opposite:

Despite being a capital-rich country, the USA was exporting labor-intensive goods and importing capital-intensive goods.

This contradiction between theoretical expectation and empirical observation is termed the Leontief Paradox.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• USA’s exports were capital intensive and imports were labor intensive:
  This is what the Heckscher-Ohlin theory predicted, but it was not what Leontief found.

• USA’s exports and imports both were capital intensive:
  This was not supported by the data and doesn’t explain the paradox.

• USA’s exports and imports both were labor-intensive:
  Again, not supported by the empirical results of the Leontief study.

✅ Final Answer: USA’s exports were labor-intensive and imports were capital intensive.

✅ Correct Answer: IBM

✅ Explanation: Hofstede’s dimensions of culture were developed based on a large-scale research study conducted at IBM in the 1970s. He analyzed data from over 70 countries where IBM had employees, identifying key cultural dimensions such as power distance, individualism vs collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance. This work became foundational in cross-cultural management studies.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Intel Ltd.: Not associated with Hofstede’s study.

• Pepsico: Not involved in the research.

• Microsoft: Was not the organization used in Hofstede’s original research.

✅ Final Answer: IBM

✅ Correct Answer: Job security

✅ Explanation:

Trade Union Functions are broadly classified into:

🔹 Intramural Functions (Inside the workplace):

These relate to improving conditions within employment, such as:

• Job security ✅

• Wage negotiation

• Working conditions

• Grievance redressal

• Protection from unfair labor practices

🔁 Job security is about safeguarding employment, hence it is an intramural function.

🔹 Extramural Functions (Outside the workplace):

These are welfare activities beyond the job environment, such as:

• Provision of education ✔️

• Housing facilities ✔️

• Medical facilities during sickness ✔️

• Recreation, social events, training, etc.

❌ Why “Job security” is NOT extramural:

It directly relates to the employee’s role and continuity in the organization, not a welfare service provided outside the work context.

✅ Final Answer: Job security.

✅ Correct Answer: b and c only

✅ Explanation:

Rural entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges that stem largely from limited infrastructure, lack of exposure, and insufficient support systems. Among the options given, the most direct and pressing problems are:

• b. Inability to market their products and services
  Marketing is a major hurdle in rural areas due to poor connectivity, lack of branding skills, limited access to digital platforms, and low customer reach. This restricts the ability of rural entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses.

• c. Lack of comprehensive training on required skills
  Many rural entrepreneurs lack formal education or training in areas like finance, marketing, technology, and operations. Without skill development programs or entrepreneurial training, their ability to run a successful venture is limited.

❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

• a. Rate of interest charged by commercial banks is too high
  While interest rates can be an issue, many rural entrepreneurs struggle more with access to credit than with the interest rates themselves. Microfinance institutions and government schemes often provide concessional rates.

• d. Inability to handle cultural issues
  This is not a widespread or commonly cited problem. Most rural entrepreneurs are well-integrated within their local cultures and communities.

• e. Difficulty in opening bank accounts due to lack of documents
  Government initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana and Aadhaar-linked services have significantly reduced this problem by simplifying documentation requirements.

✅ Final Answer: b and c only

✅ Correct Answer: Informal Micro Enterprises

✅ Explanation:
The Udyam Assist Platform (UAP), developed by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), is aimed at informal micro enterprises. These are small, often unregistered businesses that operate outside the formal economic structure. The platform helps them transition into the formal sector by facilitating their registration under the Udyam Registration system. Once registered, these enterprises can access formal credit, government schemes, and other benefits that were previously unavailable to them due to their informal status.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• Small Enterprises: Already eligible for Udyam Registration through standard procedures; UAP specifically targets those who are unregistered and informal.

• Medium Enterprises: Similarly, medium enterprises typically operate within the formal sector and don’t need the assistive features provided by UAP.

• Export Oriented Enterprises: While they may benefit from Udyam Registration, the UAP is not specifically designed for them; its primary goal is to formalize informal micro enterprises.

✅ Final Answer: Informal Micro Enterprises

✅ Correct Answer: b and d only

✅ Correct Answer: c, d and e only

✅ Explanation:

Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) refers to the strategic coordination of all promotional tools and channels to deliver a clear, consistent, and compelling message about a brand or organization across all touchpoints.

Let’s break down the given statements:

• a. IMC is the specific blend of promotion tools…
  ❌ Incorrect. This defines the promotion mix, not IMC specifically.

• b. IMC calls for recognizing only those touch points where the customer physically encounters the company and its brands
  ❌ Incorrect. IMC considers all touchpoints, both physical and digital—limiting it to only physical ones is not correct.

• c. IMC’s goal is to deliver a consistent and clear message about the organisation and its products
  ✅ Correct. Consistency and clarity are core goals of IMC.

• d. IMC ties together all of the company’s messages and images
  ✅ Correct. It ensures the brand speaks with one voice.

• e. IMC calls for integration and coordination of the company’s many communication channels
  ✅ Correct. This is the very essence of IMC.

✅ Final Answer: c, d and e only ✅

✅ Correct Answer: a – iii, b – iv, c – ii, d – i

✅ Explanation:

This question is based on the Customer Relationship Group Matrix, which classifies customers based on projected loyalty and potential profitability:

🔹 List I and Correct Matches from List II:

• a. Strangers → iii. Low profitability, Low loyalty
  → These customers don’t bring much value; the firm shouldn’t invest in them.

• b. Barnacles → iv. Low profitability, High loyalty
  → Loyal but not profitable. They buy regularly but in small amounts. Retention efforts might not yield returns.

• c. True Friends → ii. High profitability, High loyalty
  → Best customers. Should be nurtured with strong relationship-building and personalized offers.

• d. Butterflies → i. High profitability, Low loyalty
  → Profitable but not loyal. Enjoy them while they last, but don’t over-invest.

✅ Final Answer: a – iii, b – iv, c – ii, d – i

✅ Correct Answer: c and d

✅ Explanation:
According to Mintzberg’s organisational types, each type relies on a different coordination mechanism:

❌ a. Entrepreneurial organisations primarily focus on skills standardisation – Incorrect: They rely on direct supervision, not skills.
❌ b. Professional organisations primarily focus on output standardisation – Incorrect: They rely on skills standardisation (e.g., doctors, lawyers).
✅ c. Innovative organisations primarily focus on mutual adjustment – Correct: Also known as adhocracies, they thrive on collaboration and flexibility.
✅ d. Missionary organisations primarily focus on norms standardisation – Correct: They are guided by shared beliefs and values.
❌ e. Innovative organisations do not focus on mutual adjustment – Incorrect: This contradicts the key trait of innovative (adhocratic) structures.

✅ Final Answer: c and d.

✅ Correct Answer: a and e only

✅ Explanation:

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) is driven by advanced technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, and big data. While it brings innovation, it also raises significant concerns, including:

• a. Invasion of privacy – Smart devices, surveillance systems, and connected platforms collect vast amounts of data, raising concerns over misuse, consent, and data breaches.

• e. Environmental concerns – Increased digital infrastructure, e-waste, and high energy usage from data centers contribute to environmental degradation.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

• b. Reduced capital expenditure on infrastructure – This is not a concern; it’s generally seen as a benefit, as Industry 4.0 enables more efficient and modular production setups.

• c. Low cost and affordable service – Again, this is not a challenge; it’s a positive outcome of automation and efficiency.

• d. Blurring differences between the men and machines – While this is philosophically interesting, it is not typically listed as a core concern like privacy or environmental issues.

✅ Final Answer: a and e only.

✅ Correct Answer:

• a. System approach → i. Emphasizes that decisions and actions taken in one organizational area will affect others and vice-versa

• b. Contingency approach → iv. Emphasizes that organizations are different and face different situations that require different ways of managing

• c. Quantitative approach → ii. Emphasizes on application of statistics, optimization models and computer simulations to management activities

• d. Weber’s ideal bureaucracy → iii. Emphasizes on career orientation, impersonality, authority hierarchy, division of labor, formal selection etc.

✅ Explanation:

• System Approach (a → i): Views the organization as a system composed of interrelated parts. Changes in one part affect others.

• Contingency Approach (b → iv): Suggests that no single management style works for all situations; management must adapt based on context.

• Quantitative Approach (c → ii): Involves mathematical models and analytical methods to improve decision-making.

• Weber’s Ideal Bureaucracy (d → iii): Describes a structured, rule-based form of organization emphasizing efficiency and fairness through hierarchy and formal rules.

✅ Final Answer: a → i, b → iv, c → ii, d → iii