Tutorial questions March 2015

  1. Justify the need for diagnostic, technical and human skills by managers at all levels in an organization.
  2. Citing practical examples assess the notion that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is not relevant to the current Zimbabwean work environment.
  3. If money is removed as an incentive people are not going to show up for work. Therefore money is a major motivator for most working people. Discuss.
  4. Henry Fayol believed that management is a skill that could be learnt or taught. Identify and explain in detail the principles of management he developed in relation to the above statement.
  5. Critique Max Weber’s classical bureaucracy management theory from a 21st century Zimbabwean manager’s point of view.
  6. In his two factor theory, Herzberg concluded that the opposite of satisfaction is not dissatisfaction. Argue a case for his conclusion basing on the theory.
  7. Evaluate the effectiveness of any management theory in use by an established organisation of your choice.
  8. Planning in a turbulent environment is a waste of time. Discuss.
  9. Describe in detail the PEST and SWOT factors that impact on the work of today’s manager in Zimbabwe.
  10. Evaluate the effectiveness of an established matrix designed Zimbabwean organisation you are familiar with.
  11. Most managers fail to delegate for fear of losing accountability. Discuss
  12. “All conflict is bad, must be avoided at all cost as it shows a manager’s failure to solve problems within a group.” Adapted from Stoner J. A. Comment on this statement in light of the other views of conflict.
  13. Discuss the notion that top management’s leadershipstyles play a critical role in encouraging ethical behaviour in business organisations.
  14. Control of any kind should target lower level employees since they are responsible for decision implementation. Discuss.
  15. Describe the key stages in the control process and discuss the characteristics of an effective control system.
  16. Decision making is the essence of a manager’s job, it is synonymous with managing. Discuss.
  17. Critically analyse the notion that ethics may defy the business objective of profit making.
  18. Corporate Social Responsibility is nothing but a marketing gimmick. discuss
  19. Most organisations in Zimbabwe engage themselves in Social Responsibility. Of what benefit is social responsibility to these organisations?
  20. Changes are organizational realities; explain in detail how a modern manager can keep abreast with changes within and outside their organizations. Suggest any 5 techniques that can be used to assess the probable impact of change in any organization of your choice.
  21. The Directors of an upcoming family business are in a dilemma whether to put aside resources to change the business environment to suit their organization or change themselves to suit the environment. Advise