This Paper has 28 answerable questions with 0 answered.
F—15(SMM)
Revised Syllabus |
| Time Allowed : 3 Hours | Full Marks : 100 |
This question paper has two parts–A & B. Part A contains a set of objective type questions which are all compulsory. Part A carries 20 marks. You are required to choose and write down the correct answer: That is, do not just tick the appropriate choice. In Part B you have to answer 5 questions. Your answer must be brief, to the point and illustrated with suitable examples, if necessary. The figures in the margin on the right side indicate break–up for marks.
PART A
Answer all the questions. |
| Marks |
| 1. | The difference between Horizontal integration and Vertical integration can be best explained in terms of: | (a) | Economics; | | (b) | Vision; | | (c) | Choices; | | (d) | Perspective; | | (e) | Profitability. |
| 2x10=20 | (0) |
| 2. | BSNL’s plan behind introduction of "Internet Plan 99". ISDN, Virtual Private Network etc, would be an example of: | (a) | Utilization of newer technologies; | | (b) | Portfolio generation; | | (c) | Diversification of business; | | (d) | Product development; | | (e) | Encash new opportunities. |
| | (0) |
| 3. | Mckinsey’s 7–s framework consists of: | (a) | Structure, strategy, software, skills, styles, staff and supervision. | | (b) | Structure, strategy, systems, skills, styles, syndication and shared values. | | (c) | Structure, strategy,systems, skills, steering power, styles and shared values. | | (d) | Structure, strategy, staff, skill, systems, shared values, super ordinate goals. | | (e) | None of the above. |
| | (0) |
| 4. | Strategic planning is: | (a) | An attempt to make future decisions. | | (b) | A process of deciding what business the firm is in and what kind of business. It will seek to enter or leave. | | (c) | A single prescribed methodology or a set of strategic procedures. | | (d) | The development of a set of plants that are to be used day after day into the far distant future. | | (e) | An attempt to improve operational efficiency. |
| | (0) |
| 5. | The maturity stage of the PLC is most often associated with: | (a) | Rapid growth; | (b) | Uncertainty in market; | | (c) | Improvements in manufacturing processes; | (d) | high exit barriers; | | (e) | Re-alignment of competitive structure. |
| | (0) |
| 6. | The BCG growth matrix is based on two dimensions; | (a) | Market size and competitive intensity; | | (b) | Relative market share and market/industry growth rate; | | (c) | Profit margins and market size; | | (d) | Market size and market share; | | (e) | Relative market share and profitability margin. |
| | (0) |
| 7. | The corporate governance framework should ensure: | (a) | Equitable treatment of all shareholders; | | (b) | Rights of stakeholders as established by law; | | (c) | Timely and accurate disclosure of all material matters including finance, Performance and ownership of the company; | | (d) | All of the above and social responsibility; | | (e) | Ethical business practices with growth. |
| | (0) |
| 8. | The strategy of preplanned series of relaunches is: | (a) | Harvesting strategy; | (b) | Offensive strategy; | | (c) | Defensive strategy; | (d) | Pruning strategy; | | (e) | Repositioning strategy. |
| | (0) |
| 9. | Diversification strategy involves development of products or services; | (a) | That caters to the overseas markets; | | (b) | That serves similar customers in new markets; | | (c) | That are different from present product line and nurture new markets; | | (d) | That serves existing markets only. |
| | (0) |
| 10. | TISCO’s famous advertising campaign of "we also make steel" was meant to: | (a) | Gain buyer loyalty to its products; | | (b) | Charge a price premium; | | (c) | Inform new buyers about its product portfolio; | | (d) | Enhance product quality perception; | | (e) | Achieve corporate’s social responsibility. |
| | (0) |
PART B
|
| Answer any five question. |
| 11. | Conceptually, strategy of a firm consists of two inseparable parts: business strategy and corporate strategy. | (a) | Distinguish between business strategy and corporate strategy. |
| (b) | Identify the key elements considered to develop and formulate such master strategy. |
| 8+8=16 | (0) |
| 12. | (a) | What is "Situation audit" in strategic planning? Discuss its fundamental purposes. | 8+8=16 | (0) |
| | (b) | Draft s conceptual model for creating a "Strategic plan" for a company. | | (0) |
| 13. | In India in early 80s many companies became too much vertically integrated or excessively diversified. In the 90s one witnessed a dramatic shift from this pattern. | (a) | Why did the firms choose to refocus their business by looking at their core businesses? |
| (b) | What are the various strategic options available to the companies pursuing a restructuring strategy? |
| 8+8=16 | (0) |
| 14. | (a) | Suggest some ways by which a firm can assess its various 'distinctive or core competencies'. | 8+8=16 | (0) |
| | (b) | Discuss the concept known as "Profit Impact on Marketing Strategies (PIMS)". | | (0) |
| 15. | (a) | Draw a typical Product Life Cycle curve indicating thereon the market share and market growth classification of products. | 8+8=16 | (0) |
| | (b) | "In the 'maturity stage' of Product Life Cycle the market becomes saturated, price competition intensifies, and the rate of sales growth slows down". —Suggest strategic choices in such a stage of the PLC. | | (0) |
| 16. | What is meant by 'growth strategy? What are the underlying factors for adopting this strategy? State different strategies usually followed in the pursuit of corporate growth. | 2+2+12=16 | (0) |
| 17. | What do you understand by marketing strategy? What distinguishes marketing strategy from marketing tactics? Show how marketing strategy fits with corporate strategy and sales strategy. | 4+4+8=16 | (0) |
| 18. | "The empirical evidence indicates that firms attempt to achieve multiple objectives through their pricing policies". Outline a comprehensive list of the different types of (1) Pricing objectives and (2) Pricing methods | 8+8=16 | (0) |
| 19. | What purposes are served by sales promotion activities? Identify and discuss a few trade promotion tools. | 8+8=16 | (0) |
| 20. | Write short notes on any two of the following with appropriate examples: | 8x2=16 | |
| | (a) | Strategic leader; | | (0) |
| | (b) | Mission statement; | | (0) |
| | (c) | Corporate restructuring; | | (0) |
| | (d) | Product line decisions; | | (0) |
| | (e) | Channels of distribution; | | (0) |
| | (f) | Premium pricing strategy. | | (0) |
