NMIMS Semester 3 DECEMBER 2024 Business Management Assignments
Organisational Theory, Structure and Design
1. Analyze the utility of a line structure in an organisation. Explain which types of companies would prefer this structure. Evaluate the pros and cons of this structure. Give examples as required.
2. It is said that there is no magic formula for choosing the correct organizational structure. However, its suitability should be determined based on certain features. Evaluate the importance of each feature and add suitable examples wherever needed.
3. The external environment of a business is measured by a system called the PESTLE analysis which gives a holistic overview of all the associated contextual aspects influencing it. In the above context, explain with the help of suitable examples:
a. Evaluate the different relevant concepts of the external environment that help in strategy building.
b. Discuss the systems or approaches through which information can be collected regarding the external environment.
Cost and management accounting
Q1. ABC Ltd., has given the following budgeted and actual sales figures:
Budgeted Actual
Quantity Sale Price Value Quantity Sales Price Value
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Product A 500 60 30,000 600 65 39,000
Product B 700 40 28,000 650 38 24,700
The cost per unit of product A and B was Rs. 55 and Rs. 32 respectively. Compute variances to explain difference between budgeted and actual profit.
Q2. Discuss the role of management accounting in shaping strategic decisions within an organization. Provide examples of how management accounting practices can influence long-term planning and sustainability.
Q3. (a) Analyze the differences between standard costing and budgetary control. How do these tools help in managing operational performance within an organization?
Q3 (b) Evaluate the importance of understanding cost behaviours in decision-making. How can misinterpretation of cost behaviours impact a company’s financial decisions?
Consumer behavior
Q1. The latest kid in the e-commerce space is tastes 2 plate [t2pis the app name] and their website is https://tastes2plate.com/home. This site is doing intercity food delivery and is currently available in Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Jaipur, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi and Goa. It wants to launch its services in Pune and Ahmedabad in the next months. Explain how can they persuade citizens of Pune and Ahmedabad to order food from other cities using the principles of “Persuading Customers” under Buyer Behaviour.
Q2. Herd mentality, also known as mob mentality or crowd mentality, is a psychological phenomenon that significantly impacts human behavior. Analyze how are herd or mob mentality connected to consumer behaviour. Support this with an example of your choice.
Q3. Answer the following
a) Panchamrit, Dr. Vaidya’s and Zingavita have recently introduced “Chywanprash Gummies” similar to the Gummy Vitamins introduced a long time back for Multivitamins. These are targeted to children. Explain which principle of changing consumer attitude has been used in the creation of Chywanprash Gummies.
b) How do celebrities add value to product positioning? Explain in detail by taking an example of any product whose purchase and use by you or your family was influenced by celebrity endorsement..
Digital marketing
DunX Perfumes: Luxury Perfume Makers for Men
The Company
DunX is a burgeoning luxury perfume brand based in India, focusing on creating exclusive, high-end fragrances for men. With a commitment to quality and sophistication, DunX aims to redefine the luxury perfume market by offering products that resonate with the refined tastes of its discerning customers.
The Context
In a rapidly evolving market, DunX has chosen to forgo traditional media channels such as television, radio, and print. Instead, the company plans to focus exclusively on digital marketing to reach and engage its target audience. This strategic decision is rooted in the belief that the digital landscape offers a more direct and personalized way to connect with potential customers. However, not everyone in the management team is aligned with this decision. Some members, with a more traditional mindset, believe in the effectiveness of offline marketing methods such as billboards, print ads, and in-store promotions. They argue that these channels offer tangible benefits that should not be overlooked, especially for a luxury brand like DunX.
The Brand
DunX positions itself as a brand that embodies sophistication, style, and exclusivity. The company’s fragrances are crafted for men who appreciate the finer things in life and seek to express their individuality through their choice of scent. DunX’s brand identity is built around the idea of luxury and elegance, with a commitment to providing a premium experience in every aspect of the customer journey.
The USP of the Brand
DunX’s unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its ability to blend tradition with modernity. The brand’s perfumes are crafted using the finest ingredients, combining timeless elegance with contemporary appeal. By leveraging digital marketing, DunX aims to create an immersive online experience that mirrors the luxury and exclusivity of its products.
The Target Audience
DunX’s target audience comprises fashion-forward, classy men who belong to the upper- middle class and above. These individuals live in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, and they have a keen appreciation for luxury products. The target audience is tech-savvy, active on social media, and seeks brands that align with their sophisticated lifestyle.
The Challenges
As a new entrant in the luxury market, DunX faces the challenge of standing out in a crowded space. The brand must craft a digital marketing strategy that not only resonates with its target audience but also sets it apart from competitors.In addition to external market challenges, the internal alignment on marketing strategy poses a significant hurdle. You must navigate differing opinions within the management team, some of whom are skeptical about relying solely on digital marketing. Balancing these perspectives while driving an effective marketing strategy will be crucial to DunX’s success. In addition to external market challenges, the internal alignment on marketing strategy poses a significant hurdle. You must navigate differing opinions within the management team, some of whom are skeptical about relying solely on digital marketing. Balancing these perspectives while driving an effective marketing strategy will be crucial to DunX’s success.How DunX leverages digital platforms will be crucial to its success in establishing a strong presence in the luxury perfume industry.
Your Role
You have just completed your MBA from a top-tier business school and have been hired by DunX to help kickstart their digital marketing efforts. Your task is to develop a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that will not only introduce the brand to the market but also establish DunX as a leader in the luxury perfume segment. Your insights and strategies will play a crucial role in shaping the brand’s future in the competitive luxury market. Describe the strategies you would use to promote DunX perfumes through digital channels. Specifically, outline all the online platforms you can use to sell the products and the methods you would employ to drive traffic to the brand’s online store or website. In your response, consider how you would leverage different types of media to achieve your goals. You can use the PESO framework.
2. One of the co-founders is of the view that rather than building their own online store, they should list the DunX perfumes in marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart. What advice would you give them and why? Substantiate your answers in the light of the pros and cons of creating a dedicated online store (primary digital property) vis-à-vis listing products on marketplaces (secondary digital properties).
3. a) Considering the differing opinions within the management team, how would you persuade them to prioritize digital marketing for DunX Perfumes?
b) Now that you have persuaded the management to take the digital-first approach, what are some of the challenges that you anticipate you will face when attempting to implement and introduce online marketing for DunX Perfumes at the organizational level?
Make necessary assumptions wherever required.
Project management
Q1. What is a project life cycle? Using an example explain the primary phases of a project lifecycle and the main activities involved in each phase.
Q2. Using an example explain the importance of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in project planning. How does it facilitate better project management?
Q3. Case Study Title: “The Solar Power Plant Implementation Project”
Background:
Green Energy Solutions (GES) is a renewable energy company that has recently won a contract to design, construct, and operate a 50 MW solar power plant in a rural area. The project is expected to help the region reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its growing energy demands sustainably. GES has set an ambitious target to complete the project within 18 months and a budget of USD 50 million. The project involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, suppliers, and contractors.
Project Scope:
Design and Engineering: Development of the solar plant design, including selecting solar panels, inverters, and other components.
Procurement: Sourcing and purchasing all necessary equipment and materials.
Construction: Building the solar plant infrastructure, including installing solar panels, wiring, and connection to the power grid.
Testing and Commissioning: Testing the plant to ensure it operates efficiently and meets regulatory standards.
Handover and Operation: The project will be handed over to the operations team, which will manage the plant.
Challenges:
Tight Schedule: The 18-month timeline is challenging due to the complexity of the project and potential delays in procurement and construction.
Budget Constraints: The project must be completed within the USD 50 million budget, requiring careful cost management.
Stakeholder Management: The project must address concerns from local communities and comply with environmental regulations.
Risk of Delays: Potential delays due to weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory approvals.
a) Using the Critical Path Method (CPM), outline how you would develop the project schedule for the solar power plant. Identify potential critical paths and discuss strategies to manage schedule risks.
b) Discuss how you would develop the project budget and manage costs throughout the lifecycle of the solar power plant project. Include a discussion on cost estimation techniques and how to handle cost overruns.
International Business
1. Whether or not you produce and sell goods internationally, international business impacts every organization. In light of this statement what in your opinion are the various challenges a firm will face while embarking to International Business.
2. While investing in India what is the significance of the role of FII and FDI. How in your opinion does India benefits when Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and FII invest in India?
3. Read the following case study carefully and then answer the questions that follow:
The crisis in Ukraine has created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions and has also dealt a severe blow to the global economy. The brunt of the suffering and destruction are being felt by the people of Ukraine themselves but the costs in terms of reduced trade and output are likely to be felt by people around the world through higher food and energy prices and reduced availability of goods exported by Russia and Ukraine. Poorer countries are at high risk from the war, since they tend to spend a larger fraction of their incomes on food compared to richer countries. This could impact political stability. The WTO has an important role to play in mitigating the negative effects of the crisis and in rebuilding a post-war global economy. It is important for the international trade and development community to better understand, analyze and monitor the nature, magnitude and spill-over effects of the war on trade and development for developing countries and vulnerable segments, and to assist countries in coordinating trade policy responses. Only with a clear understanding of these impacts, will it be possible to create robust supply chains, to limit further trade and development losses and to avert deepening inequalities between developed and developing countries.
a) What in your opinion should the WTO take steps to provide an impetus to trade in that has disrupted trade due to the Ukraine-Russia war?
b) Explain Global macroeconomic and trade effects of war and what are the ways that WTO can mitigate the problem.
