POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA

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1 POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY BACHELOR OF OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE MANAGEMENT 4A (AOM411S) FIRST OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION JUNE 2015 TIME: MARKS: PAGES: 3 hours (Including cover page) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. All questions are compulsory. 2. Read all questions carefully before answering them. 3. Make sure your student number appears on the answer script. EXAMINER: MR DDJ FREDERICKS MODERATOR: MR EA ZEALAND

2 QUESTION 1 In an interview you were asked to explain the following. 1.1 Job enrichment (2) 1.2 Authority (2) 1.3 Accountability (2) 1.4 Forecasting (2) 1.5 Tactical Plans (2) QUESTION 2 [1 0] 2.1 Explain the concept benchmarking and indicate how benchmarking can help to promote quality (4) 2.2 Management should identify any trends that may pose a threat or opportunity to the organisation in the future. Discuss the four steps in environmental scanning. (8) 2.3 Define Management by objectives and identify its common elements. (7) 2.4 Managers are sometimes reluctant to do planning. Briefly describe three (3) reasons for this. (6) 2.5 Study the following diagram (1) and answer the questions that follows: A- 2 E H-4 D-10 0 Diagram

3 2.5.1 Complete: PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique is a that uses a network to plan projects. ( 1) Indicate the critical path. (1) How long will it take to complete the project? (1) Define the concept Critical path. (2) QUESTION Today group decision-making by means of committees, task groups etc. is a common phenomenon in contemporary businesses, especially where unprogrammed decisions are at stake. Group decision-making has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Identify and discuss the disadvantages of group decision-making? (8) 3.2 Briefly comment on Zero-based budgeting under the following headings: Purpose How it is applied Advantage (6) 3.3 Explain the relationship between problems, problem solving and decision making in an organisational context. (6) 3.4 Identify and elaborate on the characteristics of useful information. (8) 3.5 Successful managers can 'outdecide' competitors in three ways. Describe any two of these methods. (2) QUESTION Briefly discuss four internal growth strategies as part of a grand strategy for your organisation. (12) 4.2 Explain the purpose and the four dimensions of a Balance Score Card (BSC). (10) 3

4 4.3 The decision as to whether to centralise or decentralise not only concerns the locus of authority, but managers also need to decide on the centralisation or decentralisation of activities. Briefly discuss the advantages of decentralisation. (8) QUESTION Briefly describe brainstorming, as a technique to improve group decisionmaking, under the following headings: Brief overview of process of brain-storming Advantage Disadvantage (8) (2) (2) 5.2 Briefly clarify the stages in Group and team development. (5) 5.3 Explain the concept Job Design and list the importance of job design for the organisation. (5) 5.4 Diagram 2 GENERAL PRODUCT A PRODUCTB PRODUCTC Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 4

5 Identify the organisation structure (diagram 2) above and write brief notes on the structure under the following headings: (2) Purpose (2) Advantages (2) Disadvantages (2) QUESTION 6 CASE STUDY: ERICSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS Ericson has been at the forefront of communication inventions and innovations for more than 80 years. We have achieved extraordinary accomplishments along the way - such as making the equipment that carried the first words from the moon and leading the cellular communication revolution with the development of the world's first handheld cellular phone. More recently, Ericson has taken leadership positions in solutions for public safety, enterprises, mobile computing, 4G broadband, and high definition video. Today, Ericson's portfolio of technologies, solutions and services includes wireless handsets, wireless accessories, digital entertainment devices, wireless access systems, voice and data communications systems, and enterprise mobility products. We operate in numerous countries around the globe, tapping the creativity of diverse cultures and individuals. With the rapid convergence of fixed and mobile broad band Internet and the growing demand for next-generation mobile communication solutions, our mission is to lead the next wave of innovative products that meet the expanding needs of our customers around the world. The trends toward media mobility, ubiquitous connectivity and wireless flexibility, coupled with mobile lifestyles and business, continue to expand. Ericson is organised into two business units. First, the Mobile Devices and Home business is positioned to lead in the convergence of mobility, media and the Internet. Our comprehensive portfolio includes mobile converged devices and smartphones, digital entertainment devices in the home, and end-to-end video, voice and data solutions that enable us to provide advanced mobile media solutions and multiscreen experiences for our customers. Working with our network operator partners we are enabling more advanced personalized services that leverage the capability of expanding wireless and wireline broadband availability. Second, the Enterprise Mobility Solutions and Networks business offers a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio of products and solutions, including rugged twoway radios, mobile computers, secure public safety systems, barcode scanning, RFID readers and wireless network infrastructure to enterprises and governments, 5

6 ...' as well as 4G broadband infrastructure, devices and services to network operators globally. Our Enterprise Mobility Solutions (EMS) portfolio is available to enterprise customers across retail, energy and utilities, transportations, manufacturing, healthcare and other commercial markets and to governments and public safety agencies. Ericson EMS has consistently delivered new ways for governments and businesses to connect from the first ever two-way radio and the first ever hand held laser scanner to the cutting-edge, converged solutions of today such as the mobile computing device, MC9500, and the APX public safety radio. With this portfolio Ericson offers solutions, support tools and services to many of the Fortune 500 companies and governments around the world. Combined with a global channel partner community Ericson has an extensive reach into small-to-medium businesses, as well a large range of additional vertical markets. Our networks portfolio reflects our commitment to 4G with WiMAX and L TE solutions that provide a way for operators to profitable meet the ever-growing demand for mobile broadband today while giving 2G and 3G customers a future path as we continue to support their legacy networks with our services, fourth-generation orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) platform and 25 years of wireless data systems innovation and experience. CASE STUDY QUESTIONS 6.1 Ericson is organised into two business units. Name them and explain the meaning of organising and the process that Ericson probably followed. (5) 6.2 What is the mission of Ericson in term of the growing demand for the next generation mobile communication solution. (1) 6.3 Explain the reasons why an organisation such as Ericson should create a structure for their organisation. (5) 6.4 'Power' can be defined as the ability to influence the behaviour of others in an organisation. Which one of these various kinds of power would be the most important one to have for leaders in Ericson? Substantiate your answer. (3) 6.5 An important aspect of organising is the grouping of related activities into Units or departments, called departmentalisation. Distinguish between the various types of departmentalisation that an organisation can implement, Also identify the type of departmentalisation that Ericson follows. (6) [20] [150] 6