SM Question Papers

7/29/2019 SM Question Papers

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Year Qt.No. Questions Marks

Answer any 5 questions

2007 1Write the mission and vision statements for typically large size organizations. How do these help in the

strategy formulation ?20

2007 2Corporate Strategy should take into account the diverse interests of all the stakeholders of an

organization. Explain.20

2007 3 How does the mission and vision get developed? What does the hierarchy of strategy intent mean? 20

2007 4Consider any organization in an industry of your choice. Prepare a SWOT analysis for that organization

and then suggest on the basis of this analysis what should be its future course of action20

2007 5What are the important aspects that companies must consider before they embark on using

diversification as a major growth engine ?20

2007 6

A turnaround strategy is used for converting a failed company or a sick company into a successful

company. You have been appointed as a consultant to turnaround a failed company or a sick company.

Please prepare an action plan to turn around a failed or a sick company (take any company of your

choice)

20

2007 7What could be the possible reasons for companies to use the Mergers & Acquisitions route ? Please lace

your answers with examples from the corporate world.20

Answer any 5 questions

2006 1 What are the various steps of Strategic Management Process ? Describe the significance of each step. 20

2006 2

" A vision articulates a position that the firm would like to attain in the distant future" said Ms. Maya. "

It is the starting point for any Strategic Management Process ". Please explain the Strategy

Management Process and the key elements of this process.

20

2006 3Coporate Strategy should take into account the diverse interests of all the stakeholders of an


2006 4 Explain the terms cost based strategies and niche based strategies 20



2006 6 Prepare a competitor profile for any organization of your choice 20

2006 7

The BCG growth matrix has long remained an excellent tool for evaluating businesses by any

companies. Explain how companies can use this tool to evaluate the strategic options for their variousbusinesses.

20

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT - UNIVERISITY QUESTION PAPERS FROM 2002 - 2007


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2006 8




choice)

20



2006 10

Managing Change is the Hallmark of any successful leader. How do you tackle the process of change

management ? 20Question No. 1 is compulsory, attempt any 4 of the rest of the questions

2005 1 Compare and contrast between following concepts with suitable illustrations (any four)

2005 1. a. Divestment and Spin off 5

2005 1. b. Global and Multi Country Operations 5

2005 1. c. Supplier Value Chain and Forward Value Chain 5

2005 1. d. Competence and Core Competence 5

2005 1. e. Growth Markets and High Velocity Markets 5

2005 1. f. Entry Barriers and Exit Barriers 5

2005 2

"In a rapidly changing economy like India, long range planning is often considered as an exercise of

futility." Taking a company of your choice, discuss the pro's and con's of planning exercise. Elaboratethe contents of long range planning (LRP) exercise on a particular planning issue of your choice for the

above mentioned company

20

2005 3

"Telecom industry has undergone dramatic changes in the last five years. Several leading private and

public sector players are investing heavily in this sector." Do you agree with this statement. How can

they achieve sustainable competitive advantage given the fact that they have different levels of

experience, levels of entry ? Can they apply Porter's model of generic strategies.

20

2005 4. a.What are the strategic objectives apart from shareholder value that can guide companies to go in for

Mergers & Acquisitions ? Illustrate your answers with suitable examples from Indian corporate scene.10

2005 4. b. Ellaborate the steps followed in acquistion / take over strategies. 10

2005 5

"Adoption of outsourcing in manufacturing is one of the key strategic initiatives for your company. This

would also mean reducing manufacturing sites and transfer of productionto sourcing partners. Success

of this strategy is largely dependent on changes in the mindsets of employees in work practices and

environement." As a divisional head, management would like you to initiate this change process. What

are the key elements of this process ? What steps you would go through to complete the change

process ?

20

2005 6. a.

"In the recent years, Tata's, Birla's, Reliance have diversified into various business sectors." How do

you rationalize their diversification options ? What parameters you will use to judge the quality of

diversification measures ?

10

2005 6. b. What are the strategic options available to companies for diversification strategies ? 10


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2005 7

"Many FMCG companies are under severe profit erosion in the last 2 years. WTO agreement coming

into force effective from 2005 brings in new global brands in Indian market. They need to optimize

their resources and investments amongst several businesses and product categories." (a)

Discuss this statement in the context of Hindustan Lever Limited or Amul. (b) Using

BCG matrix, position the businesses / product categories of any one of the above companies and

indicate what strategies you would recommend for various SBU's ?

20

2005 8 Write short notes on any 3 of the following :

2005 8. a. Vision & Mission statements 7

2005 8. b. Balanced Score Card 7

2005 8. c. Value Chain Analysis 7

2005 8. d. Competitive Capability Analysis 7

2005 8. e. Diversification Options 7

2005 8. f. Strategic Audit 7

Question No. 1 is compulsory, attempt any 4 of the rest of the questions

2004 1 Compare and contrast between following concepts with suitable illustrations (any four)

2004 1. a. Mergers and Amalgamations 5

2004 1. b. Vision & Mission 5

2004 1. c. Financial Objectives & Strategic Objectives 5

2004 1. d. Competence and Distinctive Competence 5

2004 1. e. Embryonic Industries and Fragmented Industries 5

2004 1. f. Vertical and Horizontal Integration 5

2004 2

"India will usher in free economy with provisions of WTO agreements coming into force from 2005."

Your M.D. wants the strategic planning group of your company to perform environmental scanning

(Industry and Competive Environment) of the emerging scenario. What analytical tools you will use as

a part of strategic planning committee to carry out this study ? Illustrate your answer by taking any

industry or sector of your choice.

20

2004 3

Asian Chemicals were operating more as a multi-divisional company. With recession in dye stuff,

chemicals and agro chemicals industries, Mr. Sumant Mishra, CMD of the group wants to initiate

strategic management process within the group. Please explain the framework and key elements of the

process that he should address.

20

2004 4

Fiat (India) Limited, despite launching three models : Uno. Sienna and Palio within last seven years is

facing a crisis in Indian automobile industry. CEO of Fiat would like you to conduct a Strategic Audit for

the company. As a management consultant what are the critical questions you would like to cover in

the audit process and how will you get information for these questions for making recommendations.

20

2004 5. a. What are the techniques available for a company to evaluate different businesses in their portfolio? 10


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2004 5. b.What objectives and assumptions are used for BCG matrix ? Explain the process of creating the matrix

and how will you analyze and interpret the movements of businesses within a period of time.10

2004 6

Your company in the last 5 years has established its position within the top five players of the industry.

You now have a task to challenge the market leader and your management is prepared to support the

process. Before creating a strategic plan you need to do detailed situation analysis on company

capabilities and resources. Develop a process framework for conducting internal analysis for a

company.

20

2004 7In SEBI's working papers on "Takeover code regulations on corporate sector in India" it was observedthat "Major users of acquisition mechanisms were Indian companies accounting for 85% of the total

takeover."

2004 7. a.What different objectives could have guided the Indian companies for M & A process. Illustrate your

answers with relevant examples10

2004 7. b.How can companies initiate offensive steps to acquire their target companies and how can target

companies defend hostile takeovers ?10

2004 8"Success of strategy largely depends on strategy implementation which in turn is dependent on

changes in mindset, work practices and culture"

2004 8. a.Do you agree with this statement and i llustrate your answers with situations which typically require

change management

10

2004 8. b. Enumerate and dicuss the key elements of change process 10


2003 1 Distinguish between the following concepts with suitable illustrations (any four)

2003 1. a. Competence and Core Competence 5

2003 1. b. Offensive and Defensive Strategies in Merger & Acquisition game 5

2003 1. c. Primary and Secondary Value Chain activities 5

2003 1. d. Vertical Integration Strategy and Horizontal Integration Strategy 5

2003 1. e. Global and Multi Country Operations 5

2003 1. f. Vision and Mission Statements 5

2003 1. g. High Velocity Markets and Fragmented Markets 5

2003 2. a."Planning deals with what you have to do today, to be ready for an uncertain tomorrow." Do you agree

with this statement in the context faced by several Indian companies against global competition?10

2003 2. b.As corporate planner of an Indian company create a document for formalizing Strategic Management

Process in your company. Please explain the framework and key elements of this process10

2003 3. a. What are the key elements of change process ? 10

2003 3. b. How will you handle the change process in any one of the following situations :

2003 3. b. i.Your company wants to go ahead with implementation of ERP package for better inventory

management and JIT10


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2003 3. b. ii.Your company wants to change incentive systems for sales which are focused more to new / focus

products10

2003 4

"Mergers & Acquisitions have now become a major corporate restructuring tool in Indian corporate

scene." Discuss this statement in relation M&A scenario in India. What are the objectives based on

which companies can initiate M&A process. Illustrate your answers with suitable examples.

20

2003 5

"Effective strategy making begins with a vision of where the organization needs to head." Discuss this

statement in the context of elements of vision and how a vision statement is created for an

organization. Illustrate your answer with a suitable live example from corporate world.

20

2003 6

"Global players are entering Indian consumer durables market in a big way with heavy investment."

How can they achieve sustainable advantage given the fact that they have different levels of


20

2003 7

"The success of BCG Portfolio analysis is largely dependent on creation of matrix and analysis and

interpretation of movement of business portfolios over a period of time." Illustrate this statement by

taking a large diversified or multi-product company of your choice. Indicate how you will vary the

strategies amongst Star and Cash Cows on the evaluation?

20

2003 8

"Deregulation of Insurance sector is a key change in business environment of insurance business." You

are retained as a consultant to conduct environment scanning for a new entrant to the insurance

sector. What are the different analyses you will carry out for the client ?

20


2002 1

Mr. Bharat Kapoor after taking over as CEO of your company realizes that strategic planning exists

more as fuctional activity and not at the corporate level. He has entrusted the job to you to create a

document for formalizing Strategic Management Process in your company. Please explain the

framework and key elements of this process.

20

2002 2Your company is a member of a large business group with AAA+ rating from CRISIL. Your company is

considering 3 options :20

2002 2. a. Enter insurance sector with a alliance from foreign partner

2002 2. b. Joint venture with global telecom giant

2002 2. c. Take a major sick competitor

2002 3. a.

"Success of strategy implementation is largely dependent on the change process in creating ownership

for proposed strategies." Do you agree with this statement. What are the key elements of the change

process ?

10

2002 3. b.How will you handle the change process in rationalization of labour force under modernisation of your

plant operations ?10

2002 4. a.

"Recent studies in Mergers and Acquisitions in Indian Corporate scenerio clearly indicated lack of

positive results at levels of company, but yet corporate India is using M&A as a tool for restructuring

their operations." What objectives could guide companies for such initiatives ?

10

2002 4. b.How can companies initiate offensive steps to acquire their target companies and how can they defend

hostile takeovers ?10

2002 5 Liberalisation and Globalisation has virtually changed the industry scenario for financial services sector.Perform external analysis for State Bank of India covering environmental scanning, and five forces

model.

20


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2002 6

"Automobile industry in India has undergone a sea change in the last ten years. Several global players

are currently investing heavily in this sector." How can they achieve sustainable competitive advantage

given the fact that they have different levels of experience, levels of entry ? Can they apply Porter's

model of generic strategies.

20

2002 7

"Many companies are under severe resource contraints. They need to optimize their resource allocation

amongst several businesses / products." What models are available for companies to evaluate their

business portfolios or strategic business units? Taking one model analyze the businesses / products of

a company of your choice and indicate how you will vary the strategies amongst SBU's / productsbased on the evaluation ?

20

2002 8 Distinguish between the following concepts with suitable illustrations (any four)


2002 8. b. Divestment and Demerger 5

2002 8. c. Portfolio Management and Restructuring in Diversification 5

2002 8. d. Entry Barriers and Exit Barriers 5


2002 8. f. Joint Venture and Strategic Alliances 5

2002 8. g. Declining Markets and Fragmented Markets 5


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Category

Mission &

Vision

Coporate

Strategy

Mission &

Vision

SWOT

analysis

Diversification

Turnaround

Strategy

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Strategic

Management

Process

Vision &

Strategic

Management

ProcessCoporate

Strategy

Strategies

SWOT

analysis

Competitor's

Profile

BCG matrix


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Turnaround

Strategy

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Change

Management

Miscellanous

Operations

Value Chain

Competence

Markets

Barriers

Long RangePlanning

Sustainable

Competitive

Advantage

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Outsourcing

Diversification

Diversification


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Miscellanous

Vision &Mission

Miscellanous

Value Chain

Miscellanous

DiversificationStrategic

Audit

Mergers &AcquisitionsVision &

Mission

Objectives

Competence

Miscellanous

Integration

Strategic

Planning

Strategic

Management

Process

Strategic

Audit

Techniques


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BCG matrix

Strategic

Planning

Mergers &

AcquisitionsMergers &

Acquisitions

Change

ManagementChange

Management

CompetenceMergers &

AcquisitionsValue Chain

Integration

Operations

Vision &MissionMarkets

Planning

Strategic

Management

ProcessChange

Management

Change

Management


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Change

Management

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Vision

Sustainable

Competitive

Advantage

BCG matrix

Environment

Scanning

Strategic

Management

Process

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Change

Management

Change

Management

Mergers &

Acquisitions

Mergers &

Acquisitions

EnvironmentalScanning


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Sustainable

Competitive

Advantage

Miscellanous

Competence

Miscellanous

Miscellanous

Barriers

Operations

Miscellanous

Markets


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Year Qt.No. Questions Marks

Barriers

2005 1. f. Entry Barriers and Exit Barriers 5

2002 8. d. Entry Barriers and Exit Barriers 5

BCG Matrix

2006 7

The BCG growth matrix has long remained an excellent tool for evaluating businesses by any

companies. Explain how companies can use this tool to evaluate the strategic options for their variousbusinesses.

20

2004 5. b.What objectives and assumptions are used for BCG matrix ? Explain the process of creating the matrix

and how will you analyze and interpret the movements of businesses within a period of time.10

2003 7

"The success of BCG Portfolio analysis is largely dependent on creation of matrix and analysis and

interpretation of movement of business portfolios over a period of time." Illustrate this statement by

taking a large diversified or multi-product company of your choice. Indicate how you will vary the

strategies amongst Star and Cash Cows on the evaluation?

20

Change Management

2006 10 Managing Change is the Hallmark of any successful leader. How do you tackle the process of changemanagement ?

20

2004 8. a.Do you agree with this statement and illustrate your answers with situations which typically require

change management10

2004 8. b. Enumerate and dicuss the key elements of change process 10

2003 3. a. What are the key elements of change process ? 10

2003 3. b. i.Your company wants to go ahead with implementation of ERP package for better inventory

management and JIT10

2003 3. b. ii.Your company wants to change incentive systems for sales which are focused more to new / focus

products10

2002 3. a.

"Success of strategy implementation is largely dependent on the change process in creating ownership

for proposed strategies." Do you agree with this statement. What are the key elements of the change

process ?

10

2002 3. b.How will you handle the change process in rationalization of labour force under modernisation of your

plant operations ?10

Competence

2005 1. d. Competence and Core Competence 5

2004 1. d. Competence and Distinctive Competence 5



Competitor's Profile2006 6 Prepare a competitor profile for any organization of your choice 20


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Corporate Strategy

2007 2Corporate Strategy should take into account the diverse interests of all the stakeholders of an


2006 3Coporate Strategy should take into account the diverse interests of all the stakeholders of an


Diversification

2007 5What are the important aspects that companies must consider before they embark on using

diversification as a major growth engine ? 20

2005 6. a.

"In the recent years, Tata's, Birla's, Reliance have diversified into various business sectors." How do you

rationalize their diversification options ? What parameters you will use to judge the quality of

diversification measures ?

10

2005 6. b. What are the strategic options available to companies for diversification strategies ? 10

2005 8. e. Diversification Options 7

Environment Scanning

2003 8

"Deregulation of Insurance sector is a key change in business environment of insurance business." You

are retained as a consultant to conduct environment scanning for a new entrant to the insurance sector.

What are the different analyses you will carry out for the client ?

20

2002 5

Liberalisation and Globalisation has virtually changed the industry scenario for financial services sector.

Perform external analysis for State Bank of India covering environmental scanning, and five forces

model.

20

Integration

2004 1. f. Vertical and Horizontal Integration 5

2003 1. d. Vertical Integration Strategy and Horizontal Integration Strategy 5

Long Range Planning

2005 2

"In a rapidly changing economy like India, long range planning is often considered as an exercise of

futility." Taking a company of your choice, discuss the pro's and con's of planning exercise. Elaboratethe contents of long range planning (LRP) exercise on a particular planning issue of your choice for the

above mentioned company.

20

Markets2005 1. e. Growth Markets and High Velocity Markets 5

2003 1. g. High Velocity Markets and Fragmented Markets 5

2002 8. g. Declining Markets and Fragmented Markets 5

Mergers & Acquisitions

2002 2 Your company is a member of a large business group with AAA+ rating from CRISIL. Your company isconsidering 3 options : 20


15/18

2002 4. a.

"Recent studies in Mergers and Acquisitions in Indian Corporate scenerio clearly indicated lack of

positive results at levels of company, but yet corporate India is using M&A as a tool for restructuring

their operations." What objectives could guide companies for such initiatives ?

10

2002 4. b.How can companies initiate offensive steps to acquire their target companies and how can they defend

hostile takeovers ?10




your answers with examples from the corporate world. 20

2005 4. a.What are the strategic objectives apart from shareholder value that can guide companies to go in for

Mergers & Acquisitions ? Illustrate your answers with suitable examples from Indian corporate scene.10

2005 4. b. Ellaborate the steps followed in acquistion / take over strategies. 10

2004 1. a. Mergers and Amalgamations 5

2004 7. a.What different objectives could have guided the Indian companies for M & A process. Illustrate your

answers with relevant examples10

2004 7. b.How can companies initiate offensive steps to acquire their target companies and how can target

companies defend hostile takeovers ?10

2003 1. b. Offensive and Defensive Strategies in Merger & Acquisition game 5

2003 4

"Mergers & Acquisitions have now become a major corporate restructuring tool in Indian corporate

scene." Discuss this statement in relation M&A scenario in India. What are the objectives based on

which companies can initiate M&A process. Illustrate your answers with suitable examples.

20

Miscellanous

2005 1. a. Divestment and Spin off 5

2005 7

"Many FMCG companies are under severe profit erosion in the last 2 years. WTO agreement coming into

force effective from 2005 brings in new global brands in Indian market. They need to optimize their

resources and investments amongst several businesses and product categories." (a) Discuss

this statement in the context of Hindustan Lever Limited or Amul. (b) Using BCGmatrix, position the businesses / product categories of any one of the above companies and indicate

what strate ies ou would recommend for various SBU's ?

20

2005 8. b. Balanced Score Card 7

2005 8. d. Competitive Capability Analysis 7

2004 1. e. Embryonic Industries and Fragmented Industries 5

2002 7

"Many companies are under severe resource contraints. They need to optimize their resource allocation

amongst several businesses / products." What models are available for companies to evaluate their

business portfolios or strategic business units? Taking one model analyze the businesses / products of a

company of your choice and indicate how you will vary the strategies amongst SBU's / products based

on the evaluation ?

20

2002 8. b. Divestment and Demerger 5

2002 8. c. Portfolio Management and Restructuring in Diversification 5

2002 8. f. Joint Venture and Strategic Alliances 5


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Mission & Vision

2007 1Write the mission and vision statements for typically large size organizations. How do these help in the

strategy formulation ?20

2007 3 How does the mission and vision get developed? What does the hierarchy of strategy intent mean? 20

2003 5

"Effective strategy making begins with a vision of where the organization needs to head." Discuss this

statement in the context of elements of vision and how a vision statement is created for an

organization. Illustrate your answer with a suitable live example from corporate world.

20

2005 8. a. Vision & Mission statements 7

2004 1. b. Vision & Mission 5

2003 1. f. Vision and Mission Statements 5

Objectives

2004 1. c. Financial Objectives & Strategic Objectives 5

Operations2005 1. b. Global and Multi Country Operations 5



Outsourcing

2005 5

"Adoption of outsourcing in manufacturing is one of the key strategic initiatives for your company. This

would also mean reducing manufacturing sites and transfer of productionto sourcing partners. Success

of this strategy is largely dependent on changes in the mindsets of employees in work practices and

environement." As a divisional head, management would like you to initiate this change process. What

are the key elements of this process ? What steps you would go through to complete the change

rocess ?

20

Planning

2003 2. a."Planning deals with what you have to do today, to be ready for an uncertain tomorrow." Do you agree

with this statement in the context faced by several Indian companies against global competition?10

Strategic Audit

2005 8. f. Strategic Audit 7

2004 4

Fiat (India) Limited, despite launching three models : Uno. Sienna and Palio within last seven years is

facing a crisis in Indian automobile industry. CEO of Fiat would like you to conduct a Strategic Audit for

the company. As a management consultant what are the critical questions you would like to cover in

the audit process and how will you get information for these questions for making recommendations.

20

Strategic Management Process


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2006 1 What are the various steps of Strategic Management Process ? Describe the significance of each step. 20

2004 3

Asian Chemicals were operating more as a multi-divisional company. With recession in dye stuff,

chemicals and agro chemicals industries, Mr. Sumant Mishra, CMD of the group wants to initiate

strategic management process within the group. Please explain the framework and key elements of the

process that he should address.

20

2003 2. b.As corporate planner of an Indian company create a document for formalizing Strategic Management

Process in your company. Please explain the framework and key elements of this process.10

2002 1

Mr. Bharat Kapoor after taking over as CEO of your company realizes that strategic planning exists

more as fuctional activity and not at the corporate level. He has entrusted the job to you to create a

document for formalizing Strategic Management Process in your company. Please explain the

framework and key elements of this process.

20

2006 2

" A vision articulates a position that the firm would like to attain in the distant future" said Ms. Maya. "

It is the starting point for any Strategic Management Process ". Please explain the Strategy

Management Process and the key elements of this process.

20

Strategic Planning

2004 2

"India will usher in free economy with provisions of WTO agreements coming into force from 2005."Your M.D. wants the strategic planning group of your company to perform environmental scanning

(Industry and Competive Environment) of the emerging scenario. What analytical tools you will use as a

part of strategic planning committee to carry out this study ? Illustrate your answer by taking any

industr or sector of our choice.

20

2004 6

Your company in the last 5 years has established its position within the top five players of the industry.

You now have a task to challenge the market leader and your management is prepared to support the

process. Before creating a strategic plan you need to do detailed situation analysis on company

capabilities and resources. Develop a process framework for conducting internal analysis for a company.

20

Strategies2006 4 Explain the terms cost based strategies and niche based strategies. 20

Sustainable Competitive Advantage

2005 3

"Telecom industry has undergone dramatic changes in the last five years. Several leading private and

public sector players are investing heavily in this sector." Do you agree with this statement. How can

they achieve sustainable competitive advantage given the fact that they have different levels of


20

2003 6

"Global players are entering Indian consumer durables market in a big way with heavy investment."

How can they achieve sustainable advantage given the fact that they have different levels ofexperience, levels of entry ? Can they apply Porter's model of generic strategies.

20


18/18

2002 6

"Automobile industry in India has undergone a sea change in the last ten years. Several global players

are currently investing heavily in this sector." How can they achieve sustainable competitive advantage

given the fact that they have different levels of experience, levels of entry ? Can they apply Porter's

model of generic strategies.

20

SWOT analysis





Techniques

2004 5. a. What are the techniques available for a company to evaluate different businesses in their portfolio? 10

Turnaround Strategy

2007 6


company. You have been appointed as a consultant to turnaround a failed company or a sick company.Please prepare an action plan to turn around a failed or a sick company (take any company of your

choice)

20

2006 8




choice)

20

Value Chain Analysis

2005 1. c. Supplier Value Chain and Forward Value Chain 5

2005 8. c. Value Chain Analysis 7

2003 1. c. Primary and Secondary Value Chain activities 5

SM Question Papers

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