Academic Year 2026–2027 UNISA Assignment: MNG2601 General Management
Fully Solved Assignment with Verified Answers | Management Principles, Business
Planning, Leadership Skills, Organisational Structure, Decision-Making and
Strategic Management
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary function of planning
in the management process?
A. Assigning tasks and responsibilities to employees
B. Establishing goals and determining the best course of action to achieve them
C. Monitoring performance and correcting deviations from standards
D. Inspiring and motivating employees to achieve organizational objectives
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Establishing goals and determining the best course of
action to achieve them
Rationale: Planning is the foundational management function that involves setting
organizational objectives and developing strategies, policies, procedures, and programs
to achieve those objectives. It provides direction, reduces uncertainty, and establishes
standards for controlling, distinguishing it from organizing, leading, or controlling
functions.
Question 2: According to Henri Fayol's classical management theory, which
principle emphasizes that each employee should receive orders from only one
superior?
A. Division of work
B. Scalar chain
C. Unity of command
D. Centralization
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Unity of command
Rationale: Fayol's principle of unity of command states that an employee should
receive orders from one manager only to avoid confusion, conflict, and diluted
accountability. This principle supports clear reporting relationships and organizational
efficiency, distinguishing it from scalar chain (line of authority) or division of work
(specialization).
Question 3: In the context of organizational environments, which factor is
classified as part of the task environment?
A. Technological innovations
B. Socio-cultural trends
C. Suppliers and customers
D. Political-legal regulations
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Suppliers and customers
Rationale: The task environment consists of external stakeholders that directly affect an
organization's ability to achieve its goals, including customers, suppliers, competitors,
,and regulators. In contrast, technological, socio-cultural, and political-legal factors
belong to the general environment, which exerts indirect influence.
Question 4: Which leadership style, as described in the Ohio State Studies, is
characterized by a leader who defines roles, establishes clear patterns of
organization, and communicates expectations?
A. Consideration
B. Initiating structure
C. Transformational leadership
D. Laissez-faire leadership
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Initiating structure
Rationale: The Ohio State Studies identified two dimensions of leadership behavior:
initiating structure (task-oriented behaviors that define roles and establish procedures)
and consideration (relationship-oriented behaviors showing trust and respect).
Initiating structure focuses on organizing work and clarifying expectations to achieve
goals.
Question 5: Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory suggests that which level of need
must be satisfied before an individual is motivated by esteem needs?
A. Self-actualization needs
B. Physiological needs
C. Safety needs
D. Social needs
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Social needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy progresses from physiological needs, to safety, social
(belongingness), esteem, and finally self-actualization. According to the theory, lower-
level needs must be reasonably satisfied before higher-level needs become motivators;
thus, social needs precede esteem needs in the motivational sequence.
Question 6: Which type of organizational structure groups employees based on
similar skills, expertise, and resource use?
A. Divisional structure
B. Matrix structure
C. Functional structure
D. Network structure
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Functional structure
Rationale: A functional structure organizes employees into departments based on
specialized functions such as marketing, finance, or operations. This design promotes
efficiency through specialization and skill development within departments, contrasting
with divisional (product/market-based), matrix (dual reporting), or network (outsourced)
structures.
,Question 7: In strategic management, a SWOT analysis is primarily used to:
A. Evaluate employee performance against predetermined standards
B. Assess internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and
threats
C. Determine the optimal span of control for managerial positions
D. Calculate financial return on investment for new projects
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess internal strengths and weaknesses alongside
external opportunities and threats
Rationale: SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that evaluates an organization's
internal capabilities (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external environment
(Opportunities and Threats). This comprehensive assessment informs strategy
formulation by aligning organizational resources with environmental conditions.
Question 8: Which communication barrier occurs when the receiver interprets a
message based on personal biases, expectations, or experiences rather than the
sender's intended meaning?
A. Filtering
B. Selective perception
C. Information overload
D. Semantic differences
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Selective perception
Rationale: Selective perception is a psychological barrier where receivers filter or
interpret messages through their own beliefs, attitudes, and experiences, potentially
distorting the intended communication. This differs from filtering (sender
manipulation), information overload (excessive data), or semantic differences
(language interpretation issues).
Question 9: According to Herzberg's two-factor theory, which of the following is
classified as a motivator rather than a hygiene factor?
A. Salary
B. Working conditions
C. Company policies
D. Achievement
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Achievement
Rationale: Herzberg distinguished between hygiene factors (e.g., salary, working
conditions, policies) that prevent dissatisfaction but do not motivate, and motivators
(e.g., achievement, recognition, responsibility) that genuinely enhance job satisfaction
and performance. Achievement is a core motivator that fulfills higher-level
psychological needs.
Question 10: The controlling function of management primarily involves:
, A. Recruiting and selecting qualified personnel
B. Setting objectives and developing action plans
C. Monitoring performance and implementing corrective actions
D. Designing organizational charts and reporting relationships
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Monitoring performance and implementing corrective
actions
Rationale: Controlling is the management function focused on measuring actual
performance against established standards, identifying deviations, and taking
corrective action to ensure organizational goals are achieved. It completes the
management cycle by providing feedback for future planning and improvement.
Question 11: Which decision-making model assumes that managers have access
to complete information, can identify all relevant alternatives, and choose the
option that maximizes outcomes?
A. Bounded rationality model
B. Political model
C. Rational model
D. Garbage can model
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rational model
Rationale: The rational decision-making model presumes perfect information, clear
problem definition, exhaustive alternative evaluation, and utility maximization. While
idealized, it serves as a normative framework; in practice, managers often operate
under bounded rationality due to cognitive and informational constraints.
Question 12: In the context of corporate social responsibility, the stakeholder
approach emphasizes that organizations should:
A. Prioritize shareholder wealth maximization above all other considerations
B. Consider the interests of all parties affected by organizational actions
C. Focus exclusively on legal compliance and regulatory requirements
D. Delegate social responsibility initiatives to external non-profit organizations
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Consider the interests of all parties affected by
organizational actions
Rationale: The stakeholder approach to CSR recognizes that organizations have ethical
obligations to multiple constituencies—including employees, customers, suppliers,
communities, and the environment—not just shareholders. This perspective promotes
sustainable, ethical decision-making that balances diverse interests.
Question 13: Which motivation theory proposes that employees compare their
input-output ratios with those of others to assess fairness?
A. Expectancy theory
B. Equity theory
Fully Solved Assignment with Verified Answers | Management Principles, Business
Planning, Leadership Skills, Organisational Structure, Decision-Making and
Strategic Management
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary function of planning
in the management process?
A. Assigning tasks and responsibilities to employees
B. Establishing goals and determining the best course of action to achieve them
C. Monitoring performance and correcting deviations from standards
D. Inspiring and motivating employees to achieve organizational objectives
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Establishing goals and determining the best course of
action to achieve them
Rationale: Planning is the foundational management function that involves setting
organizational objectives and developing strategies, policies, procedures, and programs
to achieve those objectives. It provides direction, reduces uncertainty, and establishes
standards for controlling, distinguishing it from organizing, leading, or controlling
functions.
Question 2: According to Henri Fayol's classical management theory, which
principle emphasizes that each employee should receive orders from only one
superior?
A. Division of work
B. Scalar chain
C. Unity of command
D. Centralization
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Unity of command
Rationale: Fayol's principle of unity of command states that an employee should
receive orders from one manager only to avoid confusion, conflict, and diluted
accountability. This principle supports clear reporting relationships and organizational
efficiency, distinguishing it from scalar chain (line of authority) or division of work
(specialization).
Question 3: In the context of organizational environments, which factor is
classified as part of the task environment?
A. Technological innovations
B. Socio-cultural trends
C. Suppliers and customers
D. Political-legal regulations
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Suppliers and customers
Rationale: The task environment consists of external stakeholders that directly affect an
organization's ability to achieve its goals, including customers, suppliers, competitors,
,and regulators. In contrast, technological, socio-cultural, and political-legal factors
belong to the general environment, which exerts indirect influence.
Question 4: Which leadership style, as described in the Ohio State Studies, is
characterized by a leader who defines roles, establishes clear patterns of
organization, and communicates expectations?
A. Consideration
B. Initiating structure
C. Transformational leadership
D. Laissez-faire leadership
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Initiating structure
Rationale: The Ohio State Studies identified two dimensions of leadership behavior:
initiating structure (task-oriented behaviors that define roles and establish procedures)
and consideration (relationship-oriented behaviors showing trust and respect).
Initiating structure focuses on organizing work and clarifying expectations to achieve
goals.
Question 5: Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory suggests that which level of need
must be satisfied before an individual is motivated by esteem needs?
A. Self-actualization needs
B. Physiological needs
C. Safety needs
D. Social needs
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Social needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy progresses from physiological needs, to safety, social
(belongingness), esteem, and finally self-actualization. According to the theory, lower-
level needs must be reasonably satisfied before higher-level needs become motivators;
thus, social needs precede esteem needs in the motivational sequence.
Question 6: Which type of organizational structure groups employees based on
similar skills, expertise, and resource use?
A. Divisional structure
B. Matrix structure
C. Functional structure
D. Network structure
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Functional structure
Rationale: A functional structure organizes employees into departments based on
specialized functions such as marketing, finance, or operations. This design promotes
efficiency through specialization and skill development within departments, contrasting
with divisional (product/market-based), matrix (dual reporting), or network (outsourced)
structures.
,Question 7: In strategic management, a SWOT analysis is primarily used to:
A. Evaluate employee performance against predetermined standards
B. Assess internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and
threats
C. Determine the optimal span of control for managerial positions
D. Calculate financial return on investment for new projects
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess internal strengths and weaknesses alongside
external opportunities and threats
Rationale: SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that evaluates an organization's
internal capabilities (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external environment
(Opportunities and Threats). This comprehensive assessment informs strategy
formulation by aligning organizational resources with environmental conditions.
Question 8: Which communication barrier occurs when the receiver interprets a
message based on personal biases, expectations, or experiences rather than the
sender's intended meaning?
A. Filtering
B. Selective perception
C. Information overload
D. Semantic differences
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Selective perception
Rationale: Selective perception is a psychological barrier where receivers filter or
interpret messages through their own beliefs, attitudes, and experiences, potentially
distorting the intended communication. This differs from filtering (sender
manipulation), information overload (excessive data), or semantic differences
(language interpretation issues).
Question 9: According to Herzberg's two-factor theory, which of the following is
classified as a motivator rather than a hygiene factor?
A. Salary
B. Working conditions
C. Company policies
D. Achievement
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Achievement
Rationale: Herzberg distinguished between hygiene factors (e.g., salary, working
conditions, policies) that prevent dissatisfaction but do not motivate, and motivators
(e.g., achievement, recognition, responsibility) that genuinely enhance job satisfaction
and performance. Achievement is a core motivator that fulfills higher-level
psychological needs.
Question 10: The controlling function of management primarily involves:
, A. Recruiting and selecting qualified personnel
B. Setting objectives and developing action plans
C. Monitoring performance and implementing corrective actions
D. Designing organizational charts and reporting relationships
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Monitoring performance and implementing corrective
actions
Rationale: Controlling is the management function focused on measuring actual
performance against established standards, identifying deviations, and taking
corrective action to ensure organizational goals are achieved. It completes the
management cycle by providing feedback for future planning and improvement.
Question 11: Which decision-making model assumes that managers have access
to complete information, can identify all relevant alternatives, and choose the
option that maximizes outcomes?
A. Bounded rationality model
B. Political model
C. Rational model
D. Garbage can model
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rational model
Rationale: The rational decision-making model presumes perfect information, clear
problem definition, exhaustive alternative evaluation, and utility maximization. While
idealized, it serves as a normative framework; in practice, managers often operate
under bounded rationality due to cognitive and informational constraints.
Question 12: In the context of corporate social responsibility, the stakeholder
approach emphasizes that organizations should:
A. Prioritize shareholder wealth maximization above all other considerations
B. Consider the interests of all parties affected by organizational actions
C. Focus exclusively on legal compliance and regulatory requirements
D. Delegate social responsibility initiatives to external non-profit organizations
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Consider the interests of all parties affected by
organizational actions
Rationale: The stakeholder approach to CSR recognizes that organizations have ethical
obligations to multiple constituencies—including employees, customers, suppliers,
communities, and the environment—not just shareholders. This perspective promotes
sustainable, ethical decision-making that balances diverse interests.
Question 13: Which motivation theory proposes that employees compare their
input-output ratios with those of others to assess fairness?
A. Expectancy theory
B. Equity theory
