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The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.
In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996. 
However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs. 
 
 
Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?
  • a)
    Letting go of a part of the workforce.
  • b)
    Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ union
  • c)
    Boosting the existing profit margin.
  • d)
    Increasing productivity of the workers
  • e)
    Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive r...
Solution: All of the above options would be perceived as positive developments for the company but increasing the productivity of the workers would not be a priority for the management since the workforce had already achieved 93% of its productivity target.Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
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Group QuestionThe passage given below is followed by a set of questions. Choose the most appropriate answer to each question.The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Etas 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Etas fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Etas CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. In the wake of the dispute with the AIESMU, what shouldthe reaction of the management be?

The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Etas 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Etas fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Etas CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. On March 8, 2000, a lockout was declared at Etas factory in Bangalore, following a strike by its employee union. The new leadership of the union had refused to abide by the wage agreement, which was to expire in August 2001.Following the failure of its negotiations with the union, the management decided to go for a lock out.As the General Manager of the factory, which of thefollowing actions would you take to minimize the loss?A. Outsource production to another company to cut costs.B. Halt production till the strike is over.C. Shift production to the companys other factories.D. Arrange for a sale of the factory.

The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Etas 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Etas fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Etas CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. As a lawyer working for Dastur and Associates, you have been asked to mediate the dispute. What is likely to be the sequence in your course of action from the options given? A. Call a meeting with both parties at once.B. Study different approaches to the situation.C. Meet both parties individually.D. Suggest a solution that is median to both parties requirements.

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The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The management team of Eta, a footwear company implemented a massive revamping exercise after making losses for four consecutive fiscal years in which more than 250 managers and their juniors were asked to quit. Eta decided to stop further recruitment. The management offered its staff a performance based salary. In 1996, for the first time in Eta's 62-year-old history, the company signed a long-term bipartite agreement. This agreement was signed without any disruption of work. In the six-year period 1993-99, Eta had considerably brought down the staff strength of its Itanagar factory and Calcutta offices to 6,700.In fiscal year 1996, Eta was back in the black with the company reporting net profits of Rs. 41.5 million on revenues of Rs. 5.90 billion (Rs. 5.32 billion in 1995). In fiscal year 1997, Eta further consolidated the gains with the company reporting net profits of Rs 166.9 million on revenues of Rs. 6.70 billion. A senior HR manager at the company admitted that with an upswing in Eta's fortunes, even its traditionally intransigent workers were motivated to do better. In 1997, Eta workers achieved 93% of their production targets. The management rewarded the workers with a 17% bonus, up from the 15% given in 1996.However, by the end of 1997, Eta still faced problems of a high-cost structure and surplus labor. In fact, the turnaround had made the unions more aggressive and demanding. Eta’s CEO had failed to strike a deal with the All India Eta Shop Managers Union (AIESMU) since the third quarter of 1997. The shop managers were insisting that Eta honour the 1990 agreement, which stipulated that the management would fill up 248 vacancies in its retail outlets. It also opposed the move to sack all the cashiers in outlets with annual sales of less than Rs 5 million, which meant elimination of 690 jobs.Q. Which of the following is most unlikely to be a priority of the management?a)Letting go of a part of the workforce.b)Resolving the issue with the shop managers’ unionc)Boosting the existing profit margin.d)Increasing productivity of the workerse)Cutting any excess expenditure incurred.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
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