Long Answer Questions | Business Studies (BST) Class 12 - Commerce PDF Download

Q1: Explain the meaning and any three characteristics of directing.
Ans: Directing refers to the process of instructing, guiding, counselling, motivating and leading people in the organisation through effective communication, so that their efforts result in achievement of organisational objectives.
Characteristics of directing are as follows:

• Initiating process: It involves giving orders and instructions to the employees and thereby decisions are converted into actions.
• Pervasive function: The directing function is performed by all managers at all levels to achieve the organisational goals.
• A continuous process: It is an activity that takes place throughout the life of an organisation, irrespective of people occupying managerial position.

Q2: Directing is the heart of the management process. Do you agree? Give any four reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. Yes, I do agree with this statement. Directing may be regarded as the heart of the management process; Its importance may be explained under the following points
(i) Initiates action Directing helps to initiate action by people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives, e.g. if a supervisor guides his subordinates and clarifies their doubts in performing a task, it will help workers to achieve work targets given to them.
(ii) Integrates employees’ efforts Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual effort contributes to the attainment of organisational objectives. Thus, it ensures that the individuals work for organisational goals.
(iii)Improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potential and capabilities by motivating and providing effective leadership. A good leader can always identify the potential of his employees and motivate them to extract work up to their potential.
(iv)Brings balance and stability in the organisation Effective directing helps to bring stability and balance in the organisation since, it fosters cooperation and commitment among the people and helps to achieve balance among various group activities and the departments.

Q3: Directing is not required at all in management of organisation. Do you agree? Give two reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. No, I do not agree with the above statement. Directing is required in organisation as it initiates the action of people towards attainment of desired goals.
Reasons
(i) Initiates action Directing helps to initiate action by people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives, e.g. if a supervisor guides his subordinates and clarifies their doubts in performing a task, it will help workers to achieve work targets given to them.
(ii) Integrates employees’ efforts Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual effort contributes to the attainment of organisational objectives. Thus, it ensures that the individuals work for organisational goals.
(iii)Improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potential and capabilities by motivating and providing effective leadership. A good leader can always identify the potential of his employees and motivate them to extract work up to their potential.
(iv)Brings balance and stability in the organisation Effective directing helps to bring stability and balance in the organisation since, it fosters cooperation and commitment among the people and helps to achieve balance among various group activities and the departments.

Q4: Explain how directing helps in effective and efficient functioning of the organisation.
or
What is meant by directing as a function of management? Describe any four points of its importance.
or
‘Every action in the organisation is initiated through directing’. Explain any four points of importance of directing in the light of this statement.
Ans: Directing refers to the process of instructing, guiding, counselling, motivating and leading people in the organisation through effective communication so that their efforts result in achievement of organisational objectives. The scope of directing is very wide. It consists of all those activities by which a manager influences the behaviour of his subordinates to secure desired performance from them.
According to William Newman, ‘Directing deals with the steps, a manager takes to get subordinates and others to carry out plans’.
Importance of directing 
Its importance may be explained under the following points
(i) Initiates action Directing helps to initiate action by people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives, e.g. if a supervisor guides his subordinates and clarifies their doubts in performing a task, it will help workers to achieve work targets given to them.
(ii) Integrates employees’ efforts Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual effort contributes to the attainment of organisational objectives. Thus, it ensures that the individuals work for organisational goals.
(iii) Improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potential and capabilities by motivating and providing effective leadership. A good leader can always identify the potential of his employees and motivate them to extract work up to their potential.
(iv) Brings balance and stability in the organisation Effective directing helps to bring stability and balance in the organisation since, it fosters cooperation and commitment among the people and helps to achieve balance among various group activities and the departments.