Nature and Significance of Management Assertions & Reason Type Questions

Direction: In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Mark the correct choice as:

Question 1: 
Assertion (A): Coordination begins at the planning stage and continues till controlling.
Reason (R): Coordination is a one-time process.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (c)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Coordination begins at the planning stage and continues till controlling - True.
(ii) Reason: Coordination is a one-time process - False.
(iii) Justification: Coordination is a continuous and ongoing activity. It ensures that plans, resources and people work together throughout implementation and control. Since tasks and situations keep changing, coordination must be maintained constantly rather than carried out once.

Question 2: 
Assertion (A): Management is a goal-oriented process.
Reason (R): An organization has a set of basic goals which are the basic reasons for its existence.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Management is a goal-oriented process - True.
(ii) Reason: An organisation has a set of basic goals which are the basic reasons for its existence - True.
(iii) Justification: Management brings together human and material resources and directs them towards achieving the organisation's goals. Because organisations exist to achieve specific objectives, management's activities are necessarily goal-directed; hence the Reason explains the Assertion.

Question 3: 
Assertion (A): Coordination is the essence of management.
Reason (R): Coordination is the force that binds all the other functions of management.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Coordination is the essence of management - True.
(ii) Reason: Coordination is the force that binds all the other functions of management - True.
(iii) Justification: Coordination ensures that activities such as purchase, production, sales and finance work together smoothly. It provides unity of purpose and synchronises efforts, so the Reason correctly explains why coordination is considered the essence of management.

Question 4: 
Assertion (A): Management is a dynamic function and has to adapt itself to the changing environment.
Reason (R): The effect of management is noticeable in an organisation where targets are met according to plans.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (b)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Management is a dynamic function and must adapt to the changing environment - True.
(ii) Reason: The effect of management is noticeable where targets are met according to plans - True.
(iii) Justification: Organisations interact with social, economic and political environments, so management must change goals and methods to remain effective. While meeting targets shows management's effectiveness, that fact does not explain why management must be dynamic. Therefore both statements are true, but the Reason is not the direct explanation of the Assertion.

Question 5:
Assertion (A): Coordination integrates group efforts.
Reason (R): Coordination unifies unrelated or diverse interests into purposeful work activity.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Coordination integrates group efforts - True.
(ii) Reason: Coordination unifies unrelated or diverse interests into purposeful work activity - True.
(iii) Justification: By aligning individual goals and activities with organisational objectives, coordination gives a common focus to group effort and ensures that members work together as planned. Thus the Reason explains how coordination achieves integration and supports the Assertion.

Question 6:
Assertion (A): Management is responsible for setting and achieving objectives for the organisation.
Reason (R): The basic objective of any business is survival.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Management is responsible for setting and achieving organisational objectives - True.
(ii) Reason: The basic objective of any business is survival - True.
(iii) Justification: Management plans and uses resources to meet multiple objectives, including survival, profit and growth. Since survival is a fundamental objective that guides planning and decision-making, the Reason correctly explains why management must set and achieve objectives.

Question 7:
Assertion (A): Staffing is finding the right people for the right job and is an important aspect of management.
Reason (R): Staffing makes sure that right people with the right qualifications are available at the right places and times to accomplish the goals of the organisation.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Staffing is finding the right people for the right job and is an important aspect of management - True.
(ii) Reason: Staffing ensures suitably qualified people are available at the right place and time to meet organisational goals - True.
(iii) Justification: Staffing covers recruitment, selection, placement and training so that the organisation has the human resources required to perform tasks effectively. The Reason therefore explains and supports the Assertion.

Question 8: 
Assertion (A): Management increases efficiency.
Reason (R): An organisation has a single objective to serve the purpose of different groups that constitute it.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (c)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Management increases efficiency - True.
(ii) Reason: An organisation has a single objective to serve different groups - False.
(iii) Justification: Managers improve efficiency by better planning, organising, directing, staffing and controlling to reduce costs and increase productivity. However, organisations usually have multiple objectives to satisfy various stakeholders (owners, employees, customers, society), so the Reason is incorrect and does not explain the Assertion.

Question 9:
Assertion (A): Planning is the first function management.
Reason (R): Planning implies setting goals in advance and developing a way of achieving them efficiently and effectively.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Planning is the first function of management - True.
(ii) Reason: Planning involves setting goals in advance and developing methods to achieve them efficiently and effectively - True.
(iii) Justification: Planning defines what is to be done and who will do it, creating the basis for other functions such as organising and controlling. Therefore the Reason correctly explains why planning is the first managerial function.

Question 10: 
Assertion (A): Profession involves skillful and personal application of existing knowledge to achieve desired results.
Reason (R): Experts in their respective areas have derived certain basic principles which are applicable to a particular form of art.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (d)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Profession involves skillful and personal application of existing knowledge to achieve desired results - False (this describes art rather than profession).
(ii) Reason: Experts in their respective areas have derived certain basic principles which are applicable to a particular form of art - True.
(iii) Justification: A profession is characterised by specialised knowledge, formal training and a recognised code of conduct. Art emphasises personal skill and individual application of knowledge. Since the Assertion actually describes art and not profession, the Assertion is false while the Reason is true.

Question 11:
Assertion (A): Lower level managers spend more time in planning and organizing.
Reason (R): Top Management consists of the seniormost executives of the organisation.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (d)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Lower level managers spend more time in planning and organising - False.
(ii) Reason: Top Management consists of the seniormost executives of the organisation - True.
(iii) Justification: Top-level managers (chairman, CEO, president) are primarily responsible for long-term planning and overall organisation. Lower-level managers focus more on supervision and day-to-day operations. Thus the Assertion is incorrect, while the Reason is correct.

Question 12:
Assertion (A): Scientific principles have universal application and validity.
Reason (R): Management principles are not exact like scientific principles so their application and use is not universal.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (b)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Scientific principles have universal application and validity - True.
(ii) Reason: Management principles are not exact like scientific principles so their application and use is not universal - True.
(iii) Justification: Scientific laws are precise and consistently observed, so they claim universal validity. Management principles are general guidelines that may vary with context, so they are less exact. Both statements are true, but the Reason does not explain why scientific principles are universal; it only contrasts management principles with scientific ones. Therefore (b) is correct.

Question 13:
Assertion (A): Middle Management is the link between top and lower level managers.
Reason (R): Middle management are subordinate to top managers and superior to the first line managers.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Middle Management is the link between top and lower level managers - True.
(ii) Reason: Middle management are subordinate to top managers and superior to the first line managers - True.
(iii) Justification: Middle managers implement top management's strategies and supervise first-line managers. Their position between the two levels makes them the communication and implementation link, so the Reason explains the Assertion.

Question 14: 
Assertion (A): All professions are bound by a code of conduct which guides the behaviour of its members.
Reason (R): There are several associations of practicing managers in India, that has laid down a code of conduct to follow.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: All professions are bound by a code of conduct that guides members' behaviour - True.
(ii) Reason: There are several associations of practising managers in India that have laid down a code of conduct - True.
(iii) Justification: Professional associations establish ethical standards and codes to regulate members' conduct. Bodies such as the All India Management Association (AIMA) provide codes for practising managers, which supports the general statement about professions; thus the Reason explains the Assertion.

Question 15:
Assertion (A): Management is a systematic body of knowledge.
Reason (R): Management has its own theory and principles that have developed over a period of time.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Management is a systematic body of knowledge - True.
(ii) Reason: Management has its own theory and principles developed over time - True.
(iii) Justification: Management consists of organised theories, principles and concepts used to guide practice. Because these theories and principles have evolved and become systematised, the Reason correctly explains why management is regarded as a systematic body of knowledge.