Indian Institute of Technology Madras
BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper
BSGN3001 · Strategies for Professional Growth
End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (Afternoon)
Examination Instructions & Guidelines
- Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
- MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
- Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
- Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.
Read the passage below, then answer Q1–Q5

Conflict Management Style: Conflict naturally arises in workplaces and, when handled effectively, can lead to better understanding and stronger teamwork. The Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) provides a useful framework to identify different conflict management styles and choose the most effective approach for each situation, helping managers maintain a healthy and productive work environment.
Identify the most appropriate conflict management style demonstrated in the scenario from the options provided below.
a. avoiding
b. accommodating
c. forcing
d. negotiating
e. collaborating
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q1MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option[Conflict Management Style] Rithika is in a cross-department meeting where a disagreement arises about a low-priority issue. She feels strongly that her opinion is correct, but pressing it further would waste time and distract from the larger agenda. She decides to set it aside and move on, as confrontation will damage an important relationship.
- Aavoiding
- Baccommodating
- Cforcing
- Dnegotiating
- Ecollaborating
- Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Conflict Management Style] Sahana is mediating a dispute between two team members about resource allocation. Both hold equally strong but opposing positions. Sahana realizes that neither side can have everything they want, but if each side gains something, things could work. She encourages both to adjust their expectations to reach a temporary solution as the time is short.
- Aavoiding
- Baccommodating
- Cforcing
- Dnegotiating
- Ecollaborating
- Q3MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Conflict Management Style] Agrima, a newly joined analyst, feels that her idea about redesigning an internal report could be useful. However, her manager disagrees strongly and insists on continuing the old method. Since the issue is minor and Agrima does not want to risk her relationship with the manager early on, she chooses to let go.
- Aavoiding
- Baccommodating
- Cforcing
- Dnegotiating
- Ecollaborating
- Q4MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Conflict Management Style] During a high-pressure product launch, Jatin, the project head, encounters a conflict with a vendor who insists on a particular delivery method. Since deadlines are critical and there is no time for extended discussion, Jatin decides to impose his own decision, prioritizing speed and results over consensus.
- Aavoiding
- Baccommodating
- Cforcing
- Dnegotiating
- Ecollaborating
- Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Conflict Management Style] Ansari notices that his teammate is very emotionally invested in how a presentation should be formatted. Although Ansari prefers a different approach, the matter is minor, and he doesn’t want to upset his colleague. The time to resolve the conflict is limited. To maintain goodwill and harmony, he allows his teammate to go ahead with their preference.
- Aavoiding
- Baccommodating
- Cforcing
- Dnegotiating
- Ecollaborating
- Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Deepan joins an IT company in Country Z. He finds that employees rarely question managers, always follow hierarchy in communication, and important decisions are reserved for senior leaders. Junior staff hesitate to disagree openly with their supervisors. Which cultural dimension does this situation highlight?
- ACollective vs Individual
- BTime is Scarce vs Plentiful
- CEqual vs Unequal
- DCertainty vs Ambiguity
- Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
At a multinational subsidiary, Raksha notices that employees in Country X insist on detailed policies, risk assessments, and step-by-step guidelines before starting a project. In contrast, employees in Country Y are more comfortable experimenting, taking risks, and adapting plans as the situation changes without much documentation. Which Hofstede dimension is illustrated here?
- APower Distance
- BMasculinity–Femininity
- CUncertainty Avoidance
- DIndividualism–Collectivism
- Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Imagine your savings account earns 1% interest per year, while the inflation rate is 2% per year. After one year, compared to today, ceteris paribus, the money in your account will be able to buy:
- AMore than today
- BExactly the same as today
- CLess than today
- DCannot be determined
- Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which of the following statements is true?
- AOnce higher-level needs are fulfilled, lower-level needs stop influencing behavior.
- BNeeds operate in a strict sequence, and individuals cannot pursue higher needs without fully satisfying lower ones.
- CIn practice, multiple needs may influence behavior simultaneously, though lower needs generally take priority.
- DSelf-actualization needs are only relevant for leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Read the following statements and determine whether each reflects a fixed or growth mindset: 1. “Taking just one course on personal and professional development can't really improve someone's managerial skills or self-awarness.” 2. “Leadership is a skill I can strengthen over time through practice and learning.” 3. “I’m just not good at leadership, so there’s no point in trying too hard.” 4. “Improving how I think and make decisions is possible if I actively apply what I learn.” Which option below correctly classifies the statements?
- A(1) Growth, (2) Growth, (3) Fixed, (4) Fixed
- B(1) Growth, (2) Fixed, (3) Fixed, (4) Growth
- C(1) Fixed, (2) Fixed, (3) Growth, (4) Growth
- D(1) Fixed, (2) Growth, (3) Fixed, (4) Growth
- Q11MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In a consulting firm to improve client management, the team identifies key variables related to customer retention: 1. Number of active clients at a given time 2. New client acquisition rate 3. Client attrition (drop-off) rate 4. Total revenue accumulated till date Using a systems thinking perspective, classify which of the above are stocks and which are flows. Select the correct option using the codes given below:
- A1 and 4 are stocks; 2 and 3 are flows
- B1 and 2 are stocks; 3 and 4 are flows
- C1, 2, and 3 are flows; only 4 is a stock
- D1 and 3 are stocks; 2 and 4 are flows
- Q12MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Consider the following: 1. Inflation in the economy 2. Stress that you are experiencing while giving this exam 3. Intellectual Property (IP) held by IIT Madras In terms of systems thinking, which of the following correctly classifies them as stock or flow? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
- A1 – Flow, 2 – Flow, 3 – Stock
- B1 – Stock, 2 – Flow, 3 – Flow
- C1 – Flow, 2 – Stock, 3 – Flow
- D1 – Stock, 2 – Stock, 3 – Stock
- Q13MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Consider the following: 1. A warehouse filled with boxes of unsorted, returned merchandise. 2. An integrated hospital management process involving patient admission, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning. 3. A digital archive of thousands of research papers stored on a personal drive. 4. A supply chain where procurement, logistics, and sales align to deliver products to customers. In terms of systems thinking, which of these are examples of a heap and which of a system? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
- A1 and 3 are heaps; 2 and 4 are systems
- B1 and 2 are heaps; 3 and 4 are systems
- C1 and 4 are heaps; 2 and 3 are systems
- DAll four are heaps
- Q14MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
State whether the following statement is True or False: In cross-cultural management, the Iceberg Principle suggests that most cultural aspects such as values, beliefs, and attitudes are visible and can be easily observed.
- ATRUE
- BFALSE
- Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Shambhavi, a project manager is tasked with overseeing the development of a new product. Before delegating responsibilities to the team, she carefully defines the project objectives, determines the necessary technical and material resources, and lays out a detailed project schedule with milestones and deadlines. Which concept of engineering sense does this situation best illustrate?
- AOrganizing
- BControlling
- CPlanning
- DLeading
- Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
State whether the following statement is True or False: According to Goal-Setting Theory, specific goals, when accepted, improve performance more effectively than easy goals and feedback like “do your best.”
- ATRUE
- BFALSE
Read the passage below, then answer Q17–Q20

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory that explains how human behavior is driven by different levels of needs. Recognizing them is important for understanding what drives human motivation and for effectively supporting personal growth and development. Identify the most appropriate level or need in the given scenarios.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q17MCQ1 Mark·Choose one optionAbhishek Kumar, a new employee in a consulting firm, is anxious because his job contract is only for six months. He spends most of her time worrying about whether he will be retained. Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy is most relevant here?
- ASelf-Esteem Needs
- BSafety Needs
- CBelongingness Needs
- DSelf-Actualization
- Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Chirag recently got promoted to team leader. He enjoys recognition from peers and appreciates being publicly acknowledged for his contributions. Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy does this represent?
- ASelf-Actualization
- BSafety Needs
- CSelf-Esteem Needs
- DBelongingness Needs
- Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Rajyalakshmi, a senior designer, already has financial stability and industry recognition. She now wants to start her own venture to create innovative solutions for rural communities. Which need does Rajyalakshmi’s aspiration reflect?
- ASelf-Actualization
- BSelf-Esteem Needs
- CBelongingness Needs
- DSafety Needs
- Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Narendrean, a software engineer, after getting a stable job and good salary, now seeks to be part of cross-functional project teams to feel connected with colleagues. Which need is dominant in this situation?
- APhysiological Needs
- BBelongingness Needs
- CSafety Needs
- DEsteem Needs