Indian Institute of Technology Madras
BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper
BSGN3001 · Strategies for Professional Growth
End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (Forenoon)
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

Cross-cultural Management:
Identify the most appropriate cross-cultural management strategies demonstrated in the scenario from the options provided below.
a. Cultural Dominance
b. Cultural Avoidance
c. Cultural Compromise
d. Cultural Accommodation
e. Cultural Synergy
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q1MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option[Cross-cultural Management] Kumkum, an Indian manager, is in a global meeting where a minor disagreement arises about the layout of an employee satisfaction survey. She believes her approach is better, but insisting would distract from the larger agenda and risk straining relationships with European colleagues. She chooses to set the issue aside and continue.
- ACultural Dominance
- BCultural Avoidance
- CCultural Compromise
- DCultural Accommodation
- ECultural Synergy
- Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Management] Gulshan, leading a joint US–Japan project, faces a conflict over reporting standards. Both sides hold firm views, and time is short. She proposes that both sides make slight concessions in order to work together.
- ACultural Dominance
- BCultural Avoidance
- CCultural Compromise
- DCultural Accommodation
- ECultural Synergy
- Q3MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Management] Bhavya, a junior analyst, proposes a new reporting style in collaboration with a Japanese partner company. However, her Japanese manager insists on maintaining the traditional approach, so she fully adopts the local company's system.
- ACultural Dominance
- BCultural Avoidance
- CCultural Compromise
- DCultural Accommodation
- ECultural Synergy
- Q4MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Management] During a high-stakes product launch, Piyush, representing a US multinational, encounters resistance from a local supplier in India about delivery methods. With deadlines looming, Piyush imposes the parent company’s system, prioritizing efficiency over negotiation.
- ACultural Dominance
- BCultural Avoidance
- CCultural Compromise
- DCultural Accommodation
- ECultural Synergy
- Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Management] Abdul, an Indian student newly arrived in Germany for university, joins a group project with both German and Indian classmates. He prefers a project style he's used to, but a German teammate insists on a different approach. Since the difference is small, Abdul agrees. Later, the group sees the value in both styles and combines them, leading to a stronger and more balanced presentation for future projects.
- ACultural Dominance
- BCultural Avoidance
- CCultural Compromise
- DCultural Accommodation
- ECultural Synergy
- Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
The TKI model explains conflict-handling styles based on two key dimensions. Which of the following correctly identifies them?
- ATrust and Cooperation
- BAssertiveness and Cooperativeness
- CAuthority and Win-Lose
- DCooperation and Negotiation
- Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Which of the following best illustrates self-regulation in Emotional Intelligence?
- AThe ability to know one's emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and recognize their impact on others while using gut feelings to guide decisions
- BBeing aware of what motivates them.
- CThe ability to control or redirect one's disruptive emotions and impulses and adapt to changing circumstances.
- DConsidering other people's feelings especially when making decisions.
- Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
What happens to bond prices when interest rates rise, and why?
- ABond prices rise because older bonds become more attractive.
- BBond prices fall because newer bonds offer higher interest than existing ones.
- CBond prices stay the same because interest rate changes don’t affect them.
- DBond prices rise because demand for bonds increases with interest rates.
Read the passage below, then answer Q9–Q12

Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option[Zones of Growth] Drashti has been working in her current role for five years. She knows her tasks inside out and rarely feels stressed. Her performance reviews are - consistently “meets expectations,” but she hasn’t taken on any stretch assignments. Recently, her manager suggested she try leading a cross-functional project, but she hesitated, preferring to stay with what she knows well. Which zone is Drashti operating in?
- AFear Zone
- BComfort Zone
- CLearning Zone
- DGrowth Zone
- EFixed Zone
- Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Zones of Growth] Rajat is suddenly asked by the CEO to represent his department in a board meeting. He has never presented to senior leaders before and feels overwhelmed. His stress rises, and he begins to doubt himself, fearing failure. Rather than preparing, he tries to avoid the situation. Which zone does Rajat’s experience reflect?
- AComfort Zone
- BStress Zone
- CFear Zone
- DGrowth Zone
- EFixed Zone
- Q11MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Zones of Growth] Rajamanickam believes that intelligence and ability can be developed. When he fails at pitching a new startup idea, instead of feeling discouraged, he reflects on the feedback and tries again with improvements. He enjoys challenges, sees failure as temporary, and feels motivated by the learning process. Which zone best describes Rajamanickam ’s mindset?
- AComfort Zone
- BLearning Zone
- CFear Zone
- DGrowth Zone
- EFixed Zone
- Q12MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Tannu volunteers to join a new product development team even though she has little prior experience with innovation projects. She feels nervous but sees it as a chance to seek new skills. With some effort, she picks up, asks questions, and slowly becomes more confident. Which zone is Tannu in?
- AFear Zone
- BLearning Zone
- CComfort Zone
- DGrowth Zone
- EFixed Zone
- Q13MCQ1 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.
- DOnly individuals in high-level roles, like leaders or entrepreneurs, experience all levels of needs.
- Q14MCQ1 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
- Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In a retail company to analyze its supply chain, the team monitors the following key variables: 1. Inventory of products in warehouse 2. Rate of sales per day 3. Number of shipments dispatched 4. Production rate from the factory Using a systems thinking lens, identify which of the above are stocks and which are flows. Select the correct option using the codes given below:
- A1 and 3 are stocks; 2 and 4 are flows
- B1 is stock; 2, 3, and 4 are flows
- C1 and 4 are stocks; 2 and 3 are flows
- DAll four are flows
- Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Consider the following: 1. Fluctuation in petrol prices 2. The stress you are currently experiencing during this exam 3. Number of startups pre-incubated at Nirmaan, IIT Madras at a given point 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
- Q17MCQ1 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
- Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Consider the following: 1. Using imagination to visualize new possibilities. 2. Applying curiosity to ask questions and explore unfamiliar areas. 3. Intersections of different disciplines. 4. Routine procedures without exploring alternatives. Which of these are examples of tools that foster creativity? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
- A1, 2, and 3 are tools for creativity; 4 is not
- B1 and 2 are tools for creativity; 3 and 4 are not
- COnly 1 is a tool for creativity
- DAll four are tools for creativity
- Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
As part of a new product initiative, Lakshita has been assigned to lead the project. Before assigning tasks to her team, she spends time clarifying the goals, identifying the tools, technologies, and materials required, and creating a comprehensive timeline that outlines key stages and target completion dates. Which core principle of engineering sense is most clearly demonstrated in this scenario?
- AOrganizing
- BControlling
- CPlanning
- DLeading
- Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
State whether the following statement is True or False: A SMART goal is one that is Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timeless.
- ATrue
- BFalse