Faculty of Management and Commerce

Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences

Department Management Programm B.B.A.
Semester V e Batch 2018
Course Code 18BMC301A Course Business Research
Title
Course Leader(s) Dr. Sandhya Iya

Assignment

Reg.No. Name of
Student
Section

Max
Marking Scheme
Marks
Part A

Discuss the difference between business strategies for

A 1.1 uncertainty reduction and uncertainty coping 2

A 1.2 Description of an uncertainty reduction strategy used by an 4

Indian business organization during the pandemic (specific
example)
A 1.3 Description of a strategy to cope with uncertainty, used by 4
an Indian business organization during the pandemic (specific
example)
Part-A Max Marks 10
Part B.1

B. 1. Prepare a questionnaire to collect data on the impact of the 10

pandemic (‘pre’ and ‘post’ comparison) on the variables
given
B.1 Max Marks 10
Use the questionnaire developed, to collect data 10
Part B.2

(transcript to be provided)
B. 2.

B.2 Max Marks 10

B. 3. Analyze and interpret the data collected, using appropriate 10
Part B.3

quantitative and qualitative techniques

B.3 Max Marks 10

Part B.4

B. 4. Prepare and present a Report of findings and conclusions 10

B.4 Max Marks 10

Total Assignment Marks 50

1
 Component-1(B)
Marks Remarks
Assignment
A
B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4
Marks (Max 50)
Marks (out of 25)

Signature of Examiner

Please note:
1. Documental evidence for all the components/parts of the assessment such as the reports,
photographs, laboratory exam / tool tests are required to be attached to the assignment report in a
proper order.
2. The marks for all the questions of the assignment have to be written only in the Component – 1 (B):
Assignment table.

Assignment

Instructions to students:

1. The assignment consists of 5 questions: Part A – 1 Question, Part B- 4 Questions.

2. Maximum marks are 50.
3. The assignment has to be neatly word processed as per the prescribed format.
4. The maximum number of pages should be restricted to 25.
5. Restrict your report for Part-A to 2 pages only.
6. Restrict your report for Part-B to a maximum of 23 pages.
 7. The printed assignment must be submitted to the course leader.
8. Submission Date: 26th December,2020
9. Submission after the due date is not permitted.
10. IMPORTANT: It is essential that all the sources used in preparation of the assignment must be
suitably referenced in the text.

11. Marks will be awarded only to the sections and subsections clearly indicated as per the problem
statement/exercise/question.

Introduction to the course

This course aims to train the students on principles of research methodology for business research. The
students are trained to identify (through literature review or evaluation of business proposals), formulate a
research problem and solve adopting appropriate research methodology. They are also trained on sampling
methodologies, design of data collection tools and data collection methods, analysis and interpretation.

Part -A (10 marks)

Preamble

The ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic has disrupted the global business scenario like never before. This
disruption has brought in high levels of uncertainty, posing challenges in terms of business operations
and the way forward.
Read the article ‘Managing Uncertainty During a Global Pandemic: An International Business Perspective’.
In the context of the article, answer the following question:
“Managing uncertainty involves strategies that help firms either reduce or cope with uncertainty.”
Using specific examples from the Indian business context, describe how a particular organization has
used a strategy to reduce uncertainty during the pandemic. Likewise, describe how a particular
organization has used a strategy to cope with uncertainty during the pandemic.

Your answer should address the following:

A.1.1 Discussion of the difference between business strategies for uncertainty reduction and uncertainty
coping.
(2 marks)

A.2 Description of an uncertainty reduction strategy used by an Indian business organization during the
pandemic.

(4 marks)

A.2.1 Description of a strategy to cope with uncertainty, used by an Indian business organization during
the pandemic.
(4 marks)

Note: The organization chosen should be unique to each student, and must be approved by the
Course Leader.
Part B (40 marks)

*Students are required to choose any Indian business entity in consultation with the Course
Leader. The organization chosen should be unique to each student, and no repetition will be
allowed:

(10 marks)

B.1. Prepare a questionnaire to collect data on the impact of the pandemic (‘pre’ and ‘post’ comparison) on the
following variables:

1. Changes in demand for the product/service

2. Changes in supply of raw materials/inputs

3. Changes in the financial health of the organization

4. Changes in employment structure (employee strength, workload, mode of working)

5. Changes in communication (meetings, data sharing, etc.)

B.2.Use the questionnaire developed, to collect data from an employee at the senior management
level (Manager and above). The data may be collected via a telephonic conversation or a video call. (A
Transcript of the filled-in questionnaire is to be provided as evidence).
(10 marks)

B.3 Analyze and interpret the data collected, using appropriate quantitative and qualitative
techniques. (Appropriate graphical and tabular representation to be included in the Report).
(10 marks)

B.4 Prepare and present a Report of findings and conclusions, following the appropriate format for
a Report. (10 marks)