Attempt three of the four questions in this section

Question 1

Muti Enterprises Limited (MUL) was established in 2010 in Kampala to offer

financial services. It deals in foreign exchange, money transfers and savings and

credit services. The company employs highly motivated staff that are well

equipped with skills and able to design and implement all the necessary

programmes that have seen it grow into a successful business entity. MUL

commits resources every year in training staff so as to bring noticeable change in

their behaviour, knowledge and attitude. This is done through seminars,

conferences, temporary promotions, project work and other methods as deemed

necessary.

At MUL, excellent customer care cannot go unnoticed. Employees are caring and

are ready to perform their duties. This has helped the company to minimise

costs of supervision. Most of the MUL clientele have enjoyed quality services for

long since their contribution to the organisation increases from time to time.

Everyone feels part of the enterprise and this has improved the image of the

company, thereby attracting new recruits. So MUL boasts of a steady supply of

suitable managerial and technical staff.

At MUL, safety is paramount; employees are equipped with knowledge and skills

on how to operate machines and other gadgets for their safety. This has

promoted continuity of transactions over the years in a risk- free environment.

Through the use of modern technology, MUL has equipped employees with

modern gadgets like computers, modems and internet gadgets which has

enabled them to do e-learning. Employees easily tell whenever there is need for

change. Change is always embraced at the company due to exposure. There is

flexibility since employees know in advance the state of affairs regarding their

business.

Employees work in harmony, hence easing business operations. All departments

of foreign exchange and money transfer cooperate since they are knowledgeable

and work hand in hand. That has greatly improved the performance of the

company to become one of the leading financial service providers in Uganda.

Thanks to management at MUL that has considered training and development as

integral parts of its operations in an effort to make their business cost effective

and survive in a global village

(a) Distinguish between training and development as applied at MUL.

(4 marks)

(b) Explain the benefits of training to MUL. (16marks)

(Total 20 marks)

Question 2

The planning process involves the development of goals, strategies, tasks and

schedules required to achieve the objectives of a business.

Required:

(a) Identify and explain the steps involved in the planning process.

(10 marks)

(b) Explain the relevance of planning to the management of an organisation.

(10 marks)

(Total 20 marks)

Question 3

Mamo Enterprises Limited (MEL) was established in 2013 by Mr. Kato using his

meager family savings. He had worked as a sub-county chief of Semito and

owned other small businesses run by his wife. He secured a large piece of land

close to Kampala - Semito highway that had a freehold title. Taking advantage

of his family labour and a few unskilled employees from the neighbourhood, he

established a mixed farm which had been his longtime dream.

Before he could secure everything he expected to have, Mr. Kato was

constrained by inadequate finances. He still needed money to buy inputs, clear

and fence the land, put up farm structures like a cattle dip, milking shed and pay

workers. The only immediate source of funds was Semito SACCO, where he had

previously saved some money. He secured a loan at a very low interest rate,

which he used to purchase 20 heads of indigenous cattle to counter the

prevalence of pests and diseases like tsetse flies and tick-borne diseases.

However, indigenous cattle breeds gave him low milk yields and took long to

attain the required body weight. So he ventured into cross breeding his cattle to

improve the products. He hired an expert to carry out artificial insemination, but

this was very costly. Even some of the cows could not produce because they

were too small to carry the pregnancy to full term. So he experienced losses at

his farm. However, he never gave up; he consulted fellow farmers for informed

advice.

Four years along the way, MEL changed into a 'dream come true' enterprise. Mr.

Kato started selling over 200 litres of milk in the nearby Semito trading centre,

each at Shs 1,500 daily, up from the previous 25 litres. This helped the farm

meet its operational costs. He also benefited from the poultry and goats projects

established in 2015. Products are sold locally and internationally, especially to

United Arab Emirates.

Pleased with the performance of the animal sector, Kato decided to venture into

crop husbandry in 2016. He established a 5 acre banana plantation; 2 acre

passion fruit garden and pawpaws. This has become another profitable project

at Mamo farm, utilizing farm manure from cows, goats and poultry. The crop

sector has contributed not only to the farm's income but it is also a fall back

sector in case the animal section is not doing well.

The success story of MEL has been due to availability of permanent water

sources like dams and a borehole. Kato also ventured into training his

employees and neighbours by hiring experts from the district agricultural

extension services office. That has encouraged neighbours of Mamo to venture

into farming. They have formed a cooperative union that has helped them in

marketing their produce and securing loans.

MEL has changed the face of farming in Semito; farming has made a steady

progress apart from the prolonged drought and some farmers who still practice

both bush burning and communal grazing that has made disease control difficult,

crop pests and diseases that reduce the yields and the dusty road that links MEL

to the main Kampala-Semito high way. Thanks to Mr. Kato's effort to involve

the district agricultural officer, Mr. Kute to advise on crop pests and vaccinate

animals in this area. He has convinced farmers to spray their animals and avoid

bush burning, a move expected to bring a sigh of relief to MEL.

Required:

(a) Carry out a SWOT analysis of Mamo Enterprises Limited. (16 marks)

(b) Explain what Mamo Enterprises Limited is doing to mitigate the threats in

the external environment.

(4 marks)

Question 4

(a) Explain why business organisations should consider corporate social

responsibility as an integral part of their undertaking.

(12 marks)

(b) Explain the challenges facing business enterprises resulting from

demographic challenges.

Attempt two of the three questions in this section

Question 5

In most industries today, business processes are accomplished with the help of

computers particularly, desktop computers. Using computers in workplaces

comes with disadvantages pertaining to health. Therefore, creating a good

ergonomic working arrangement is important to protecting the health of

computer users.

Epitop Software Solutions Co. Ltd (ESSCOL) is a software developing company

dealing in various software products. It requires software engineers to sit in

office for long hours using desktop computers to come up with different software

packages being demanded for by clients. However, extensive use of computers

comes with side effects to employees. To overcome the side effects, good

ergonomic practices must be observed in ESSCOL.

As an ergonomics specialist, you have been approached to give a talk about

creating a good ergonomic environment for ESSCOL.

Required:

In your presentation

(a) Define the term 'ergonomics' as used in the scenario above. (2 marks)

(b) Discuss any four health problems that can arise and affect the software

engineers of ESSCOL due to poor ergonomics.

(8 marks)

(c) Explain any five measures that can be put in place at ESSCOL to minimise

the health problems that may arise due to prolonged use of computers.

(10 marks)

(Total 20 marks)

Question 6

Kabisa University of Science and Technology (KUST) located in Masindi district

recently set up its branch in Kiboga district. Majority of the staff in KUST use

laptops and personal digital assistants because they are equipped with wireless

local area network (LAN) connectivity. A few staff use the old desktop

computers.

One of the advantages KUST is enjoying is transmitting data over the wireless

connection within its different campuses. However, data transmission over a

wireless network comes with its challenges but they can be managed.

Required:

(a) Explain the term 'data transmission'. (2 marks)

(b) Briefly discuss any three components or devices that were used to set up

a wireless network for KUST in both locations.

(6 marks)

(c) Discuss any three benefits KUST is enjoying with the use of a wireless

network.

(6 marks)

(d) Explain any three possible challenges that KUST may be experiencing with

data transmission over its wireless LANS.

(6 marks)

(Total 20 marks)

Question 7

HXT Associates is newly established consultancy firm in Kiboga district offering

business advisory services. The firm has other branches in Mubende, Gulu and

Kaberamaido districts with fully functional offices. As a current trend of most

organisations in the 21st century, the director of the firm Mr. Okello, has

requested for improving the efficiency of work flows in the four offices.

Mr. Okello has done extensive research about systems that can help him achieve

his dream and he is convinced that an office automation system (OAS) can help

improve efficiency of workflows in the four offices. This is so because of the

amazing features of the office automation system and additionally, because of

the fact that OAS further integrates different functions in order to improve

efficiency. The functions integrated include electronic publishing, electronic

communication, electronic collaboration and image processing.

Just like any other new user of any system, he is again very afraid that the office

automation system could come along with many disadvantages and he is very

much interested in knowing how to overcome them for purposes of easy

planning. Mr. Okello would like someone to help get a better understanding of

office automation systems.

Required:

Explain to Mr. Okello:

(a) The meaning of office automation systems. (2 marks)

(b) Any two characteristics of office automation systems that HXT Associates

will enjoy.

(2 marks)

(c) How HXT Associates will apply the functions integrated by office

automation systems given below.

(i) Electronic communication. (2 marks)

(ii) Electronic collaboration. (2 marks)

(iii) Image processing. (2 marks)

(iv) Electronic publishing. (2 marks)

(d) Any four disadvantages associated with office automation systems that

HXT Associates will face.

(8 marks)