Question 1

BAMUDA ENTERPRISES LTD

Bamuda Enterprises Ltd (BEL) was established by Mr. Batuma in 2012 in

Kawempe, Kampala. BEL produces and packs juice from passion fruits, mangoes,

pineapples, oranges and cocktail. These are locally available in Uganda and

neighbouring EAC partner states. It employs over 30 staff in various departments

of production, accounting, marketing and research. These departments were

born out of a planning retreat.

Mr. Batuma adheres to established business plans. Every end of the financial

year, plans are established and reviewed to guide employees and management

on how to run BEL. That has not only helped to focus on the objectives of BEL,

but has also provided an opportunity to different departments to ensure

coordination for better management and service delivery.

BEL has been facing stiff competition from other companies that produce

beverages. The company had to suspend some of its plans that had cost a

fortune to put in place. Urgent decisions had to be taken to ensure that BEL's

market share was maintained. This was reflected in management and employees'

ability to handle uncertainties.

BEL's ability to minimize risks and manage change has been a result of its strong

and empowered management team that remains focused on set goals. Possible

future changes have been easily anticipated since laid down plans and

procedures are normally followed. Similarly, quick decision making and

innovativeness of the team has made the company a model enterprise. Every

employee is motivated and works towards making BEL shine. No wonder, BEL

has remained competitive and supplies its products not only in Uganda, but also

to neighbouring countries of South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was BEL's long term plan to penetrate the regional market.

Over the years, management of BEL has been credited for making it a profitable

business; but that has created a false sense of security against unpredictable

future risks and uncertainties. On closer scrutiny, actions of management reflect

strong controls that have ensured production of quality juices over the time.

Research and development has also been focused on and is geared towards

keeping BEL afloat. The required data necessary for further planning has been

readily available. Although BEL has paid highly to achieve its status in terms of

time and funds, it has overcome all odds that hinder and frustrate most

enterprises that do not regard planning as an important management function.

Required:

(a) Explain the benefits BEL attained as a result of its focus on effective

planning.

(10 marks)

(b) Explain the limitations to proper planning to enterprises such as BEL.

(10 marks)

(Total 20 marks)

Question 2

(a) Identify and explain the various appraisal techniques. (10 marks)

(b) (i) Define the term 'job evaluation'. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain the advantages of carrying out job evaluation. (8 marks)

(Total 20 marks)

Question 3

James Odekal is the former chairman of an iron and steel company. Currently he

is the chairman of Hamar Ltd. James is a classical example of an efficient and

dynamic leader. He was educated at Wandegeya University. He achieved

remarkable professional honour for the work done at Hamar Ltd.

He has demonstrated high quality leadership traits, integrity and self-respect. He

is a confident leader who thinks twice before he takes a decision. He is a board

member of many government agencies and professional bodies.

Back home in Lamura, people nominated him to stand as their member of

parliament. He was elected unopposed because of his maturity in analysing

issues and his impeccable human relations right from childhood. He was well

brought up by his grandfather.

James has mobilised the community to establish savings and credit cooperative

societies (SACCO's). Already five SACCO's are operational. Because of him,

Hamar Limited has enjoyed the benefits of effective leadership. Wherever he

goes, leadership is part of him and he enjoys doing it.

Required:

(a) (i) Define the term 'leadership'. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain the important traits related to effective trait theory of

leadership exhibited by James Odekal.

(10 marks)

(b) Explain the benefits enjoyed by Hamar Limited resulting from James

Odekal's effective leadership.

Question 4

(a) Define term 'financial ratio'. (2 marks)

(b) Write short notes on the following:

(i) Liquidity ratios. (2 marks)

(ii) Efficiency ratios. (2 marks)

(iii) Profitability ratio. (2 marks)

(iv) Dividend policy ratio. (2 marks)

(iv) Financial leverage ratio. (2 marks)

(c) Explain the importance of ratio analysis in a business organisation.

(Total 20 marks)

SECTION B

Attempt two of the three questions in this section

Question 5

With the current trends in Information and Communication Technology (ICT),

most companies and organizations have opted to acquire, setup and use

computer networks for efficient and effective execution of operations. However,

Mafa Enterprises Limited, dealing in food supplies, has found some constraints in

their network operation that has led to the dissatisfaction of their customers'

demands. The result of these constraints has partly affected the organisation's

service delivery and overall performance.

Required:

(a) Explain what you understand by a computer network. (2 marks)

(b) Identify the two computer network models Mafa Enterprises Limited could

use to set up an efficient and effective computer network.

(4 marks)

(c) (i) Explain why Mafa Enterprises Limited depends on networking

technology as opposed to stand-alone computers.

(8 marks)

(ii) Discuss the challenges that Mafa Enterprises Limited might

experience while using computer networks.

(6 marks)

Question 6

The board of governors for TAT Company Limited (TCL) has approved a project

to establish an information centre in the organisation. As part of kick starting

the project, you have been appointed as the project co-ordinator. This decision

has been arrived at after appraising your knowledge and skills exhibited in your

presentation during the last board meeting.

Required:

(a) Using examples, explain the requirements necessary for the establishment

of the TCL's first information technology centre.

(6 marks)

(b) Identify six critical stages that you would consider in the development of

the TCL's information technology centre.

(6 marks)

(c) Explain the considerations that will guide you during the purchase of the

computer hardware for TCL. (8 marks)

(Total 20marks)

Question 7

The owners of Bonton Enterprises describe themselves as "born before

computers". However, they have employed young people who take care of new

technologies.

Information and communications technologies have rapidly evolved over the past

years with numerous trends and continuous upgrades. Part of this evolution has

seen online databases coming on board amongst other dynamic applications.

The application of online databases has played important roles in most

organisations, including Bonton Enterprises, especially through the internet's

platform hosting vital tools and components that support service delivery.

However, the implementing organisation should be made aware of the shortfalls

to avoid subsequently falling in its trap.

Required:

Explain to the management of Bonton Enterprises:

(a) (i) four advantages of using online databases in an organisation.

(4 marks)

(ii) two challenges of using online databases in an organisation.

(4 marks)

(b) The table below presents a file containing staff data.

Staff ID No. Name Title Department Telephone

AD001 Barungi CEO ADM 0772261476

HR001 Zahikahe HRM HR 0705361557

PR001 Mutonyi PRM PR 0773471877

IT001 Muwonge ITM ICT 0774374756

Explain the following using examples from the table above:

(i) Field (2 marks)

(ii) Records (2 marks)

(iii) Primary key (2 marks)

(c) Explain any three operations that can be performed on a computer

database.