Bahria University

Islamabad Campus
Midterm Examination (SPRING 2020)
Department of Business Studies

Teacher Name: Talat Rehman

Program: BBA-3 - A Course: Organizational Theory & Behavior
Issue Date on LMS: 17th May 2020 (Sunday)

Submission Date on LMS (mandatory): 19th May 2020 (Tuesday) (Deadline)

Max Marks: 15

INSTRUCTIONS:
a) Clearly write your name, enrollment number, class, section on midterm answer script/ document.
b) Midterm answer script/ document will be submitted on LMS and via email both mandatory for record.
c) Time and date must be strictly followed to submit midterm exam answer script/ document.
d) There are total three questions. All questions are compulsory to attempt.
e) Question no 1 is a case study with questions given in the end of case.
f) Question no 2 is a scenario-based question.
g) Question no 3 is the discussion questions.
h) Give appropriate examples preferably from international or local industry/market where required.

Question no 1:
Case Incident: Increasing Age Diversity in the Workplace (5 marks)
Over the past century, the average age of the workforce has continually increased as medical
science continues to enhance longevity and vitality. The fastest-growing segment of the workforce is
individuals over the age of 55. Recent medical research is exploring techniques that could extend human
life to 100 years or more. In addition, the combination of laws prohibiting age discrimination and
elimination of defined-benefit pension plans means that many individuals continue to work well past the
traditional age of retirement.
Unfortunately, older workers face a variety of discriminatory attitudes in the workplace.
Researchers scanned over 100 publications on age discrimination to determine what types of age
stereotypes were most prevalent across studies. They found that stereotypes suggested job performance
declined with age, counter to empirical evidence presented earlier in this chapter that relationships
between age and core task performance are essentially nil. Stereotypes also suggest that older workers are
less adaptable, less flexible, and incapable of learning new concepts. Research, on the other hand,
suggests they are capable of learning and adapting to new situations when these are framed appropriately.
Organizations can take steps to limit age discrimination and ensure that employees are treated
fairly regardless of age. Many of the techniques to limit age discrimination come down to fundamentally
sound management practices relevant for all employees: set clear expectations for performance, deal with
problems directly, communicate with workers frequently, and follow clear policies and procedures
consistently. Management professionals note that clarity and consistency can help ensure all employees
are treated equally regardless of age.

Questions:
1. What changes in employment relationships are likely to occur as the population ages?
(2 marks)
2. Do you think increasing age diversity will create new challenges for managers? What
types of challenges do you expect will be most profound? (2 marks)
3. How can organizations cope with differences related to age discrimination in the
workplace? (1 marks)

Question no 2: (5 marks= 1 mark for each scenario)

In the context of Big – Five personality model traits, identify the personality traits of the
following individuals in the scenarios given below? Give justification of your answer. Write only
one personality trait for everyone. Also briefly explain characteristics and degree (High or Low)
of that particular trait?
Scenario 1: Amina is a working lady. She is serving an NGO from last 6 years. Through an
interview it was found that she is not much satisfied with her job. She told about herself that “I
don’t like to try new things. I don’t like to go too far away vacations because I would not know
the area and would not be comfortable in the new environment, so I don’t travel often. I try to
stay around people I knew. Like going to the doctors and seen by nurses who have checked me
before. Being around things I am familiar with and sticking to what I know and feel comfortable
with is like a way for me to be safe from the unknown”.
Scenario 2: Arham is working for an insurance company. He told about himself that “I always
have a messy desk. I never organize my things and that’s why every time I try to look for
something, I can never find it. Especially when it comes to papers, I always just throw my papers
in my book – bag or on my desk and then have a hard time finding the important papers later. I
am always late to something. No matter what I could never be on time even I set an alarm or
write it down I just always forget, or I just be running late”.
Scenario 3: Dania is a girl who is visiting a psychologist for a therapy. She told about herself
that “in school I don’t interact with other students, not because I don’t like them but mostly
because I am too nervous. I mostly sit back quietly and observe my surroundings rather than me
being sociable and interacting. If I go attend an event instead of my going up to people and
socializing, I sit and if someone come to me then I would socialize with them.
Scenario 4: Fahad is a volunteer at a welfare trust. In an interview he told about himself that “I
tend to consider the feelings of others. If I see one of my friends sad and depressed my first
thought is to find a way to cheer them up even if I was something important to do at that time.
For reasons I always tend to put other feelings before my own. I am always concerned for
people. When my best friend broke her knee out of place, I helped her out and always kept
asking if she was alright and did anything I could to help make her feel better.
Scenario 5: Zynah is a university student. Unfortunately she is week in studies. While taking
consultancy she told about herself that “I tend to become anxious and nervous when I have to
take an exam and if I have to speak in front of a group of people. I become really anxious when
an exam is near and that is because I never knew how I am going to do or what types of
questions might be on the test. No matter what types of test it is I become very nervous. Talking
in front of people always get me nervous. I become so nervous that I start to stutter or mess up
my words”.

Question no 3: Give answers in detail. (Think and Do, by applying theoretical concepts with
real life examples) (5 marks)
a. “Managers should do everything they can to enhance the job satisfaction of their
employees”. How? (2 marks)
b. What are the challenges and opportunities for managers in using OB concepts? List
them? (2 marks)
c. “Thirty five years ago, the young employees we hired were ambitious, conscientious,
hardworking and honest. Today’s young workers don’t have the same values.” Do you
agree or disagree with this manager’s comments? Support your position? (1 marks)

(THE END, GOOD LUCK!)