Public Administration MCQ Quiz in తెలుగు - Objective Question with Answer for Public Administration - ముఫ్త్ [PDF] డౌన్లోడ్ కరెన్
Last updated on Mar 20, 2025
Latest Public Administration MCQ Objective Questions
Top Public Administration MCQ Objective Questions
Public Administration Question 1:
Identify the correct statements regarding Rational Choice Theory:
- It is based on the premise that individuals act to maximize their personal advantage.
- The theory emphasizes a collective perspective over individual decision-making.
- Rational Choice Theory was applied to electoral behavior by Anthony Downs.
- It was developed primarily as a critique of bureaucratic theory.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 1 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is '1 and 3'
Key Points
- Rational Choice Theory:
- Rational Choice Theory is a framework for understanding and modeling social and economic behavior within societies.
- The theory is based on the premise that individuals act to maximize their personal advantage, making decisions by comparing the costs and benefits of various options.
- Anthony Downs applied Rational Choice Theory to electoral behavior, notably in his 1957 book "An Economic Theory of Democracy," where he analyzed how voters and politicians act in a democracy based on rational calculations.
Additional Information
- Rational Choice Theory (RCT) is a foundational framework in social sciences, particularly in economics, political science, and sociology.
- It is used to model and explain individual and collective behavior by assuming that individuals make decisions by systematically weighing the costs and benefits of various options to maximize their utility or personal advantage.
- It is rooted in the idea of methodological individualism, where individual actions and decisions are the fundamental unit of analysis, and these individuals are seen as rational agents
Public Administration Question 2:
Identify the correct statements regarding Barnard's "Zone of Indifference" in organizational communication:
- It refers to a range of directives employees are willing to accept without resistance.
- Orders outside this zone are always accepted without question.
- Factors like trust in management influence the size of this zone.
- It supports the concept of unquestioning obedience in organizations.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 2 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is '1 and 3'
Key Points
- Zone of Indifference:
- The concept of "Zone of Indifference" was introduced by Chester Barnard in his work on organizational theory and management.
- It refers to the range of directives or orders that employees are willing to accept and execute without significant resistance or questioning.
- The size of this zone can be influenced by various factors, including the level of trust employees have in their management, the perceived fairness and legitimacy of the orders, and the existing organizational culture.
- Trust in Management:
- One of the critical factors that influence the size of the Zone of Indifference is the trust employees have in their management.
- Higher trust levels can expand the Zone of Indifference, making employees more willing to accept a broader range of directives without resistance.
Public Administration Question 3:
In Chester Barnard's perspective, which of the following is crucial for an organization to function effectively as a social system?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 3 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 'Shared purpose and cooperation among members'
Key Points
- Shared purpose and cooperation among members:
- Chester Barnard emphasized that for an organization to function effectively as a social system, it must have a shared purpose among its members.
- Cooperation is crucial because it ensures that the efforts of all members are aligned towards achieving common organizational goals.
- Barnard believed that the willingness of individuals to contribute to the collective effort is fundamental to the success of any organization.
- This shared purpose fosters a sense of belonging and commitment among members, which is essential for organizational cohesion and performance.
Additional Information
- A clearly defined profit motive:
- While a profit motive is important for many organizations, it is not the primary factor in Barnard's perspective on effective social systems.
- Barnard focused more on the social and cooperative aspects of organizational functioning rather than financial objectives alone.
- Hierarchical authority without cooperation:
- A hierarchical structure is common in organizations, but without cooperation among members, it can lead to inefficiencies and conflicts.
- Barnard argued that authority should be accepted by the members, and this acceptance is often facilitated through cooperation and shared goals.
- Strict adherence to formal communication channels:
- While formal communication channels are important for clarity and order, Barnard also recognized the value of informal communication in fostering cooperation and understanding.
- Overemphasis on strict adherence can stifle flexibility and responsiveness within the organization.
Public Administration Question 4:
Match the following scholars with their definitions or descriptions of Public Administration:
Column A | Column B |
---|---|
i) E.N. Gladden | a) Emphasis on public policy and executive actions |
ii) L.D. White | b) Systematic application of law |
iii) Woodrow Wilson | c) Coordinating efforts to achieve common goals |
iv) Luther Gulick | d) Executive activities primarily in the public sector |
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 4 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 'i-c, ii-d, iii-b, iv-a'
Key Points
- Match the following scholars with their definitions or descriptions of Public Administration:
- E.N. Gladden: Defines Public Administration as the coordinating efforts to achieve common goals.
- L.D. White: Describes Public Administration as involving executive activities primarily in the public sector.
- Woodrow Wilson: Stressed the systematic application of law.
- Luther Gulick: Focuses on emphasis on public policy and executive actions.
Additional Information
- Public Administration refers to the implementation of government policy, and it is an essential component of the broader field of political science. Public administration focuses on the administration and management of government organizations, ensuring that policies and programs are effectively executed to serve the public interest.
- It involves decision-making processes, managing public resources, and ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in governance.
Public Administration Question 5:
Who contended that "we are concerned only with finding a choice mechanism that will lead it to pursue a "satisficing" path, a path that will permit satisfaction at same specified level of all of its needs" ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 5 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 'Herbert Simon'.
Key Points
- Herbert Simon:
- Herbert Simon was a renowned economist and cognitive psychologist known for his theory of bounded rationality and decision-making processes.
- He introduced the concept of "satisficing," which suggests that individuals seek a satisfactory solution rather than an optimal one due to the limitations of their cognitive processes.
- Simon's work emphasized the practical aspects of decision-making in organizations, where perfect optimization is often unattainable, and a satisfactory solution is more realistic.
- The quote in question reflects Simon's idea that organizations should aim to meet a satisfactory level of all needs rather than pursuing an unattainable optimal solution.
Additional Information
- Mary Parker Follett:
- Mary Parker Follett was a social worker and management consultant known for her work in organizational theory and behavior.
- She emphasized the importance of collaboration, conflict resolution, and the role of leadership in organizations.
- Although she made significant contributions to management thought, her focus was different from Simon's concept of satisficing.
- Chester Barnard:
- Chester Barnard was a management theorist known for his book "The Functions of the Executive," which focused on organizational management and the role of executives in motivating employees and maintaining communication.
- He introduced the concept of the "acceptance theory of authority," but his work did not specifically address the idea of satisficing as Simon did.
- Max Weber:
- Max Weber was a sociologist and political economist known for his theory of bureaucracy and the study of authority and social structures.
- Weber's work focused on the characteristics of bureaucratic organizations and the nature of authority, but he did not develop the concept of satisficing.
Public Administration Question 6:
Fred Riggs developed ideal models to analyse the administrative systems of different countries. Choose the correct ones from the following.
A. Fused
B. Focussed
C. Prismatic
D. Rainbow
E. Diffracted
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 6 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 'A, C, E Only'
Key Points
- Fred Riggs' Ideal Models:
- Fred Riggs developed the Fused-Prismatic-Diffracted (FPD) model to analyze the administrative systems of various countries.
- These models describe different stages of societal development and the corresponding nature of administrative systems.
- They are used to understand the complexities and dynamics of public administration in different socio-economic contexts.
- Fused Model:
- Represents a traditional, agrarian society.
- The administrative system is simple and undifferentiated.
- There is minimal specialization and the roles of political, economic, and social institutions are not distinct.
- Prismatic Model:
- Represents a transitional society.
- Characterized by a mix of traditional and modern elements.
- The administrative system shows complexity and heterogeneity, with overlapping roles and functions.
- Diffracted Model:
- Represents a modern, industrial society.
- The administrative system is highly specialized and differentiated.
- Clear separation of roles and functions among political, economic, and social institutions.
Additional Information
- Focussed Model:
- This term does not belong to Fred Riggs' classification of administrative systems.
- Rainbow Model:
- This term is also not part of Fred Riggs' models and does not describe any stage of societal or administrative development in his framework.
Public Administration Question 7:
Consider the following correct statements -
A. Anthony Smith wrote the book 'The Ethnic Origins of Nations'.
B. Ernest Gellner emphasised his idea of nationalism in book 'Nations and Nationalism.'
C. Malcom X argued for rediscovery of Africa as a spiritual and cultural homeland.
D. John Loke's idea of General Will was the seed from which nationalist doctrines sprang during the French Revolution of 1789.
E. Eric Hobsbawn highlighted the idea of 'invented traditions."
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 7 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 'A, B, C, E Only'
Key Points
- Anthony Smith's Contribution:
- Anthony Smith wrote the book "The Ethnic Origins of Nations".
- This work is significant in the study of nationalism, focusing on the role of ethnic communities in the formation of nations.
- Ernest Gellner's Nationalism:
- Ernest Gellner emphasized his ideas of nationalism in his book "Nations and Nationalism."
- Gellner's theory posits that nationalism is a product of modernity and industrialization.
- Malcom X's Rediscovery of Africa:
- Malcom X argued for the rediscovery of Africa as a spiritual and cultural homeland.
- This perspective is crucial for understanding the African American experience and the broader Pan-African movement.
- Eric Hobsbawm's Invented Traditions:
- Eric Hobsbawm highlighted the idea of "invented traditions."
- This concept explains how traditions are often modern creations that serve specific social and political purposes.
Additional Information
- John Locke's General Will:
- The statement that John Locke's idea of General Will was the seed from which nationalist doctrines sprang during the French Revolution of 1789 is incorrect.
- In fact, the concept of General Will is attributed to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, not John Locke.
Public Administration Question 8:
Who stated -
"There is nothing _______ absolute in management affairs. Seldom do we have to apply the same principle twice as in identical conditions; allowance must be made for different changing circumstances?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Public Administration Question 8 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 'Henri Fayol'
Key Points
- Henri Fayol:
- Henri Fayol was a French mining engineer and management theorist who is widely recognized for his contributions to modern management theory.
- Fayol's quote emphasizes the flexibility required in management practices, highlighting that identical solutions rarely work in different situations due to varying circumstances.
- He is best known for developing a general theory of business administration and for formulating the 14 Principles of Management, which include concepts like division of work, authority, discipline, unity of command, and others.
Additional Information
- Max Weber:
- Max Weber was a German sociologist, philosopher, and political economist known for his theory of bureaucracy and ideas on the structure of organizations.
- Weber's focus was more on the systematic and structured aspects of organizations, rather than the flexible approach mentioned in the quote.
- Peter Drucker:
- Peter Drucker was an Austrian-American management consultant, educator, and author, often referred to as the "father of modern management."
- Drucker emphasized innovation, entrepreneurship, and the importance of a customer-centric business approach, which differs from the context of the quote.
- Bertram Gross:
- Bertram Gross was an American social scientist and management theorist known for his work on policy planning and organizational theory.
- Gross focused on policy and planning within organizations, rather than the principle-based flexibility discussed in the quote.
Public Administration Question 9:
Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The Hawthorne Studies were a series of experiments that formed the basis of Scientific Management Theory.
Statement 2: Scientific Management Theory advocates for the separation of planning and doing.
Choose the correct answer.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Statement 1 is false, but Statement 2 is true.
Public Administration Question 9 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Statement 1 is false, but Statement 2 is true.
Explanation: The Hawthorne Studies are more closely associated with the Human Relations Movement, not Scientific Management Theory. Scientific Management does advocate for the separation of planning and execution tasks, with managers responsible for planning and workers for executing tasks.
Key PointsThe Hawthorne Studies are indeed more closely associated with the Human Relations Movement than with Scientific Management Theory, and understanding the distinction between these two approaches to management and organizational behavior is crucial for grasping why this is the case.
Scientific Management Theory
Developed by Frederick W. Taylor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Scientific Management Theory, also known as Taylorism, focuses on improving economic efficiency and labor productivity through scientific methods. Key principles of Scientific Management include:
- Task Specialization: Breaking down jobs into simple, repetitive tasks that can be easily learned and performed by workers.
- Standardization and Best Methods: Developing the "one best way" to perform each task through time and motion studies, and then training workers to follow these methods precisely.
- Separation of Planning and Execution: Managers are responsible for planning work processes and tasks, while workers are responsible for executing these plans. This principle creates a clear distinction between the roles of management and workers.
- Incentive Pay Systems: Implementing performance-based pay systems to motivate workers to increase their productivity.
Human Relations Movement
The Human Relations Movement emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, partly as a response to the mechanistic and impersonal aspects of Scientific Management. It gained significant momentum from the Hawthorne Studies, which were a series of experiments conducted at the Western Electric Hawthorne Works in Cicero, Illinois, between 1924 and 1932.
Key findings and principles of the Human Relations Movement include:
- Social Factors in the Workplace: The Hawthorne Studies revealed that workers' productivity could be influenced more by social factors and group dynamics than by physical or environmental conditions. For example, workers performed better when they felt they were being observed or when they were part of a cohesive group.
- Importance of Employee Morale: The studies highlighted the importance of employee morale and how it is influenced by management practices, recognition, and the sense of belonging to a group.
- Leadership and Group Dynamics: The role of leadership and the dynamics of work groups were recognized as critical factors in organizational success. Managers were encouraged to foster positive group dynamics and understand the social needs of their employees.
- Employee Participation: Contrary to Scientific Management's emphasis on top-down decision-making, the Human Relations Movement suggested that involving employees in decision-making processes could lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
Additional InformationDistinctions
- The primary distinction between Scientific Management and the Human Relations Movement lies in their focus. Scientific Management is primarily concerned with the efficiency of work processes and tasks, emphasizing the optimization of work through scientific methods. On the other hand, the Human Relations Movement focuses on the psychological and social aspects of work, advocating for the importance of employee satisfaction, motivation, and group dynamics.
- The Hawthorne Studies are associated with the Human Relations Movement because they underscored the significance of social relationships, employee morale, and the non-technical aspects of work in influencing productivity. These studies challenged the Scientific Management perspective by demonstrating that productivity is not solely determined by the physical conditions of work or the efficiency of work processes, but also by the social and psychological environment in which work takes place.
Public Administration Question 10:
Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: Scientific Management Theory holds that there is one best way to perform every job.
Statement 2: The theory places a strong emphasis on worker satisfaction and well-being.
Choose the correct answer.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Statement 1 is true, but Statement 2 is false.
Public Administration Question 10 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Statement 1 is true, but Statement 2 is false.
Explanation: The core principle of Scientific Management is that there is "one best way" to perform every job, which can be determined through scientific methods. However, the theory has been criticized for not placing enough emphasis on worker satisfaction and well-being, focusing instead on efficiency and productivity.
Key PointsScientific Management, often associated with Frederick W. Taylor and his work in the early 20th century, is a theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflows. Its main objective is to improve economic efficiency, especially labor productivity. Taylor is known as the father of Scientific Management, and his principles were designed to optimize work and productivity by applying scientific methods to the management of workers.
Core Principles of Scientific Management:
- Scientifically Study Each Part of the Task: Taylor suggested that instead of using traditional work methods, each task or job should be studied scientifically to identify the most efficient way to perform it. This involves breaking down each job into its smallest units and analyzing each to find the "one best way" to perform the job.
- Carefully Select and Then Train, Teach, and Develop the Worker: After identifying the best way to perform a task, the next step is to select workers with the right abilities for the job. These workers are then trained to perform the task according to the scientifically determined best way, which may involve new methods, tools, or machinery.
- Heartily Cooperate with the Workers: Taylor advocated for a close, cooperative relationship between management and workers. Management's role is to ensure that the work is done according to the principles of Scientific Management, while also providing the necessary support and incentives.
- Equal Division of Work and Responsibility: There should be a clear division of work and responsibility between management and workers. Management takes over all work for which it is better suited than the workers, such as planning and organizing work, while the workers carry out the tasks.
Criticisms of Scientific Management:
Despite its focus on efficiency and productivity, Scientific Management has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding its treatment of workers:
- Neglect of Worker Satisfaction and Well-being: Critics argue that Scientific Management treats workers as machines rather than human beings, focusing solely on productivity and efficiency without considering worker satisfaction, creativity, and well-being. This can lead to monotonous work and dehumanize the workplace, potentially resulting in worker dissatisfaction and low morale.
- Overemphasis on Quantitative Measures: The theory places a heavy emphasis on time and motion studies, neglecting qualitative aspects such as worker motivation, team dynamics, and the social context of work. This narrow focus can overlook factors that significantly impact productivity and workplace harmony.
- Resistance to Change: The implementation of Scientific Management often involves significant changes to work practices, which can lead to resistance from workers who may feel threatened by new methods or fear for their jobs. This resistance can undermine the effectiveness of the changes and lead to conflict between workers and management.
- Limited Scope: Critics also point out that Scientific Management applies best to simple, repetitive tasks and may not be suitable for more complex, creative, or knowledge-based work where the "one best way" of working is not easily determined or may not even exist.
Additional Information
- While Scientific Management introduced a revolutionary approach to improving productivity and efficiency in the workplace, its narrow focus on these aspects to the detriment of worker satisfaction and well-being has led to significant criticism. Modern management theories often seek to balance efficiency with a more holistic consideration of worker needs and the broader social context of work.