Decision Making – The occasion was a hyper publicised switch-on
XAT 2021 Exam Paper – Decision Making – The occasion was a hyper publicised switch-on
Read the following scenario and answer the three questions that follow.
The occasion was a hyper publicised switch-on ceremony of solar power facilities on an
island, with many villages, in the Bay of Bengal. PK was the brand ambassador of a
Multinational Company (MNC) that was banking heavily on this CSR initiative to strengthen its
presence in India. For the millions of fans, enamoured by the aging super star’s Robinhood
like onscreen exploits, the pre-event speech of PK was their first glimpse into his off-screen
persona. After an emotional speech that extolled the virtues of electricity as a driver of
wellbeing & need for inclusive growth, PK with a flourish of his hand hit the button to remotely
switch on the solar power facilities. Tens of media cameras stationed in all the island villages,
started beaming live feed across the world. Quickly, the event turned from one of joy to
something of shock and horror, as all the thatched households on the island caught fire. A few
villagers were seriously injured in the fire. Watching the coverage, PK slapped the MNC
representative standing next to him, on live camera, and collapsed on a couch with his head
in his hands.
Q.1 Soon after, the MNC filed a case against PK for criminal assault and tarnishing its
brand image.
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate reason for the MNC to file a case
against PK?
A. It is a message to the MNC’s stakeholders that it will not tolerate such inappropriate
behaviour.
B. The MNC’s mission statement includes “employee first, customer second.”
C. The MNC is forced to respond, given the public slapping of its representative.
D. The MNC intends to arrest its dropping sales, post the incident, through affirmative
action.
E. The highly brand conscious MNC is using PK to divert public attention
Q.2 Post the slapping incident, there was a strong social media backlash against PK. His
PR team suggested the following social media releases that he could use not only to
defend himself but also to garner positive reactions.
Which of the following social media releases will BEST help PK achieve the purpose?
A. He strongly believes in an eye for an eye.
B. His onscreen Robinhood image influences his off-screen behaviour.
C. The MNC deserved more than just a slap for its irresponsible actions.
D. The plight of the islanders deserved an immediate delivery of justice.
E. He reacted as the sight of the villages ablaze was unbearable.
Q.3 A few months passed and the slapping incident still garnered a good number of views
on social media. PK’s publicist was aware that PK harboured a desire to join politics.
She wanted PK to make the most of the publicity around the incident before it fadeed
away from public memory in the next few months.
Which of the following options will BEST help PK take just advantage of the situation?
A. He should announce that he is entering politics with a slogan “One Tight Slap.”
B. He should launch the “Slap the Greedy” campaign, and urge his fans to slap greedy
officials.
C. In his upcoming movie, in the opening scene, he should slap and shame a
treacherous corporate official who swindles poor villagers.
D. He should meet the MNC representative he slapped and apologise to him in a
public meeting.
E. He should visit the island and publicly promise to rebuild the island villages, and
publicise it in the social media