Centria UAS Entrance exam for MBA (International business management) 2025

 This year, 2025, the entrance exam for Centria UAS Master of Business Administration (International Business Management) was for two hours. The task given was to summarize a research journal on the topic of "Return to office Decisions: A culture Question."  Download the journal from the link. You can download the article there by following the “Download PDF” link. But you can also find the download link here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2694105820240401007?download=true

It was a 7-page document, but 4 pages to read from. I mean the first 2 pages were just introductory images and last page of reference. 

Below are the two questions that we had to answer, along with the answers I wrote. I know the answers are not written in the best way but this is all I could write in those 2 hours after reading the journal.

·         A) In your own words, but based on the information in the article, discuss the main characteristics the Office-First, Hybrid and Remote-First cultures/modes-of-work from the viewpoint of organizational development and performance in the post-pandemic business environment.

After COVID pandemic, the world has changed its direction for professional approach. Many businesses have changed their mode of work even in the post pandemic era. Though it really depends on the nature of business and work nature of an employee.

In the office first setting, the most salient feature is collective learning, where the physically available team work together for achieving the goal. This mode of work makes sure that resources are available for everyone equally. This gives the employee a sense of purpose, who value each other and attaining the goal become more achievable. In office environment whole team stays on track, inspire each other to work hard and tangible results can be achieved and enjoyed. Psychologically, physically available team mates show more compassion to each other and connects more and understands each other in their highs and lows. Though in situations like pandemic or case of natural calamity, safety is somehow compromised, yet the work force remains in order. A leader or manager can execute the operation in more orderly fashion and has more sense of authority over his/her sub-ordinates when they are available all the time in office rather than when they are remotely scattered places.

Remote-first mode of work is suitable for some businesses, especially when the safety is given priority, but learning and results are equally important. In such organizations, leaders and project leaders must plan ahead, distribute the work and make sure that results are achieved. In businesses that rely on their remote employee, priority is given to impact and results delivered by the employee rather than working hours or time of work.

Last but not the least hybrid culture enjoys positive points of both office-first or remote-first culture and thus drives the best output. It gives the opportunity to all team members to meet physically, assess their work and yet the luxury to sit in a remote place and progress. It has the collective learning and result oriented team perks and safety and enjoyment. When team meets there is a sense of authority, purposefulness and when they are remote, they have this independence to work their own way. They can share the access to resources, systems and opportunities which are very much needed to thrive. They can support each other

·         B) Reflect and assess your own (current or earlier) workplace and its culture in the light of the modes-of-work discussion of the article. Which of the three modes is preferred and in use in your workplace (Office-First, Hybrid, or Remote-First)? How are the principles and practices of that mode applied? How do you see the advantages and potential disadvantages of the current mode-of-work in your workplace? What, how and why would you like to change or further develop to enable the implementation of the most appropriate mode-of-work for the purposes of your own workplace and its future development?

Currently I’m working in civil contracting company as project coordinator, where I’m working in a hybrid mode. My job nature allows me to work in this setting but not all the jobs in my office have this privilege. Because a mason or civil technician needs to be physically present on his work station. I believe that nature of one’s work (job description) really matters, and that decides the mode of work one can have. So for my job, the part where I just have to document, track or check and balance the records, I can work remotely. But when I have to co-ordinate with clients and tasks where I must  physically assess the situation, I have to be in office. So this gives me flexibility to adjust my work and family time. I see it as a great benefit of this internet age that I can balance work and life. Be available for my children most of the time, yet it also bring little chaos in term of order. I have office space at home but sometimes I have to available all the time on phone or email for my clients. I feel in future this 24 hr availability should be in accordance to office timings.