The Open University of Sri Lanka

Faculty of Engineering Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Study Programme Master of Energy Management (MEM)

Name of the Examination Final Examination
Course Code and Title DMM 9112 Human Resources for Energy
Sector (HRES)
Academic Year 2022
Date 9th September 2023
Time 9.30. hours– 11.30 hours (IST)
Duration 02 hours

General Instructions
1. Read all instructions carefully before answering the questions.
2. This question paper consists of Three (3) questions related to the case study
provided. Answer all questions.
3. All Three (3) questions carry equal marks
4. Answer for each question should commence from a new page.
5. This is a Closed Book Test (CBT).
6. Read the questions carefully and answers should be in clear handwriting.
7. Do not use red pen.

Read the case study and answer questions Q1 to Q3.

Following global trends for sustainability, a local juice-making company, Sirilak is attempting
to go for zero energy in their business process. The company has around 450 workers who have
been performing under the traditional Human Recourse (HR) practices. The company has had
bureaucratic roles, policies and procedures and was running with some identified staff
specialists focusing on transactional activities and a short-term profit centered.

The need to go for zero energy has many goals, such as going for carbon-neutral manufacturing,
energy efficiency, etc. In the meantime, it is expected to improve customer relations to offer
tailored solutions to prevent waste while collaborating closely with suppliers to curb emissions.
Incremental refinements in the process are expected to be made while capturing waste heat
from the process to use them in different production zones.

Collaboration and teamwork must be improved in the organisation while different experts such
as refrigeration and heating, will work together on the expected change. The HR job design
focus has been a tight division of labour, independence, and specialisation in the existing setup.
The fragmented decision-making in all initiatives was common practice, and the actions were
mostly based on reactive grounds for any problems.

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QUESTION 01

Assume that, as an energy expert, you are the newly appointed change leader in Sirilak who
has been assigned the task of achieving a 50% reduction of energy within one year period. As
you are aware, traditional HR practices will hinder sustainable development, and you need to
orient HR strategically to initiate change towards sustainability.

a) Identify FIVE (5) strategic HR initiatives you must focus on Sirilak to prepare the
organisational context for the change required.
[30% of marks]
b) Suggest the best type of training to change the prevailing attitudes of employees and
unfreeze the organisation's situation for the expected change, giving TWO (2) reasons
for your section.
[20% of marks]
c) Identify at least FIVE (5) common competencies that are important for each category
of HR to bring the expected change in Sirilak.
[50% of marks]

QUESTION 02

Assume that you are given the freedom to use any strategy to go for the change needed by the
founders of Sirilak. They support you by providing sufficient capital and other resources
needed for the change.

a) How could a reward system support the expected change in Sirilak? Briefly explain
with at least TWO (2) examples. Will extrinsic or intrinsic rewards be effective in this
change process? Explain.
[30% of marks]
b) Suggest a performance evaluation technique for the technical staff giving at least TWO
(2) reasons for your selection.
[40% of marks]
c) How would you plan to prevent any accidents in the change process, and what
assistance could you get from other organisations to plan for any preventive measures?
[30% of marks]

QUESTION 03

Supplier contribution will be a massive inclusion for greening Sirilak. They need to supply low
energy consuming products such as packaging or containers, which may need a rethinking on
their side about circulation of products. Or else, you might have to merge with some supplier
organisations to ensure they adhere to the quality needed to reduce energy.

a) What is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) types you could encourage in
supplier organisations to make them support your energy reduction plans? Discuss with
suitable examples.
[30% of marks]

Page 2 of 3
b) While going through the change in the organisation, you need to make the employees
better understand their responsibility towards sustainability. How could you create a
CSR culture in your organisation? Discuss.
[40% of marks]
c) How could you develop ethically responsible human resources in Sirilak? Discuss.

[30% of marks]

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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