Group Discussion: What happens in a GD round of Top B schools for Admission 2014?

Group Discussion or GD is the integral part of final selection process at most of the B-schools. The group discussion is a tool for selectors to evaluate aspirant’s ability to gather their thought on a random topic and analyse the issue with its pros and cons based on facts and logic. Group Discussion also tests their thought leading capabilities, clarity in their argument, ability to articulate and team leading capacity. 

MBAUniverse .com brings to you a series of real account of GD, PI and WAT round at Top B School for admission in the session 2014-16.

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This article describes real account of GD round held for admission to one of the top B-schools. Name of the B-school is not disclosed for obvious reasons and the names of the candidates have been changed to protect their identity. The GD have been evaluated by the B school Admission Panel and have been provided marks and Feedback/comments on each individual candidate on the basis of their participation in the Group Discussion round. 

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Given below is the realistic account of Group Discussion with 7 Candidates for admission to one of the top Business school. 

Topic: GDP growth is not the best indicator of Social justice

Number of participating candidates: 7   

Time Allotted: 20 minutes

Name of the Institute not disclosed and names of the candidates have been changed.

Moderator- Good morning friends. The topic for today’s Group Discussion is “GDP growth is not the best indicator of Social justice”. You have one minute to think before starting the discussion. The observers will neither interfere nor participate in the discussion.

(After the pause)

Arnav- (Taking lead) Hi friends, I am Arnav. Let us be clear about the topic, it is based on the current study of economics related to growth in a country in a given period, say one calendar year. Economic growth of a country is measured on year to year basis. An upward trend indicates a growing and healthy economy. The most accurate measure so far considered, is the gross domestic product, or GDP. Broadly it means the total value of goods and services produced within a period of say a calendar or financial year, in a country.

I however, understand when Economic growth measures income it does not measure equality, it measures growth, but not destruction that has been caused due to acts of nature or otherwise. If there is a growth of 6, 7, 8, or 10 percent in GDP, it does not necessarily mean that all the people in the country are better off by the same or even the fraction of that GDP. It is a statistical presentation wherein poor or lower middle class people remain wherever they were. The only change is that they need to spend more on buying the essential commodities due to ever rising inflation.

Arindam- (Catching the line) - Yes, you are right Arnav. Social and economic disparities are not looked into while marching forward on the scale of economic growth. These growth measures like GDP ignore values like social cohesion and the environment.

Meenakshi- (Shaking her head sideways)- No Arindam, you may not be right. There is no better way of measuring economic growth of a country. All the goods and services produced in a calendar year in a country are taken into account, what else is required for calculation of economic growth? Higher the GDP higher is the economic growth of a country and it can concentrate more on the products and services wherein growth rate has increasing trend.

Arindam– (trying to gather some thought) Well, you may be right to some extent but we all have our own views to express.

Snehlata- Friends, in fact whatever system we adopt now a days, GDP, GNP, NNP all measure economic growth of the country but do they have social justice, if not why? Allow me to present my views in brief. When the rich and upper middle class of the country earn more, the national income, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases. It doesn’t signify that the poor or lower middle class people have earned more. 

They remain where they were but GDP increases. The benefits do not reach the poor and this way we shall not be able to eradicate poverty. We forget or have no proper yardstick to measure the contribution to welfare of the output of services, in particular public education and health, which by definition have no market prices, despite their importance in our economies.

Saksham – In my view present system of measurement is the best indicator of Economic growth as well as social well being as it measures growth without the effects of inflation and therefore is quite satisfactory. It is measured in a comprehensive manner, covering the production of consumer goods and services, even government services, and investment goods. You get the correct picture whether the economy is expanding or contracting.

Arnav (Making second entry) – Friends, had it been the best indicator, the country would have not been reeling under severe poverty problems despite constant growth in GDP. In fact, present system does not consider that taking care of one’s own children is production (and the money saved on account of this, should be added to the income) although the remuneration paid to a hired maid for the same job is included in it. It is cynical to note that due to any natural calamity, accidents, earthquakes, etc. Wherein thousands of people die - the economic growth may still increase since the income will be more in a less populous country. Flood and famine take a toll of thousands but it is an irony that lesser the population higher will be the economic growth. 

Pradyuman - (Adjusting his glasses) – I think Arnav is right, we should have some good system of measurement that may be rated as the best and justify the social justice. A bunch of hundred capitalist families might contribute 80% of economic growth whereas millions contribute 20% of it. Since the growth in GDP in a rising economy is vibrant despite the fact that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.

Srikant- (Trying to find words to speak) – No, The present system is right. I am a student of economics and I know well that GDP growth rate is the most important indicator of economic health. If it's growing, so will business, jobs and personal income. If the GDP growth rate actually turns negative, the economy is heading towards recession. When the economy is expanding, the GDP growth rate is positive.

Arnav- (Making third entry)- Friends, the deficiencies in the measurement of economic growth calls for some new indicators that would assess the costs as well as the benefits of economic activity with more prudent social justice like the one Bhutan has adopted. Instead of GDP/GNP let us go for GNH- Gross National Happiness that suggests beneficial development in human society takes place when material and spiritual development occur side by side to complement and reinforce each other. A nation should value sustainable development, cultural integrity, ecosystem conservation, and good governance to achieve higher Gross National happiness. The present system takes into account only economic indicators forgetting social welfare.  The measurement of growth is done in the comprehensive manner. It lacks the distribution aspect.   The have-nots despite a great economic growth might be reeling under the phenomenon of poverty without getting the requisite food and shelter. 
 
Snehlata – (Making second entry)- Yes Arnav, the measurement of economic growth must take care of rising economy with the spending as well. All the statistical measurements have certain loopholes and cannot be rated as correct. The measuring yardstick of economic growth has to work on certain economic as well as social indicators with government’s spending on all the economic and social targets making coverage of distributive justice as much as possible. The present system therefore is not the best indicator to this aspect.

Saksham (Making second entry- as the discussion is coming to end) - The poor and the rich are like spokes of a wheel in any economy. It is a part of the great world-machinery of trade and industry that is always busy at work providing for the wants of hundreds of millions of people. Even if average factor is taken into consideration, the rise in income will indicate that the income of poor ones is also rising since they also contribute to economic growth.

 It is quite true that there are in this country a small number of very rich people; but they are so few in comparison with the whole population that even if they were to share out all their wealth among the rest, it would make very little difference. There simply is not enough money to make everybody rich even if it were shared equally all round everyone. The present system at least enables the government to forecast the growth and helps decision makers to go for corrective policies in time. Good business managers consider macroeconomic forecasts when developing their plans for production, employment, and investments in new plant and equipment. In my view, the present system takes care of almost all the factors. Future developments and changes for betterment shall remain a continuous process.
 

GD participants’ Analysis and expert feedback:

1. Arnav: He takes the lead since the beginning with a clear understanding of the topic and placing coherent views.  By making three entries, he proved that he has not only the knowledge but knows how to present and contradict logically to prove his point. Recommended with top ranking.

2. Arindam: Initially appears that he will place more views but seems a follower only and in his second entry feels offended without placing any logical views. Not recommended

3. Meenakshi: Began with some logic but despite having some knowledge couldn’t express much of the views. Not recommended

4. Snehlata: Begins with a firm note. The expression is clear. In her second entry although she agreed with Arnav, she made good points.  Recommended with 3rd ranking

5. Saksham- In his first entry, he differed from Snehlata and Arnav. Placed some good points.  However, he became more balanced in his approach in the second entry, suggesting certain ways and means defending the present system. Recommended with 2nd ranking.

6. Pradyuman- Appears a follower. Repeats the ideas already expressed without anything new to it. Not recommended.

7. Srikant – have some knowledge but misunderstood the topic. Speaks beside the point. Not recommended.

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