bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training Managers for “between You and Me” Experiences
Authors: Shahaida P. , Nargundkar Rajendra
Published: August 2011

This paper investigates the possibilities of formally training managers for effective informal communications in the workplace. Although business communication is taught extensively in most of the B-schools and in the corporate world (through training programs on presentation skills, meeting management, etc), scant attention is paid to training students or managers on how to deal with informal communication, i.e., grapevine activity, rumor, gossip or any other communication which does not fall in the purview of “formal communication“. Research has conclusively indicated that informal communication can affect decision making in organizations- favorably or otherwise. In this paper, the role of informal communications is established through extant literature review. After critical evaluation of variables, conceptual models are proposed for “informal communication” and “training managers in effective informal communication”
Firm Financing through IPOs: A Study of Causal Variables Responsible for Under-Pricing
Authors: Chaturvedi Arvind , Pandey Alok , Ghosh Syamal K.
Published: August 2011

One major source of business financing is through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Historically, IPOs received high initial first day gains compared to the market performance. These gains reflect external factors and not the company's true value, thereby suggesting the under-priced IPO. The recent researches on IPOs in different markets for different industries in various countries, have focused on under-pricing and show that the under-pricing is evident in case of book-building route as well as fixed price-band offers. This study attempts to identify causal variables behind high initial gains for Indian IPOs using earlier researches and testing them over a sample of Indian IPOs to examine the influence of non-fundamental factors and signalling effects on under-pricing
A Review of Psychological Research on Consumer Promotions and a New Perspective Based on Mental Accounting
Authors: Jha-Dang Priya
Published: August 2011

The paper reviews theoretical perspective applied to the study of consumer response to promotions. These include adaptation level theory, assimilation contrast theory, attribution theory and the attitude model. It finds that these theoretical approaches have had a single product focus in evaluating consumer response to promotions. It suggests an alternative perspective based on mental accounting theory to evaluate consumer response to promotion from a multi-product perspective. Based on this perspective, the paper examines the psychological processes that lead to a positive cross-product impact of a promotion (i.e., increase in sale of regular priced products during a promotion).
Debt Financing in India in Public, Private and Foreign Companies
Authors: Rastogi Ashish Kumar , Jain P. K. , Yadav Surendra S.
Published: August 2011

The objective of this paper is to study and compare the debt financing decisions and practices of the public sector, private sector and foreign controlled companies in India. It also finds out the impact of the liberalized environment, in terms of the significant changes, if any, in the phase-2 (1998-2003) of the liberalized business scenario vis-à-vis phase-1 (1992–1997). The declining trend in the debt ratios suggests that majority of the corporate firms are reducing the preference for debt. The study indicates that the profile of debt financing has significantly changed during the period covered by the study. A notable finding of the study is that there is a shift towards preference for short-term debt as against long-term debt. The economic and financial reforms have caused a significant decrease in the use of debt, particularly long-term, in financing the assets of the sample corporate enterprises in India. Throughout the period of study, ownership control was a significant factor in determining the extent of debt financing. With strong waves of globalization and liberalization sweeping across the world, those firms in India that have lagged behind are required to take a bold initiative to make qualitative changes in their debt financing decisions, if they are to remain competitive in domestic as well as international markets
Preference for Domestic Goods: A Study of Consumer Ethnocentrism
Authors: Upadhyay Yogesh , Singh Shiv Kumar
Published: August 2011

The importance of consumer attitudes towards products and classes of products in determining purchase behaviour is well established. The bias of consumers towards domestic goods, i.e., ethnocentrism, offers a vital clue to strategies of global corporations. Extensive debates and movements on this issue argue that it has a moral side as well. This paper attempts to explore the attitude Indians harbour towards consumption of domestic vis-à-vis foreign goods. The data from the study suggests tendency towards ethnocentrism that exists in Indians. It matches the level as found in the US and other developed countries. Moreover, the data suggests that ethnocentrism in Indians does not vary significantly with the selected levels of education, age and gender. In sum, this tendency is spread uniformly amongst socio-demographic groups selected for the study
Logistics and Supply Chain Practices in India
Authors: Srivastava Samir K.
Published: August 2011

This paper seeks to comprehensively examine and present the state of logistics and supply chain practices in India. We consider the two separately as they have still not integrated seamlessly in the Indian context. Our study is based on both field observations and secondary data. We focus on supply chain collaboration and partnerships, supply chain structure, facilities network design, transportation and logistics and the role of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). On-site observations and informal discussion and interviews with middle and top managers of 25 select firms are carried out. These are substantiated with data and information from literature and other secondary sources. We analyze and assess logistics and supply chain practices in order to discern important issues such as emerging trends and areas of concern. We also highlight and address issues related to supply chain managers, Indian policy makers and other stakeholders
Crew Management in Indian Railways: A Case of Delhi Division
Authors: Srivastava Vandana
Published: August 2011

Information Systems are used in most organizations to provide solutions to certain problems. Irrespective of whether they are developed in-house or procured, information systems tend to evolve. The Crew Management System, at the Delhi Division of Northern Railway, is one such example. This case is used to bring out the problems faced by large, traditional and bureaucratic organizations in handling and setting up information systems. While most Information System (IS) solutions require a complete overhaul of the organizational structures and working systems, the best way to implement an IS in such organizations is parallel introduction and evolutionary approach. It aims to bring to the fore, the implementation and operational difficulties associated with IS and how organizations need to adopt an evolutionary approach to building information systems.
The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Business, Industry, Commerce and Humanity during the 21st Century
Authors: Forster Nick
Published: August 2011

New technologies, in their diverse forms, are revolutionizing the world of work, how organizations function, change and evolve and the nature of leadership, managerial roles and professional careers. They have become integral elements of business, industry and commerce throughout the world, driving the growth of the two most powerful forces in the global economy—cyberspace and computing power. However, while these are creating formidable new challenges for all organizations, they are merely the most gentle precursors to even more powerful and radical technologies (cyber, nano, bio, molecular and quantum) whose potential impact few business leaders or academics truly understand. The article describes these, and looks at the ongoing effects of emerging technologies on organizations. It then describes the impact these will have on traditional leadership, management and business practices in the near future. It also suggests ways in which business leaders can anticipate and plan for the effects of these new technologies on their organizations and leadership/management practices in the future. The article then speculates about the impact that new technologies are likely to have on humanity during the 21st century, with a warning about the potential dangers these may pose in future.
Consumer Brand-Choice and the Equimarginal Principle of Utility Maximization: A Re-Conceptualization
Authors: Sivramkrishna Sashi
Published: August 2011

This article1 questions the appropriateness of the equi-marginal principle of utility maximization in the context of brand choice. Two simple examples illustrate why this fundamental economic principle of consumer decision may be inadequate. We propose an alternative decision rule for utility maximization in the context of brand choice. This proposed decision rule helps understand a consumer's brand loyalty over repeated purchases at a given set of prices and also stickiness of brand choice to both, budget and price changes. This could have a significant bearing on demand estimation, which a priori specifies a downward sloping demand curve
Leader Relations Model: An Alternative Approach to the Traditional Process of Leadership
Authors: Mathews Jose
Published: August 2011

The influence process in the leader-member exchange is inextricably linked to structural patterns of conventional forms and relational processes. This paper examines the implications of leader effectiveness in the changed organizational structures. The relational processes cannot be accomplished in the conventional patterns, which mean that structural configuration exercises a major impact on effectiveness. The Leader Relational Model suggested examines the increased output relations in the context of emerging new structures. The Relational Mode, the major derivative of the Head-Heart-Intuition ensemble, is embedded in the Transformative, Empowered and Futuristic Modes of active and inactive influences. Emotional Intelligence as an inter-personal and an intra- personal construct gets reflected in the influence processes
Impacting the Processes of Global Software Teams: A Communication Technology Perspective
Authors: Bharadwaj Sangeeta Shah , Saxena Kul Bhushan C.
Published: August 2011

This paper discusses how communication is managed and how communication tools are used among the global software teams. The paper identifies the actors, the tools, media and contents that impact the formal and informal communication in the global software teams. It further illustrates the impact of the communication technology in managing requirements, project status and project experiential knowledge and processes to manage these knowledge areas. Managing the requirements knowledge is a critical process of global teams. The very nature of requirements and the different domain specializations of players involved in capturing the requirements result in equivocal and uncertain communication. The paper also explores the nature of project status knowledge and project experiential knowledge and how the same is impacted by communication technology.
Continuous Innovations in Production Technology in the Manufacturing Industry in Britain: A Networked Approach?
Authors: Cooke Fang Lee , Beh Kok Khim
Published: August 2011

Drawing its argument from a range of theoretical perspectives, this paper proposes an integrated approach to study the role of user involvement in the continuous innovation of production technology. A framework is developed that outlines several sets of inter-organizational relationships among the organizations related to a given type of production technology. It also draws on data from questionnaire surveys and interviews in the UK to assess the extent to which supplier and user firms as well as their subcontracting firms adopt a network approach to sharing knowledge in the continuous innovation of the production technology to enhance performance.
Influence of Information Sources on Tourists: A Segment-Wise Analysis with Special Focus on Destination Image
Authors: Sarma Mrinmoy K.
Published: August 2011

This paper aims at identifying the influence of different information sources in image management of Indian destinations. Six different information sources namely, word-of-mouth, tourism department publications like travel brochure, PR effort in print and electronic media, professional sources (like tour operators, etc.) and cognitive wisdom of the tourists are examined. The influences of these information sources are tested for a few segments of tourists based on certain common segmentation variables like origin, age, benefits sought and exposure of the travellers. It is observed that cognitive wisdom (of the tourists), the often-neglected source of information, plays the most prominent role in shaping the image about a destination. On the other hand, it is seen that one of the most debated communication media in services marketing–the referral affects image formation process the least. The influences of almost all the information sources across various segments are found to be significantly different. It is concluded that the influence of the tourism department publications are highly correlated with the other information sources (except for word-of-mouth).
Work Performance and its Correlates: An Empirical Study
Authors: Randhawa Gurpreet
Published: August 2011

The present study attempts to examine the relationships between work performance and some key variables (i.e. Job satisfaction, turnover intentions and job-specific self efficacy). The data was collected from 150 scientists working at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between work performance and job satisfaction, which signifies that satisfied workforce is more productive. A significant positive relationship is also found between self efficacy and work performance, suggesting that the higher the job-specific self-efficacy, the higher will be the work performance of employees. Further, the findings of the study reveal a significant negative relationship between turnover intentions and work performance which shows that employees having low intent to quit, perform better. Furthermore, an attempt has also been made to determine the joint contribution of these variables to work performance. The findings revealed that the measures of demographic variables, job satisfaction, turnover intentions and self efficacy jointly account for considerable amount of variance in work performance
Ball Bouncing Exercise
Authors: Nandi J. K.
Published: August 2011

This exercise is aimed at demonstrating such dynamics that influence the individuals to achieve the organizational goal as a whole, more effectively and efficiently. During this exercise two balls (one small and the other big) are put in front of the participants and they are asked to get the small ball bounced back, up to that height from where it is put on the ground, to achieve the target. The paper states about five achievable methods (method 1–5), out of which the fifth method is the most appropriate. Also, it reveals that only 3 and 0.5 per cent of the respondents adopted the fourth and fifth method respectively, and those who implemented these methods, their performance in the work life is excellent. All these five methods demonstrate respondents' different traits. Through this simple exercise, participants will be able to internalize their attitude, creativity, information seeking ability, listening and learning attitude, persuasion and problem-solving skills, etc. in class room.
How Indian Software Companies are Taking on the West: An Insight into What Goes on in these Companies
Authors: Raina S. N.
Published: August 2011

Steve Hamm, Bangalore Tiger: How Indian Tech Upstart Wipro is Rewriting the Rules of Global Competition, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, 2006, 329 pp, Rs. 299, soft.
Chamera Hydro-Electric Power Project (Chep-1), Khairi: Looking beyond the Horizon of Hydroelectricity and Profit, Giving New Meaning to Life
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar
Published: August 2011

National Hydro-electric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC Ltd) was the biggest player in Indian hydro power industry. NHPC was in the business of hydro power generation. NHPC was spread all over India and generated about 3740 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity annually. Hydro-electric power projects brought associated challenges like loss of forest and village land because of the creation of the water reservoirs and dam infrastructure, etc., of the project. Further, this led to the displacement of people, which impacted their livelihood. NHPC had to effectively and efficiently minimize the social and environmental impacts created by its business initiatives in the projects. NHPC undertook Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to address these issues. The case writes about one such project (Chamera Hydro-electric Power Station -I, CHEP-1) of NHPC The case illustrates how NHPC bettered the lives of the people around CHEP-1. NHPC had major expansion and growth plans to cater to the growing energy demand of India. NHPC management aimed at contributing not only to its economic goals but also to the society where it worked. For that, NHPC had to make the CSR initiatives in its projects comparable to the CHEP-1 story
New Service Development (NSD): Role of Customer Contact Executives
Authors: Jayasimha K. R. , Nargundkar Rajendra , Murugaiah V.
Published: August 2011

The need for developing new services organically is well recognized. Extant review of literature reveals that various issues pertaining to NSD (New Service Development)/Service innovation like NSD initiation strategies, internal functional integration, need for simultaneous involvement of employees, evaluation of NSD and measuring the performance of new service, leadership role, role of customers, communication, factors influencing innovative co-worker behavior, etc., have been investigated.

However, in comparison to New Product Development (NPD), New Service Development (NSD) has received significantly less attention. Innovations that are initiated and implemented by individuals have been largely bypassed as most of the studies have investigated NSD at firm level or project level. This lack of attention is in-spite of the recognition that employees (customer contact employees in case of service firms) can be major contributors of blockbuster new ideas.

Notwithstanding the benefits, the role of customer contact employees in the new service development stands largely under investigated. In this paper, an attempt has been made to understand the potential contributions front-line personnel can make, and empirically testable propositions are presented based on the extant review of literature
Input Subsidies to Agriculture: Case of Subsidies to Fertiliser Industry across Countries
Authors: Ashra Sunil , Chakravarty Malini
Published: August 2011

The fertiliser industry in developing countries is facing challenge and uncertain future due to their commitments to the WTO. This is part of the reason that the developing countries are pushing for reducing of subsidies given by the developed countries to their agriculture which is much bigger making the subsidies to agriculture becoming a contentious issue in the WTO negotiations. Some of the subsidies are accepted in the WTO context whereas the others are not. In India the farm sector subsidies are given in the form of irrigation, electricity, fertilisers etc. By far the fertiliser and food subsidies are the most significant amounting to about US$9.3 billion in 2004 (less than 0.5 percent of GDP). Thus, while from the WTO point of view, it is not necessary to reduce fertiliser subsidy in India. However, because of the WTO commitments, quantitative restrictions in this sector had to be removed by the end of March 2001 in India. Cheaper imports have been threatening the domestic industry specially the units that do not use gas as feedstock. In the short run domestic companies may enjoy the protection of differential subsidy in some form or the other. But in the long run they will have to compete on a stand-alone basis.

This paper examines the experience and impact of fertiliser subsidy across various countries and shows that it is a common tool to promote farm production. But the evidence shows that the fertiliser subsidy tends to benefit the rich farmers more than the poor farmers. The study examines the different approaches used by the policymakers to reach the targeted farmers. In this context the paper records the evidence from some countries where the fertiliser industry has come forward and complemented the policymakers' efforts to meet this objective and in the process ensured their better future.
A Comparative Study of Executive and Non-Executive Associates of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for Their Level of Commitment and Personal Efficiency
Authors: Lather Anu Singh , Mohan Sangeeta
Published: August 2011

Present research was designed to study the level of commitment and personal efficacy amongst the associates of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and also to understand the relationship between these two variables. Data was collected from 50 executives and 50 non-executives of DMRC. For this purpose, Organisational Commitment Instrument (OCI) and Personal Efficacy Test was administered individually to all employees. Chi-Square was applied to see the level of commitment and personal efficacy of executives and non-executives. The results were analysed using Chi–square test Pearson Product Moment correlation. The Chi–square results of commitment are shown in Table 1. The results revealed that Chi–square for commitment was 35.78, which was significant at 0.01 level. The comparison of results of executive and non–executive associates showed that large number of executive associates (n = 27) where highly committed, moderate number of employees (n = 15) fell into medium commitment range and few (n = 8) were low committed executives. The results were almost reverse in case of non–executive employees. There was only one employee from nonexecutive group who showed high level of commitment. Majority of this group was either moderately committed (n =22) or low on commitment (n = 27). The comparison of results on personal efficacy between executive and non-executive employees showed a Chi–square value of 27.01 significant at 0.01 level.

The results reflect that the executive employees showed high personal efficacy (n =27), medium personal efficacy (n = 17) and few showed low personal efficacy (n = 6). The reverse trend was seen with the nonexecutive employees. Majority of employees showed low personal efficacy (n = 25) and medium personal efficacy (n = 20). There were only 5 non executive employees who showed high personal efficacy. The correlation coefficient of commitment with personal efficacy (n–100) came out to be 0.324 significant at 0.001 level.
Anomalous Market Movements and the Rolling Settlement: Empirical Evidence from Indian Stock Markets
Authors: Chander Ramesh , Mehta Kiran
Published: August 2011

Investors and analysts are unable to predict stock price movements consistently so as to beat the market in informationally efficient markets. Still, concerted efforts are being made to earn abnormal returns discerning some anomalous pattern in the stock price movements. Also, the study of some structural changes in the market leading to, or removing some anomalous pattern in the stock prices, are of interest to investors and analysts. The present study was conceptualised to scrutinise whether anomalous patterns yield abnormal return consistently for any specific day of the week even after introduction of the compulsory rolling settlement on Indian bourses. Three market series viz., BSE Sensex, S and P CNX Nifty and S and P CNX 500 were observed on daily basis for ten years viz., i) Pre-rolling settlement period, April 1997 - December, 2001 and ii) Post-rolling settlement period, January 2002 - March 2007 to discern evidences in this regard.

Contrary to developed capital markets, the results reported in this study documented lowest (significant) Friday returns in the pre-rolling settlement period as credible evidence for the weekend effect. The findings recorded for post-rolling settlement period were in harmony with those obtained elsewhere in the sense that Friday returns were highest and those on Monday were the lowest. It implied that arbitrage opportunities existed (for different trade settlement cycle on two exchanges, BSE and NSE) have disappeared consequent to the rolling settlement. On the whole, the study noted stock markets moved more rationally and anomalous return pattern noticed earlier could not sustain, in the post rolling settlement period.
An Empirical Analysis of Growth and Structure of Service Sector in India
Authors: Sharma Suparn K. , Sharma Jyoti
Published: August 2011

Economic development has been associated with structural changes in the national economies. On the path of its economic development, India has reached a level where there is predominance of service sector and it has become the mainstay of the growth process especially over the last ten years. Uniqueness and sudden growthpattern of service sector of India needs to be recognised, understood and analysed with its implications for long term development strategy and policy. It is against this backdrop, that the present study has been designed. It is an attempt to study the trends and implications of sectoral growth with special reference to service sector in India. The analysis brings out the fact that in comparison to the world scenario, growth of service sector in India is not so pronounced. The study has found that except for the service sector hardly any significant change can be identified in the growth performances of the other two sectors in the post-reforms period. A striking feature of India's development is that growth in Indian service sector is not accompanied by additional employment opportunities, which have brought structural imbalances. The results reveal trade hotel, transport and communication as one of the most contributing sector of service sector to GDP. The study emphasised that the services sector is one of the areas, where India needs to focus on sharply to increase its share in the global services trade. However, it is imperative that the industrial and agricultural sectors also grow rapidly but unfortunately till now; the relatively jobless nature of growth in India's services sector underscores this need.
Is Liberalisation Associated with Higher Productivity? A Case Study of Punjab Manufacturing
Authors: Kiran Ravi , Kaur Manpreet
Published: August 2011

Productivity is an important concept in the context of the economic growth of a nation. The rate of productivity in accelerating the pace of economic growth is well recognised in both the theoretical as well as empirical literature on growth. The significance of productivity for economic growth was highlighted by Kuznets (1966) when he showed that rapid gain in industrial productivity was the crucial underpinning of Western Industrialization. The Indian Economy was thrust into throes of rapid change in the nineties when the then government of India adopted the New Economic Policy. Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization — became the three planks by which the Indian Economy was propelled into the fusion. This process has had maximum impact on the manufacturing sector, as it has radically changed its business environment and future growth dynamics. All the states of Indian union have been affected differently due to the structural changes. In response to changed policy regime different sub sectors of industry of Punjab have responded differently to adjust optimally. The present research work focuses on studying the response of manufacturing industries in Punjab to the changed policy regime after the advent of liberalisation and privatisation process in India. The present study analyses the trends in value added, labour, capital as well as trends in labour, capital and total factor productivity for sixteen industrial groups on the organised manufacturing sector for the period 1980 — 81 to 2002 — 03 and also for two sub periods, period I, 1980 — 81 to 1990 — 91 and period II, 1991 — 92 to 2002 — 03. The present study tries to examine the trends in partial productivities as well as total factor productivity in the two sub periods to see whether there has been an improvement in productivity in the post 1991 period, the period associated with liberalisation and globalisation. The study tries to analyse the industries which have been showing better performance in terms of partial and total factor productivity and also study the trends of the industries which have not performed well in the period of analysis.
Emotional Intelligence: The Next Step in Knowledge Process Outsourcing
Authors: Ghosh Souvik , Chakraborty Suvarna
Published: August 2011

The knowledge industry is a personification of the modern era, wherein knowledge employees own their functional expertise. It is often debated that in the knowledge economy, employees will own the tools of production, that is, ideas, and hence the work itself Hence, in-depth study of various parameters of emotional intelligence in the KPO industry would prove indispensable for improving business performance. Aim of this exploratory study is to understand the link between various determinants of emotional intelligence and the extent of their business impact on the performance of knowledge employees. This qualitative research design incorporated a systems approach to analyse case studies of two organisations which differed from each other in the product/service complexity, organisational complexity for explanation building. Both within case and cross case analyses were carried out. Based on various secondary and primary sources, four major macro factors of emotional intelligence have been identified and ranked on their criticality.
Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Labour and Work Effectiveness in Service Organisations: A Proposed Model
Authors: Othman Abdul Kadir , Abdullah Hazman Shah , Ahmad Jasmine
Published: August 2011

The paper draws together literature on emotional intelligence (EI) and emotional labour (EL) and examines its influence on work effectiveness (WQ) in different business settings; professional service, service shop and mass service. In professional service, it is proposed that EI is important in assisting employees to achieve highly in five facets of WQ; job role, career role, innovator role, team role and organisation role. In service shop, the influence of EI is moderate but the role of EL is increasingly important. In mass service, EI does not significantly contribute to high WQ instead EL plays its effective role in promising WQ. Therefore, the role of emotional intelligence and emotional labour in influencing service quality is dependent on the type of service organisations.
Demographic Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence among Workers in Some Selected Organisations in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemo D. A.
Published: August 2011

The study investigated the relationship between demographic variables and emotional intelligence among workers. The participants were two hundred and fifteen workers randomly drawn from selected organisations in Oyo State. They are made up of one hundred and fourteen males and one hundred and one females. The study adopted correlational research design, multiple regression analysis, Pearson product moment correlation and Utest statistics were used to analyse research questions and hypothesis raised in the study. The results show that gender and working experience have significant predictive effects on emotional intelligence. There was also significant difference in the emotional intelligence mean scores of male and female. The direction of difference was in favour of female. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that organisational socialisation programme which encompass aspects of emotional intelligence should be mounted for new employees to compensate for inadequate experience and inexperience.
Validation of Denison's Model of Organisational Culture and Effectiveness in the Indian Context
Authors: Nazir Nazir A. , Lone Mushtaq A.
Published: August 2011

Taking cue from the recent surge in organisational culture and effectiveness studies' mainly in Western countries, the present study investigated the link between these two constructs using Denison's Organisational Culture Survey (DOCS) in the Indian context. The results, besides finding a strong support for the DOCS model, indicated that of the four cultural traits studied–involvement, adaptability, mission, and consistency, mission was found to be a single most cultural trait responsible for a number of bottom-line performance indicators. The implications of and limitations to the study are also discussed.
NGOs in India- Uniqueness and Critical Success Factors, Results of an FGD
Authors: Sridhar K.M. , Nagabhushanam Manasa
Published: August 2011

In the last few decades, in India, NGOs have grown to play an important role in providing various services to the society. The increase in the number of NGOs and the range of activities of these NGOs, has called for an understanding on the uniqueness, management practices and the factors contributing to their success. The need not only comes from the organisations themselves but also from the various stakeholders of these NGOs. Research in this sector has thrown light on the diversity of NGOs and the distinctive sectoral characteristics. This paper explores the understanding of NGOs, features that bring uniqueness in these NGOs and the critical success factors. Focus group discussion and a qualitative research method have been used to bring out the factors. Based on the factors revealed by the FGD, a model of critical success factors has been developed.
Strategic Human Rfesource Management in Indian it Companies: Development and Validation of a Scale
Authors: Mulla Zubin R. , Premarajan R. K.
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we have studied the range of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) practices prevalent in the Indian IT industry through content analysis of the Chairperson's speech and Directors' report in the annual reports of 100 IT companies. A scale for strategic human resource practices is developed based on the literature and the SHRM practices prevalent in the Indian industries. This scale was then used to study the extent of SHRM in 100 IT companies. Factor analysis yielded three key facets of SHRM- Employee Growth, Performance Management and HR metrics. Performance Management is significantly correlated with the firm's market performance measured by Tobin's q.
An Empirical Analysis of Stock Price-Volume Relationship in Indian Stock Market
Authors: Mahajan Sarika , Singh Balwinder
Published: August 2011

This paper examines the empirical relationship (contemporaneous and causal) between volume and return, and volume and volatility in the light of competing hypothesis about market structure by using daily data of Sensitive Index of the Bombay Stock Exchange. Consistent with mixture of distribution hypothesis, positive contemporaneous relationship between volume and volatility is observed. Causality test further support the sequentially arrival of information hypothesis, which implies that new information is not simultaneously available to all traders and it takes time to absorb, which hampers the price discovery efficiency of the market. In addition, GARCH (1,1) documents small decline in the persistence of variance (volatility clustering) over the time if one includes trading volume as a proxy for information arrivals in the equation of conditional volatility but GARCH effects remain significant, which highlights the inefficiency in the market. Thus, volume provides information on the precision and dispersion of information signals rather than serving as a proxy for the information signal itself.
Benefit Segmentation of Gutkha Market: A Study in the State of Gujarat
Authors: Panwar J. S.
Published: August 2011

Purpose: The Research Question examined in this paper is why people consume gutkha? Is there any specific perceived benefit from consumption? If yes, could this help identify various segments of gutkha consumers for evolving some more focused social marketing strategy to wean people away from gutkha addiction.

Design, Methodology and Approach: As gutkha addiction is a social problem severely affecting the health and well-being of the society, a comprehensive study, involving 1400 respondents was conducted in the state of Gujarat. A two stage cluster sampling procedure was adopted for data collection.

Findings: The cluster analysis procedure using SPSS package helped identifying three distinct segments of gutkha consumers. The first cluster comprising about 43 percent respondent was named as ‘Compulsives’ because they were found to be strong addicts, unable to live without gutkha. The second segment comprising about 30 percent respondents included mostly young greenhorn ‘Imitators’ chewing gutkha for fun, excitement or just for time pass. The third group was labeled as ‘Socialisers’ because they considered gutkha consumption as status symbol and a means of socialisation. As consumption motives are different, it was concluded that different de-marketing strategies are needed for the three aforesaid segments.
An Attribute Based Perceptual Mapping of the Selected Private Life Insurance Companies: An Empirical Study in Ludhiana
Authors: Chadha S. K. , Kapoor Deepa
Published: August 2011

The study of consumers' perceptions and expectation is of paramount importance for the success of any company Creating a brand in the minds of the consumers is the winning mantra in today's competitive scenario. This paper attempts to know as to how consumers' associate selected life insurance companies with the different attributes. A questionnaire survey of 150 respondents was done in the city of Ludhiana. Discriminant analysis has been used to draw perceptual map showing selected life insurance companies along with attributes. The results showed that the selected life insurance companies do not differ significantly with regard to given attributes. However, the companies differ significantly on the basis of advertisement and promotional campaigns.
Analytic Hierarchy Process for Selection of Erp Software for Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Perera H. S. C. , Costa W. K. R.
Published: August 2011

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are popular as an IT enabled tool, which integrates different functional areas of business. ERP systems are implemented as a total business solution that supports major functionalities of business. However, many of the implementations are not success stories. Most post implementation problems are due to the inappropriate selection of systems.

This paper describes multi-criteria decision model using Analytic Hierarchy Process for the selection of ERP systems for manufacturing companies. First, ERP evaluation criteria are developed by using past literature and through a questionnaire distributed among Sri Lankan manufacturing companies. Seven major criteria are identified and under each criterion several sub-criteria are identified. Selection of the best suited ERP system leads to a multi-criteria decision making problem as ERP systems should be evaluated based upon many criteria. Using the identified main and sub criteria, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model is developed for ranking the ERP software. An example of a case is presented to show the actual implementation of AHP model. Expert Choice software is used to solve this AHP model.
Employees' Perspective on Human Resource Procurement Practices as a Retention Tool in Indian IT Sector
Authors: Punia B. K. , Sharma Priyanka
Published: August 2011

Employee Retention is the biggest challenge that Human Resource Management is facing today. The uncertainty of a changing economy, increasing competition and diversity in the workplace have compelled the organisations to hold on to their top performers at whatever cost they have to pay. It is a very difficult task for the recruiters to hire professionals with right skills set all over again. Thus the focus has shifted from ‘numbers' to ‘quality’ and from ‘recruitment’ to ‘retention.’ Many organisational human resource management practices play dominant role in building employee commitment and loyalty. Out of the plentiful practices, the procurement practice facilitates the entry of an employee in an organisation. Hence keeping in view the significance of this function, the researchers have ventured to investigate the influence of procurement practices on employees ‘retention intentions in the Indian IT industry. This paper studies the influence of organisational procurement practices on employee retention intentions on the basis of personal and positional variables of employees. It also examines the variations in the corporate perception on the procurement practices as a retention tool for IT Personnel.
Stock Markets Integration: Examining Linkages between Selected World Markets
Authors: Siddiqui Saif
Published: August 2011

In recent years, globalisation, economic assimilation and integration among countries and their financial markets have increased interdependency among major world stock markets. This increased interdependency among the worldwide stock markets may have impacts on the global investors for their assets allocation decision and on the economic policies of economies for ensuring economic stability. Hence, there is a need to study the extent of integration among the world stock markets which is the objective of this paper. It examines the relationships between the selected Asian and the US stock markets over a period, 19/10/1999 to 25/04/2008, using daily closing data of twelve stock markets. Results of the present study show that stock markets under study are integrated. The degree of correlation between the markets, but Japan, varies between moderate to very high. Furthermore, it provided that no stock market is playing a very dominant role in influencing other markets. The US influence is not noticeable as in the earlier researches. It is expected that the results will be useful for the global investors in managing their international portfolios.
Exploring Franchisor Franchisee Relationship: Building a Predictive Model of Franchisee Performance
Authors: Saraogi Anil
Published: August 2011

Although the selection of suitable franchisees has been identified as an important dimension of success of a Franchise Network, the same has been at the best a subjective process. This study is amongst the first studies, in the Indian context, which relates the selection criteria used by the franchisors in the selection of potential franchisees to their behavioural outcomes that the franchisors desire. It also provides direction to use prudent selection criteria as an input control strategy. This study has empirically demonstrated that well-chosen selection criteria can explain a significant component of variance in the franchisee behaviour. Moreover, the study also alludes that the franchisors should be able to identify and select franchisees which are more likely to perceive their relationship with the franchisors to be more cooperative and behave less opportunistically. In fact, the franchisees with favourable dispositions and desirable characteristics can lower the agency costs to the franchisors in the form of less safeguarding and monitoring costs.
Inter-Organisational Systems in a Consumer Packaged Goods Network: Case of Godrej Consumer Products Limited (Gcpl)
Authors: Kaushik Anjali
Published: August 2011

This paper reports a case study of the inter-organisational systems (IOS) at Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL). The paper provides valuable data on planning of IOS and its effect on supply network competitiveness. GCPL has taken specific initiatives to integrate distributors, retailers and the suppliers across its extensive supply networks. This study shows that different supply chain partners in an actor-based business network may require separate information system planning and design. This case presents a differentiated analysis of the design elements (e.g. relationships, processes, systems as well as change issues) from the perspective of a major player in the Indian Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Industry. This study highlights the need for coordination among various IOS initiatives and between network partners and business managers of the key actor. It also focuses on the qualitative and quantitative benefits achieved for all partners through strategic planning of IOS and adds valuable information to the business relevance of IOS investments.
The Branding of Chhokra
Authors: Rahman Zillur
Published: August 2011

The case deals with a local Indian company manufacturing Chhokra laundry soap. The company expanded its portfolio by introducing Chhokra detergent powder and Chhokra mustard oil. The company diversified by launching beauty and skin care product, by launching two products under the Merci brand name, and by launching Chhokra Shine Star, a dish washing bar. For over three decades the company remained market leader in the local markets. The company was on its way to transform itself from regional brand to national brand and was contemplating its next move: Lower income rural and urban customers versus a broader customer base, umbrella branding versus family brand names versus individual brand names, product portfolio expansion versus rationalisation.
Role of Females in Family Buying Decision-Making—A Study among Females in Uttrakhand
Authors: Juyal Som Aditya , Singh M. P.
Published: August 2011

The objective of this research paper is to investigate the effects of female role orientation on role structure in the family decision making. Five different purchase decisions were examined. A total of 300 females were interviewed in Dehradun district of Uttrakhand. Structured questionnaires were used to interview females. It was found that there is difference in female role orientation vis-à-vis their family type (joint or nuclear), age, education and income levels. Females are found to play more positive role in the purchase of durables they personally use than the durables for the family usage.
Evaluating the Effect of Consumer Sales Promotions on Brand Loyal and Brand Switching Segments
Authors: Nagar Komal
Published: August 2011

Sales promotions are generally looked at as tools that undermines the brand; yet a tool that is necessarily meant to speed up sales. Consumer sales promotion take up a large share of the total marketing expenditure despite which it remains an area that still attracts attention as an essential component of the promotion mix meant to increase short term sales. It is therefore not surprising that most of the marketers resort to sales promotions to attract the competitor's market share. The present paper reports the results of the effects of consumer sales promotions on 427 consumers. This study has attempted to explore the effect of consumer sales promotions on loyal and non-loyal consumers in two Fast Moving Consumer Goods- washing powders and shampoos. Consumers were classified into two categories by their degree of loyalty towards the brand: brand loyal consumers and non-loyal consumers (also known as brand switchers). The study found that consumer sales promotions have more influence on the brand switchers as compared to the loyal consumers. Also, among the various forms of consumer sales promotions, free gifts have more influence on the brand switching behaviour of consumers. Further, it was found that economic status was not a defining factor effecting consumer's brand loyalty.