bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can the Stock Exchanges Support the Envisaged Capital Growth?
Authors: Patil R H
Published: September 2016

The organization and management of the stock exchanges suffer from major weaknesses and malpractices. Reforms have to be brought about urgently, if they have to support the envisaged growth in listed capital from about Rs 6,000 crore in 1985 to about Rs 90,000 crore by the turn of the century, argues Dr Patil.

Dr Patil has identified the reforms that have to be made on a priority basis besides providing, for comparative purposes, brief outlines on the functioning of the stock exchanges in the US, UK, and Switzerland.
Inefficiency and Speculation in the Indian Capital Market
Authors: Barua S K , Raghunathan V
Published: September 2016

Is the Indian capital market inefficient? Does it reward low risk takers with high returns?

Barua and Raghunathan argued (“Inefficiency of the Indian Capital Market,” ‘Vikalpa,July-September 1986) that the Indian capital market was inefficient, based on an illustration. Ramesh Gupta contended, in a response article entitled “Is the Indian Capital Market Inefficient or Excessively Speculative?” (Vikalpa, April-June 1987), that their conclusion was erroneous as it was based on many assumptions and a hypothetical example.

Barua and Raghunathan re-examine their risk-return evaluation in the light of the actual developments over the last year in the case illustration used earlier. They argue that their conclusion on market inefficiency remains valid, notwithstanding the many changes in the assumptions.
Is Country of Origin an Element in the Marketing Mix?
Authors: Kumar K Ambarish , Barker A Tansu
Published: September 2016

Country of origin is a relevant variable in the marketing mix, conclude Ambarish Kumar and Tansu Barker, based on a questionnaire survey of 175 consumers in Chandigarh.

The authors found that there were distinct images that were associated with the Made in India, U.S., and Japan labels among consumers. Native products commanded a higher willingness to buy than warranted by product images, because of nationalistic factors.
Management Training for Hospital Administrators
Authors: Pulimood Benjamin M.
Published: September 2016

Just befme taking over as the Director of Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Dr Benjamin Pulimood spent a few months at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He took keen interest in the PGP students and attended several seminars and courses.

Major hospitals today have large budgets and immense problems of administration. Given these complexities, Dr Pulimood feels that management training would be useful for hospital administrators. He recommends short-term. management programmes for medical experts who have to administer large hospitals.
Project Management: A Survey of Current Practices and Implications
Authors: Korgaonker M G
Published: September 2016

In completing a large project there is a time overrun of the order of three years on a scheduled project duration of 3.7 years and a cost overrun of 140 per cent. Production losses are five times the cost overrun due to delay. Cost and time overruns are jeopardizing the viability of the projects themselves.

M G Korgaonker reviews and analyses the Indian experience as to why there are such heavy overruns. Based on a survey of current practices in project management, he concludes that project management practices can be improved considerably. He cites instances where effective management practices have led to completion of projects as per plans.

He draws implications of his analysis for the pre-investment investigation, project appraisal, organization, and implementation stages of project management.
Essence of Leadership
Authors: Rastogi P N
Published: September 2016

Leadership is vital for the success of any organization.

Based on an extensive research on the subject, Rastogi points out that a leader should look at the organization as an evolutionary process towards a desired future.

He elaborates the essence of leadership as consisting of the following: creating a vision of the future, setting an example, reinforcing the desired behaviour, and creating the ideal selfimage. Empathy and charisma are two qualities that a leader needs.
Do New Equity Issues Fetch Extranormal Returns?
Authors: Gujarathi Mahendra R
Published: September 2016

Do new equity issues earn attractive returns after adjusting their risk? To answer this question, Gujarathi analyses empirical data on 98 randomly selected new security issues made between 1970 and 1978. He considers the returns from the date of the closure of the subscription list to the date of its first market quotation.

Gujarathi's analysis shows that an average investor earned an attractive extranormal return of 2.44 per cent per month after adjusting for the risk and the time value of money. He has also tested many of the popular beliefs of investors.
Rashtriya Seva Samsthan
Authors: Gianni Karan
Published: September 2016

Rashtriya Seva Samsthan is a public sector organization that sets up a new administrative office with a data processing cell.

A specially chosen young executive to head the data processing cell runs into problems in implementing the planning and monitoring system within the Samsthan's organizational climate and processes. He is transferred out of that location in response to the frictions that develop. Frustrated, the young officer quits.

This case, contributed by Karan Gianni, Goa, raises interesting issues on how organizational changes should be planned for absorption into and for desired influences on the rest of the organizational processes and behaviour. The case also raises questions on the role of the head office, choice of personnel, provision of the support needed by those implementing the changes.

Vjkalpa hopes that large organizations in the public and private sectors planning the introduction of changes involving data processing will benefit from an analysis of this case.
IRDP Credit for the Poor: What is the Evidence?
Authors: Khanna Inderjit
Published: September 2016

Among schemes for alleviating poverty, the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) is unparalleled in its size and spread. Its evaluation, therefore, has to take account of its size and the fact that it has been in operation for less than eight years.

What is disturbing is that the qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the Programme are at variance. Based on action research and careful analysis, Anil Gupta and Manu Shroff ("Rural Credit: How do the Poor See It?" Vikalpa October-December 1987) argued that the plight of the poor had not changed much because the Programme did not reflect an adequate understanding of the nature of poverty.

Commenting on that article, Inderjit Khanna counters their conclusion to provide figures on credit flows as well as official survey findings to show that beneficiaries have expressed satisfaction. Detailed research and analysis on both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the Programme at various levels are called for to reconcile these differences to identify the problems and devise better ways to reduce poverty
How should Factoring Service be Launched?
Authors: Singh S P
Published: September 2016

Factoring is basically the purchase of book debts of client companies. Apart from financing investments in book debts, the factoring company offers individualized service packages covering credit screening, ledger keeping and collection, and provision for doubtful debts and write offs.

In the context of the government policy of strengthening money and capital markets, a study group of the Reserve Bank of India is considering how to launch factoring service in India. S P Singh considers two approaches to launching factoring service. One is the conventional approach of letting banks, which are providing cash credit for book debts, promote factoring as an extension of their activities. The other the market approach of enabling independent companies compete on improving upon the current average collection period and percentage of write offs.

Singh recommends the market approach to launching factoring service. Efficient factoring, requires a culture of price banking, aggressive selling and low unit cost operations�a culture unfamiliar to public sector banks and financial institutions.
Computerizing Large Systems: Lessons from an Application
Authors: Singh Abhimanyu
Published: September 2016

Large volume data systems, such as the tabulation of university examination results, often conceal innumerable exceptions and complexities, accumulated over the years. Handled manually with flexibility and ease and along with the large volume of routine, they can wreck poorly conceived computer applications.

Abhimanyu Singh narrates such an application, namely, computerizing the tabulation of examination results of the University of Rajasthan in 1982. Instead of cutting the delays in the announcement of results, computerization added to the delays and complicated it with many errors.

Abhimanyu Singh analyses that experience and provides the highlights of the steps taken from 1983 onwards to remedy the situation and make a success of the application. He contrasts the approaches taken towards computerization in 1982 and from 1983 to 1985 to arrive at useful lessons for computerizing large data systems.
Rashtriya Seva Samsthan
Authors: Mathur Ajit
Published: September 2016

(In the January-March 1988 issue, Vikalpa carried a Diagnostic case entitled “Rashtriya Seva Samsthan.” The case was about a young executive, Victor D'Cunha, chosen to head the data processing cell in a newly set up administrative office of a public sector organization. D'Cunha runs into political problems in implementing the planning- and monitoring system. He is transferred out of that location as a response to the frictions that develop. Frustrated, the young officer quits. Ajit Mathur gives his reactions– Ed.)
Effective Human Resources Management: Key to Excellence in Service Organizations
Authors: Mahesh V S
Published: September 2016

A service organization differs from a manufacturing industry in several ways. Most importantly, the sale, production, and consumption take place almost simultaneously. Over 90 per cent of relevant activities is beyond the immediate influence of management.

Effective human resources management becomes the key to building excellence in service organizations.

Based on his experience with the Taj Group of Hotels, Mahesh identifies eight human resources management factors as crucial for any organization striving for service excellence.
A Blueprint for Application of Zero Base Budgeting to Indian Banking
Authors: Kaura Mohinder N
Published: September 2016

Zero base budgeting is an approach to budget formulation. It seeks to evaluate afresh the budgeted activity levels and related expenditure. Resources are released from projects and tasks that have outlived their utility. Zero base budgeting can serve as an effective tool for redeploying resources.

The budget settlement process in banks is an exercise in distribution of targets rather than a plan based on the business potential of individual branches.

Zero base review would eliminate the incrementation tendency of carrying forward the previous year's inefficiencies.

Kaura outlines a blueprint for application of zero base budgeting to Indian banks.
Marketing Evening Newspapers: An Analysis
Authors: Chahal N , Kinra N
Published: September 2016

The Times of India group launched a Hindi evening newspaper, Sandhya Samachar Seva from Lucknow in October 1984. It was discontinued in February 1987, after nearly two and a half years.

Chahal and Kinra analyse the concept of the Sandhya Samachar Seva based on a survey of a small number of literate commuters, content analysis of issue samples of the newspaper, and its revenues and costs.

The authors identify the importance of developing a marketable concept viewing the newspaper as a product and developing it from the concerns of its readers and advertisers.
Structure and Functions of Computer Database Systems
Authors: Yusuf Attahir , Nnadi Godson
Published: September 2016

The effectiveness and efficiency with which commercial organizations process large quantities of data they generate is becoming a key competitive weapon.

Computer system development in recent years has led to the creation of databases—easily updated filing systems that provide easy and rapid access to a number of users with diverse needs.

Yusuf and Nnadi explain what database systems are, their functions, trends in their structures, and how they should be evaluated.
Innovation in Conventional Retailing: The Econ Minimart of Singapore
Authors: Mehta Subhash C , Wickramasuriya R S
Published: September 2016

In the early 80s, the survival of traditionally run neighbourhood provision stores in Singapore was threatened by the advent of large modern supermarkets. The highly urbanized Singaporeans were increasingly taking to these attractively laid out and well serviced supermarkets.

The independent small provision store operators were quick to see the writing on the wall. With the leadership of some visionary entrepreneurs and some governmental support, they were mobilized to organize themselves into a voluntary chain of store operators.

Based upon a systematic study of the changing pattern of consumer needs and preferences, they have evolved into a large, highly successful, and profitable provisions store chain while retaining their cultural identity and place as the neighbourhood store.

Mehta and Wickramasuriya analyse the marketing strategy underlying the phenomenal success of this innovation to upgrade conventional retailing.
Choosing Human Resources Development Interventions
Authors: Singh J P
Published: September 2016

Singh argues that top management should examine the managerial culture of the group and the organization before introducing change through human resources development (HRD) interventions.

Based on an analysis of 176 seniorlevel Indian managers, Singh identifies significant differences in the dimensions of culture among managerial groups categorized by sector (international, public, and private), education, and age. Based on their value orientation, Singh classifies HRD interventions into three families and recommends the family of HRD interventions most suited to different cultural groups.
Protecting Debentureholders in the Indian Capital Market
Authors: Premchander
Published: September 2016

Debentures have become popular for raising capital by new and existing companies as a result of recent amendments to the guidelines governing debenture issues. However, these guidelines do not provide safeguards to debentureholders against erosion of the value of debentures. Premchander identifies the risks that debentureholders have to reckon with and discusses the nature of covenants that debentureholders should impose on company shareholders. He suggests certain modifications to guidelines for protecting the interests of investors.
How Far Should Global Products Go?
Authors: Vachani Sushil , Wells Louis T
Published: September 2016

Some authorities in international business have suggested that international markets are becoming increasingly homogeneous, causing more firms to offer global products. Vachani and Wells based on a study of the product decisions of Indian subsidiaries of five multinationals argue that there remain important consumer segments that have special needs which are not met by global products.

According to Vachani and Wells, decisions of multinationals and local firms to cater to the special needs of various consumer segments in developing countries depend on four variables: the structure and competitive conditions of their industry segments, the ability to use their traditional competitive advantage in different segments, the ease with which their usual product lines can be extended into new segments, and the availability of more special products elsewhere within the multinational enterprise.
Hindustan Chemicals Limitep
Authors: Ramnarayan S , Nilakant V
Published: September 2016

Improving the effectiveness of a function in a large complex organization requires attention to the working of other inter' dependent departments related to that function and how the interface between these departments is managed.

At Hindustan Chemicals Limited, there is an acute problem in the planning and procurement of engineering items. Within the materials department, the stores personnel feel alienated. The organizational members feel frustrated and powerless as they move from one crisis to another. The consultants who are invited to conduct a study present some facts as also some opinions and feelings of the relevant organizational actors. A task force of three members is constituted by the Chairman and Managing Director of the company to examine the report submitted by the consultants and suggest steps to improve the mutual functioning of the materials and user departments.
Expert Systems: A Management Perspective
Authors: Jain Rekha
Published: September 2016

Expert systems are computer programmes that can reproduce the behaviour of human experts in specific problem domains. In many places, development of expert systems is the major focus of fifth generation software projects. Accordingly, enormous amounts of resources are being spent on work in this field. Expert systems have enjoyed considerable success in many scientific and technological applications but their application in the field of management. is relatively recent.

In this article, Rekha Jain presents an overview of expert systems and addresses several issues that will be of interest to managers who are likely to consider using expert systems in their organizations.
Modelling Energy Use in Indian Agriculture: A Sectoral Approach
Authors: Tewari Devi D , Rao V M
Published: September 2016

Since 1973, prices of energy and energy related inputs have been rising. Rising prices have brought about structural changes not only in agriculture but also in other sectors of the economy. In this article, Tewari and Rao describe the economic and non- economic aspects of rising energy prices in agriculture. Farmers will have to adopt energy saving technologies in the long run to sustain profitability.

The magnitude of changes in the agricultural sector brought about by rising prices can be captured through energy modelling. Tewari and Rao outline the salient features of a sectoral model for Indian agriculture which have implications for several policy measures.
The JIT Prescription for Industrial Revival
Authors: Thomas P S , Ramachandran K
Published: September 2016

The JIT model of management developed in Japan offers a proven mechanism for transmitting the multiplier effects of industrial investment to far corners of society as envisaged by the old trickle down theory of economic development. Moreover, the dramatic inroads made by manufactured imports everywhere have made the large scale changeover to JIT management all the more compelling.

In this article, Thomas and Ramachandran present the Eightfold Way of JIT implementation based on a review of ten international cases of this process. The authors discuss the scope and sequencing of the required stages as well as some of the key issues involved. They conclude that the necessary large scale shift to JIT requires the concerted efforts of management, government, and management education.
Management and Effectiveness of Cattle Insurance under IRDP
Authors: Shenoy G V , Raju K V
Published: September 2016

The cattle insurance scheme has emerged as a saviour over the years for landless, small and marginal farmers, and for those whose major occupation is dairying. Cattle insurance has become compulsory under the Integrated Rural Development Programme.

Shenoy and Raju analyse various aspects of the scheme and suggest some measures for improving the working of the scheme such as education of the beneficiaries about the benefits of insurance, introduction of group insurance, measures for quick settlement of claims, and efforts to expand insurance coverage.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) — HRD & IR Interventions
Authors: Monappa Arun
Published: September 2016

The case presented in this issue describes a series of strategic initiatives taken to improve human resources management in a public sector electronics unit.

Readers are invited to evaluate the measures taken by the unit and also to suggest a future course of action for the CEO.
Perspectives
Authors: Varma Jayanth R , Venkiteswaran N
Published: September 2016

The Indian capital market has shown signs of buoyancy and dynamism in the recent past. There is a very real need, therefore, to nurture and to give positive direction to the emerging trends in this sphere of economic activity. It is in this context that regulatory agencies have a critical role in providing the right kind of support to avoid bunching of issues as well as in protecting investors against manipulation by unscrupulous investors. Have Indian regulatory agencies risen to the occasion by formulating appropriate and adequate policies to facilitate the development of the capital markets in India?

In this article, Varma and Venkiteswaran examine the role of Indian regulatory agencies and evaluate the methodology spelt out in the official guidelines for valuation of equity shares made public by the Government of India.
Communicative Effectiveness of Comparative Advertising
Authors: Kinra N , Prasad V S P
Published: September 2016

How does the communicative effectiveness of explicit comparative advertising vary in contrast to non-comparative, supporting ad copy as well as implied, t>rand X' comparative ad copy?

In this research study, N Kinra and V S P Prasad examine this question based on a sample of purchase managers drawn from 129 Indian organizations. Their analysis indicates that explicit comparative advertising is not as rewarding as noncomparative advertising in the Indian context, particularly for new and unknown brands.
The Makings of a Social Entrepreneur: The Case of Baba Amte
Authors: Swamy Ranjini
Published: September 2016

Organizations are founded and built by one or a few individuals who may be called founders. A founder who plays an active role in shaping an organization's current and future state and who generates the required human and material sources for the organization can be called an entrepreneur. An entrepreneur who creates an organization to fulfil a social mission can be called a social entrepreneur.

In this article, Ranjini Swamy explores some of the motives, attitudes, and abilities of a successful social entrepreneur — Baba Amte. She also discusses in detail the challenges faced by Baba in the process of establishing Anandwan — a home for leprosy patients — and the courage with which he responded to the challenges.
Gujarat Energy Development Agency: The Case of Solar Cookers
Authors: Moorthy Ravi C
Published: September 2016

In an era when conservation of non-renewable energy has become a vital issue, the challenges and prospects of marketing an innovative product like a solar cooker that has a direct bearing on saving of precious energy assumes considerable importance. The case presented in this issue focuses on the decisions regarding marketing of solar cookers.

Readers are invited to comment on the marketing strategy of GEDA and also suggest a future course of action.
Ace Industries Limited, Noharipur
Authors: Ramachandran K , Thomas P S
Published: September 2016

The chief executive of Ace Industries Ltd. (AIL), A O Kamraj, is considering the implementation of the Just-in-Time (JIT) approach to industrial management in order to revive the company's chequered performance. AIL manufactures engineering products which enjoy a good measure of market acceptance. However, it faced numerous external and internal problems over its 25 years' history.

Kamraj, aware of JIT, collaborates with a management institution in allowing a couple of MB As with engineering backgrounds to audit the company from a JIT perspective. The investigators recommend that the layout of the compressor shop be drastically streamlined. Resistance surfaces during a discussion of the report with the investigators. A new competitor to AIL appears on the scene with a factory designed for JIT. In the face of these conflicting pressures, Kamraj has to decide whether to implement JIT and, if so, how he should proceed.
The Challenge of the Single European Market
Authors: Cannon Tom
Published: September 2016

The year 1992 has become a significant milestone as the world marches to the threshold of the Third Millenium mainly because the year symbolizes the realization of the long cherished dream of a United States of Europe. The year 1992 will be a stage in a process that has been unfolding for much of the last half century. One of the major consequences of the unification of Europe will be the creation of a Single Internal Market from some of the richest and most powerful economies in the world.

In this article, Tom Cannon traces the evolution of the Single European Market and examines the implications of the process for some of the countries in the region and also for Western, Central and Eastern Europe. He points out that the concept of a Single European Market poses a challenge not only for European businesses but also opens up opportunities for non-European countries and trade blocks. He also makes an attempt to spell out the broad parameters of strategic choices which the European and non-European businesses and nations will have to make in order to remain competitive and to thrive on scenarios which are likely to emerge in the post 1992 phase.
Attitudes towards Marketing Practices, Consumerism and Government Regulations: An Exploratory Survey of Consumers in India
Authors: Bharadwaj Sundar G , Thirunarayana P N , Varadarajan P Rajan
Published: September 2016

The myriad facets of consumerism have been examined by several authors during the last two decades in the context of industrialized nations. However, there is a dearth of research on consumerism in reference to developing nations.

Against this background, the study by Bharadwaj, Thirunarayana and Varadarajan assumes importance as it focuses on consumer attitudes towards marketing practices, consumerism and government regulations in a developing country — India. The results of the study indicate a high level of consumer skepticism with the operating philosophy of businesses, dissatisfaction with prevailing market practices, and support for the consumerism movement.
Mastershares: A Bonanza for Large Investors
Authors: Barua Samir K , Varma Jayanth R
Published: September 2016

What is the performance of Mastershares the first all-equity, closed-end growth fund launched in 1986 by the Unit Trust of India — from the points of view of funds management, large investors and small investors?

Samir K Barua and Jayanth R Varma examine this aspect using various portfolio measures suggested in the literature. According to them, from the perspective of funds management, Mastershares has outperformed the market. Its performance from the point of view of large investors holding Mastershares only as part of a diversified portfolio has also been excellent. However, from the point of view of investors who choose Mastershares as the principal vehicle for investment in equity, its performance is mediocre. Since most small investors are likely to be in this category and any mutual fund such as Mastershares ought to serve small investors, its inadequate performance is a matter of concern.
Implementing New Forms of Work Organization: Some Reflections on Methodology
Authors: Singh J P
Published: September 2016

One of the most difficult yet challenging areas of critical reflection and action for behavioural scientists has been the design of work organizations at the operational level. Several path breaking experiences in this field in the West as well as in the Third World contexts have been documented, dissected and discussed. Interest in this field continues unabated although perhaps there has not been the kind of enthusiasm which behavioural scientists would expect from the harried world of operating managers who are always on the look out for the proverbial silver lining.

In his article, J P Singh draws the attention of readers to various techniques for work design and organization. He classifies these techniques into individualoriented as well as group-oriented techniques and evaluates each of them on various effectiveness dimensions. He also proposes a modified methodology for implementing new forms of work organization which will meet the needs of both management as well as workers.
Expert Advertising Agency
Authors: Nathan S V
Published: September 2016

The case presented in this issue discusses how Expert Advertising Agency, after starting in a small way, rapidly went on to become a medium — sized agency. The top management's objective now is to become a market leader in the next three years with a billing turnover comparable to that of the top five agencies in the industry.

How should this growth be achieved? What strategy should Expert adopt? Readers are invited to send their comments on the same.
Managerial Discretion and Organizational Slack: A Commentary
Authors: Sharma Subhash
Published: September 2016

The central focus of this study is to analyse some important theoretical frameworks for understanding the phenomenon of managerial discretionary bahaviour. The study suggests that the political – economy framework is useful in gaining insights into the modalities of managerial discretionary behaviour.

In this paper, Subhash Sharma further tries to decipher the implications of managerial discretion for explaining organizational slack.
Bharat Electronics Ltd. — HRD & IR Interventions
Authors: Prabhala S
Published: September 2016

In the January- March 1991 issue of Vikalpa, a panel of experts had diagnosed the case titled “BELHRD& lR Interventions.” In this new feature titled ‘Reactions’ we are publishing S Prabhala's comments on the diagnoses of various experts.
A Realistic Assessment of India's Software Exports: Some Implications for Future Strategy
Authors: Bhatnagar S C , Jain Rekha
Published: September 2016

In this article, S C Bhatnagar and Rekha Jain attempt a realistic assessment of India's software export potential by analysing the structure of the global software market and its implications for the Indian software industry.

Currently, India's software exports have been confined largely to one segment — coding of customized application, the market for which is likely to decline in the future. Therefore, according to the authors, the Indian software industry and the government will have to make concerted efforts in evolving a new strategy.
Expert Advertising Agency
Authors: Nathan S V
Published: September 2016

The case presented in this issue discusses the growth of Expert Advertising Agency. The agency, which started as an inhouse operation of a successful company—ABC Ltd.—soon acquired outside clients and was competing with other more famous advertising agencies. How should this transition be managed and what future strategy should Expert adopt? In our Diagnoses feature, we present five responses on the issue.
Structural Change and its Impact on Industrial Relations
Authors: Ratnam C S Venkata
Published: September 2016

The National Seminar on Economic Changes, Employment and Industrial Relations focused on the impact of macroeconomic policy changes on employment and industrial relations in the short as well as in the long run.

This background paper by C S Venkata Ratnam argues for the need to bring .about changes in labour policies in tune with the industrial policies.
Understanding Political Behaviour in Organizations: A Framework
Authors: Bhatnagar Deepti
Published: September 2016

Although political behaviour as an organizational phenomenon has started attracting considerable research, most studies approach it in a segmented fashion. This paper by Deepti Bhatnagar is an attempt to propose an integrated model for understanding the dynamics of political behaviour in organizations. The author also suggests areas for future research.
CRISIL Rating: When Does AAA Mean B?
Authors: Raghunathan V , Varma Jayanth R
Published: September 2016

This paper makes an attempt to assess the quality of credit rating function being performed by CRISIL (Credit Rating and Information Services of India Ltd.). With this objective, the paper addresses two important questions: a) Are CRISIL's standards of rating comparable to international standards? (b) Are CRISIL's ratings internally consistent?

Based on the assessment of companies rated AAA by CRISIL on the S&P standards, the authors conclude that CRISIL's credit rating standards are not only much below international standards, they are also internally inconsistent.
Role of Industry in the Changing Industrial Scenario
Authors: Bajaj Rahul
Published: September 2016

Competition, according to Rahul Bajaj, is the greatest teacher for improving products, reducing cost and improving quality. If Indian industry has to become truly internationally competitive, he feels its performance with regard to the three parameters of products, cost and quality needs to be strengthened.
Reshaping Management Education
Authors: Satia J K
Published: September 2016

According to J K Satia, there is a gap between the promise and the performance of management education. Therefore, educators have a responsibility to reorganize and redesign management education if the schism is to be narrowed.
Some Thoughts on Management Education
Authors: Sheth N R
Published: September 2016

Professional management, according to N R Sheth, is a going concern of human survival and progress and will remain so in the foreseeable future. Examining the role of management schools in this backdrop, Sheth focuses on the element of ‘elitism’ prevalent in most management schools and also on the methods to contain ‘elitism.’
Research on Organization Studies
Authors: Dayal Ishwar
Published: September 2016

Ishwar Dayal attempts a 20-year survey of studies of organizations in India focusing on two broad classifications: research on bureaucracy and on industrial organizations.
Workers' Cooperative and Turnaround of a Sick Enterprise: The KTL Experience
Authors: Mookherjee Surya
Published: September 2016

What is the role of a workers' cooperative in turning around sick enterprises in the current context of increasing corporate sickness?

Based on the turnaround experience of Kamani Tubes Limited, Surya Mookherjee analyses the phenomenon of workers' takeover and turnaround of a sick enterprise and the policy initiatives required in order to add fillip to such efforts.
How Do Indian Organizations Meet Learning Challenges?
Authors: Ramnarayan S , Bhatnagar Jyotsna
Published: September 2016

During this last decade of the 20th century, we are witnessing profound changes in the Indian corporate environment. Corporations, therefore, require new skills to face the uncertainties of the new environment. It is in this context that organizational learning assumes importance.

Based on 45 published case studies, S Ramnarayan and Jyotsna Bhatnagar examine how progressive organizations have gone about meeting the learning challenge and discuss the messages from these learning experiences.
Fujitsu (A)*
Authors: Madhavan T , Thomas P S
Published: September 2016

Starting in 1935 as a small manufacturer of telephone equipment, Fujitsu grew phenomenally to become a world leader in computers. Its strategy of global reach, based on leveraging the firm's focal faculties (in high-speed information processing, large-scale integration, etc.) through carefully structured international operations, served to destabilize established competitors and benefit customers. In early 1991, Fujitsu's Executive Board had to decide on its future approach to “competing in computing” in the face of dramatic developments in this high-tech industry.

Readers are welcome to send their responses on this case — diagnoses, prescriptions and generalizations � to Vikalpa office.
Board of Directors : Theory and Practice in Dairy Cooperatives
Authors: Kanitkar Ajit , Belavadi N V
Published: September 2016

Theoretically, the Board of Directors (BOD) of organizations belonging to corporate as well as cooperative sectors is expected to have a long-term, strategic focus. However, a critical difference between the BOD of a corporate organization and a cooperative organization is that the latter is constituted by user-members and are, therefore, expected to truly reflect user-owners' commitment to the organization.

Against this backdrop, this paper by Ajit Kanitkar and N V Belavadi examines the dominant concerns of the BOD of cooperative sector organizations by analysing the agenda-items of Board meetings of federated dairy cooperatives. According to the authors, the BOD in this sector is more concerned with day-to-day operations than strategic issues.
The Malta Drydoeks Corporation (A)
Authors: Pandey I M
Published: September 2016

The chairman of the Malta Drydoeks Corporation—Mr Sammy Meilaq—is contemplating on the strategies for turning around the Corporation which is ailing keeping in mind various factors such as the Corporation's experiment with workers' participation, unfavourable market conditions and tough competition.

Readers are invited to send their responses on the case to Vikalpa office.
Research on the Indian Capital Market: A Review
Authors: Barua Samir K , Raghunathan V , Varma Jayanth R
Published: September 2016

The Indian capital market has been attracting considerable attention in recent years especially after the opening up of the Indian economy. As a result, several researchers have addressed various issues pertaining to the capital market in India. What has been the trend of research in this field over the last 15 years?

This article by Barua, Raghunathan, and Varma examines this issue and provides a comprehensive review on the nature of research in the field of capital market in India. In the process, it also identifies research gaps and research issues that need attention from researchers.
School Drop-outs as Bare-foot Veterinarians: Lessons from a Non-formal Education Project
Authors: Chand P G Vijaya Sherry
Published: September 2016

This article by Vijaya Sherry Chand focuses on the experience of a non-governmental organization in educating 113 school dropouts as ‘bare-foot’ veterinarians in the tribal areas of Gujarat. Based on an analysis of this experience, the author draws implications for education and research.
Financial Autonomy, Institutional Reform, and Irrigation Performance
Authors: Svendsen Mark
Published: September 2016

There is increasing interest in privatization as a solution to the problem of ineffective and excessively costly irrigation system operations. In this paper by Mark Svendsen, two organizational models showing promise in this regard are examined and compared: the irrigation district model, in which a voluntary association is responsible for system management, and the parastatal model, in which a semi-autonomous government body takes on this responsibility. These two models are represented by a pair of case studies drawn from the United States and the Philippines.
Management of Acceptors: An Agenda for Effective Family Planning
Authors: Saiyadain Mirza S
Published: September 2016

The mission of the family planning programme in India is to initiate a process of change in favour of the small family norm. In order to achieve this goal, Saiyadain feels that the strategy should be not only to attract what he terms the ‘uninitiated’ but also to sustain small family norm ‘acceptors.’
A Study of Strategic Decision-making in the Indian Industry
Authors: Kumar Satish , Modh Shesh
Published: September 2016

In this article, the author makes an attempt to study 144 strategic decisions from 94 business organizations in the Indian industry with a view to understand the strategic decision-making process. The decisions are analysed to structure the process of strategy making and a model of strategic decision-making process is developed. It can be observed that the strategic decision-making process is organizationally oriented with prominent information seeking characteristics.
The Narmada Group Cooperative Fruit and Vegetable Society Limited, Panetha
Authors: Kanitkar Ajit
Published: September 2016

Keeping in mind the interests of the farmermembers, the Chairman of the NGCFVS is contemplating on the strategies the society should adopt in order to ensure reasonable price for the produce of the members if there is a glut in the production.

Readers are invited to send their responses on the case to Vikalpa office.
A Perspective on the Management of Economic Reforms in India
Authors: Shroff Manu R
Published: September 2016

All has not gone well with the bold and wide-ranging initiatives that were taken in the area of economic policy reforms introduced in India in mid-1991. Of course, there are clearly several pluses that the reforms can boast of. However, in the years 93-94, some retrograde steps were taken, particularly on the fiscal front, which have raised doubts on the capacity of the government to carry conviction with different sections of the society about the success of reforms. What went wrong?

To find an answer to this question, Manu R Shroff looks at three possible areas of failure, namely, neglect of institutional reforms, speed and sequence of measures, and inadequate political management and communication.
Efficiency of the Indian Stock Market : An Empirical Study
Authors: Belgaumi M S
Published: September 2016

Based on an analysis of 70 companies listed in the ‘A’ list category on the Bombay Stock Exchange, this paper by Belgaumi is an attempt to test the weak form efficiency of the Indian stock market.

By subjecting the weekly share prices to Serial Correlation Analysis and Runs Test, the author finds that the Indian stock exchanges are efficient in the weak form and that the independence assumption regarding the movements of share prices over short period holds good.
Bureaucracies and Management of Economic Reforms
Authors: RoyChowdhury Supriya
Published: September 2016

The discourse on economic liberalization has uniformly called for the elimination or reduction of governmental bureaucracies in favour of markets and private enterprise. Drawing upon some empirical materials from India and China, this article by Supriya RoyChowdhury highlights the need for some rethinking on the role of bureaucracies in the context of economic reforms in developing countries. One may need to assess more realistically than has been done so far, first, the practical limitations to any dramatic reduction of bureaucracies in developing countries, and second, the need for resocializing and reeducating bureaucratic personnel in the context of economic reforms.
Konkan Railway Corporation: Choice of Alignment in Goa
Authors: Raghuram G
Published: September 2016

The Konkan Railway Corporation's project bridging the Konkan gap between Bombay and Mangalore has got embroiled in various controversies—environmental, political, as well as religious. The issue is not about the passage of the Konkan Railway through Goa as much as the choice of alignment among the many available alternatives.

Readers are invited to send their responses on the case to Vikalpa office.
The End of Core Competence: What the “Stars” Foretell
Authors: Thomas P S
Published: September 2016

The core competence concept has proved to be an elusive one for management scholars and executives alike because of its ambivalence towards Japanese industrial history, selectivity towards corporate histories,and the amorphousness and porosity of its logical structure.

This note by P S Thomas tries to show how identification of core competences can be facilitated by complete reviews of the histories of two “star” corporations, viz., Matsushita Electric and Fujitsu Ltd. More such case studies may have to be undertaken and⁄ or discussed to facilitate the use of the core competence perspective for global competition.
Structural and Resource Determinants of Pharmaceutical Management Information Flow in Health Service Organizations
Authors: Baridam Don M. , Uwaga U.N.
Published: September 2016

This study by Don M Baridam and U N Uwaga examines the extent to which structural and resource factors affect pharmaceutical management information flow (PMIF) in health service organizations (HSOs) in the eastern states of Nigeria. Fifty public and 35 private HSOs were surveyed using a composite rating scale — the Pharmaceutical Management Information Battery Scale.

Based on the data, the authors conclude that each component of structural and resource factors has a substantial, significant impact on PMIF.
The Nature and Significance of Strategic Alliance
Authors: Mehta Dhawal , Samanta Sunil
Published: September 2016

In the current scenario of globalization of business, strategic alliance is emerging as a powerful management tool in business management. Though alliances are as old as the industrialization during the 15th and 16th centuries, they are being refocused in the 20th century. But, strategic alliance is not an unmixed blessing as more number of alliances have turned out to be failures.

In this article, Dhawal Mehta and Sunil Samanta discuss the nature and significance of strategic alliance by citing a few recent cases of strategic alliances in the Indian industry, argue out why strategic alliance should be resorted to, and list out do's and dont's to enable Indian companies to successfully catapult themselves to the mainstream of global business.
Enhancing Role Efficacy: An OD Intervention
Authors: Pestonjee D M
Published: September 2016

The role of mechanical/traffic inspectors and safety counsellors is of considerable importance in the prevention of rail accidents and in the development of selfprotective behaviour among the staff. Development of negative perceptions on their part is likely to lead the employees to poor work performance.

This article by DM Pestonjee and Aniruddh Pandey emphasizes the need for conducting role efficacy interventions to strengthen and reinforce positive behaviours and weaken negative behaviours.
Management Information System at National Level in India: Analysis of Problems and Issues
Authors: Gupta M P
Published: September 2016

Information system is, today, the most vital component of the infrastructure and is regarded as the key to all the complex task operations undertaken by national level systems.

This paper by M.P Gupta reports on an investigative study of management information system (MIS) supporting national level planning and decision making systems in India.
Agricultural Financial Ratios, Discriminant Analysis, and Prediction of Corporate Bankruptcy in the Community Banking System in Nigeria
Authors: Arene C J
Published: September 2016

The Community Banking Scheme was started in Nigeria with the hope that much of the existing credit-related problems would be solved. This study evaluates the agricultural credit management system of the Community Banking Scheme with the focus on the financial position and the loan repayment problems of the farmers.
Cognitive Mapping as a Tool to Elicit Managerial Cognitions: Methodology Analysed
Authors: Budhwar Pawan S
Published: September 2016

The existing literature shows an increasing trend into the investigation of managerial cognitions. The literature also shows an imbalance between the theoretical and empirical work in this area, in favour of the former. From a thorough review of literature, a growing need is felt for testing new methods to acquire and analyse data. More researchers are noted to adopt the technique of ‘cognitive mapping’ to study managerial cognitions. To what extent is cognitive mapping an appropriate tool to investigate managerial cognitions? This paper by Pawan S Budhwar is an attempt to answer this question.
Inter-sectoral Differences in Capacity Utilization
Authors: Mohanakumar P.S.
Published: September 2016

Efficient running of an enterprise in the present day liberalized scenario assumes considerable significance and better utilization of existing capacities is an important indicator of the health of an enterprise.

In this paper, P S Mohanakumar evaluates the inter-sectoral differences in capacity utilization based on data relating to 21 spinning mills in Kerala. He also identifies the main reasons for underutilization of capacity which are absenteeism, power problems, unscheduled breakdowns, and obsolete machinery.