bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dehydroepiandrosterone and Melatonin: Two Neurohormones
Authors: Caley Charles F.
Published: November 2015

Complementary or alternative medicines in the United States have received prominent attention during recent years. Though there seems to be little rigorous support for the long-term efficacy and safety of these treatments in humans,1-2 the popularity of these natural products persists. It has been estimated that, for 1997, 12 percent of the U.S. population (approximately 24 million people) had used herbal medicines within the previous 12 months, and that 5 billion dollars had been spent on these products during that same year.3 Two of the alternative medicines included are dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and melatonin. DHEA is a hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands, and is a precursor for endogenous steroid production (e.g., testosterone, estrogen). DHEA is also believed to exert central pharmacologic effects. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland and is involved in circadium rhythm maintenance and sleep regulation. Because of extensive physiological effects, these two neuro-hormones are being advocated for the treatment of several medical disorders, as well as for routine ailments. The purpose of this article is to discuss salient, pharmacotherapeutic-related characteristics of each hormone, and to briefly review supporting evidence from studies using human subjects.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pathophysiology
Authors: Stanaszek Walter F. , Carlstedt Bruce C.
Published: November 2015

This article reviews the incidence, etiology, and pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), along with signs and symptoms, laboratory, and other diagnostic parameters of the disease. Criteria utilized for defining RA are discussed. While the primary cause is unknown, theories implicate genetic, hormonal, viral, bacterial, autoimmune, atmospheric, and environmental factors. Recent studies focus on the role of immune complexes, endothelial cells, and antibodies in the disease process.
Osteoarthritis: Update on Pathology, Pathogenesis and Treatment
Authors: Williams Craig , Wright Letitia J.
Published: November 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disorder that is characterized by increased degradative and decreased synthetic processes. The pathogenetic factors that have been demonstrated to influence the progression of OA are cytokines and nitric oxide. This new information serves to further elucidate the factors involved in the etiology of osteoarthritis and will aid in the development of pharmacological tools to treat this disease. As our understanding of the pathogenesis of OA grows, so does our appreciation that it is not simply a disease of passive joint degeneration. Unfortunately, therapies aimed at modifying the progression of the disease remain frustratingly difficult to identify. Primary therapy for OA thus is still largely aimed at controlling the symptoms of the disease while minimizing drug side effects. New agents with the potential to slow disease progression are beginning to emerge however. These will be discussed along with the agents that should be used first line to control symptoms.
Eradication ofHelicobacter pylori in the Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Authors: Tangeman Heather , Roth Mary T.
Published: November 2015

Helicobacter pylori is responsible for the majority of cases of peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcer disease should no longer be regarded as a “chronic, recurring, lifelong disease, but rather a curable infection.” Treatment and eradication of H. pylori infection in patients with peptic ulcer disease has been shown to resolve the chronic inflammation present and prevent further ulcer relapse. Despite the vast amount of literature on H. pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease, the diagnosis and management of this common infection have become increasingly straightforward. This article will summarize the role of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease and will address the current clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori in the subset of patients.
Determination of Unclaimed Prescriptions at an Outpatient Department, Songklanagarind Hospital
Authors: Leu Sudaruk , Eng Kulpus
Published: November 2015

Unclaimed prescriptions are an initial indication of noncompliance. Although the patients receive the best treatment, they may fail to take their medicines. As a result, the illness may not be relieved and this can lead to hospitalization or use of emergency services. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics and reasons for unclaimed prescriptions in a 680-bed and tertiary care center from July to October 1997. Patients' data were collected from medical records and from questionnaires that asked for the reasons prescriptions were not claimed. During the four-month period, 695 unclaimed prescriptions were identified, accounting for approximately 0.67% of all prescriptions filled. Results showed that patients least likely to claim a prescription included women, those who visited the hospital during official hours, those who had chronic disease, and those who went to see internal medicine physicians. Three most common diseases were those involving respiratory system (8.6%), musculoskeletal system (6.3%), and genitourinary system (6.0%). More than half (56.5%) were treated with the essential drugs. Neuromuscular agent was the most frequent drug class of unclaimed prescriptions, followed by respiratory agent, dermatological agent, and vitamins and minerals. Of the 695 patients, 152 patients responded to the questionnaires. Sixty-one patients indicated that they had received their medications later on and, therefore, were excluded from the analysis. Thus, 61 questionnaires were analyzed. The most important reason patients did not claim their prescriptions was cost (22.0%). The next most frequently mentioned reasons were forgetfulness (12.1%), business (11.0%), and lack of communication (8.8%). These patients need to be counseled about the importance of taking their medicines. In addition, health care providers should develop strategies to improve patient compliance with their medications.
VISION AND STRATEGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY*
Authors: Athreya M.B.
Published: November 2015

With the liberalisation process begun in 1991, there is a rising prospect of releasing the most potential of a large nation like India. India will not change overnight. But, the cumulative impact of each passing year can be massive. The author feels that the time is opportune for institutions and individuals to have a vision of India in the imminent 21st century, and align a vision for themselves and their businesses. The paper attempts to develop an Indian vision for the next century.
TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Authors: Kamar Sharat
Published: November 2015

In this paper the author has highlighted that technology is a vital input for change. It changes the ways in which people understand and use information. It makes a vital impact on relationships, structures, power balances and forms of organisations. Yet the pursuit of economic growth, blindly considered one panacea for all ills society, continues unabated everywhere. This is not good management of technology.
ORGANISING THE MARKETING EFFORT
Authors: Umashankar Venkatesh
Published: November 2015

The Indian marketing organisation is designed without a customer focus and has sales turnover as its prime objective. This has worked for quite a long time in a scenario where demand far exceeded supply and competition was stemmed not by competence but through legislation and government regulations. With the changing business environment the marketing organisation has become obsolete and is buckling under the strain. High employee turnover and quick burnout are just one of the manifestations of a system under pressure. Therefore it's imperative to develop a marketing orientation and jump-start the marketing organisation by incorporating radical design changes.
FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING WITH REFERENCE TO CAPITAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Authors: Sharma J.K. , Sharma Dinesh K.
Published: November 2015

In the present paper goal programming technique has been developed to test the empirical relationship between capital structure and cost of capital, financial leverage earning before income taxes (EBIT) and risk. The study was carried out by using balance sheet of the year 1989-90 of nine different companies in India.
FINANCES OF CITY GOVERNMENT IN INDIA
Authors: Misra Kamlesh
Published: November 2015

Growth and prosperity of a country are, to a large extent, dependent on the economic activity that take place within the jurisdiction of cities. These activities in turn are dependent on the type of infrastructure and the environment that is provided by city governments. Indian cities have in the last two decades faced severe problems in maintaining and improving the levels of services they provide. Some of these problems have been the result of mismanagement of the fiscal resources at their command while others are the result of inadequate resource base. This paper presents a brief sketch of the fiscal problems of cities in relation to their assigned responsibilities and proposes a set of reform measures that would go a long way in improving their fiscal viability in the years to come.
ASIAN RENAISSANCE: THE NEW MILLENNIUM FOR THE WORLD ECONOMY
Authors: Seth Manish , Bindal Prashant
Published: November 2015

The latter part of this century has seen the resurgence of Asia as a growing economic power. This paper tries to analyse the reasons behind Asia's meteoric rise as an economic power to reckon with. The most striking part is that in spite of different political affiliations, Asian nations, one by one, have embarked upon almost similar paths of reforms. So we have different nations at different stages of development. As time passes these nations, with constant endeavour are going to be economic power centers. The growing cooperation between Asian nations ensures that the growth of individual nations will manifest itself in growth of Asia as a whole and Asia of tomorrow is going to dictate the next millennium.
RBI: CARVING A NEW ROLE AS THE CENTRAL BANK
Authors: Tewary Amitabh , Bhardwaj Dhananjay
Published: November 2015

Among the many legacies of the British Raj, a few have endured the winds of change on account of an inbuilt element of indispensability and have, therefore, retained their relevance with their compositions in corporating the required corrections from time to time. One such prominent edifice is the Reserve Bank of India (hereafter referred to as RBI) which since its inception in 1935 through an act of then Indian Legislative assembly has grown from strength to strength, from being a shareholder's bank, modelled on the lines of the Bank of England, to being a watchdog of Indian Banking sector and financial sector reforms of the '90s it has seen and survived a lot.
Ethics and Professional Values in Business and Industry in India
Authors: Kazmi Azhar
Published: November 2015

Torn between the two extremes of one's own cultural heritage and the demands of the materialistic values being imitated from the Western societies, an Indian today seems to have temporarily lost his or her moorings. Verily, the current scenario is of confusion and extreme public cynicism about issues such as ethics and values. Businessmen, like human beings in other spheres of life, too face the dilemma arising out of the eternal conflict between the ends and the means. Business ethics and values might just be a new field focusing on age-old dilemmas. What makes the topic of ethics and values in business specially relevant and topical in the present context in India is fact that we are on the threshold of environmental changes of far-reaching consequences.

This article is addressed to the subset of the larger issues of ethics and values in life in general. The setting is the business and industry in India in the 1990s and beyond. The basic suggestion of this article relates to the felt need that there has to be a greater understanding of the twin and interrelated issues of ethics and professional values in business and industry in India.
Information Technology – The Hidden Cost
Authors: Mitra Saurav
Published: November 2015

Information System (IS) is the horse which a company can ride to attain the differentiation of cost and service· to retain or increase its customer base. But the IS department of a company cm1 also become a Trojan horse if it is not properly planned.

Faulty planning can lend to escalation of costs. To avoid this, Information Technology (IT) managers have to take care of a lot of things ranging from procurement to the functioning of the IS.

Training has to be planned and then imparted to make the most effective use of time and equipment, key employees have to be retained so that the teaming is retained within the organisation and utilised in training others. Service has to be planned so that the IS can function with the least downtime throughout the company.

Cast advantage can be achieved through IS by keeping the above aspects in mind while planning, procuring and utilising the equipment.
Empowerment as a Process of Power Enhancement
Authors: Bhatnagar Jyotsna , Sharma Anuradha
Published: November 2015

Empowerment is easy to preach yet difficult to implement. Contemporary Indian organisations are trying to move towards empowerment, as change has made it imperative. The present study analyses sixteen Indian cases of empowerment, using power enhancers as the guiding concept. Case survey method (Mathews, 1988) is employed and the cases are content analysed. The code of the analysis alongwith quantitative results and the indicative content of the cases are presented. The study confirms the presence of power enhancers in Indian organisations and suggests four new power enhancers which should be added to the present list, after factor analysis.
Conceptual Framework For Revival Strategy Of A Sick Company - A Case Study
Authors: Sharma Anil K.
Published: November 2015

While working out revival strategy for a sick company, close scrutiny of internal as well as external context could help in a significant manner. Internal context may be viewed in relation to strengths and weaknesses of the organisation whereas, external context will explain the opportunities and threats provided by the environment. Under internal context, besides many other things calculation of Break-Even Point can help in devising the required strategy. BEP may indicate whether sales improvement or cost reduction strategy will help the company to come out of the present state of affairs. Broadly, keeping this in view, the present study has been conducted by reviewing a sick multi-product pharmaceuticals Indian Public Sector Company named as Bengal Immunity Limited. Further, what may be the other things required to bring the company back on wheels have also been considered and suggested.
An Empirical Analysis of Asset Returns and Inflation
Authors: Chawla Deepak , Sharma Amit
Published: November 2015

In this article we have attempted to determine various assets that could provide a possible hedge against inflation. The data for the period 1980-81 to 2000-01 used in the study is collected from RBI website namely rbi.org.in and the Handbook of Statistics on Indian economy. The returns on seven assets were considered. The wholesale price index is used to compute inflation rate. The results indicate that gold is an over hedge against total inflation as well as on the expected and unexpected inflation. Silver is an over hedge against only expected inflation. The BSE sensex index is an over hedge against total as well as the expected inflation when the return on asset versus the inflation rate measure was used as computed on a continuously compounded basis.

None of the remaining assets are hedges against inflation. The study concludes with suggestion for future research.
Decision-Aids for Local Area Management and Planning
Authors: Datta Subhash
Published: November 2015

A comprehensive local-level spatial plan is presented based on locally available resources and skills. Both farm and non-farm activities are considered with special stress on employment generation and local resource utilization. Infrastructural development required was investigated and a spatial-temporal-sectoral plan was formulated. Finally, the investment required for fulfilling the plan are worked out for Teghari Gram Panchayat in Chhatna block of Bankura district in West Bengal.
Locating Service Centres for a GSM Mobile Network
Authors: Bhaumik Pradeep Kumar
Published: November 2015

This paper describes a situation where a GSM mobile network manager wishes to locate some service centres so as to minimize the total cost of setting up of service centres as well as the travel cost. However, there are four categories of faults requiring their resolutions within different periods of time and consequently, different modes of travel for different faults are permissible. This results in a location problem among candidate sites which are nodes on more than one network. An air network for critical faults and a rail network for major and important faults become relevant. After a review of major location problem structures, the service centre location problem is formulated as a pure binary ILP and the optimal solution obtained using LINDO. An analysis is also performed to determine the sensitivity of the optimal solution to different office setup, air travel and rail travel Costs.
Dynamics of Family Decision-making: Purchase of Consumer Durables
Authors: Verma DPS , Kapoor Sheetal
Published: November 2015

The present paper analyses the motives for the purchase of consumer durable products, taking into consideration the reasons for postponing the purchase, time taken to purchase a consumer durable, extent of consultation among the family members and financial contribution for the purchase. The dynamics of the family decision-making process during three major phases in the purchase of consumer durables, namely, problem recognition, information search and the final decision have been anlysed. The survey covered families living in the metropolitan city of Delhi where any of the six selected durable products had been purchased recently. Those members of the family were accounted as respondents who had actually played a particular buying role in the family’s purchase-decision. The study has revealed that the main reason for the purchase of a consumer durable product is convenience and the need to replace the existing product with a new product having more advanced features. A trade off with other competing products is seen in one out of five families at the time of purchase. Husband has remained as the most important financial contributor in the family. It is important for the marketer to understand the intra-family dynamics and relationships at play in the purchase of a consumer durable product in order to be able to decide the appropriate marketing-mix. The marketer must ensure that he is able to evoke a positive response from different members for his brand.
Taguchi's Robust Design and Its Alternatives: A Review
Authors: Debnath Roma Mitra
Published: November 2015

The foundation of modern quality control and assurance were built in the 1920s. In 1924, a physicist, Walter Shewhart, created simple graphical tool for studying the performance of the process, the control charts. Shewhart, Harold Dodge and Harry Romig studied how to apply statistical methods to manufacturing process. This continued until 1980, when the television documentary, ’if Japan can why can’t we ’focused attention on the growing problem of American industrial competitiveness. By Chance, another awakening of sorts also happened in 1980. Genichi Taguchi presented a unique technology for quality improvement, which is known as off line quality control. The on line quality control can only check whether the process is under statistical control or not. This is basically a passive and defensive approach. On the other hand, a relatively more sophisticated method introduced by Taguchi used in offline quality control recently recognized by American industries is a very effective tool for quality improvement. Among these, a technique called ’Robust Parameter Design’ has aroused considerable interest and attention among quality professionals and statisticians world wide.
Environment Marketing In Indian Fast Food Industry: A Study
Authors: Das R.P. , Nath Vikas
Published: November 2015

As the concern grows for maintaining and improving the quality of the environment and protecting human health; organizations of all sizes in different industries are turning their attention to possible impacts of their activities, products and services on the environment. The food industry in India, which is highly prone to environmental pollution, needs to give adequate attention to environmental marketing. The environmental performance of the organizations in this industry is of increasing concern today. In order to achieve a sound environment, they need to develop deep organizational commitment, systematic approach and continuous improvement in their various processes. How selected organizations in fast food industries are achieving these goals of environmental marketing is being highlighted in this study.
Mind Your Education
Authors: Kumar Sharat
Published: November 2015

This speech tries to highlight some glaring deficiencies in management education. Management courses are being run by a number of institutions. But except for a small fraction of these institutions, most of them provide poor quality education. We need to implement a system to ensure minimum quality standards. The teachers need to be given formal training so that knowledge is transferred meaningfully to the students. There are several qualities that a good manager must inculcate. However, these are not part of the present curriculum of management courses. Education should also inculcate the art of living joyfully.
What Does A Customer Want In A Bike
Authors: Pathak Pramod , Singh Saumya
Published: November 2015

Manufacturers have always been wondering what the customers look for in a product. Motorcycle manufacturers are no exception. More so in the changed circumstances where leading foreign brands are entering the Indian market in collaboration with the Indian manufacturers. With the growth of Indian motorcycle market increasing customer preference for variety, looks and design has compelled manufacturers to bring in newer models in the market. Yet, they are not sure that what does a customer want in a bike. Naturally, because the customer profile has changed the majority being from the 20-35 age group. Against this backdrop the present study has been conducted with the main objective of finding out what does a customer look for in a bike and what are the parameters of customer satisfaction in the case of motorcycle market. Based on survey the present study tries to underscore those attributes of a bike that lead to customer satisfaction.
Justifying ERP As Strategic Business Initiative Amulti-dimensional Analytical Framework
Authors: Padmanaban S.
Published: November 2015

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have become a buzzword in the business world again. Investing in one has become almost an inevitable strategic initiative for businesses today. But justifying such investment involves analysis and consideration of a number of complex factors along different dimensions. Beginning with choice from among the many options and versions available, to adopting it effectively and efficiently to secure the anticipated benefits [tangible and intangible], there is a plethora of daunting issues and challenges to be faced by the enterprise. Going beyond the conventional economic justification models like NPV, IRR, and Option Pricing, this paper develops and presents a multi-dimensional framework [applicable pre-ERP through ERP phases] to help the CEO and CIO in justifying ERP as strategic business initiative.
Managing Internal Conflict in the sales teams
Authors: Zameer Asif
Published: November 2015

For any organization, the sales persons are the soldiers on the front lines of business. Certainly, if anyone can claim the title of “company warrior”, it would be the members of the sales force. After all, developing new client relationships - and managing existing ones - is an uphill battle.

It is interesting, though, that many of the battles that sales persons choose to fight are with the people on their own side - that is, those individuals within their own organizations who are also selling but to different channels or customer groups.

My experience has been that, in most companies where alternate distribution channels operate in parallel, the sales team managing one type of channel often has a poor, even contentious, relationship with the other teams. Most of this friction is avoidable and has its roots in the different perceptions that sales teams carry about their counterparts.

In this article, the effort has been to explore the sources of these conflicts based on my experience and discussion with sales persons in some companies. The article also tries to suggest some measures to avoid the conflict within the sales department.
Can Businesses In India Ever Resolve Disputes Speedily And Effectively?
Authors: Agarwal Anurag K.
Published: November 2015

Business disputes are like cancer which should be stopped from spreading as soon as possible. Litigation is the least favoured method of resolution for a variety of reasons - delay being the foremost. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods like negotiation, mediation, conciliation. and arbitration are currently in vogue. Unfortunately, there is a strong feeling in India that extralegal methods provide timely solutions for business disputes. This does not augur well for the business environment. The paper examines the business dispute resolution scenario in India and provides suggestions for making it more speedy and effective in a legal manner.
Intellectual Property Rights In Cyberspace
Authors: Somu C.S.
Published: November 2015

Emergence of digital and information technologies towards the concluding decades of 20th century as the defining paradigms of new communication has raised a whole new set of challenges to legal regime. When intellectual property laws were first drafted, computer technology did not exist. At that time, it was not foreseen that it would be necessary to protect information stored by digital means, nor was it foreseen that information would become such a sought after commodity. The Internet, software, business-methods for e-commerce applications and electronic databases are relatively new territories where innovators have created an environment in which information exists in plentiful quantities and available to many people. However, due to the lack of concrete laws, the Internet has become a breeding ground for several unlawful activities most of them related to intellectual property rights, namely copyrights and trademarks. In this paper an attempt has been made to identify and explore the impact of the internet technology on Intellectual Property Rights and the implications for the legal system including the extent of protection offered to IPR over the cyberspace. The author has employed the US legislations, case law precedents along with Indian legislations on IPR for the analysis.
A Brief Note On Small And Medium Scale Enterprises In Sri Lanka
Authors: Dasanayaka S.W.S.B.
Published: November 2015

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are playing a very significant role in almost all the economies around the world irrespective of the countrie's development stage. However, it is obvious that SMEs function as a lifeline in informal sector in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and eastern Europe due to their contribution to many aspects of the overall economy of the companies such as employment generation, exports, tax income, innovation, competitiveness, equitable income distribution, social stability, domestic resources usage, and regional development. Ultimately, they are the main source of economic growth and leading sector. The South Asian region is no exception for this SME phenomenon. Most of these SMEs around the world are struggling to survive in today's globalized competitive environment. They are hampered by the lack of technology, access to credit and markets, and dumping of foreign products, etc. In spite of the various policy reforms, incentives, and assistance offered by successive governments in Sri Lanka with the assistance of the private sector, NGOs, and donor agencies during the post-liberalization period after 1977, this SME sector is less dynamic and underdeveloped as against large-scale enterprises in the national economy. The growth and expansion of SMEs are constrained by problems relating to both product and factor markets. Lack of institutional support and policy inertia have further reduced the full potentials of SMEs to the national economy. Therefore, this case study presents some first-hand access information on Sri Lankan SMEs' basic profiles and an important research agenda to motivate researchers and practitioners of SMEs around the world.
Assessing the Performance of Three Weak Public Sector Banks Using Composite Rating Methoda
Authors: Chaitanya V. Krishna
Published: November 2015

Till early 1990s the banking sector in India was dominated by public sector banks and with liberalization hitting Indian shores, suddenly the public sector banks found it hard to cope with the dynamic changes in industry, specially with the entry of several new private sector banks. Some public sector banks even turned negative while some maintained their dominance. In order to study the performance of the public sector banks in the post-reforms scenario, for the first time in 1999, the Government of India appointed a working group under M.S. Verma. The committee identified three public sector banks with weak health. These include: UCO bank. Indian Bank. and United Bank of India. It is exactly five years now since the report was submitted. Though these banks now turned profitable, no attempt has been made to study the financial health of these banks and how the transformation took place. The present paper is a study of these three public sector banks and their performance in the last five years (post-restructuring period). The financial soundness of these banks is measured by using composite rating method. The paper also emphasizes on the strategies adopted by each of these three banks during the last five years as a part of their internal restructuring programme.
Comparison of Weak Form of Market Efficiency of Developed Stock Markets with Emerging Asian Markets
Authors: Srivastava Aman
Published: November 2015

Market efficiency of the stock markets has been a great concern for researchers for a long time. Post 1995 witnessed a series of reforms in emerging capital market. After more than a decade of starting the reforms, now, it is time to analyse the efficiency in emerging stock markets. A vast majority of efficient market research to date has focused on the major United States and European securities market. Far fewer have investigated the Asian developing and developed countries' markets. This study attempts to compare the weak form of efficiency of emerging Asian stock markets with developed stock markets. The paper is an attempt to analyse the competitive position of emerging stock markets. In this paper, the market efficiency of emerging stock markets and developed markets have been analysed and compared. The integration of emerging stock markets with emerging and developed stock markets has also been analysed. The concept of auto-correlation, runs test, and Von Neumann ratio (VnR) has been used for doing this analysis. The results of this research suggest the presence of weak form of efficiency in sampled stock markets. The findings of the research suggest that although the state of the weak form of efficiency is same in emerging stock markets, more reforms and developments are required in emerging economies to make their capital markets globally competitive.
Total Quality Management and Benchmarking
Authors: Dodrajka Sangeeta
Published: November 2015

Economic liberalization and sweeping policy changes pursued by the Government of India since 1991 have transformed the business environment. The removal of trade barriers across various countries have posed new challenges for companies in India. Quality control has become a major strategic concern for companies. In the emerging scenario, the adoption of quality standards, like ISO: 9000, has gained special significance. This paper seeks to introduce the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) and benchmarking and to evaluate ISO: 9000. The questionnaire-based study aims at measuring the quality maturity of IT companies in India. The study has revealed that mere getting a quality certification would not lead to improved performance and TQM implementation is necessary.
VRS-Phases of Retirement
Authors: Moses Binu , Venkatapathy R.
Published: November 2015

The present phenomenon of rapid economic growth of our country is largely an outcome of economic policy reforms initiated almost a decade and a half ago. These reforms related to macroeconomic stabilization and structural adjustments. Inter alia, they aimed at improving the functional efficiency of the labour market. Massive pruning of redundant workforce in manufacturing and service industries, especially in the public sector, was clearly necessary. This paper attempts to identify some phases in a worker's life in the period immediately preceding and following retirement with special reference to VRS. The management can devise a few strategies befitting these phases to make the scheme readily acceptable to the employees.
Determinants of the Impact Cost of Nifty Shares: An Empirical Study
Authors: Shirur Srinivas
Published: November 2015

Impact cost is an indicator to judge the liquidity in the stock market. The lower the cost, the higher is the liquidity and vice versa. It shows the rise/fall in the stock price (in percentage) while buying/selling the desired quantity of security compared to its ideal price. The degree of market efficiency in a market is closely related to the impact costs faced in trading in the market: lower impact costs are associated with enhanced levels of market efficiency. Theoretically, there are many variables which affect the levels of the impact cost over a period of time (time series analysis) as well as across the companies, sectors, and economy at any given point of time( cross-section analysis). Some of the key variables are : level of the index, percentage of free float of the company, price of the share, beta, volatility, percentage increase in the price of shares, corporate governance, size of the company, volume of trade in any given day, etc. The present study has tried to analyse the variables which significantly affect the level of the impact cost and the extent to which they are significant.
Shareholder View vs Stakeholder View of a Firm: A Review
Authors: Shah Shashank , Bhaskar A. Sudhir
Published: November 2015

In recent times, there has been an increasing debate between various scholars, researchers, and academicians as regards which approach-shareholder-centric or stakeholder-centric-would be in the long-term interest of on organization. A number of arguments have been put forward both for and against each of these viewpoints. In this article, based on a preliminary literature review, an attempt has been made to highlight the viewpoints of various scholars about each of these approaches. Also, the supremacy of the stakeholder view of the firm as highlighted by many scholars has been identified and stated. The paper concludes with further areas of research which would facilitate gaining greater clarity regarding these two viewpoints.
A Critical Review of Self-Help Group - Bank Linkage Programme of Micro-finance in India
Authors: Singh Naresh
Published: November 2015

The Self-Help Group - Bank Linkage Programme (SHGBLP) of micro-finance for poverty alleviation in India is the largest micro-finance programme in the world. It has emerged as a predominantly significant approach for the growth and development of micro-finance sector in India. Started by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in 1992 as an experiment with a non-government organization (NGO) named MYRADA in Karnataka, it has undergone from pilot to consultation to implementation phases. It is based on NGOs and banks motivating poor people to form groups, mobilize their savings, and finally link them with banks for credit support to start income-generating activities/ micro-enterprises. As on 31 March 2006, a total of 2,238,565 SHGs were linked with banks, 90 per cent of them women groups, having Indian Rs 113.98 bilIon of loans to 32.98 million poor households. The average loan per group in this programme is Rs 50,917 and per household Rs 3,456. The programme covered 583 districts of thirty-one states. In this paper a critical review of SHGBLP has been done by taking examples of impact evaluation studies and an empirical case study of an NGO. It has emerged from review that SHGBLP has problems related to functioning and sustainability of groups, credit management, and transaction cost and utilization of credit for starting income-generating activities/ micro-enterprise by the members of the groups.
Mavenness: A Non-Explored Trait of Quality Salespeople
Authors: Adidam Phani Tej
Published: November 2015

Over the past several years, Soles Managers have struggled to identify the right mix of traits and characteristics that would describe successful and good quality salespersons. Extant literature has proposed that salespeople that possess empathy, ego drive, integrity, high energy level, ability and propensity to learn, ability to build positive business relationships, have a high self-image of success, and are excellent communicators and listeners will tend to be more successful. This research introduces a new concept of mavenness, which has not been considered before by soles researchers and scholars. A maven is a person who possesses expertise in a given area, is passionate and willing to shore this expertise with his/ her followers. Maven salespeople will have expertise about their markets and products and will be very passionate about shoring their product expertise with their customers, thus creating long-term successful relationships. Thus it is incumbent of sales managers to assess the mavenness of potential salespeople before hiring them.
An Analysis of Customer-Pull Factors and the Process of Store Loyalty
Authors: Tripathi Shalini Nath
Published: November 2015

The study aims to test the relationship between Customer Service Experience and Loyalty. The salespersons’ (or store managers’) relationship with the customer assumes paramount importance, in case of identical product offerings by competitors, as in case of medical stores. Hence, it would largely serve the interests of service marketers to be able to identify and concretize the intangible customer-pull factors, in case of retail set-ups with almost identical tangible offerings. On the basis of extensive exploratory interviews, the variables used for measuring customer loyalty were culled from discussions carried out with medical store owners/ managers. Thereafter a ‘Loyalty Test’ was used aimed specifically at measuring loyalty of customers. Loyalty of customers, for the purpose of this study, has been interpreted in terms of re-patronage, positive word of mouth, and recommendations. This test was administered to the customers of various medical stores. This study consequentially attempts to develop a set of actionables, or ‘preferred service behaviours’ by the salespeople or store managers. The results provide ample evidence that focusing on relationships has a payoff for customer loyalty and re-patronage. Through extraordinary customer service, a store can leverage differentiated services to provide a superior customer experience that can build loyalty.
Building Relationships @ BPO India
Authors: Singh C. P. , Lather Anu Singh , Goyal D.P.
Published: November 2015

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has gained importance as more and more companies now focus on core competencies. India has emerged as the hottest outsourcing destination to the world. The growth of BPO India in the recent past has been phenomenal, with a promising future to look ahead. When GE Capital, a US - owned MNC established their large call centre at Gurgaon in 1996, little did people realize that they have brought a gold mine or the Indian youth. The mediocre, educated, and unemployed urban youth, considered good for nothing by their parents, suddenly found a new vocation. About twenty to thirty years ago, nobody in India could imagine that its population, considered as bane, will soon become its biggest boon. With its vast English-speaking, computer-savvy human-resource base, it was soon emerging as the major offshoring destination. The change has arrived and with this, the emergence of BPO India.

Hertzberg's theory of motivation states that money beyond a point is only a hygiene factor and no longer a motivator for the employees. This fact has been amply proved in the BPO sector; where good wages and better facilities are not able to arrest the high turnover rate. It is seen in Indian context that we value the emotional and social affiliations more than monetary gains. This paper highlights the need to build relationships with your workforce considering them as your strategic partners. It also recommends innovative methods and practices for building relationships forever; with a view to create well-motivated and dedicated workforce for this premier industry of India.
Internet Mavens In India
Authors: Krentler Kathleen A. , Singh Nripendra
Published: November 2015

Internet penetration is growing dramatically in the emerging economy of India. This study examines whether the internet maven construct, first identified in the United States, exists amongst the online population in India. Internet mavens, an extension of the market maven, are savvy Internet users who act as sources of consumer information for others. In this study, internet mavens are identified in the Indian population. Various aspects of Internet usage (amount, purpose, and enjoyment) are found to be predictors of Internet mavenism. Further, Internet mavens are found to trust the Internet more fully as a source of consumer information and to see the Internet as more essential to their day-to-day life than do non-mavens. Mavens were found to have significantly higher household incomes than non-mavens. However, despite looking across a variety of additional variables, no clear demographic profile of the Indian Internet maven emerged.
Price Reactions to Index Reorganization Announcements: Indian Evidence
Authors: George Roji
Published: November 2015

It is a well-known fact that stock indices con be treated as a yardstick for market performance. Price changes reflect a great deal in the functioning of a stock in particular and the market as a whole. Index organizer periodically evaluates the market and decides the stocks which con be included and excluded. Available literature reveals that there ore price differences before and after the announcement dates and in the some way before and after the executing dates . It corrects this anomaly and helps in making profits and/or avoiding losses in stock market.

In this study, an attempt has been made to analyse the stock price behaviour an S&P CNX Nifty Index due to such inclusions and exclusions. A period of two years (2004 to 2006) is considered. The study tries to analyse the changes and the reasons which can be attributed for the same. The study reveals that stock prices of firms entering or exiting the indices are not affected by the announcement of inclusion and exclusion dotes. Minor changes ore observed but these are very insignificant. These results prop up the basic premise of semi-strong form hypothesis that of share prices reflect an event or information very quickly, and therefore, it is not possible for on investor to beat the market using such information.
An Analysis of Performance of the Indian Textile Industry in Quota Free Regime
Authors: Sharma Manisha , Prashaant Anu
Published: November 2015

Indian history witnesses the glorious achievements of the textile industry. The diversity and richness of Indian culture reflects in its textile products in terms of variety, colours, and patterns it offers to the world. Today the Indian textile industry is one of the most important and vital industry of our economy not only in terms of output but also in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment generation.

The Indian textile industry managed to penetrate its roots deep in the international market but that was in the era when multi-fiber Agreement (MFA) was in existence, but now, since 1 January 2005, the Multi-fibre Agreement has phased out and India needs to strive harder to sustain its past achievement.

MFA is an agreement through which developing countries of the world were restricted to export their textile products beyond a certain level to the markets of developed nations. Thus, the motive behind this was to provide a window of opportunity for developed and underdeveloped economies or to save the interest of the domestic textile industry of the European Union and the US. Now since the quota is phased out it is a grand opportunity for developing countries. This development may have a positive impact not only on the textile sector of the country but also on the entire economy as a whole. The present research tries to make an attempt to analyse the export performance the Indian textile industry after the abolition of the multi-fibre Agreement with the help of advanced statistical techniques such as cluster analysis and Regression. The variables taken for the statistical analysis are quality, training of employees, finances, and funds and technological upgradation.
Impact Of Occupational Stress On Employee Performance In Banks-An Empirical Study
Authors: Samartha Mrs. Vihsal , Lokesh Mr. , Karkera Ms. Ashwitha
Published: November 2015

Occupational stress is a much commented upon phenomenon of the 20th and now the 21st century society. In the present scenario, employees are struggling with the growing, and often conflicting, demands of the workplace and family life. The lack of work-life balance results in a worrying increase on stress which could result in employee burn-out. It can cause even committed employees to lose motivation and become disillusioned. In this direction an attempt was made to study the banking sector and the occupational stress, the employees have undergone in this sector because this is one important sector where sweeping changes have taken place which puts pressure on the employees to deliver more and more sophisticated nature of work.
Promotional Mix And Corporate Performance - An Empirical Study
Authors: Sidhanta Somroop , Chakrabarty Anindya
Published: November 2015

This paper attempts to show the long term relationship between operating income and Advertisement and Sales Promotional expenditures, while also conjecturing a relation between growth rate of firms and spending in ASP and making an effort to identify the financing pattern of these discretionary expenditures. The empirical study with 151 BSE A group listed firms over a span of 8 years reveals that there is invariably a time lag involved in the impact of ASP expenses on both sales revenue and profits. The study also unearths the importance of the impact of a change in previous years’ ASP budgets on profits and sales revenue in current year. The results are a caveat to firms who allocate ASP budgets based on previous year’s sales, showing that reducing budgets drastically may have negative magnified effects on profits in later years. The paper goes on to highlight how certain important factors like growth rate of firms and debt to equity ratio play a crucial role in influencing the ASP expenses in a particular time period.