bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the IT Paradox
Authors: Singh UG
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the paradoxical situation that appears to exist between IT Educators and their apparent lack of use of Educational Technology tools at university IT departments in South Africa, is investigated.

In previous research (Blewett & Singh, 2003) it was found that only 16% of IT academics, at universities, were making significant use of Educational Technology tools. It was also noted that 32% of the IT academics surveyed felt that the use of technology was not more effective than traditional methods of teaching. This paper now presents the results of further research that was conducted, in an attempt to investigate this paradoxical situation. The survey reveals that there are 5 key factors hindering the usage of Educational Technology tools by University IT departments in South Africa:

1. Resistance to changing traditional teaching practices

2. Increased time commitment (workload) for academic staff

3. Academic staff have not been taught how to apply technology in teaching

4. Inadequate infrastructure for access, support and training to sustain technology

5. Lack of coordinated planning for technology at departmental, institutional and systems levels.

Although identifying these key inhibitors, the paradox deepens further when Resistance to Change is considered as the number 1 inhibitor. Further to this is the apparent belief by IT academics that their limited use of basic Educational Technology Tools (Type 1 Tools) constitutes the use and application of Educational Technology.
An Empirical Investigation of Problems and Prospects of Internet Stock Trading
Authors: Sandhu H.S.
Published: November 2015

Advances in technology have radically changed the process of trading shares. Today, with the growing awareness and popularity of the Internet, the stock brokerage industry has started to take advantage of the vast opportunities presented by this new medium at both the retail and institutional levels. This paper examines the problems as also identifies reasons for not using Net as a medium of trading besides bringing out its prospects. The study is based on primary data of 98 brokers comprising 46 Net brokers and 52 non-internet brokers. The results of the paper reveal that sudden breakdown of Web server or Internet connection, risk of system or component failure, and infrastructural and psychological impediments are perceived as major problems by Net brokers. It is also found that sudden breakdown of Web server, requirement of very strong infrastructural setup, high transaction costs, lack of personal touch, and delayed-quotes are judged as major reasons accountable for non-adoption of Internet trading facility by non-Net brokers. In spite of problems and the associated reasons, Net is found to be an innovative medium of trading shares and its future seems very promising.
A Change Model Based on an Integrated Approach For Strategic Business Information Technology Alignment For Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Authors: Aggarwal Himanshu , Goyal D.P. , Bansal P.K.
Published: November 2015

Strategic Alignment is a leading principle both for the research programs and for the practical methods dealing with the Business-Information Technology (IT) relationship. This enables a firm to maximize its value for the IT investments, achieve harmony with its business strategies and plans, leading to greater profitability. But, a great deal of uncertainty continues to surround the question of payoffs from the information technology investment despite the fact that the business executives have ranked consistently the strategic alignment of information Technology strategy with business as of prime importance. An issue that prevails is the inability to realize the sufficient value for the IT investment seems due in part is absence of strategic alignment. In this paper a model of change has been proposed that integrates resource/architectural, capability and the strategy levels. The main theme of the research is to achieve strategic alignment identifying various factors in these levels.
Repositioning Strategies For Passenger Cars-A Segment-Wise Empirical Study Using MDS And Cluster Analytic Approach
Authors: Sandhu H.S. , Kaur Mandeep
Published: November 2015

Brand positioning and market segmentation appear to be the hallmarks of today's marketing research. A company cannot serve all customers in a broad mass market. The customers are too numerous and diverse in their buying requirements. Thus, company needs to identify the market segments it can serve effectively. By segmenting the market, .firms can better understand their customers and target their marketing efforts efficiently and effectively. Thus positioning and segmentation go side by side. This study attempts to carry out benefit segmentation of the passenger car market and suggests repositioning strategies for the existing brands of passenger cars in the identified segments. The study is based on a sample of 303 car owners/ potential buyers from the major cities of the state of Punjab and union territory Chandigarh. Eleven brands of cars alongwith an Ideal (Imaginary) brand are considered. Advanced multivariate techniques, viz., Cluster analysis and Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) were used for data analysis. Results of the analytical study brings out two segments of respondents on the basis of benefit segmentation and also identified position of Ideal brand vis-à-vis other brands. Study further reveals that Ideal brand is away from all other brands (considered in the study) as far as segment I is concerned. However, Zen and Santro can very well be stretched towards the most preferred Ideal brand using various repositioning strategies. In case of segment II, Zen is observed to be closer to the ideal brand.
Implications Of Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, And Replenishment In Supply Chain Management
Authors: Kumar Ashwani
Published: November 2015

Inventory build-ups have been proving fatal in industries with short product life cycles and high rates of technological obsolescence. Better-managed companies have been looking for best-in-class planning practices to control their inventories and achieve superior results. Collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment (CPFR) may be the next great thing in inventory and vendor management and a source of advantage for such companies. CPFR is a set of business processes that are established and empowered by a formal agreement to cooperate on strategy, tactics, and execution by resolution of exceptions. Retailers and suppliers are moving to improve their supply chain through this process. Gradually, they are recognizing the advantages of web-based cooperation to develop a single, more accurate demand forecast and devise a plan for delivering product to meet customer demand. The present article highlights the role of CPFR in supply chain management of an organization.
Higher Education in Future
Authors: Jain Kamal K. , Agarwal Shipra
Published: November 2015

Commitment’ is defined as an implicit or explicit pledge of relational continuity between exchange partners. One of the difficulties here is that commitment is closely related to the concept of loyalty and as such, might be considered to be the desired outcome of building relationship in consumer market. However if the consumer is unaware that a relationship is being developed, and he/she has not explicitly cooperated in the process, there is no evidence of commitment on his/her part. Scholars have suggested that marketing relationships are based on the expectations of mutuality of interest with both parties expecting comparable benefits from relationships. The benefits to a firm of developing a relationship are well documented. The present study is based on the concept of commitment and its impact on customer relationship marketing in banking sector in India in the post-liberalization era.
Determinants of Bank Selection in Delhi: A Factor Analysis
Authors: Rao A. Sajeevan , Sharma R. K.
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the factors influencing the choice criteria in respect of selecting a bank. In particular, it finds those criteria which have become significantly important in motivating the choice. A quantitative methodology, using responses given by one hundred consumers, is employed in the analysis. Findings show that customization is a significant choice criterion which includes speed in services, convenient display of counters, continuous flow of information and rote of interest. Other factors which hove also increased in importance ore the reliability, brand name, and economic factors, such as interest rate paid and fees and charges levied. Locational factors, such as choosing a bank close to home or workplace, other services provided, and convenience ore also significant in importance in motivating choice of a bank.
An Econometric Study of Relative Effectiveness of Monetary and Fiscal Policy in India
Authors: Kaur Sarabjit , Kaur Gian
Published: November 2015

One school of economists the monetarists, believe that monetary impulse is the most important factor accounting for variations in output, employment and prices. They believe that changes in the money supply are the main sources of change in gross national product (GNP). Most of the monetarists also believe that pure fiscal policies, like increasing government expenditure, financed by taxes, cannot influence real output. Keynesians, on the contrary, argue that changes in real variables, such as investment and government expenditures, have a predominant impact on the GNP. Objective of this paper is to test empirically the relative effectiveness of the two policies in Indian context during pre-and post-period using VAR model. This study explores the monetary and fiscal policy interactions in the Indian economy.
Assessment of Sectoral Growth of Indian Economy Using Growth Models
Authors: Kumar Naresh
Published: November 2015

Economic reforms have affected all sectors of Indian economy. Before reforms, the pace of economic growth was slow and the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) was imperceptibly above the population growth rate. After reforms, Indian economy has transformed relatively from stagnation to a dynamic stage due to growth in primary, secondary, and tertiary or service sectors. However, pattern of growth in agriculture, industry, and service sectors along with developments in the reforms and liberalization process shows that growth in agriculture sector has not increased substantially though other sectors, particularly service sector demonstrate the boost. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to examine the nature of growth and direction of different sectors namely agriculture, industry, and service sectors in India using growth models. Results indicate that contribution of agriculture sector in GDP is declining whereas the share of service sector is increasing. Further, analysis shows that contribution of industrial sector (in terms of share) in GDP seems approaching towards stagnation.
Supply Chain Partners Selection Criterion in United Arab Emirates: A Study of Packaged Food Products Supply Chain
Authors: Laeequddin Mohd.
Published: November 2015

Application of supply chain management tools and techniques may not lead us very far in implementing them and yielding the benefits of relationship without understanding the partner's selection criterion. While there is plenty of published literature that explains or espouses benefits of partnering relationship there is a relative lack of empirical studies examining the partner selection practices in the context of different countries. The purpose of this paper is to understand the supply chain partner selection criterion of supply chain members of United Arab Emirates for successful collaboration, alignment and integration of the businesses. In order to study the partner selection criterion various perspectives of supply chain management practices and criterion of partner selection are grouped under five perspectives of partnership as characteristics, economics, dynamic capabilities, technology, and institutions and a survey instrument was developed to evaluate the criterion of the partner selection. The study results suggest that customer and suppliers do not appear willing to embrace the long-term relationship concept readily. The business environment such as market dynamics, globalization process and economy of the specific country or region has a bigger impact on partner selection process. The research results provide a rich basis for further theory development in the areas of supply chain practices in transition economic environment and the global supply chain management practices beyond the United Arab Emirates market.
Comparative Study of Organized Agri-Food Businesses in India
Authors: Samuel Michael Vinrald , Shah Mrinalini
Published: November 2015

India is the second largest producer of fruits after China with on estimated production of 54.4 million tonnes in 2008. India’s diverse agro-climatic condition allows production of a wide range of tropical, subtropical and temperate fruits. Sighting huge business opportunities, retail giants like the UK’s Tesco, France’s Carrefour, and American Wal-Mart are looking to make a foray into the Indian retail market by providing the Indian customer a unique experience of shopping. Not lagging behind are the Indian cooperatives like Reliance with Reliance Fresh, Aditya Birla Group, ITC, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Adani Group.

This research has specifically been carried out to understand the present organized agri-food retail sector in India as well as the objectives, strategies, and financial performances of six existing companies in this business. The research paper will enable business houses to plan and decide at what level they can venture the present highly fragmented Indian market.
Bank Specific And Macroeconomic Determinants Of Bank Profitability: The Indian Evidence
Authors: Singh Dr. Dharmendra
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the impact of bank specific as well as macroeconomic variables on the performance of the Indian banking industry. Our results show that among macroeconomic variables GDP of a country is having positive relation and is of paramount importance in affecting profitability of bank operating in that country. On the other hand, the asset quality, as measured by the NPA/TA ratio and expense management measured by OEXP/TA affects the performance of bank adversely. In addition, bank size has not proved to be an important determinant of bank profitability. Finally, with regard to macroeconomic variables, the foreign banks operating in India were less affected as compared to the domestic banks.
Market Performance Of Acquiring Companies
Authors: Mogla Dr. Monika , Singh Dr. Fulbag
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the market reaction to merger announcements for acquiring companies. Since the cost Accounting data contain many errors market data have been used for calculating wealth gains arising from merger activity. As the actual merger activity in India started after 1994, there is a dire need to understand its wealth impact on shareholders. With consideration of mergers taking place after 1990, the study is confined to 123 Indian acquiring companies. Total sampled cos. have been divided into four sub-samples i.e. group mergers, non-group mergers, related mergers and unrelated mergers. Daily market returns have been computed for 21 days around merger announcement. Standard event study methodology has been applied to find out market reaction. Significant negative abnormal return (ARs) of -1.24 percent are being noticed on day -1 for acquiring cos. Thus, acquiring shareholders lost at the time of merger announcement. Market response is particularly bitter for the mergers taking place between non-group companies and unrelated cos. Non-group companies experienced significant negative cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) of -11.21 percent over 21 day event window while unrelated cos. exhibited significant negative returns of -3.18 percent during the same time.
Using Servqual Model For Comparative Service Quality Analysis Of The Indian Non-Life Insurance Sector
Authors: Kumar Dr. Rohit , Singh Dr. Manjit
Published: November 2015

Delivering of quality services to the customers has become an indispensable factor for success and survival in today’s competitive insurance environment. The post-liberalized insurance industry in India has been witnessing a discernible shift from the seller to the buyers’ market. The present study is an endeavor to assess the comparative service quality level of the Government owned and Private Sector Non-life Insurance Companies in the post liberalized environment using SERVQUAL approach. For analyzing the customers’ perception and expectation towards service quality of non-life insurance companies, a modified SERVQUAL type questionnaire relevant to the insurance industry was constructed. An attempt has been made to examine the significant gap between the service quality of government owned and private sector non-life insurance companies by using t-test on the gaps (P-E) on all the items of seven dimensions.
Volatility Persistence In The Presence Of Structural Breaks In The Indian Banking Sector
Authors: Kumar Dilip , Maheswaran S.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we investigate the impact of regime shifts on the persistence of volatility from the vantage point of modeling volatility in general and, in particular, in assessing the forecasting ability of GARCH models in the context of the Indian banking sector. We apply the Iterated Cumulative Sums of Squares (ICSS) algorithm to identify the points of sudden changes in the volatility of the data series. We find that when endogenously determined regime shifts in the variance are incorporated in the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model, the estimated persistence in the volatility of returns comes down drastically. This suggests that ignoring regime shifts in the model may result in an overestimation of the persistence of volatility. In addition, we find that sudden changes in the variance are largely associated with domestic and global macroeconomic and political events. The out-of-sample forecast evaluation analysis confirms that volatility models that incorporate regime shifts provide more accurate one-step-ahead volatility forecasts than their counterparts without regime shifts. These findings have important policy implications for financial market participants, investors and policy makers.
Blogs And Their Impact On Purchase Intention: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Saxena Anant
Published: November 2015

Purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of blogs for consumers in getting information about electronic products before purchasing them. This is an empirical study based on consumers, who often use blogs for getting information about electronic products before shopping. Survey data were collected from MBA student of management colleges situated in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR), India. The study explores the impact of consumer intention to use blogs for getting information and their relative role in purchase decision of electronic products. Structural equation modelling approach is used to test the reliability of the measurement instrument and to test the proposed model. The findings of the study give a new model describing the impact of different variables on intention to use blog for getting information about electronic products and its impact on purchase intention of the consumers. Blogs have emerged as a new internet based communication tool for companies. Blogs are listed on World wide web giving information about products; especially in electronics and consumer durable sector. This study explores the power of blogs in the hands of customers to get the desired information of the products they want to purchase. This study also comes out with a new approach which can help businesses designing their promotional campaigns using blogs.
Ranking Of Government Web Sites Of India By An Integrated Method Of Ahp With Topsis
Authors: Mahalik Dr. Debendra Kumar
Published: November 2015

In recent years, different state Government have increasingly focused on developing web services for information dissemination by introducing new e-services to their citizens. The quality of web design and services provided by them are considered as a competing factor between various Governments. In fact this creates a desired to evaluate and rank different Government web sites. In turn this creates awareness among the various government to improve their web site related issues with respect to self and others. In this case we have used an Integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method as a tool to evaluate and made a rank of different state government web sites of India.
Modeling Relationship Between Experiential Marketing, Experiential Value And Purchase Intensions In Organized Quick Service Chain Restaurants Shoppers Using Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Nigam Dr. Ashutosh
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes the framework to examine interrelationship among experiential marketing, experiential value and purchase intensions in the quick service chain restaurants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to validate and test the proposed model. Experiential marketing focuses on how customer sense, feel, think, act and relate their experiences. Experiential value incorporate the benefits derived from perceptions of playfulness, aesthetics, customer return on investment and service excellence is incorporated in the proposed model. Structural validity of the model is finally processed by using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 18.0 and AMOS 4 software based on the sample of 300 customers. The paper suggests that marketers should consider experiential marketing in quick services chain restaurants will led to materialization of the sales.
Comparison of Service Quality between Private and Public Hospitals: Empirical Evidences from Varanasi District in up
Authors: Singh Prof. Preeti
Published: November 2015

The Healthcare sector of a country calls for special attention from the government as the quality of healthcare offers hope and relief to the patients and their dependents. It also facilitates a healthy human capital that contributes in the development of the country. Currently quality has become the primary attraction for the customers while availing any services or buying a product and it is also a strategic advantage for the organizations to gain success and remain competitive in the market. The first and foremost task of private or public hospitals is to supply quality of services to their patients and also to increase the quality of care of services which is found to be critical. The objective of this study is to compare the quality of healthcare services delivered by the public and private hospitals to gain patient satisfaction in Varanasi district. For this purpose the modified ‘SERVQUAL’ instrument was used to measure the patient's perception about service quality delivered by these hospitals. Five service quality dimensions; Tangibility, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy were used in order to measure the patient's perceptions about the service quality of public and private hospitals in the district of Varanasi. Results showed that private hospitals are supplying enhanced quality of services to their patients as compared to the public hospitals. Hospital managers are in a position to recognize the patients’ perceptions of health care quality and the level of their satisfaction based on the findings of this study. Consequently, managers can design the marketing strategies that develop the quality of services for increasing patients’ satisfaction and inclination to recommend the services of particular healthcare provider to others.
Efficiency in Indian Commodity Market
Authors: Srivastav Dr. Vinay K.
Published: November 2015

Indian Government has taken decisions to adopt the policy of liberalisation in commodities market and opened the Pandora Box. This move received mixed response from everyone. Beginning of the online trade in commodities forward market does give investors a new option to diversify their investments but side by side made investors vulnerable to a new market which does not so far had good credentials regarding efficiency in the market. This study is an attempt to establish this fact with empirical testing of the commodities market.
Legal Impediments in the Growth of Housing Finance in India
Authors: Sundaram P.S.A.
Published: November 2015

It has been estimated that around Rs. 77,500 crores would be the requirement for the housing sector during the 8th Five Year Plan. It has been further estimated that around forty lakh dwelling units would be required provide shelter to the needy persons by the turn of the century. Viewed in the above context, this paper identifies some of the legal impediments hindering the growth of the housing sector, the most crucial being resource mobilisation.

To ensure recycling of funds, the existing legal provisions for timely recovery of loans need to be suitably modified.

A secondary mortgage market, on the pattern of other countries, could play an important role in resource mobilisation for the growth of housing finance in India.
Teamwork, Typology and Temperament
Authors: Sriram Y.
Published: November 2015

This paper deals with a business area in the ABB Group where continuous efforts have been made to build and sustain teamwork and team spirit. It projects the efforts to use the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator™ for identifying the effect of temperament on management style. In essence, if a team is aware that a particular temperament is portrayed amongst the majority in the team, they will be enabled to work on strategies for behaviour modification. The focus will be to improve upon areas of vulnerability and further strengthen the strong areas of such a team. This process helps to build confidence amongst the team to take on new challenges.
Book Review: Reappraising Management Education : Perspectives for the Future
Authors: Dhameja Nand
Published: November 2015

Reappraising Management Education : Perspectives for the Future, Ishwar Dayal, Mittal Publications, New Delhi, (1998), Price Rs. 195, pp. 127
Boardroom in the Twenty-First Century: Issues and Challenges
Authors: Shahi R.V.
Published: November 2015

The new economic policy initiated by the government in 1991 which led to liberalisation, end of license system, private sector involvement in economic development and disinvestment of public sector has given rise to increased expectations for greater accountability and effective functioning of organisations. The degree of expectation varies, depending on the nature of organisation, whether public or private sector, but nevertheless the requirement is common to all. It is in this context that corporate governance and the role of Board of Directors in the governance of organisations is receiving increased attention.

The National Task Force set up by the Confedration of Indian Industry (CII) evolved in 1998, the “Desirable Corporate Governnance Code” which lays down the basic guidelines on issues concerning board of directors, desirable disclosures, capital market issues, creditors rights and financial institutions and nominee directors. In the case of public sector undertakings a novel scheme called “Navaratna” was introduced whereby the boards of nine central public sector companies were restructured with lesser number of officials from government and more professionals from outside.

Reduced ownership of the government through disinvestment by more than 50 per cent seems to be the only answer to provide the PSUs with the requisite autonomy.
Corporate Governance: A Futuristic Model
Authors: Singh R.P.
Published: November 2015

The role of public sector undertakings, after India attained independence, as envisaged by political leaders and industrialists in a “mixed economy” was that of providing infrastructure facilities like power, telecom, roads, basic industries, etc. and thereby contribute towards the economic development of the country. The private sector, on the other hand, was to cater to the demand created by the rapid pace of industrialisation. However, liberalisation has led to the Indian economy integrating itself with the world economies, and corporates have to change their mind set.

The compulsion for survival in such a scenario has led the Indian corporates to refocus their attention on Corporate Governance. In the case of public sector the issues of corporate governance relate to empowered internal governance, narrowing down multiple accountabilities and restructuring the system of checks and balances. It is in this context that the role and constitution of the Board assumes significance. Boards must be able to function independently and must comprise professionals who have a pragmatic approach. For effective corporate governance it is necessary to institutionalise ethics in the organisation culture.
Organisational Renewal in the Context of Indian Banks
Authors: Anuradha R.
Published: November 2015

Large organisations evolve through different life cycles. Size, age, spread and ownership factors determine their response pattern and potential to sustain over the years. Based on the author’s consultancy experience, this paper describes in detail the conceptual and practical perspectives of organisational renewal in banks as service organisations. As the external environment is becoming turbulent and rapidly changing, many traditional and bureaucratic organisations suffer from the inability to plan and execute necessary internal changes. Transforming large organisations from reactive to proactive enterprises is a constant source of concern to the top management members. This paper emphasises the need for integrating plan and action for the renewal effort to provide long term benefit to a declining organisation.
Globalisation of Service Activities: Opportunities and Challenges for India
Authors: Sekar Hemavathi
Published: November 2015

The impact of globalisation on services is increasingly receiving the attention of researchers and policy-makers alike, as services have emerged as the single largest contributor to economic growth and employment. The present examines the processes of globalisation and their impact on the service sector, in particular on the IT-enabled services. Over the past decade or so, low-wage countries such as India have developed vibrant, export-oriented software and IT service industries, which admittedly have both positive and negative implications. On the positive side, globalisation tends to force down the price of services in high cost areas, increase output and improve service quality. On the negative side, there is dislocation from increased competition as uncompetitive firms lose market-share and their employees are laid-off.

India is the most prominent off-shore location in the TT sector. Depending on the statistical source one is using, its share of global off-shore outsourcing business is estimated at 70 to 90 per cent. Its service portfolio focuses on a range of activities - application development, taking over the entire IT infrastructure or individual business support services (Business Process Outsourcing - BPO), and call centre services. As India's major trading partner, North America accounts for the lion's share - two thirds - of the subcontinent's software and IT-based services exports. Software and service export firms in India are growing at 20 to 25 per cent per year according to the best statistics available; and each of the three leading Indian software firms (InfoSys, TCS, and Wipro) already employs over 40,000 people.

India has made substantial inroads in applications development, where it has captured 16.4 per cent of the world market. India's recent boom in outsourcing of IT services has further facilitated declining costs of international communication and transportation, which points to the wide range of economic opportunities existing in the service businesses. By 2008, the global market for IT-enabled services alone will exceed US $1,000 billion, and India's export of IT services will exceed $50 billion which is double the country's total export of goods and services in 2000.
Rural Poverty Alleviation: India's Experiences and Needed Strategy
Authors: Pradhan Rudra Prakash
Published: November 2015

The paper primarily focuses the procedures of poverty alleviation in rural India. It has been discussed under two heads such as direct and indirect measures. Indirect measures mostly focus the achievement of economic growth and thus, alleviate rural poverty indirectly. The factors that have been discussed under this measure are agricultural growth, rural non-farm sector, rural infrastructure, governance, women empowerment, population growth and Public Distribution System (PDS). Direct measure, on the contrary, focuses sectoral and direct employment programmes that highlight the alleviation of rural poverty directly. These direct measures are discussed here in the form of self-employment, wage-employment and infrastructural development programmes. It finally concludes that there is need of strong governance along with participation of private sector, panchayats, Non Government Organisations (NGOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to implement the above measures effectively for alleviating rural poverty in the Indian economy.
The Policy of new Thinking in the Changing World
Authors: Bochkarev Andrei G.
Published: November 2015

Since 1985 when Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union has undergone unprecedented change.

As the end of the twentieth century approaches, it becomes clear that we will face a future considerably more international than ever believed possible in the past. Nuclear proliferation, regional conflicts, the energy crisis, world food shortages, and environmental problems threaten to involve us all Many of the previous distinctions between foreign and domestic policies have become artificial National interests can no longer be defined in strictly ideological terms. Nations with different ideological commitments must begin to cooperate to resolve common strategic, economic, humanitarian, and environmental concerns. Our world is becoming increasingly smaller and global interdependence has become a reality. As Rene Dubos, the 1969 Pulitzer Prize recipient once stated, “It becomes obvious that each of us has two countries, our own and the planet earth.” In our ever-changing world change is the one certainty. By the end of the century the Soviet Union will not exist in its present form, and politically the world will be very different in the future from what it is today. Today we face a different world and we must seek a different road to the future. This road must draw on the accumulated experience of yesterday, yet be fully aware of the fundamental differences between the circumstances of yesterday and those of today and tomorrow.

This article contains a brief analytical exposition of the changes that have come about in Soviet foreign policy, its philosophy, and progress, which are a result of the evolving concept of new political thinking and the early steps towards putting this policy into practice. The article concludes with more specific information regarding arms control third world issues, humanitarian concerns, and political ecology.
Expressions of belonging: the effect of acculturation on the rhythm and harmony of mother-infant vocal interaction
Authors: Gratier Maya
Published: November 2015

The rhythmic structure of naturally occurring mother-infant vocal interaction was analysed within three different cultural contexts. Previous research suggests that rhythm is used universally to facilitate the sharing of affect and meaning. Well-timed mother-infant communication is thought to permit a particular form of direct mind-to-mind communication. The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether one of the functions of this “intersubjective” communication is to allow culturally significant experiences to be shared at a non-verbal and affect-bound level. The main hypothesis was that changes in the cultural identity of the mother, and her sense of emotional security, would significantly affect the rhythmic organisation of non-verbal vocal interaction. Out of thirty-six mother-infant dyads studied, twelve were from India and lived in India, twelve were from India and lived in France, and twelve were from France and lived in France. The results suggest that immigrant dyads have significantly less well-timed vocal interactions than non-immigrant dyads and that this is due to an identity confusion on the part of the immigrant mother. Other factors that may influence the rhythmicity of the vocal interactions of immigrant dyads were examined. Results also highlighted cultural differences in the nature and form of the mothers’ vocalisations.
The Effect of Metre on the Use of Tones in Jazz Improvisation
Authors: Järvinen Topi , Toiviainen Petri
Published: November 2015

Syncopations and polyrhythms are usually considered quite common in jazz. Therefore, it would seem possible that in addition to basic metrical structures there are also other relatively strong sub-structures caused, for example, by extensive syncopations. In this study the effect of metre on the use of tones in bebop style jazz improvisations was examined. In particular, it was investigated whether there are other periodicities in addition to the basic metrical structures that effect the use of tones.
Western Theories of Music Origin, Historical and Modern
Authors: Levman Bryan G.
Published: November 2015

All music origin theories are concerned with the purpose and effects of music, a subject first systematically broached by Plato who felt that music's primary use was for aggression, defence, persuasion and social harmony. In Cratylus Plato provided an epistemological foundation for later theorists by arguing for a natural correspondence between sound and meaning, opposing the view that names and sounds were arbitrary. One important group of musical origin theories developed this viewpoint, asserting that music evolved as a result of spontaneous emotional outbursts, a form of self expression and communication. Darwin heads a second adaptationist direction, maintaining that music evolved to enhance organisms' sexual attraction, thus increasing their ability to procreate. A third theoretical school asserts that music originated because of organisms' innate rhythmic sense. Other phylogenetic and functional ways of grouping music origin theories are also examined.

In evolutionary time music's survival value lay in its use for territorial domination, deterrence of predators, intraspecific competition and social cohesion. Most musical/sonic signalling is deceptive and manipulative in nature, designed to give the signaller a competitive advantage against his/her rivals and therefore to increase his/her progeny. Although music in the western art tradition has only a limited social function, some of these utilitarian and duplicitous elements are preserved in the war, healing and supernatural songs of aboriginal tribes. Today music still serves the function of demarcating personal and group space, creating social cohesion, arousing to action and just pure enjoyment. Because of its ability to reawaken and allow us to re-experience primeval survival emotions, music is also cathartic and therapeutic.
Emotion and music in infancy
Authors: Trehub Sandra E. , Nakata Takayuki
Published: November 2015

The infant's environment is filled with musical input. Mothers’ speech to infants is music-like, exhibiting a variety of musical features that reflect its emotional expressiveness. Although this speech has similar melodic contours across cultures, which reflect comparable expressive intentions, each mother has individually distinctive interval patterns or speech tunes. Mothers also sing to infants in an emotive manner, their repeated performances being unusually stable in pitch and tempo. Infants prefer affectively positive speech to affectively neutral speech, and they prefer infant-directed performances of songs to other performances. When infants are presented with audio-visual versions of their mother's speech and singing, they exhibit more sustained interest in the singing than in the speech episodes. Finally, live maternal singing has more sustained effects on infant arousal than does live maternal speech. We discuss the implications of these findings and suggest directions for future research.
Music: The Missing Humboldt system
Authors: Merker Bjorn
Published: November 2015

William Abler identified a common principle of pattern generation underlying the open-ended diversity of forms exhibited by chemistry, genetics and human language. He named this generative principle “the particulate principle of self-diversifying systems”. In passing Abler mentioned music as an instance of the principle, but did not develop the idea. Most extant music does not use the sound content of the continua of frequency (pitch) and time directly in the creation of musical patterns. Rather, those patterns are formed on the basis of elements drawn from a discretisation of the pitch continuum into “pitch sets” and, in all rhythmic music, from a discretisation of the time continuum into metrically based durations with proportional values. Musical patterns formed of these elements are perceived not as simple collections of unconnected elements, but as perceptual objects with identities of their own, capable of being combined into more complex patterns. Music thus exhibits all essential characteristics of a particulate system, and can be added to language as a so far unrecognized particulate system of the human world. It may even relate tolanguage in the way chemistry relates to genetics, namely as a necessary but not sufficient antecedent.
Tonalité immanenté, tonalite manlfestee Quelques ré flexions à propos de Tonal Pitch Space de Fred Lerdahl
Authors: Meeùs Nicolas
Published: November 2015

La théorie de Tonal Pitch Space, contrairement à d'autres theories spatiales de la tonalité, est une théorie du systeme tonal plutôt que du discours tonal. L'espace décrit et les distances qu'on peut y mesurer sont precompositionnelles; les contraintes de type fonctionnel qui peuvent regir les deplacements” dans l'espace ne sont pas reellement considerees parce qu'elles n'appartiennent pas au niveau du systeme immanent. D'autres theories au contraire, notamment les theories transformationnelles, privilegient la description des mouvements et des transformations et n'utilisent l'espace tonal que comme visualisation des contraintes auxquelles ils sont soumis. Ces deux types de description doivent Stre considers comme complementaires.
Les Conséquences Fondamentales Du Paradigm Connexionniste Au Sein Des Processus Cognitifs Dans Leur Rapport a La Création Musicale
Authors: Kiss Jocelyne , Abdeljelil Karim
Published: November 2015

La mise en perspective induite par le changement de consensus augurè par l'adoption du connexionnisme laisse apparaître une influence beaucoup plus profonde du paradigme de a connaissance au sein de la composition. Le propos de cet article est dans un premier temps, d'analyser suivant une approche épistémologique, les conséquences résultant d'un tel changement, dans le domaine de la cognition et plus particulièrement dans la compréhension du fait musical et l'élaboration de théories compositionnelles. Dans un deuxième temps, la necessaire présence de phénomènes non llnéaires aboutira à la constatation de la coexistence possible de deux types nettement différenciés de pensées : l'un de nature symbolique, l'autre d'essence chaotique. Nous montrerons par une modélisation élémentaire que ces modes ne procèdent pas à véritablement parler d'une dichotomie, dans la mesure où un système dynamique peut suivant la variation des paramètres basculer brusquement d'un comportement stable à une configuration chaotique. Cette distinction conceptuelle suggère une redéfinition de l'objet musical en termes d'attracteur et implique d'autre part une limitation fondamentale quant à la prédictibilité de certains phénomènes cognitifs. Cette limitation impose d'ailleurs une reconsideration du concept de théorie musicale, lequel ne peut plus se dissocier à présent d'une composante intrinsèque de la nature ontologique du phénomène musical à savoir la dimension temporelle.
Sensation Seeking, Music Preference, and Psychophysiological Reactivity to Music
Authors: Nater URS M. , Krebs Monika , Ehlert Ulrike
Published: November 2015

The personality construct “sensation seeking” (SS), as defined by Zuckerman, can be used as an explanation for behavioural phenomena that are widespread but little understood, such as the preference for arousing music styles. Embedded in a psychobiological theory of personality, SS is closely related to a number of biological variables. We hypothesized that participants with high levels of SS would prefer aggressive and arousing music to peaceful and relaxing music and would show attenuated psychophysiological reactivity to aggressive and arousing music. Fifty-three healthy participants (age: M = 26.5, SD = 4.04; 26 male, 27 female) took part in the study. SS was assessed using the German version of the Sensation Seeking Scale V (SSS V). Heart rate, electrodermal activity, skin temperature, and pulse volume amplitude were measured throughout the course of the whole study. After a baseline period, two musical stimuli that were carefully selected and rated in a pre-study as peaceful and relaxing (Renaissance music = RM) vs. aggressive and arousing (heavy metal = HM), respectively, were presented on two different days via headphones for 10 minutes in a randomized order. Participants with high SS scores felt significantly Jess activated after HM than participants with low scores. Although there was a significant effect of music (RM vs. HM) on psychophysiological reactions, SS did not influence this relationship. We therefore conclude that SS seems to be associated with the psychological experience of aggressive and arousing music, but has no physiological correlate.
Key-Mood Association: A Self Perpetuating Myth
Authors: Powell John , Dibben Nicola
Published: November 2015

The association of certain keys with specific moods continues to be widespread despite technical evidence that all equally tempered keys are identical. This paper provides experimental results which shed light on this phenomenon. First, approximately three-quarters of participants questioned claimed to have key-mood associations. Second, the key-mood associations held by participants showed a very strong correlation to late eighteenth century associations which attributed brightness to keys with sharps in their key signature and mellowness to those with flats. Third, key-mood associations were proven to be invalid for the modern, equal temperament keyboard; the participants showed no ability to be able to identify mood from key or key from mood and, overall, there was no change in perceived mood of a piece if it was performed in a different key. One reason why the key-mood association myth persists to the present day is the tradition of associating sharp keys with bright and positive moods and flat keys with dark and negative moods, which has been perpetuated by some musical commentators over the past two hundred years. In addition, there are a number of aspects of early musical training which encourage these associations for the sharp and flat keys.