bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life Insurance Corporation of India: A Catalyst to Development
Authors: Kumari Pushpa
Published: August 2011

The present paper finds how LIC has provided security to the masses, and how it has contributed greatly to the development of the economy through mobilising savings, making investments in development and development-augmenting activities, and in the process, generating employment. It is observed that insurance cover is not concentrated in only urban areas and among well-off individuals/groups; but is equally spread in rural areas and also provides social security to economically weaker/backward people. It is observed that the number of employees has decreased during the 90s. In the light of increasing insurance business, it clearly implies an enhancement in productivity. Its investment structure seems to have undergone a shift in favour of the Govt, securities&related items, and also corporate sector. However, investment in the social and development activities experienced a decreasing trend.
Crop Insurance in India – Past, Present&Future
Authors: Rao K. N.
Published: August 2011

In a country like India where nearly 2/3rd of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood and agriculture is prone to the vagaries of nature, crop insurance has to play the role of a vital institution. Crop insurance itself cannot increase productivity or be a source of financing, but it can play a role in enhancing both. The Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS) introduced during the VIIth Five-year plan period, despite its shortcomings, farmers received nearly 6 times the premium as claims, but the coverage could not go beyond 5% of the total farming community. The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS), which replaced CCIS w.e.f. 1999–00, is an improved version. All successful crop insurance programs worldwide are actively supported and financed by governments and the case is no different for India, as the social benefits outweigh the social costs. The government has two immediate tasks. One, to streamline the financing of crop insurance through single point subsidy and allow the program to run professionally. And second, to improve the scheme substantially through such measures as covering post harvest losses, package policies, reduction of size of insurance unit, streamlining agricultural relief, setting up an exclusive organisation for implementation.
Strategies for Indian Insurance Companies – Post Liberalisation
Authors: Bakshi Rajat Shuvro
Published: August 2011

The process of evolution for the Indian Insurance Industry has been rather slow due to prolonged state control. This article starts with theoretical concepts and examines them in the light of the post liberalisation scenario, with a touch of strategizing for the future. Hence the role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority coming into existence is so very significant. Trust of customers will remain the major driving force and to build it overnight by the private players, is not an easy proposition, especially when the state -owned very large insurers are gearing themselves up for competition.
A Study on Conflict Resolution Styles Employed by Theory-X and Theory-Y Leaders and Perceived Leader Competence
Authors: Ozaralli Nurdan
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study is to find out which conflict resolution strategies are preferred by Theory X (autocratic) and Theory Y (democratic) leaders in conflict situations. A sample of (n = 150) MBA students who work assessed their superiors' conflict resolution behavior by Howat and London's (1980) Conflict Resolution Strategies Instrument which identified five conflict resolution strategies – Confrontation, Withdrawal, Forcing, Smoothing, and Compromise. The students also assessed their superiors' leadership style on a scale as Theory X (autocratic) and Theory Y (democratic) leaders, as well as their effectiveness as leaders. In this study, mostly preferred conflict resolution strategies employed by autocratic and democratic leaders were identified. The findings of the study pointed out that High-X leaders were more confronting and forcing in resolving conflict compared to Low-X managers. Besides, they withdrew less from conflict situations. High-Y leaders, on the other hand, use confrontation, smoothing, and compromising styles in conflict situations significantly more often compared to Low-Y leaders. They use forcing and withdrawal less than Low-Y leaders. The three conflict resolution styles—confronting, compromising and smoothing were found to be good contributors of managerial competence. In addition, as managers were evaluated high on the Theory Y scale, the managerial competence perceptions of employees and their satisfaction with their supervisor increased.
E-Governance: An Emerging Paradigm
Authors: Lai Ram , Haleem Abid
Published: August 2011

The information age has opened powerful new business and social development opportunities throughout the world. The core requirement to realize these opportunities is to provide an environment that allows for the free access of information. Information Technology is changing the way the society functions. Internet is the biggest revolution in human society. The impact of IT can be felt in all economic and social activities in every conceivable manner. The convergence of all forms of communications on the digital play field is opening immense new possibilities of achieving speed, versatility and space-time independence.

This paper discusses the paradigm shift in the governance of the citizen. This shift has been possible with the IT revolution and Internet. The e-governance has become citizen-centric. Various issues are being explored to provide the best possible services to citizens. As per the need of the citizens, there is a requirement to identify the issues related to deal with the problems of high level of illiteracy, social diversity and unequal distribution of wealth and low level of woman empowerment so as to conceptualize, design and implement a e-governance model. A brief review of the existing models of e-governance has also been made to crystallize the issues involved.
Choses in Action in a Monetized Economy: Insights and Imperatives for the Nigerian Financial System
Authors: Agundu P U C
Published: August 2011

With diminishing academic instructions on the laws relating to banking and financial economics, many Nigerian corporate entities are in for jerky commercial realities. Also banking habit promotion may be stalled if experiences with assignable/negotiable DiiabJe instruments are appalling rather than appealing. This study examined and re-enacted the transactional efficacy of choses in action, harnessing secondary data from relevant legal provisions and publications. Primary data were gathered from ten officials of five randomly selected commercial banks with area/regional offices in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The data analysis involved chi-square (X2) statistical application, which ultimately established the imperativeness of systemic credibility and stability. These and allied compliments are advocated to move the Nigerian financial system and macro-economy forward.
Managing Gap: A Case Study Approach to Asset-Liability Management of Banks
Authors: Vij Madhu
Published: August 2011

The importance of managing the asset-liability mix in the Indian financial markets has emerged from the increased volatility in the domestic interest rates as well as foreign exchange rates that has evolved after liberalization. The deregulated interest rate environment has brought pressure on the management of banks to maintain a good balance among spreads, profitability and long-term viability. Over the last few years, theire has been an intense competition and banks have been required to take up strategic planning as an exercise for asset-liability management in order to survive and grow in the ever increasingly competitive and risky environment. The paper presents a case study of four banks- Citi bank, ICICI bank, IDBI bank and SBI and studies how Asset Liability Management can be used as an important tool for managing liquidity risk and interest rate risk.
From Revolutionary Peasants to Leaders of Export Revolution: A Saga of 1990's
Authors: Prakash Ajai , Bahadur Animesh
Published: August 2011

Floriculture as a sunrise industry has still not been the fancy of business researchers but as a sector which often marks an entrepreneurial shift directly from the primary sector to high end export, shift in market networking from human interface to global information technology networking and from localized sale and purchase to dependence on complex international logistics, it offers potential for studies in strategic change in a host of economic and management areas. Based on in-depth interviews with floriculturists, bankers, scientists, officials of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, wholesalers and retailers of the flower markets, the paper examines some key elements that mark the transformation from traditional agriculture to export oriented floriculture in and around Lucknow.

The paper discusses the basic supply chain models in different kinds of floriculture and the bottlenecks in the rise to the level of exports.
Factors Affecting the Placement Prospects of MBA Students: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Nair Shreekumar K. , Ghosh Sadhana
Published: August 2011

This paper presents the results of a study that attempted to link students' placement prospects, operationalised through student perceptions of recruiting organisations to certain academic parameters such as performance in the entrance examination, group discussion, as well as personal interview, grade point average, internship marks, and ratings on extra- curricular activities. The study revealed that students having prior work experience got placement in organisations which are perceived to be better. Also, students with work experience performed better in the personal interview as compared to freshers. Further, students with work experience were found to be comparable with freshers in respect of their performance in the entrance examination, group discussion and internship.
Dynamics of Change: The Road Ahead
Authors: Khan Sami A.
Published: August 2011

(Dave Ulrich, Louis Carter, Marshall Goldsmith and Debi S. Saini, The Change of Champion's Fieldguide: Strategies and Tools for Leading Change in the New Era. New Delhi: Excel Books, 2005. xxiii+376 pp. Rs. 350 paperback.)
Relationship between Communication Satisfaction and Organizational Identification: An Empirical Study
Authors: Nakra Rashmi
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to take a preliminary look at the relationship between communication satisfaction and organizational identification. Communication Satisfaction refers to the degree of satisfaction of tin employee with the organization's total communication and Organizational Identification is one of the forms of an individual's attachment to an organization that has been recognized as having important implications for organizational effectiveness.

Data was collected using an adapted version of the Down's, (1990) Communication Audit Questionnaire (CAQ) and the six-item Organizational Identification Scale developed by Ashforth (1992). The results were analysed with correlation analysis for studying the relationships between the employee's overall communication satisfaction, the various dimensions of communication satisfaction and organizational identification. It was found that the communication satisfaction composite and its dimensions have significant positive relationships with organizational identification. The limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Economic Contribution of Public Passenger Transport Organisations—An Application of EVAR Methodology
Authors: Ramesh G. , Ramanayya T. V.
Published: August 2011

Economic Value Added (EVAR) has immense potential for evaluating State Owned Enterprises as it provides an excellent methodology for capturing social and economic contributions of these organisations, instead of merely going by financial returns. If EVA is applied in private enterprises to correct accounting distortions, in public enterprises it can be applied to correct earnings distortions. In this paper we have attempted to extend the EVA Methodology to a State Passenger Road Transport Undertaking (SRTU) in India. This SRTU is relatively a better performing one on operational parameters though it is loss making. This paper captures the opportunity cost of the following three factors which make significant difference to their performance: 1. Loss of revenue from providing concessional fares to students. 2. Opportunity cost of providing services in interior rural areas. 3. Opportunity cost of providing unviable urban schedules.

Motor Vehicle Tax is another factor considered. The analysis shows that EVA reflects better performance of SRTUs than accounting profits. The analysis also shows this SRTU has positive EVA under all alternatives for the six years considered, though it has been loss making according to accounting statements. EVA gives a valuable framework for inter and intra-organizational performance evaluation across SRTUs.
An Integrated Approach to Management Development: A Framework for Practice and Research
Authors: Akuratiyagamage Vathsala M.
Published: August 2011

Human performance is instrumental in achieving organisational objectives; management development (MD) has been evident in organisations as an important tool to enhance individual and team performance. The organisational dimensions that influence MD operate in an integrated fashion and influence the way MD is perceived, how it is positioned, and how it is managed within the wider organisational context. This paper proposes that MD should be closely integrated with seven key dimensions; MD research should not only be concentrated on the MD component itself, but also on the relationships that it has with these dimensions. The implications of the proposed framework on theory and practice are also discussed.
Neurology of Emotional Intelligence: Interpreted for Managers
Authors: Sen Anjana
Published: August 2011

The objective of this paper is to highlight the relevance of the fundamentals of neurophysiology in self-regulation and management, creativity and learning. It explains how emotional intelligence safeguards health and helps maximize potential The difference between ‘reaction’ and ‘response’ is also explained through the architecture of the limbic system. Tissues which actually participate in feelings and consequent decision making processes have become demonstrable due to new imaging technology such as functioning MRI and PET. The seat of intuitive knowledge sometimes referred to as the ‘heart’ is also found in the ‘Emotional Centre’. Proximity to the nucleus of control of physiological processes facilitates direct effect upon body functions and immune mechanisms, explaining profound effect of subconscious events upon health and healing. Awareness of these facts is likely to motivate individuals to take control of quality of life and health through a responsible approach towards using their most valuable asset – the brain.
Capacity Building Process for HR Excellence
Authors: Krishnaveni R. , Sripirabaa B.
Published: August 2011

The changing environment presses organisations to engage in actions aimed at increased access to resources and effective utilisation of the available resources. This necessitates assessment of resource utilisation and organisational performance efficiency periodically to ensure achievement of goals. Among the plethora of tools and processes available for assessing organisational performance, Capacity Building process had gained importance in the last two decades. Hence the authors attempted to extend the concept of Capacity Building to the HR function in an automobile component manufacturing organisation, using a developed and validated instrument to derive excellence in HR function. The respondents constituted 90 middle level managers selected on a stratified basis. Through perception and consensus oriented assessment, the capacity lag areas were identified. Suggestions for enhancing capacity in the identified lag areas were evolved through brainstorming sessions.
Lessons in Branding from the Gums Line of Perfetti Van Melle in India
Authors: Saraogi Anil
Published: August 2011

In 2003, while the overall top line for the Indian operations of the global confectionery major Perfetti Van Melle was showing consistently upward trend (around 14% CAGR), the Gums line of the same was a drag for the company and was not able to make a positive contribution to the company bottom-line. In fact, Gums business grew only 3 per cent last fiscal. The line has been faced with stagnant sales and was unable to utilise the allocated plant capacity. The Divisional Head of the Line, along with his team was faced with this grave situation and was frantically looking for a break.
Kala Raksha Trust, Kutch
Authors: Aithal Rajesh K
Published: August 2011

Kala Raksha, a ten year old NGO involved in marketing of Handicrafts, has been facing stagnating sales for the last five years. In the initial years the growth rate was good, it grew from rupees 27,000 sales in 1993 to a high of 49.5 lacs by March 2001. After that, though the sales did reach rupees 55 lac last year, they are not growing at the rates at which they had been earlier. The strengths of Kala Raksha lie in good embroidery and designs, wide variety of products and loyal set of customers and reputation in the market. The product portfolio of Kala Raksha has over 600 products with the prices ranging from rupees 13, 000 to rupees 50. Exhibitions are the major mode of sales for the NGO. The issue of leveraging the strengths of the organisation to increase its sales are raised.
Does Compulsive Buying Affect Credit Card Defaults?
Authors: Joji N Alex. , Raveendran P. T.
Published: August 2011

Non-financial as well as financial factors force credit card customers into the unmanageable debt levels, leading to default. The research question is to ascertain the relative importance of the psychological and socio-cultural factors in categorising the credit card users as non-defaulters and defaulters. This study and its findings throw light into the non-financial factors to be looked into so as to increase the customer suitability in retail sale of a financial product like credit card. This can considerably reduce the risk of wrong selling of credit card and its offered services.
Investment Strategies of Fiis in the Indian Equity Market
Authors: Sehgal Sanjay , Tripathi Neeta
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we empirically evaluate if Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) adopt positive feedback and herding strategies in the Indian environment. We find that FIIs exhibit return chasing behaviour when we use monthly data. However, they do not seem to be working on the positive feedback strategy when we use daily files. This may be owing to the fact that they wait for the market information to crystallize and do not react to it in an instantaneous manner.

We also observe that the FIIs display strong herding behaviour based on quarterly shareholding pattern. The herding behaviour seems to be stronger at the aggregate level than at the individual stock level. This may be explained by the fact that FIIs are more cognizant of corporate fundamentals at the individual stock level. Further, the market cycle behaviour may vary from such cycles for individual stocks. Our findings have strong implications for domestic financial institutions, portfolio managers, wealth managers and other investors as well as market regulators who wish to have better understanding of FII's behaviour as the later are the dominant investors in the Indian equity market.
Work—Life Balance and Burnout as Predictors of Job Satisfaction in the IT-ITES Industry
Authors: Kanwar Y. P. S. , Singh A. K. , Kodwani A. D.
Published: August 2011

Organisations today strive to augment job satisfaction in the workforce for it is conducive to lower employee turnover, higher engagement and greater productivity. The present study examines the impact of work life balance and burnout on job satisfaction in the context of the Information Technology (IT) and IT Enabled Services (ITES) industries. Burnout is measured through three dimensions, i.e., meaninglessness, de-motivation, and exhaustion. The findings reveal that while work-life balance and job satisfaction were positively related to each other, de-motivation, exhaustion and meaninglessness were negatively related to job satisfaction. The significant contribution to job satisfaction came from work life balance in both the IT and ITES industries. However, it was higher in the ITES group compared to the IT group. Further, findings show that job satisfaction was higher among the male respondents in comparison to the female respondents. Interestingly, the IT group had lower work-life balance and job satisfaction, while it had higher meaninglessness, de-motivation and exhaustion compared to the ITES group. The findings and implications of the study for enhancing employee satisfaction are discussed and future research directions are pointed out.
Organisational Identity Dissonance in Organisational Decline and Turnaround
Authors: Jeyavelu S.
Published: August 2011

This paper presents a model integrating organisational identity dissonance, organisational decline and organizational turnaround. It specifies three sources of organisational identity dissonance – decline, which is further sub-divided into severity, pace and period; change in organisational identity attributes due to internal or external causes of organisational decline; and identity attributes as cause of decline. Three types of turnaround strategies are possible based on the congruency of turnaround actions with organisational identity - identity congruent, identity conflicting and identity transforming turnaround strategies. The turnaround strategies are contingent on the level and antecedents of dissonance. When decline is caused by identity characteristics, identity conflicting turnaround strategy leading to identity change leads to performance improvement, otherwise it aggravates the dissonance and decline increasing the risk of failure. Identity congruent turnaround strategy is appropriate for decline caused by external events. Identity transforming turnaround strategy is most appropriate when the decline is caused by the combination of internal organisational identity attributes as well as external events. It is also a strategic choice independent of the turnaround context. The paper concludes with the implications for theory and practice and gives directions for future research.
Prediction of Stock Returns for Growth Firms—A Fundamental Analysis
Authors: Sharma Meena , Sharma Preeti
Published: August 2011

This paper examines whether fundamental analysis involving two set of signals named traditional and growth, when applied on growth stock it differentiates the extreme performers. Attempt is also made to investigate if fundamentally strong firms earn significant excess returns in identifying which set of signals are more effective in differentiating fundamentally strong and weak firms. The study is conducted on the sample of 180 low book to market firms listed with National Stock Exchange, during the period 1998 to 2007. Traditional fundamental signals depicting firm's profitability, cash performance, operating efficiency and liquidity are applied to the set sample firms. The score based on traditional signals is F_score and results show that F_score strategy is statistically insignificant in differentiating the returns of high and low group firms. Growth signals related with the firm's earnings, growth, research and development, capital expenditure and advertising expenditure are applied to the set of the sample firms. The score based on the growth signals is G_score and it shows effectiveness of this investment strategy as compared with the strategy based on traditional fundamental signals in one and two year ahead period. The results indicate that fundamental analysis based on growth signals is very successful in differentiating between the firms that are likely to perform well in future and may perform poorly among the low book to market firms.
Role of Microfinance Interventions in Financial Inclusion: A Comparative Study of Microfinance Models
Authors: Barman Deepak , Mathur Himendu P. , Kalra Vinita
Published: August 2011

Microfinance intervention is considered an important component of development strategy to mainstream the poor rural households with the formal financial system in India. However, there is some evidence for the reverse, that microfinance may, in fact, increase informal money lending, if clients need to ‘top up’ micro-loans, or borrow to repay according to the installment schedule. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between the level of indebtedness to moneylenders and the type of microfinance model through a case study in Varanasi, U.P. Comparing two microfinance models prevalent in the research area, the authors conclude that the level of indebtedness to moneylenders is higher in the case of clients of Microfinance Institutions (MFI) model and without complete information on the credit-worthiness of borrowers, MFIs may contribute to the over-indebtedness of their clients as well as damage in their performance.
Anthropogenic Carbon Emissions in India: An Econometric Analysis
Authors: Agrawal Pravin , Kumar Alok , Hooda S. S. , Sudheendra N. R. , Sudheendra Santhamani
Published: August 2011

The Kyoto Protocol had been signed in the year 1997 to tackle the effect of global warming. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for the 37 industrialised countries and the European community and explores options to reduce Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions to 5.2% lower than the 1990 level during the period 2008–2012. Depending upon the nature of long term relationship among carbon emissions, energy consumption and income, most countries may resort to different strategies to fight against the global warming. Being third largest producer of GHGs, India is facing tremendous pressures from international community to reduce its GHGs. This study aims to link econometrically India's anthropogenic GHG emission with its population, GDP and energy intensity. This study empirically establish that one of the ways to reduce GHG emission is by reducing energy intensity through adopting energy conservation and energy efficiency measures and by doing so, India has tremendous opportunity of generating additional revenue through trading of carbon credits earned. Econometric Model developed in this study tries to address most of the issues that surrounds India's Climate Change Policy.
Exposing the Contradictory Claims, Myths and Illusions of the “Secrets of Business Success and Company Longevity” Genre
Authors: Forster Nick
Published: August 2011

Over the last three decades, several management consultants, academics and business practitioners have laid claim to identifying “the secrets” of business success and company longevity. However, a systematic analysis of 24 studies in this genre revealed fundamental disagreements over the elements these authors claim are the primary drivers of business performance and longevity, and demonstrates that they share eight methodological and analytical flaws. Furthermore, many of the claims they made about “the secrets” of business success have not stood the test of time. The paper explains why business practitioners will find little in these studies to help their companies become more successful now and in the future, and also speculates why several of these studies became international best-sellers during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. It concludes by suggesting some new avenues for future research in this domain, and highlights the practical implications of these findings for business practitioners.
Namah Chorale-Social Transformation in Action in Goa
Authors: Bhattacharya Som Shekhar
Published: August 2011

“Namah” acapella chorus is the saga of a group of determined amateurs' who took to music as a passion. They performed at the very best professional level of the music world. It is the story of hobby mastered and turned to perfected vocation in Goa, India. It got started by the dedicated efforts of Mr. Christo Fernandes. The broad aim of “Namah” is making contributions towards the society in various ways. Music is a medium to achieve those aspirations. It brings additional meaning to life of the individual chorus members as a sensitive and sensible hobby. “Namah” also aims to popularise music specifically acapella music in Goa. It was determined to take music to the have-nots, those who under the normal circumstances in our society would never be able to learn and play music. The big question was how this beginning could be turned into a big sustainable worthy journey. What Mr. Christo Fernandes needed to do to make the boat sail in the ocean?
Revisiting Fama French Three-Factor Model in Indian Stock Market
Authors: Taneja Yash Pal
Published: August 2011

Stock market anomalies have always attracted questions over the applicability of Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) for being an efficient predictor of stock market returns. Roll (1977), Banz (1981), Bhandari (1988), Jagadeesh (1992), Lakonishok, Shleifer, and Vishney (1994), Arumugam (1996) showed market anomalies for CAPM. Fama French (1992, 1996, and 2004) demonstrated the inability of CAPMs beta to explain the cross-sectional stock market returns by introducing two other factors i.e. size and value. In this study, the Capital Asset Pricing Model and Fama French Model have been examined by taking a sample of 187 companies for a study period of five years, ranging from June 2004 to June 2009. In order to validate the results, the sample selection was made on the basis of continuous presence in S&P CNX 500 index for at least ten years without fail. The study showed that efficiency of Fama French Model, for being a good predictor, can not be ignored in India but either of the two factors (size and value) might improve the model. It is so because a high degree of correlation is found between the size and value factor returns.
Distributor Sales Force Performance Management
Authors: Mukherjee Jaydeep , Basu Anirban
Published: August 2011

Nestle India had initiated an aggressive market growth strategy which was difficult to implement because of the increasing turnover of the distributors' salesmen. The challenge was likely to get aggravated in future because of increasing employment options for the salesmen as well as increasing competition for retail shelf space. The salesmen were in the payrolls of the channel partners, and the diversity of the management practices of channel partners made the intervention even more difficult. The competitive analysis of the benchmarked companies and relevant data were collected to decide on the appropriate steps to mange the problem. It was very critical to take a well considered judgment on the issue as it affected the entire revenue engine of the company.
Parenting Transformational Leaders
Authors: Bhandarker Asha , Singh Pritam
Published: August 2011

To overcome the present crisis of leadership which is the outcome of inappropriate parenting, India needs transformational leaders—who can inspire, facilitate and channelise collective energies of those whom they lead in the right direction. Good parenting which encompasses grooming, building and socialising within the family, in schools and in the workplace, empowers and prepares human beings to attain higher consciousness and self-actualisation which are the most important and integral aspects of the profile of a transformational leader.

Of the various modes of parenting like tutoring, coaching, mentoring, enlightening and metaparenting, the last two create transformational leaders who are actualising and continuously evolving human beings. Thus, the creation of transformational leaders calls for role models to play the roles of philosopher, teacher and guide.
The Environmental Factors and Venture Capital Flows: The European Experience
Authors: Yadav R. A.
Published: August 2011

Venture Capital has grown dramatically in European countries during the past decade. Despite lack of entrepreneurial culture, fragmented market, lack of capital mobility, state domination, ineffective second tier market in Europe, the venture capital flows continued unabated throughout 1980s. However, the growth rate of venture capital has not been at the same rate in all the European countries.

It has been observed that the process of venture flows is affected by the various environmental factors. An attempt is made in this paper to analyse the process of venture capital flows, identify the environmental factors and venture capital flows in five European countries namely United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain over a period of nine years.

The empirical results clearly indicate a high degree of relationship between venture capital flows and stock market indices, initial public offerings, interest rates and technology in all the five European countries. Capital gains tax rate has no impact or little impact on venture capital flows in Germany, Italy and Spain. In case of United Kingdom and France, there is a positive relationship between capital gains tax and venture capital flows.

The findings of the study have far reaching implications for the venture capitalist, investors, entrepreneurs and researchers. Constructive policy related to interest rates, technology, capital market and capital gains tax is crucial for the growth of venture capital industry and hence entrepreneurial growth. Finally, the study had identified few specific areas for further research in venture capital industry both in Europe and India.
Electronic Commerce and the Law of Contracts
Authors: Bakshi P. M.
Published: August 2011

Electronic commerce (besides its technological dimensions) raises legal issues of practical importance for the commercial world. These legal issues arise mainly because traditional legal phraseology does not expressly address itself to matter which is transmitted invisibly and intangibly The law of contracts particularly needs attention in this context. It is probable that its present language will receive liberal interpretation, so as to recognize electronic commerce. At the same time, legislative clarification will be desirable.
Effect of Micro Management on Job Satisfaction & Productivity: A Case Study
Authors: Wright Robert F.
Published: August 2011

There are many different management philosophies. Micro Management is a form that is generally negatively perceived, because of its impact on employee autonomy. There has been little research on the causes of micro management and its impact on employees' job satisfaction and productivity. This study seeks to determine how competitive pressure and a manager's Growth, Needs and Strength (GNS) affect the degree to which a company micro manages its sales force. The degree of micro management may impact a person's autonomy, which interacts with his GNS, to determine his job satisfaction and productivity.

The results of a study on fifty-six medical sales representatives, located in the north eastern United States, suggested a strong correlation between the degree of micro managing and autonomy, manager's GNS and autonomy and degree of micro managing and manager's GNS and a weak correlation between autonomy and job satisfaction, with the representative's GNS as an interactor. There was no correlation between competitive pressure and the degree of micro managing or productivity and autonomy, with the representative's GNS as an interactor.
Examining the Causes of Bank Failure in Nigeria since Deregulation: Some Empirical Results and Implications of the Policy
Authors: Ubegbunan Ralph I.
Published: August 2011

This paper examines the causes of bank failure in Nigeria since the inception of the current financial deregulation and the implications of the policy. The analysis, at the theoretical level, suggests that the root of the present financial instability and bank failure can be traced to structural changes in the economy, social and political upheaval, inconsistencies in regulatory and macro economic policies and bank internal problems.

However, the empirical evidence seems to suggest that the primary causes of bank failure in Nigeria are banks' internal factors, especially liquidity, profitability and asset quality measured by the level of credit risk in a bank's portfolio. This is not surprising, given that the data used are essentially cross sectional and that the internal factors are to a large extent a reflection of external influences identified in the theoretical analysis. However, it is surprising that credit policy, management quality and capital adequacy are found to be less significant determinants of bank failure in Nigeria.
The rise of the underdog? The relative age effect reversal among Canadian-born NHL hockey players: A reply to Nolan and Howell
Authors: Gibbs Benjamin G , Jarvis Jonathan A , Dufur Mikaela J
Published: August 2011

The relative age effect associated with cut-off dates for hockey eligibility has been an ongoing debate in certain academic circles and in the popular media. The effect is primarily found in Canadian Major Junior Hockey, where a disproportionate share of birthdays fall in the first three months of the year. But when the National Hockey League rosters of Canadian-born players are examined, the pattern is less pronounced. Using publically available data of hockey players from 2000–2009, we find that the relative age effect, as described by Nolan and Howell (2010) and Gladwell (2008), is moderate for the average Canadian National Hockey League player and reverses when examining the most elite professional players (i.e. All-Star and Olympic Team rosters). We also find that the average career duration is longer for players born later in the year. In sum, there is a surprising ‘relative age effect reversal’ that occurs from the junior leagues to the most elite level of hockey play. This supports an ‘underdog’ hypothesis, where the relatively younger players are thought to benefit by more competitive play with their older counterparts.
Assessing Content Validity of the Patient Generated Index Using Cognitive Interviews
Authors: Tavernier Susan S. , Totten Annette M. , Beck Susan L.
Published: August 2011

The effects of cancer and its treatment on quality of life contribute to patient and clinician decisions. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a subjective concept, leading to variation in its definition. This presents challenges when measuring HRQL and evaluating interventions. The designers of the Patient Generated Index (PGI) addressed these challenges by having individuals identify areas of their lives affected by illness and treatment, then report on these self-defined areas. We used cognitive interviews to collect information about patient understanding of the PGI, the response processes used to complete the PGI, and how well the PGI reflected participant HRQL. Interview data support the content validity of the PGI in comprehensively defining and adequately sampling participant HRQL as an individualized construct. Findings also support our recommendation to revise PGI formatting to reduce response errors. We make recommendations to reduce the cognitive demands the PGI places on respondents.
Therapeutic Lifestyle Modification Program Reduces Plasma Levels of the Chemokines CRP and MCP-1 in Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Oh Eui Geum , Bang So Youn , Kim Soo Hyun , Hyun Sa Saeng , Chu Sang Hui , Jeon Justin Y. , Im Jee Aee , Lee Jung Eun , Lee Mi Kyung
Published: August 2011

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-month therapeutic lifestyle modification (TLM) program on chemokines related to oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods:

The authors performed a randomized controlled trial, assigning 52 women (mean age 62.7 ± 9.0 years) with MetS to a TLM intervention group ( n = 31) or a control group ( n = 21). The authors provided the TLM intervention group with health screening, exercise, low-calorie diet, and health education and counseling for 6 months and instructed the control group to maintain their usual lifestyle behaviors. Outcome variables included levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), adiponectin, leptin, resistin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), CD40L, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4), endothelin-1, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. The authors used generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses to estimate the effects of the TLM program.

Results:

After the 6-month TLM program, hs-CRP levels decreased significantly, and MCP-1 levels increased at a significantly slower rate in the TLM group than they did in the control group (all p < .05).

Conclusion:

These results indicate that a TLM program could be effective for improving patient inflammatory states and may also be effective in preventing cardiovascular complications in subjects with MetS.
Genetic and BMI Risks for Predicting Blood Pressure in Three Generations of West African Dogon Women
Authors: Taylor Jacquelyn Y. , Sampson Deborah , Taylor Andre D. , Caldwell Dennis , Sun Yan V.
Published: August 2011

The study of genetic polymorphisms and body mass index (BMI) among African women in Africa and in the United States contributes to our understanding of the genetic and environmental risk factors for hypertension. African American women have the highest prevalence of hypertension and obesity compared to other ethnic groups in the United States. Using a cross-sectional research design, we examined the effects of genetic and environmental risks of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and BMI on blood pressure (BP) among three generations of West African Dogon women ( N = 199). We genotyped six SNPs located in the candidate genes known to be related to hypertension. We tested the associations between these SNPs and systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) with Fisher’s exact tests, chi-square tests for independence, and multivariable linear mixed models. The SNP rs8179526 (SLC4A5) was significantly associated with SBP adjusted for age, age2, and BMI ( p = .02). The “C” allele variant of rs8179526 (allele frequency of 0.445) was associated with higher SBP. This SNP did not deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) with p value of .772. The SNP × BMI interaction effects associated with SBP and DBP were not significant. rs8179526 is located on the SLC4A5 gene on chromosome 2. SLC4A5 encodes a protein that transports sodium and bicarbonate across cell membranes while regulating cellular pH and contains several SNPs linked to elevated BP. Knowledge of the SNP’s effect on hypertension among West African women can help health practitioners educate their patients about genetic risks of developing hypertension.
The social in medicine: Social techniques in patient education
Authors: Ljungdalh Anders Kruse , Møller Jane Ege
Published: August 2011

The article investigates the role of the social in medicine through an empirical study of social technologies in Diabetes 2 and COPD patient education in Denmark. It demonstrates how the social at the same time is the cause of disease but also functions as a solution to the problem. Furthermore it suggests that the patient groups have an ambiguous role in medicine; they appear to be organized as communities of empowerment, critical of the individualizing effects of medicine, but at the same time these groups are embedded in medical practices, transferring responsibility for illness and health to the level of the citizens. The article provides an empirical analysis of how the social in patient education works. The empirical analysis challenges an existing understanding that patient groups automatically support healthy lifestyle changes. We point out the multiple ways in which the social works.
HIV Positive But Not in Care
Authors: Rithpro Pratuma , Grimes Richard M. , Grimes Deanna E. , Senaratana Wilawan
Published: August 2011

Twenty-two persons in Northern Thailand who knew of their HIV positivity but were not in care were identified. They had significant medical, economic, behavioral, and family problems. A nurse researcher carried out a 6-month intervention with them to (1) assess whether they would remain in contact with the researcher for 6 months and (2) assess whether they would make positive changes in their lives. All 22 participants remained in contact for 6 months. A 5-step intervention process resulted in substantial improvements in their lives. Eleven patients entered care. Five needed immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) and improved their CD4 counts. Six others established primary care relationships for non-HIV care. Twelve obtained legal, full-, or part-time employment. Eight disclosed to family members. Nine participants and/or family members entered counseling. Twelve persons publicly disclosed themselves. Twelve reported reducing or stopping substance abuse. Of 4 sex workers, 2 ceased engaging in that work.
A proposal and prototype for a Research Risk Repository to improve the protection of research participants
Authors: Rid Annette , Wendler David
Published: August 2011

Background Accurate and consistent risk assessment is vital for the protection of research participants. Yet, current evaluation of the risks of research interventions often does not take into account the relevant empirical data. This approach raises concern that current practice may not be protecting research participants adequately, or that it may be thwarting acceptable research.

Purpose To propose and evaluate the possibility of creating and maintaining a Research Risk Repository which would make empirical data on the risks of research interventions available to institutional review boards, investigators, funders, and others.

Methods Analysis of the usefulness of a Research Risk Repository and evaluation of whether currently available empirical data are sufficient to establish such a repository.

Results Creation of a Research Risk Repository would provide a vital resource for systematically and accurately evaluating the risks of biomedical research. Realizing this goal requires data that have at least 4 characteristics: (1) trustworthy: to ensure credibility to all stakeholders; (2) robust: to support confident risk determinations; (3) inclusive: to cover all potential harms of the interventions under review; and (4) comprehensive: to determine which factors influence the risks of the interventions under review. Evaluation of existing data reveals that they satisfy these requirements for only a few research interventions and, even in those cases, only to a limited extent. Gaps in the currently available evidence highlight the need for systematic collection and maintenance of data on the risks posed by research interventions.

Limitations Creation and maintenance of a Research Risk Repository would be costly and require regular updating as new data are collected, and new practices and interventions emerge.

Conclusions A Research Risk Repository has the potential to significantly improve the consistency and accuracy of the evaluation of research risks. However, currently available data are generally insufficient for this purpose. Future collection and maintenance of data on the risks posed by research interventions will help to ensure that research participants receive appropriate protection and promote important research consistent with adequate subject protection.