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The purpose of this paper is to construct an empirical model of innovation as a competence of individuals and validate it. The model takes into consideration the multidimensional characteristics of individuals and the parameters of surrounding ecosystem and establishes their associations with the innovation as a competence.

The model is built based on an extensive review of literature relating to innovation. A diagnostic study is conducted in a large information technology (IT) company to validate the model. The experiment is conducted over a sample of 442 individuals and uses appropriate reliability measures and chi square analysis as a validation technique.

The study establishes association of various measures of innovation competency with individual characteristics and ecosystem parameters. Some of the salient findings are that individuals having a high degree of self‐belief, and an ecosystem where the habits of celebrating success and competitive market are found, do better on innovation as a competence.

This study has significant implications and its findings can facilitate individuals and ecosystem managers to undertake progressive actions. Although the findings are limited to the IT industry, the implications can spread over to formulating competence development strategy in any organizational setting. However, the scope exists to make the research broad based, including factors such as geography, culture, business area of operation, size of organization, etc.

Innovation as a competence of an individual is pivotal to an organization's competitive advantage. This study can facilitate competency management, such as competency planning, deployment, development, utilization and ecosystem up‐gradation.

The model is empirical in nature and has been tested in a large Indian IT firm and the managers have found this model pragmatic and practical.

The purpose of this paper is to find the reliability measures of Linux operating system connected in local area network (LAN).

The system has two different topologies, i.e. star topology (subsystem-1) and bus topology (subsystem-2), are placed at two different places, and connected to a server through a hub. Both the topologies have n clients. The system has partial failure and complete failure. The partial failure is of two type’s namely minor partial and major partial. The minor partial failure degrades the system whereas the major partial failure brings the system to a break down mode. The system can completely fail due to failure of server hacking and blocking.

By using supplementary variable technique and Laplace transformation, by taking different types of failure and two types of repairs the availability, non-availability, mean time to failure and cost analysis (expected profit) of the design system have been obtained.

In this research, a mathematical model of Linux operating system has been discussed from which one can check the behavioral analysis of the designed system.

The purpose of this study is to explore the total quality management (TQM) practices and identify their effect on the nonfinancial performance (NFP) in the automotive engineering industry in Ethiopia. Despite many studies investigating the relationship between TQM practices and NFP, rare research has been conducted on TQM in automotive industries, making this a hugely unexplored field.

The data underlying this study was collected using more than 500 self-administered questionnaire survey, distributed to the employees working under different departments and factories under one automotive engineering industry. Extensive data screening and refinement processes for discarding irrelevant items for the questionnaire (Likert five-point scale) were carried out. The data was employed to test the proposed theoretical model, established with the objective of assessing the effect of TQM practices on the NFP in the case industry. Empirical validated relations have been proofed for previously done researches that there were positive relations between the TQM practices and NFP. Different statistical tools applied include descriptive data analysis, correlation analysis, mean scale test, reliability analysis and factor analysis, and finally, two models were developed based on structural equation modeling by using SPSS and AMOS-26 software.

Results found in this study were quite surprising. Initially, there was a total of ten TQM factors. The six independent factors survived from factor analysis only two factors (employee involvement and innovation) were contributing to the NFP. The study was acted as a performance evaluation system to track the industry NFP. Although the study focused on the effect of TQM practices, for more results it is recommended to conduct a 360-degree further research study to reveal the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and challenges of the case industry performance.

Every research has its own limitations. The way the analysis is conducted in this study ensures that the limitations do not compromise the validity of the results obtained. Control variables (industry type, size, age, process type and technology used) are not considered in the research which may affect the results obtained. The study included the automobile industry alone, so the obtained results cannot be generalized to other industries.

The positive relationship between the TQM practices and NFP measures indicates the importance of each of these practices in improving the industry. Researchers/managers/practitioners can use this developed model periodically to understand where the industry stands in the quality management journey. They can also analyze the effect of TQM practices on financial as well as operational performance measures. The research findings can also motivate the top management of the industry for better planning of goals, to arrange resources in time, in pursuit of improving quality, employee and industry performance.

The Ethiopian manufacturing industry is required to improve their manufacturing and service quality, in order to enhance their productivity and boost their competitiveness in an international market, which is the basis of this study. This study signifies one of the first attempts to empirically explore this linkage between TQM and performance in the Ethiopian automotive industry context.

This paper advances a research agenda for service researchers at the intersection of healthcare and information technologies to improve access to quality healthcare at affordable prices. The article reviews key trends to provide an agenda for research focusing on strategies, governance and management of key service processes.

This paper synthesizes literature in information systems, service management, marketing and healthcare operations to suggest a research agenda. The authors draw on frameworks such as the interpretive model of technology, technology acceptance model, assemblage theories and Baumol's cost disease to develop their arguments.

The paper situates strategy-related service management questions that service providers and consumers face in the context of emerging healthcare and technology trends. It also derives implications for governance choices and questions related to that.

The paper discusses service management challenges and concludes with an agenda for future research that touches on governance and service management issues.

This paper provides implications for healthcare service providers and policymakers to understand new trends in healthcare delivery, technologies and facilities management to meet evolving customer needs.

This paper provides implications for managing healthcare services that touch on many social and societal concerns.

This conceptual paper provides background and review of the work at the intersections of information systems, marketing and healthcare operations to draw implications for future research.

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the stock market in India is efficient in the semi-strong form.

The study uses financial and stock market data of 1,135 listed Indian companies (non-financial) during 2003–2011 collected from Capital IQ to estimate discretionary accruals (DA) using modified Jones model (1995). The study also examines using the widely used Mishkin (1983) test to whether equity market prices accruals in India. The study is conducted for profit/loss-making firms separately as well as for a hedge portfolio of firms based on the lowest to highest accruals.

The empirical study of DA of 1,135 listed Indian companies (non-financial) during 2003–2011 shows that the estimated average DA of the corporate sector in India comes to 1 percent of the total assets of these firms. An empirical analysis whether equity market prices DA in India finds no evidence of investors/market pricing DA. Empirical evidence also finds that the results are invariant for profit/loss-making firms as well as portfolio of firms based on the lowest to highest accruals in the Indian context. The empirical evidence shows that the Indian equity market is inefficient with regard to the incorporation of accruals in expected returns of stocks.

This study builds on the previous literature on accrual pricing in the context of the USA and developed markets. The study extends the empirics to the one of the largest emerging market economy – India. This issue is important not only to investors, but also to policy makers and researchers because the mispricing of accruals could potentially lead to misallocation of capital. The study has implications for stock/firm valuations and cost of equity/capital.

This is the first study for the pricing of accruals and test of semi-strong efficiency of the Indian stock market.

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to trace the origins and early history of the development of the market research practice in India. It covers the period 1955-1975.

A search of key terms in databases such as Google Scholar and ABI-INFORM indicated there was limited data in the public domain on the subject and that the information gleaned was not adequate to trace the birth of the market research practice in India. As there was very little recorded history, the researchers decided to initiate a recording of the history using the available literature, on the reminiscences of the authors and, to a limited extent, contemporaries of the pioneers in the field.

The origins of market research in India can be traced to its supporting role in gauging the efficacy of advertising. Examination of the history of advertising leads to the conclusion that marketing research arrived in India in the decade of the 1950s, initiated by Burmah-Shell’s needs for market research. S. H. Benson (London) Ltd was selected to undertake the pioneering market research that led to the birth of Indian Market Research Service, headed by Krishnaier Parameswaran. Marketing research in India presented numerous challenges (that were overcome) because the operating environment was very different than in advanced countries.

Because of the paucity of information in the literature, this investigation as per the authors’ knowledge represents the first attempt to record the birth and early history of marketing research in India. The recording of history is limited by the fact that many of the early pioneers and collaborators are no longer alive and because of the difficulty in retrieving archival mostly proprietary information.

In determining the future of a practice, it is important to know the history of the practice. It helps determine whether history proceeds in a random manner or whether it proceeds following some discernable patterns. In an area that has been ahistorical, this research identifies the origins of the practice. It is hoped that other researchers build upon this construction of the early history of marketing research in India based on their experiences and knowledge of the pioneering companies and practitioners and using sound historiographical tenets.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical barriers of green manufacturing implementation practices in Indian SME’s with the VIKOR approach.

Challenges faced in the implementation of green manufacturing by Indian SME’s have been extracted from literature review, and questionnaire survey of Indian SME’s is done. The responses are further annealed and analysed using a factor analysis technique and ranked with the VIKOR technique.

The literature was studied, and various challenges were listed and were grouped into six critical latent challenges by using the factor analysis technique, and it was found that Economic constraints tops with the VIKOR technique. The recognition of the outcomes of critical barriers was assumed to be substantial in the current scenario.

Present study reveals that green manufacturing implementation in Indian SME’s faces many challenges. The outcomes of the study will help green manufacturing practitioners, HR executives and managers in the various manufacturing organizations to develop clarity in understanding and developing strategies for the implementation of green manufacturing. Hence, the information obtained from the empirical examination of barriers in implementing green manufacturing will be helpful in improving the overall implementation plan.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of independent directors’ diligence in restraining earnings management practices in the Indian context.

It employs a panel data analysis to test the association of earnings management with the diligence of independent directors.

The results suggest that the diligence of independent directors has a significant impact on earnings management. The findings support the agency theory and provide evidence of the role played by the board processes in restricting earnings management.

This study is important for the regulators as it highlights the significance of independent directors’ diligence in producing higher quality financial statements, thereby creating the real economic value of companies. This is the first article that explores the impact of independent directors’ diligence on earnings management practices particularly in the context of an emerging economy, like India in the light of new Companies Act 2013 and revised Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement, 2014 by Securities and Exchange Board of India.

This study aims to examine earnings management around initial public offerings (IPOs) in India. It also explores the influence of issue characteristics on earnings management around the IPOs.

A sample of 511 IPOs that came during April 2003-March 2019 is studied for calculating earnings management for pre-issue, issue and post-issue years. Using Cross-Sectional Modified Jones Model, the paper presents earnings management on the basis of three proxies i.e. discretionary accruals, discretionary current accruals and discretionary long-term accruals. The influence of issue characteristics on earnings management practised around the IPOs is also observed through correlation and multiple regression analysis.

The paper finds that earnings management is abnormally high during the issue year compared with pre-issue and post-issue years. It also unveils that profitability, premium, age, and size of the issuer significantly determine the level of pre-issue and issue year earnings management practised by Indian IPO issuers.

The findings are useful to stakeholders (potential investors, analysts and regulators) to observe, assess and understand the quality of financial numbers that are based on fallacious disclosure of accounting figures. It provides insight into the possibilities of managed earnings around the issue that could influence investors’ decision-making. Further, the study reflects the efficacy of Indian regulatory norms for IPOs.

To the authors’ knowledge, it is the only Indian study that had used an extensive data set of about two decades to calculate earnings management during pre-issue, issue and post-issue years. The uniqueness of the study further lies in three proxies of earnings management representing short-term and long-term accruals. Moreover, it is the first study to observe the influence of IPO issue characteristics on earnings management.

This paper seeks to prepare and characterise vinyl ester (bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA)) prepolymer via a new synthetic route by the esterification of methacrylic acid and epoxy resin

BisGMA prepolymer was synthesised from methacrylic acid and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (BPA) type epoxy resin. The synthesised compound was then purified and characterised.

BisGMA prepolymer was synthesised from methacrylic acid and diglycidyl ether of BPA‐type epoxy resin using triphenylphosphine as a catalyst and hydroxytoluene as a stabiliser. The synthesised compound was then purified by normal phase liquid chromatography and was analysed by proton NMR and reverse phase HPLC. The cure kinetics of the purified resin were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry using NETZSCH thermokinetics software.

The preparation, purification and kinetics study of the prepolymer described in the present investigation may be useful for preparation, purification and kinetics study of the other vinyl esters by a new synthetic route. Also, the polymers supports based on bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate have acceptable mechanical properties, chemical stability and are suitable for dental restoratives, fissure sealants, coatings, adhesives, moulding compounds, structural laminates, electrical applications and military/aerospace applications.

The method for the preparation, purification and kinetics study of the prepolymer is simple and the above method provides a simple and practical solution for some other vinyl esters.

This is a novel method for synthesis and purification of BisGMA and may be useful for the synthesis and purification of other vinyl esters.