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1 – 10 of 12The current corona virus pandemic had a major impact upon the health, economy and education worldwide. In India, the government as a part of the nationwide lockdown closed all…
Abstract
Purpose
The current corona virus pandemic had a major impact upon the health, economy and education worldwide. In India, the government as a part of the nationwide lockdown closed all educational institutions, as a consequence of which, the teaching-learning, examination and placement scenario of students were affected. UNESCO estimated that about 32 crore students have been affected in India. The adoption of an online e-learning approach tried to minimize the academic loss and stress on students. However, the online teaching transition moved on an untested and unprecedented scale in a very short span of period. The present study analyses the perception and level of acceptance of transition from offline to online learning amongst the students of higher education in Punjab.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis was carried out by surveying 200 students of higher education from Punjab belonging to different regions. An appropriate pre-tested questionnaire was framed on Google Forms. A five-point Likert scale was employed to determine the perception of students regarding quality of audio and video lectures, instructor's content, preparation, interactiveness, discussion regarding doubts and assessing likes and dislikes of students. The data were coded-decoded in SPSS by using descriptive statistics and factor analysis.
Findings
The study revealed the level of acceptance of online study among the students of higher education in Punjab. It is found that both online and offline modes of learning process have their own pros and cons. The sudden transition from regular mode to virtual mode was not an easy task for students either. The study revealed that both online and offline study modes have been accepted by students depending upon the availability of IT infrastructure as almost half of the respondents perceived online mode and the other half offline.
Originality/value
Punjab is a recognized state of northern India. In Punjab, the quality of higher education is good and students' satisfaction is always the priority of the educational institutions. At the time of the pandemic, this sudden transition from regular to virtual mode impacted education with students coming from diverse backgrounds like urban areas, rural areas, remote areas, rural-urban areas etc. So, in the light of this sudden transition, it is important to study the viewpoint of the students of Punjab. So, the present study was conducted to understand the perception of the students toward online learning during this ongoing pandemic. For this purpose, the study employed factor analysis. Application of factor analysis in this area is unique.
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Rajeev Chadha, Amita Singh and Jay Kalra
Patient satisfaction and quality care are important indicators for the success of any health care enterprise. The critical nature of health care operations entails that some…
Abstract
Purpose
Patient satisfaction and quality care are important indicators for the success of any health care enterprise. The critical nature of health care operations entails that some excess capacity is stored in the system to provide the necessary flexibility of response. To prepare health care organizations to deliver high quality services at lower costs, this paper aims to report a lean health care (LEAN‐HC) transformation model that integrates queuing theory and lean methodology to improve the dynamic performance of the health care system.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews and evaluates an emergency department health care system that adopts a system dynamic model, redesigned the process using value stream mapping to eliminate non‐value‐added activities to achieve just‐in‐time (JIT) services. This study was conducted at SD Mission Hospital, India. The LEAN‐HC model includes three steps. First, the patient arrival flow is assessed and adjusted, using physicians at the front of the queue to separate patients at triage into major, medium, and minor injury classes. Second, a cross‐functional team consisting of process, information and clinical experts maps the hospital's current state to identify and eliminate wasteful non‐value‐added activities. Third, the process is continually de‐bottlenecked using a variety of lean techniques, such as 5S visual management, one‐piece‐flow to reduce service lead time, and adoption of standard operating procedures.
Findings
The authors' results reveal that a lean integration to queuing methodology frees up capacity in the health care system, providing necessary flexibility of response. The implementation of the LEAN‐HC model resulted in the following improvement. First, an improved process flow and increased capacity. Second, emergency department length of stay for all patient classes decreased. Third, value stream mapping was found to be useful in detecting opportunities to decrease patient turnaround. Fourth, the service bottleneck could be identified and shifted to where it could be most easily controlled, adhering to the principle of one piece flow. No changes in resource availability and safety or quality issues occurred during the implementation of lean methodology.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates how to apply lean methodology in conjunction with the queuing modeling in the health care industry, particularly with regards to the patient wait time and reduction in medical errors. The LEAN‐HC model delivers more efficient service by increasing hospital capacity while reducing non‐value‐added times and overhead costs.
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Amita Rani, Niraj Bala and C.M. Gupta
Hot corrosion is the major degradation mechanism of failure of boiler and gas turbine components. The present work aims to investigate the hot corrosion resistance of detonation…
Abstract
Purpose
Hot corrosion is the major degradation mechanism of failure of boiler and gas turbine components. The present work aims to investigate the hot corrosion resistance of detonation gun sprayed (D-gun) Cr2O3-75 per cent Al2O3 ceramic coating on ASTM-SA210-A1 boiler steel.
Design/methodology/approach
The coating exhibits nearly uniform, adherent and dense microstructure with porosity less than 0.8 per cent. Thermogravimetry technique is used to study the high temperature hot corrosion behavior of bare and coated boiler steel in molten salt environment (Na2SO4-60 per cent V2O5) at high temperature 900°C for 50 cycles. The corrosion products are analyzed by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive analysis (EDAX) to reveal their microstructural and compositional features for elucidating the corrosion mechanisms.
Findings
During investigations, it was found that the Cr2O3-75 per cent Al2O3 coating on Grade A-1 boiler steel is found to be very effective in decreasing the corrosion rate in the molten salt environment at 900°C. The coating has shown lesser weight gains along with better adhesiveness of the oxide scales with the substrate till the end of the experiment. Thus, coatings serve as an effective diffusion barrier to preclude the diffusion of oxygen from the environment into the substrate boiler steel.
Research limitations/implications
Therefore, it is concluded that the better hot corrosion resistance of the coating is due to the formation of desirable microstructural features such as very low porosity, uniform fine grains and the flat splat structures in the coating; as compared to the bare substrate under cyclic conditions.
Practical implications
This research is useful for coal-fired boilers and other power plant boilers.
Social implications
This research is useful for power generation plants.
Originality/value
There is no reported literature on hot corrosion behavior of Cr2O3-75 per cent Al2O3 coating deposited on the selected substrates by D-gun spray technique. The present work has been focused to study the influence of the Cr2O3-75 per cent Al2O3 coating developed with D-gun spraying technique on high temperature corrosion behavior of ASTM-SA210-A-1 boiler steel in an aggressive environment of Na2SO4-60 per cent V2O5 molten salt at 900°C under cyclic conditions.
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This paper aims to explore the trends, distribution and pattern of Indian bilateral cross-border joint venture (CBJV) activity with advanced developed nations (G7 nations) which…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the trends, distribution and pattern of Indian bilateral cross-border joint venture (CBJV) activity with advanced developed nations (G7 nations) which include the USA, the UK, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada over the 2001-2010 period.
Design/methodology/approach
Longitudinal data on the population of 201 CBJVs are analyzed using Securities Data Company (SDC) platinum database. Chi-square test of independence is conducted on the parameters for CBJVs collected over a span of 10 years to test interrelations between them.
Findings
The results of explorative trend analysis and test of interdependence are significantly different from developed countries in terms of interrelation between parent’s nationality, industry classification, broad purpose, period of formation and the equity owned.
Research/limitations implications
Future work may explore the strategic motivation of both developed and developing nation firms, given the dynamics of CBJVs explored in this paper. The study could also be extended to other developed and developing nation firms CBJVs with Indian firms.
Practical implications
This study provides a broad-based objective exploratory study of trends and distribution of CBJVs from the standpoint of the developing nations. This helps managers to identify the dynamic industries of CBJVs in India as far as G7 nations are concerned.
Social implications
The possibility of asymmetric motives of partners in CBJV could not be negated. The role of Indian policymakers also becomes much larger to regulate the monopolistic and anti-competitive practices.
Originality/value
The longitudinal study serves to present first of its kind systematic analysis of detailed activity of Indian firms in bilateral CBJV formation.
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Prabhat Kumar, Ashwini Kumar and Amita Sinvhal
For a state like Uttarakhand, which is located in the seismically active Himalayan region and in the vicinity of plate boundaries, estimation of seismic hazards and the…
Abstract
Purpose
For a state like Uttarakhand, which is located in the seismically active Himalayan region and in the vicinity of plate boundaries, estimation of seismic hazards and the preparation of a zoning map are an urgent necessity. This paper aims to focus on this hazard.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 32 potential seismo‐tectonic source zones were identified in a very wide area in and around the state, on the basis of seismicity and tectonics, and the longer ones were segmented. The maximum magnitude that each seismo‐tectonic source zone can support was then estimated. The seismic hazard due to each seismo‐tectonic source zone was assessed at 180 sites, in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA).
Findings
The maximum PGA at each site varied between 0.06g and 0.50g. The seismic hazard was highest around the main central thrust and the main boundary thrust, and five other thrusts between these two thrusts. This assessment was adapted to make a seismic zoning map of Uttarakhand, with five distinct zones.
Research limitations/implications
If seismo‐tectonic source zones from the contiguous regions of Nepal and Tibet were included as part of this assessment, then a higher hazard would be expected in Uttarakhand.
Practical implications
Threat perceptions of a potential earthquake disaster can be assessed in this zoning map. Disaster mitigation strategies will vary geographically, with priorities defined by the zoning map presented here. The methodology evolved has the potential to be extended to other vulnerable states in the Himalayan arc.
Originality/value
The seismic hazard assessed has been adapted to formulate a seismic zoning map of Uttarakhand.
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Anupma Srivastava and Amita Marwha
Human resource management.
Abstract
Subject area
Human resource management.
Study level/applicability
It is appropriate for graduate students majoring in human resource or business management. Students who are interested in studying Asian economies in the world, as they are the most growing economies in the world and at the same time have a shocking number of people employed in the informal sector.
Case overview
This case study talks about women workers who face a glass ceiling at the management level and deplorable working conditions at the informal level. This case involves women in the paper bag-making business, a part of the urban informal sector. The paper bag-making business provides employment and income generation for the urban poor. The focus in this study is on women production workers, rather than entrepreneurs or professional managers. Focus of the study will be on the change in the pattern of income distribution within the family-based household, the degree of bargaining power derived from productive work and income and impact of technology on the plight of unskilled women force and how technology and vocational training can lead to utilization of manpower being wasted because of lack of synergy between technology and the informal sector in India. Expected learning outcomes Four key points of selection, training, assessment and leadership all have been addressed in this case study, and the relevance of these points is important from the point of view of management students who have to understand the linkages and the hidden costs these informal sector occupations come with and then to device an appropriate strategy to bring and use these human resources to their full capacity by utilizing the existing resources instead of adding new ones, which in development economics is known as Solow residual.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
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The focus and goal of this chapter is to systematically detail how the “cascade” system is organized and how it operates by coordinating current research. To do so, this chapter…
Abstract
The focus and goal of this chapter is to systematically detail how the “cascade” system is organized and how it operates by coordinating current research. To do so, this chapter first builds an understanding of the historical conditions that forged the “cascade” system, then turns to how the system operates – charting its affordances and limitations through others’ research – and then discusses what opportunities can be leveraged to support teachers’ work. In doing so, this chapter provides relevant information and documentation about the “cascade” system so that readers can understand how this system currently works and what is possible. Two interpretations are made from the analysis of current research. First, the “cascade” is overwrought with voices, and the participants overwhelmed; and second, the “cascade” fosters an untenable view of how people learn and what constitutes teaching. Increasingly, teachers and their education are being widely recognized as central to the fortunes of schoolchildren. In India, a significant amount of attention is being paid to teacher education more than ever before. For example, the recent 5-year planning and operations budget is being touted as the “Teacher Education Plan.” Thus, probing the existing system and its norms and practices is vital to ensuring this attention isn’t frittered away and is put toward helping teachers step up to the challenge of providing all students rich opportunities to learn.
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Amita Majumder, Ranjan Ray and Sattwik Santra
This study aims to apply a proposed methodology for calculating spatial prices in a heterogeneous country setting such as India with limited price information. Based on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to apply a proposed methodology for calculating spatial prices in a heterogeneous country setting such as India with limited price information. Based on the empirical evidence, the study plans to draw the spatial price map of India with different colours denoting states and districts with varying level of spatial prices.
Design/methodology/approach
This study shows that a procedure proposed by Lewbel (1989), based on the idea by Barten (1964) that household composition changes have “quasi-price effects”, can be used to estimate spatial prices in the absence of information on regional prices.
Findings
The evidence on spatial price differences in India, which is the most comprehensive to date because it goes down to district level, shows that the proposed procedure has considerable potential in future applications on other data sets with limited price information. The policy importance of the results is underlined by the sensitivity of the demand elasticities to the inclusion/omission of spatial price variation.
Research limitations/implications
The study uses “pseudo unit values” based on household composition and demographic effects on demand as proxy for the missing price information. While the work of Atella et al. (2004) suggests that such proxies are accurate representations of true prices, nevertheless, they are proxies and the results should be treated with caution.
Practical implications
The evidence on spatial prices in India that point to a high degree of price heterogeneity between regions implies that welfare applications such as income distributional and poverty studies must take account of the price heterogeneity within the country. The implications extend beyond India to cross-country exercises such as the purchasing power parity calculations undertaken by the International Comparison Project.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies that provide evidence on spatial price heterogeneity within a country without requiring regional price information. Methodologically, the paper builds on the suggestion of Lewbel (RES, 1989) in showing how the demographic effects on household expenditure pattern can be used to estimate spatial prices. The value of the contribution lies in the use that the estimated spatial prices can be put to in calculating inequality and poverty rates and in standard of living comparisons between regions in the country.
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Ila Gupta, Amita Sinvhal and R. Shankar
Seeks to examine risk assessment of human settlements due to seismo‐tectonic setting of a populated area in the Himalayas, so that mitigation measures may be taken before the next…
Abstract
Purpose
Seeks to examine risk assessment of human settlements due to seismo‐tectonic setting of a populated area in the Himalayas, so that mitigation measures may be taken before the next earthquake takes its toll.
Design/methodology/approach
Keeping in view the seismic vulnerability of the Himalayan ranges, an earthquake scenario is considered for the Narendranagar block of Tehri Garhwal District which lies in Seismic Zone IV of the seismic zoning map of India (BIS, 1893‐2002). Damage of MSK Intensity VIII and peak accelerations of 0.25 g are expected here at any time. The hypothetical epicenter is placed near Tapowan at 30°08′10″N and 78° 20′30″E on the crest of the meandering River Ganga, where three large thrusts, viz. Garhwal, Tons Nayar and Krol, congregate. Iso‐acceleration contours plotted for the entire Narendranagar block for earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and 7.5 are elongated along the main boundary fault.
Findings
Almost 59 percent population of the Narendranagar block was found to be vulnerable to damage associated with higher accelerations of 0.41 g.
Research limitations/implications
The topographic effects influencing the risk of settlements have not been taken into account.
Practical implications
Implications of such an earthquake on housing stock; roads; infrastructure; awareness and time of occurrence are discussed. Strategies are suggested for long‐term earthquake preparedness and short‐term action plan for emergency management.
Originality/value
The methodology evolved can be extended for other Himalayan regions.
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C.S. Devaki, D. D. Wadikar and P.E. Patki
The purpose of the paper was to assess the functional properties vegetable gourds & the validated health claims so as to help the future researchers to locate the gaps. However…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper was to assess the functional properties vegetable gourds & the validated health claims so as to help the future researchers to locate the gaps. However, emphasizing on the scientifically available reports was required to make information available in a nutshell to the health-conscious consumers, as well as the researcher from the area of functional foods and nutrition.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a mini-review of scientific findings in different studies on gourd vegetables. The approach to information collection was finding the research gaps and potential areas for future work with a nutritional perspective.
Findings
Ash gourd, bitter gourd and bottle gourd have been extensively studied, and several health benefits and functional components have been reported, while ridge gourd, snake gourd and pointed gourd have been sparsely studied for their therapeutic benefits and the validation thereof; hence, there lies a scope for researchers.
Research limitations/implications
The scarcity of scientific reports compared to the traditional usage and folkloric beliefs was a limitation.
Originality/value
Understanding the nutritional potential of gourd vegetables from scientific reports may influence both the work areas and consumers in the appropriate direction.
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