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Earthquake tremors not only increase the chances of fire ignition but also hinder the fire-fighting efforts due to the damage to the lifelines of a city. Most of the international codes have independent recommendations for structural safety against earthquake and fire. However, the possibility of a multi-hazard event, such as fire following an earthquake is seldom addressed.

This paper presents an experimental study of Reinforced Concrete (RC) columns in post-earthquake fire (PEF) conditions. An experimental approach is proposed that allows the testing of a column instead of a full structural frame. This approach allows us to control the loading and boundary conditions individually and facilitates the testing under a variety of these conditions. Also, it allows the structure to be tested until failure. The role of parameters, such as earthquake intensity, axial load ratio and the ductile detailing of the column on the earthquake damage and subsequently the fire performance of the structure, is studied in this research. Six RC column specimens are tested under a sequence of quasi-static earthquake loading, followed by combined fire and axial compression loading conditions.

The experiment results indicate that ductile detailed columns subjected to 4% or less lateral drift did not lose significant load-carrying capacity in fire conditions. A lateral drift of 6% caused significant damage to the columns and reduced the load-carrying capacity in fire conditions. The level of the axial load acting on the column at the time of earthquake loading was found to have a very significant effect on the extent of damage and reduction in column load capacity in fire conditions. The columns that were not detailed for a ductile behavior observed a more significant reduction in axial load carrying capacity in fire conditions.

This study is limited to columns of 230 mm size due to the limitations of the test setup. The applicability of these findings to larger column sections needs to be verified by developing a numerical analysis methodology and simulating other post-earthquake-fire tests available in the literature.

The experimental procedure proposed in this paper offers an alternative to the testing of a complete structural frame system for PEF behavior. In addition to the ease of conducting the tests, the procedure also allows much better control over the heating, structural loading and boundary conditions.

The growing quantity of waste is a worrying reality that has resulted in environmental sustainability challenges. Waste paper sludge (WPS) in large quantities from paper mill industry are produced every year. Their disposal in landfills, in general, pollutes the environment. Cement manufacture also contributes to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide. As a result, a novel use of industrial wastes as a supplemental cementitious ingredient in concrete formulation can help to mitigate the environmental problem. This paper aims to study the possibility of usage of WPS as partial replacements of cement for sustainable development of concrete.

This study aims at testing the mechanical properties of concrete that has been mixed with WPS. Between 5% and 20% of the weight of cement, WPS was used to substitute it. The water binder ratios of 0.55, 0.50, 0.45 and 0.42 were all considered for an experiment to better understand the impact of WPS on concrete. In terms of workability, density, water absorption (WA), compressive strength (CS) and flexural strength (FS), concrete mixtures were created, tested and compared to traditional concrete mixes.

According to the findings, the initial and final setting times of the concrete mixtures were both significantly delayed, and the workability and density of the concrete mixtures were both significantly lowered at all water binder ratios and replacement levels. Both compressive and FS of concrete made with WSP declined significantly at all water binder ratio. Substitution of cement by WPS enhanced the WA of all the concrete mixes. The mechanical performance of concrete mixtures that were made with a replacement level of 5% exhibited noticeable improvements. Whereas the more is the replacement levels the more the loss in the mechanical properties were noted. The ideal replacement levels for the WPS are up to 5% only.

This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the ecological and sustainable effects of using WPS in construction materials.

The case describes the internal growth workshop initiative at Vedanta Group. Anil Agarwal in 1976 founded Vedanta as a scrap-metal dealership in Mumbai (then Bombay). Over the years, Anil pursued a very aggressive growth journey with a vision to create a leading global natural resource company. The principal objective of discussing this case is to understand how Vedanta introduced this initiative and how it fits within the strategic human resource management at the group.

Urea and thiourea have been investigated as corrosion inhibitors for 94/6 and 80/20 copper‐cadmium alloy electroplates in nitric acid solutions by weight‐loss and polarisation measurements. Both inhibitors are found to be quite effective for shorter duration of immersion. Potential and polarisation data indicate a predominant role of local cathodic areas in corrosion protection.

This paper presents a qualitative assessment of the influence of the composite floor system and shear-tab connections on the stability behavior of a typical mid-rise (10-story) steel building subjected to corner compartment fires. A ten-story steel building with composite floor systems was designed following the design practices in the US. The building had an interior core of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls to resist the lateral loads. Effects of gravity loads and fire conditions were simulated using the finite element method and numerical analysis techniques. The concrete material model used in the numerical simulations was benchmarked using experimental data from concrete slab thermal tests. The results from the numerical investigations indicated that at elevated temperatures, the composite beam undergoes elongation, sagging and rotation at the beam ends. This results in additional rotation and compression demands on the connections at the ends. The shear-tab connections provided significant negative moment resistance at the beam ends at elevated temperatures. This negative moment resistance at the shear-tab connections increased the flexural capacity of the composite beam by effectively redistributing the moment demands due to the applied gravity loads.

The purpose of this paper is to gain an insight about the strategy of diversification adopted by the company, Prime Technology, to increase its profits. The study is made so as to understand the essential aspects which any firm should consider before deciding to venture into a new business so that it may not end in failure.

The case is basically a narration of the business strategy adopted by Prime Technology and the aftermaths of the decisions taken in haste.

The paper showcases the experience of Prime Technology related to the correctness of the decisions taken related to the brand positioning and logistics involved with the import of a perishable commodity. It suggests that proper ground work while importing a product like chocolates plays a vital role in deciding the fate of an importer's fortune. Thus correct timing, packing and marketing are all close knit parameters for success.

The case provides traders with an insight in understanding the vitality of the decisions related to logistics and brand positioning while importing a product that is not very popular in the domestic country, and especially if it is a perishable commodity.

This case is an original attempt to illustrate the core drivers and capabilities for achieving success in a diverse field. The insights from the case demonstrate the value of proper planning, strategies to companies that are open to expand and recognize the need to focus the use of scarce value‐adding resources.

On completion of analysis of this case, students would be able to: appreciate the context of a typical delisting decision of a public company that is part of a large business group; analyze the complex nature of the relationships among the promoter shareholders, minority shareholders, government-controlled financial institutions, independent directors and executive directors in such a situation of transfer of value; and develop the best possible course of action for the promoters, independent directors and public shareholders, keeping into consideration the principles of corporate governance and the objective of shareholders’ wealth maximization.

The case presents an opportunity to examine the corporate restructuring and governance issues associated with the delisting attempt of India-based mining company Vedanta Ltd., by its London-based parent company, Vedanta Resources. The case focuses on the conflict of interests between the promoters of a business group and the public shareholders of a subsidiary, and the pivotal roles independent directors and proxy advisory firms play in supporting the public shareholders.

The case can be discussed in a graduate-level corporate strategy course that deals with restructuring and governance issues in companies, especially large group companies. It can also be discussed in a course of corporate governance where students have the opportunity to understand the potential conflict between promoters and other shareholders, and the moderating roles the independent directors and institutions may play in resolving such conflicts.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS 11: Strategy.

There has been considerable interest in the “two‐week rule” referral pathway efficacy for patients with suspected colorectal cancer. This study aims to explore the psychological impact on these patients.

Consecutive patients referred for urgent investigations under the “two‐week rule” were invited to take part in semi‐structured interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interviews were audio‐taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using investigator triangulation to enhance data trustworthiness.

Ten out of 23 (43.5 per cent) patients consented to interviews; none were diagnosed with cancer. Four super‐ordinate themes were explored, referring to the “making sense of the threat to health”, impact on self, impact on others, reflections on the “two‐week rule” referral, and its investigative process. Participants reported their anxiety, fear, vulnerability and coping mechanisms, but also raised concerns about the communication received during the “two‐week rule” referral process. Female participants preferred a female endoscopist.

This study is the first of its kind exploring the psychological effects of the “two‐week rule” process for colorectal cancer, highlighting potential areas for improvement in patient information, and satisfaction with the referral process.

The specific objectives of the study are to examine the contribution of center and state governments in social sector development and to demonstrate the strong sense of corporate social responsibility (CSR) models in an Indian perspective.

The study is exploratory in character and falls under the category of “general review” aimed at gaining familiarity and achieving insights into the phenomena i.e. status and direction of CSR in India.

The paper concludes that the social sector remained a neglected area as, despite a rise in their revenue earnings, the states are perennially in financial distress due to a more than proportionate increase in expenditure. The paper also highlights the poor budgetary allocation for education, ineffective doctor‐patient ratio, heavy interest payments/servicing debt and lesser governmental efforts to initiate the CSR as a most effective tool. Further, the paper suggests three prospective CSR models in an Indian perspective.

The present study provides a starting point for further research in the development of strategies to implement CSR models in India.

The paper concludes with a new dimension to CSR that refers to businesspeople focusing on business to community development, socially responsible products and processes and socially responsible employee relations. For researchers interested in the areas of models of CSR, the paper introduces a rich field for future research.

corporate policy and strategy – mergers and acquisitions.

Post graduation (MBA and other management degrees). It includes courses on Strategic Management, Business Environment and International Business.

Markets are becoming highly connective, accessible and communicative and reaching maturity at a very high phase. Acquisition is a choice to enhance the emerging and diversified markets. This case paper presents insights on Vedanta – Cairn India cross-border acquisition deal in Indian oil and exploration industry. This case synchronizes the gap between strategic planning and outcome of actions. The study exclusively evidences the reaction of stocks of all attached parties against acquisition announcement and compares with market performance.

Strategic mapping of business negotiations, while in-organic choices, further the impact of economic, political, legal and regulatory factors on cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), deliberate deal financing mechanism and leadership diplomacy. It proposes from the viewpoint of corporate in-organic alternatives and to strengthen the upcoming research field of strategy & policy.

Global M&A market, shareholding pattern, income statement and balance sheet of Cairn India Ltd, financial figures of Vedanta Resources, tabular data on stock and index performance, deal structure and teaching note.