Search results

The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of honey from different agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh in terms of physicochemical characteristics and mineral status.

Three honey-producing locations were selected within each agro-climatic zone, honey sampled from four separate apiaries within each location and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and mineral status using standard methodologies. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with one-way classification, after appropriate transformation through online OP-STAT software and MS Excel. The correlation coefficient (r) was also calculated. Principal component analysis was done using XL-STAT software.

The honey of Zone 4 had highest fructose (36.62%), F:G ratio (1.55), acidity (46.07 meq/kg), vitamin C (25.04 mg/100 g) and diastase (19.22 DN), whereas the pollen density (76,666.67 pollen grains per 10 g), pH (5.94), sucrose (6.94%), hydroxy methyl furfuraldehyde (70.20 mg/kg), amino acid (103.83 mg/100 g), phenols (77.39 mg/100 g), Ca (81.04 mg/kg) and K (354.17 mg/kg) were highest for Zone 2. Highest electrical conductivity (0.24 mS/cm), moisture (16.50 %), glucose (34.20%) and P content (62.93 mg/kg) were recorded for Zone 1. Correlation studies indicated a significant positive correlation between pH and EC; EC and moisture; colour and pollen density. Examining the graphical distribution of the honey samples, a natural separation between honeys of four different agro-climatic zones was obtained.

The impact of geographical/agro-climatic variations in physicochemical characteristics of honey has not been worked out under the present scenario in Himachal Pradesh.

The study was aimed to explore the potential impact of microwave heating (450 W for 2, 4, 6 and 8 min) on antioxidant activity, anti-nutritional factors, volatile and phenolic compounds of the plum kernels.

Plum kernels are rich in proteins, lipids and bioactive compounds that are mostly underused and undervalued.

The results showed that microwave heating at 450 W for 6 min significantly (p < 0.05) increased the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content, while the longer treatment time (450 W for 8 min) adversely affected the phenolic compounds. Most importantly, the anti-nutritional factors like amygdalin, hydrocyanic acid, phytic acid and tannin content were reduced up to 87.1, 84.7, 20.9 and 46.2%, respectively at 450 W for 6 min treatment conditions, which was confirmed from the larger shifts observed in FT-IR spectra near 1,157 cm⁻¹. Microwave heating at 450 W for 6 min also proved beneficial in improving the bioavailability of volatile and phenolic compounds including chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, (+)-catechin, caffeic acid, ß-carotene, trans-ferulic acid, rutin trihydrate, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, tannic acid and quercetin by liberating them from the plant matrix.

The results thus indicate that controlled microwave heating could be an effective approach for the reduction of anti-nutritional factors besides leading to an overall improvement in antioxidant potential and volatile and phenolic compounds. This novel technological approach can proliferate the use of plum kernels in different diversified food formulations.

The previous researchers have identified human capital, relational capital and structural capital as knowledge assets in knowledge-driven organizations. The current study is an attempt to identify and validate the knowledge assets in construction projects. The study also aims to understand the interrelation of these knowledge assets and their impact on project performance through the development of a conceptual model.

The study is divided into three phases. In phase I, the constructs of “knowledge assets” and “project performance” in construction projects are identified using the exploratory factor analysis. In phase II, these constructs are validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Two separate surveys are conducted for phase I and phase II, respectively. In phase III, the authors develop two conceptual models based on the literature review and two construction project cases in India. The models examine the inter-relationship of knowledge assets and measures their impact on project performance. The models are empirically tested using the responses of the second survey through a structural equation model.

The study extracts four knowledge asset constructs and one performance construct which are named human capital, structural capital, relational capital, human capital capacity building process and project performance, respectively. The study finds that both the conceptual models are statistically excellent fit. The results of the models suggest that relational capital and structural capital have a direct positive impact on project performance, whereas human capital has an indirect effect on project performance mediated through relational capital, structural capital and human capital capacity building process.

The items for knowledge asset constructs and measurement of project performance are moderated by experts, working in construction projects in India, hence the process may contain subjective bias. Further, two construction project cases were selected by authors in the study that originate from India.

The study has implications for the project executors (contractors) as well as for project owners. The contractors must maintain healthy relations with all the stakeholders in a project like a client, suppliers, architects, etc. They must develop systems that are people-friendly to avoid the problems of time and cost overruns in projects. The owners must also maintain healthy relations. This can result in a win-win situation for both parties and can lead to superior project performance.

The study develops and empirically tests two conceptual models that explain the interrelations of knowledge assets and how it benefits the construction project performance in India. Therefore, the generalization of the results is difficult; however, the results can be replicated in projects with similar settings.

The purpose of the study is to examine the value-based performance of firms in construction sector in India using Tobin's Q and Market Capitalization (MCAP) and then determine their significant financial drivers.

The study is based on data from 87 firms engaged in infrastructure, real estate, industrial construction and allied areas in India over a study period of 10 years. Three distinct forms of panel regression models have been developed using Tobin's Q and MCAP as dependent variables. The models developed are using Baltagi's (1981) Error Component 2SLS, Varadharajan-Krishnakumar's (1987) Generalized 2SLS and Arellano – Bower/Blundell – Bond's (1991) dynamic panel.

The study found that MCAP is a better suited value-based performance measure for construction sector firms in India. The study further reports that the age of the firm, profit after tax, investment in research and development, dividends, leverage and net fixed asset are significant positive drivers, whereas cash flow is a significant negative driver.

The study is limited to a geographic location; therefore, the findings of this study cannot be generalized.

As MCAP is a better suited value-based performance measure of a firm in the construction sector, managers should focus on improving profitability, higher research and development activities, higher dividends and higher expenditures on net fixed assets for improvement.

This is an original attempt to examine the value-based performance of firms in the construction sector in India using Tobin's Q and MCAP.

The paper aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) at an individual level for real estate developers (REDs) in India.

Fifteen individual-level CSFs are identified from literature review. These CSFs are moderated through expert opinion, and they are customized for the real-estate sector. Five-point scale questionnaire is developed and furnished to REDs to understand the importance of these 15 CSFs. Fifty-six REDs responded to the survey. Using the responses from the survey, relative importance index is created for all 15 factors. These factors are also grouped in broad categories using exploratory factor analysis and the groups are further validated through confirmatory factor analysis.

The study finds that leadership quality, man-management skill, disputes resolution skill, ability to take risk and knowledge about construction and finance are the top five CSFs for REDs in India. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in five groups and they are named as “liaising with government,” “relationship management,” “knowledge management,” “skill management” and “ability.” The groups exhibit reasonable reliability and validity.

Despite useful results, study being exploratory in nature is limited because of a small sample size. Despite best efforts, authors find reluctance from REDs to respond to the survey.

The findings of the study are important for REDs and success of their business. The business of REDs can improve if they exhibit leadership quality, man-management skill and disputes resolution skill. The ability of the developers to take risk and their knowledge about construction and finance can also be vital for the success of their business.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to identify CSFs for REDs in India.

This study aims to examine the nexus among financial inclusion, legislative corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the financial performance of banking companies in India.

The study uses the fixed-effect model to measure the impact of financial inclusion on the financial performance of banks listed in the Bank Nifty Index from 2015 to 2022. Furthermore, it examines the interaction effect of legislative CSR and financial inclusion on the performance of banks.

The study shows that financial inclusion indicators positively affect financial performance, which is critical for banking institutions. Empirically, the study provides evidence that legislative CSR is a significant moderator that can influence the relationship between financial inclusion and the financial performance of banks.

The emerging nations may concentrate on implementing legislative CSR spending to achieve economic value for their firms and societal responsibility toward stakeholders.

As per the authors’ collective knowledge, this study is the one that extends the empirical evidence that the legislative CSR is a potential moderator which influences the relationship between financial inclusion and the performance of banks.

The purpose of this paper is to present a technique for analyzing the behavior of an industrial system utilizing vague, imprecise, and uncertain data. The synthesis unit of a urea plant situated in northern part of India has been considered to demonstrate the proposed approach. Sensitivity analysis of system's behaviour has also been done in it.

In the proposed approach, traditional Lambda‐Tau technique is used to analyze the behavior of a complex repairable synthesis unit of a fertilizer industry up to a desired degree of accuracy. This technique has been demonstrated by computing eight well‐known reliability indices which are used for behaviour analysis of the considered system in a more promising way.

The study of analysis of reliability, availability, maintainability etc can help in increasing the production and quality of synthesis. To ensure the system performance throughout its service life, it is necessary to set up proper maintenance, planning and control which can be done after studying the variation of reliability, availability with respect to time. Thus, it may be a more useful analysis tool to access the current system condition and involved uncertainties. The present paper suggested an approach to improve the system's performance.

The paper suggests a technique for analyzing the stochastic behavior of an industrial subsystem by computing eight well‐known reliability indices in the form of fuzzy membership function. The benefits for the methodology include the ability to model and deal with highly complex system as fuzzy sets can deal easily with approximations and it helps in improving and handling the uncertainties and possibilities.

The study aims to find if family-owned construction and real estate firms in India are more profitable compared to non-family-owned construction and real estate firms. The study also examines if family ownership and institutional ownership are drivers of the firm profitability.

The study uses data of 199 construction and real estate firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), India. The data pertains to a period of 13 years (2006-2018). The family firm is defined on the basis on ownership criteria, and the sample is divided into two groups, namely, family firms and non-family firms. The data is analyzed using a two-sample t-test assuming unequal variance and Prais–Winsten panel regression using correlated panels with corrected standard errors (PCSEs) procedure.

The findings suggest that family-owned construction and real estate firms are slightly more profitable compared to non-family-owned construction and real estate firms; however, family firms command lesser valuation in the market. The reason for this lower valuation is the mismatch between family holding and institutional holding. A family firm’s profitability is primarily driven by institutional holding that acts as mitigation against the agency conflict.

The paper is the first attempt to analyze the profitability of construction and real estate family firms, and compare it with non-family-owned construction and real estate firms.

Access to services for consumers with disabilities (CwD) has gained increased attention from researchers and service providers in recent years. Consequently, ensuring that services are designed and maintained in a manner that is more inclusive and accessible to CwD has become imperative. However, academic literature is fragmented and thus, this study aims to provide a state-of-the-art synthesis for further theoretical development.

This study reviews 77 relevant articles in the domain using a multidisciplinary review following the PRISMA protocol, and a thematic analysis was conducted.

The study thoroughly synthesizes the theories, contexts and methods used in the extant literature. Next, the study presents a new theoretical framework with four broader dimensions: beyond regulations, towards accessibility, value co-creation, inclusion of CwD and role of stakeholders. Furthermore, it highlights the related sub-dimensions attributed to the service design stages (planning, usage and post-usage). Based on this, the study offers critical avenues for future research using the Double Diamond framework.

The study contributes significantly to service design literature for CwD and transformative service research by developing a new consolidated theoretical framework. The findings should direct service providers towards better service designs in related fields. Socially, the study has implications for promoting accessibility and inclusion for CwD, while providing them the freedom of choice.

The purpose of this paper is to identify and build a hierarchy of the factors influencing competitiveness of electronics manufacturing industry (EMI) at the industry level and apply the interpretive structural modeling, fuzzy Matriced’ Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á UN Classement (i.e. the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification; MICMAC) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approaches. These factors have been explained with respect to managerial and government policymakers’ standpoint in Indian context.

This study presents a hierarchy and weight-based model that demonstrates mutual relationships among the significant factors of competitiveness of the Indian EMI.

This study covers a wide variety of factors that form the bedrock of the competitiveness of the EMI. Interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy MICMAC are used to cluster the influential factors of competitiveness considering the driving and dependence power. AHP is used to rank the factors on the basis of weights. Results show that the “government role” and “foreign exchange market” have a significantly high driving power. On the other hand, the “capital resource availability” and “productivity measures” come at the top of the interpretive structural modeling hierarchy, implying high dependence power.

The study has strong practical implications for both the manufacturers and the policymakers. The manufacturers need to focus on the factors of competitiveness to improve performance, and at the same time, the government should come forward to build a suitable environment for business in light of the huge demand and frame suitable policies.

The lackluster performance of the industry is because of the existing electronics policies and environmental conditions. The proposed interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy MICMAC and AHP frameworks suggest a better understanding of the key factors and their mutual relationship to analyze competitiveness of the electronics manufacturing industry in view of the Indian Government’s “Make in India” initiatives.

This paper contributes to the industry level competitiveness and dynamics of multi-factors approach and utilize the ISM–fuzzy MICMAC and AHP management decision tool in the identification and ranking of factors that influence the competitiveness of the EMI in the country.