Search results

This chapter has been seminal work of Dr K.S.S. Iyer, which has taken time to develop, for over the last 56 years to be presented here. The method in advance predictive analytics has developed, from his several other applications, in predictive modeling by using the stochastic point process technique. In the chapter on advance predictive analytics, Dr Iyer is collecting his approaches and generalizing it in this chapter. In this chapter, two of the techniques of stochastic point process known as Product Density and Random point process used in modelling problems in High energy particles and cancer, are redefined to suit problems currently in demand in IoT and customer equity in marketing (Iyer, Patil, & Chetlapalli, 2014b). This formulation arises from these techniques being used in different fields like energy requirement in Internet of Things (IoT) devices, growth of cancer cells, cosmic rays’ study, to customer equity and many more approaches.

Three types of industrial buyer-seller relational process models are available: joining theory, stage theory, and state theory. However, historically, these models have developed based on the knowledge and cultural context of the Western world. Several researchers note that national culture may have an impact on international industrial buyer-seller relationships. Including culture in the models is highly important, especially as the business environment is increasingly more global and different countries have different business cultures. The goal of this paper is to define the most suitable industrial buyer-seller relational process models for describing relationships in various contexts. The paper includes a through literature review and a single case study in order to reach this objective. A new state theory model evolved during the research. It consists of two beginning states: searching and starting; four purely middles states: constant/static, decline, growth, and troubled; and a purely end state: termination. The state of dormant/inert is both a middle state and an end state, that is, when the relational actors are not in contact does not mean that the relationship has ended, but instead, for example, new legislation may have been implemented, which requires the actors to evaluate their relationship and its future. A relationship goes through the two beginning states in the order mentioned above, but after that, any state may occur.

The influence of 4‐amino‐5‐mercapto‐3 n‐propyl‐1‐2‐4‐triazole (AMPT) on corrosion and hydrogen permeation through mild steel in 0.5M H₂SO₄ and 1M HCl has been studied using weight loss measurements and various electrochemical techniques. AMPT is found to be more inhibitive in H₂SO₄ than in HCl. Potentiodynamic polarisation studies clearly prove the fact that this compound behaves as a mixed inhibitor; but predominantly as a cathodic inhibitor. Hydrogen permeation studies and AC impedance measurements also indicate an improved performance of the compound in H₂SO₄. The adsorption of this compound on the mild steel surface obeys Temkin’s adsorption isotherm.

To suggest a conceptual framework to benchmark enablers of growth and link them to performance metrics, duly supported theoretically with definitions and literature review. The sub-objectives of the study are the following:

1. To identify enablers based on theories and antecedents of growth

2. To establish key leads on how the identified enablers have been deployed by leading construction companies, basis their stages of growth and economic context

3. To identify which enablers have higher potential to contribute to competitiveness and growth in an effort to benchmark performance

4. To establish if the enablers deployed is dependent on the market maturity and economic context

To identify enablers based on theories and antecedents of growth

To establish key leads on how the identified enablers have been deployed by leading construction companies, basis their stages of growth and economic context

To identify which enablers have higher potential to contribute to competitiveness and growth in an effort to benchmark performance

To establish if the enablers deployed is dependent on the market maturity and economic context

The enabler-mix-based approach is evolved through literature review, inputs from industry practitioners, and subsequent empirical analysis. To explore relationships, the primary methodology suggested is building theory from practice, justified in specific industry and regional economic context. Content analysis has been used for validation of the framework.

Traditional strategy literature suffers from the limitations in terms of applicability and specific contextual settings. In a rapidly changing and varied environment coupled with the context of emerging countries, there is a need for a benchmarked framework for strategy and growth. The evidence toward utility of the framework has been established through a quick analysis of leading construction companies. Capabilities for “operational and process excellence,” “unique products and services,” and “visionary leadership” emerged to be the higher ranked core growth enablers. However, the deployment of these enablers is dependent on the maturity of the company and its economic context.

This simpler and generic framework analyzes the relative impact on performance, as well as the inter-enabler interaction and substitution effects, in the context of construction companies.

In the context of industries that are volatile in nature (like the construction industry), strategy tools need to be simple and generic towards practical and uncomplicated application for the managers, to achieve positive outcomes.

This paper offers fresh perspectives to benchmarking literature in terms of enablers to deliver growth performance, in the context of construction companies. It attempts to fill the gap in evolving simple strategy tools to ensure sustainable growth performance in industries having nascent research support and less availability of data so far. In the context of industries that are volatile in nature (like the construction industry), strategy tools need to be simple and generic toward practical and uncomplicated application for the managers to achieve positive outcomes.

Learning through international strategic alliances is usually influenced by dispersed locations and cultural difference between the countries of the two firms. This research highlights the importance of contextual factors on learning through international strategic alliances. Based on an empirical study of 271 alliances, our findings reveal that successful alliance learning not only depends on the partner’s openness to share knowledge but also relies on the firm’s capacity to identify and absorb such knowledge. Institutional differences between the countries from where partner firms originate are considered to hinder the alliance learning by decreasing the firm’s absorptive capacity and by enhancing knowledge ambiguity. However, our research suggests that frequent direct communication and high levels of mutual trust and reciprocal commitment between partner firms positively moderate the noxious effects of institutional differences on the alliance learning process.

Introduction Amines have been known for a number of years as effective corrosion inhibitors. Their efficiency is attributed to the presence of the nitrogen atom acting as the active centre for the adsorption of organic molecules on the metal surface. Several aliphatic and aromatic amines have been reported to serve as effective corrosion inhibitors for iron and steel in acidic solutions. The nitrogen‐containing corrosion inhibitor exhibited a very good performance in hydrochloric acid, but very little effect in sulphuric acid. Hence a study of the mechanism by which the corrosion rate is reduced when these organic compounds are added to solutions is of interest. In this study the inhibition of corrosion of mild steel in HCl and H2SO4 has been studied using different electrochemical techniques. Results are reported and discussed.

Successful handling and delivery of projects requires commensurate growth in the business capabilities of construction companies. The current scenario of exponential infrastructure boom in India necessitates scaling up to meet the challenges of competitiveness. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the enablers of sustainable business growth among Indian construction companies, (2) identify gaps in the deployment of the enablers in comparison to competitive successful international construction companies and (3) suggest strategic initiatives to top management of companies and policymakers for promoting business growth and industry competitiveness.

A detailed literature review first identifies an adapted framework for enablers of growth and growth performance of successful international construction companies on basis of industry trends. Thereafter, a questionnaire survey was administered on the leading construction companies in India to assess the deployment of enablers and gaps thereof. A total of 108 valid responses were obtained from top management executives of the companies and analysed through descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing.

Studies indicate that anticipation of new demands and capabilities; business opportunity scanning and human resource skills and capabilities are among the most important enablers of growth. The role of leadership vision and focus on development of human resources is critical to competitiveness and growth. The successful international construction companies have delivered growth utilising their ability to deploy multiple strategies, diversification and new business opportunities. These are sparingly deployed by Indian companies.

The study is limited to the opinion and perceptions of the top management personnel of the construction companies.

High economic growth context offers a unique opportunity for domestic Indian construction companies to leverage. The valuable insights gained from this study provide hints to the top management of these companies to draw managerial implications for facing the challenges ahead and delivering projects in the dynamic and hyper-competitive construction industry. The policymakers on their part are responsible to support and promote initiatives for sustainable growth.

The study suggests business growth enablers to construction companies in India to improve their international competitiveness.