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This study analyzes supplier development investment decisions under a triadic setting (two buyers and a common supplier). In a triadic setting, the supplier development investment decision of one buyer can have a spillover effect of the benefits on other buyer. Therefore, it is utmost important for the investing buyer to understand the impact of benefit spillover on other competing buyers'. Therefore, one of the purposes of this study to analyze the supplier development investment decision of buyers under two scenarios. First, under cooperative development structure where both buyers jointly invest in supplier and share equal benefits. Second, non-cooperative investment structure where both buyers individually invest in supplier development and share unequal benefits.

In order to assess the impact of supplier development investment decisions on the profitability of buyers and the common supplier, the authors used game-theoretic approach. The authors design a Stackelberg leader-follower game where the supplier acts as Stackelberg leader and buyers follow the supplier's pricing decision to maximize their profit level. Additionally, both buyers decide either to cooperate or non-cooperate while investing in supplier development.

The results show that the cooperative investment is always an optimal strategy for buyers and supplier. Interestingly, the efficient buyer's share of investment level is lower under non-cooperative investment structure and he is better-off due to its capability of taking advantage from the other buyer's investment. However, the inefficient buyer, on the other hand, is worse-off under non-cooperative investment. Furthermore, comparative analysis between the two shows that initially, the buyer who extracts more profit because of the other buyers' development investment tends to prefer the non-cooperative development investment set up. However, after a certain point, the same buyer is better-off under cooperative development investment through cooperation, and sharing equal benefit of the supplier's development, as the supplier in turn, starts charging a higher wholesale price under non-cooperative investment case.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, extant literature on supplier development has mostly focused on. One supplier-one buyer; thus, the learning spillover effect has almost been unexplored. In real-life, different buyers often purchase from the shared supplier. Therefore, it is important to analyze the spillover of supplier development benefits due to investment of one buyer on other buyer and deriving the condition under which buyers would be incentivized to invest jointly or individually.

This study aims to describe the design and synthesis of two novel azo and imine chromophores-based dyes derived from two different aldehydes with intramolecular colour matching that are pH sensitive.

The visible absorption wavelength (λ_max) was extended when azo chromophore was included in imine-based systems. The dyed patterns created sophisticated colour-changing paper packaging sensors with pH-sensitive chromophores using alum as a mediator or mordant. Due to the tight adhesive bonding, the dyes on paper’s cellulose fibres could not be removed by ordinary water even at extremely high or low pH, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. The dyed patterns demonstrated an evident, sensitive and fast colour-changing mechanism with varying pH, from pale yellow to red for Dye-I and from pale yellow to brown-violet for Dye-II.

The λ_max for colour changing was recorded from 400 to 490 nm for Dye-I, whereas from 400 to 520 for Dye-II. The freshness judgement of food was checked using actual experiments with cooked crab spoilage, where the cooked crab was incubated at 37 ^oC for 6 h to see the noticeable colour change from yellow to brown-violet with Dye-II. The colour-changing mechanism was studied with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra at different pH, and thin layer chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance and FTIR spectroscopy studied the desired structure formation of the dyes. Potential uses for smart packaging sensors include quickly detecting food freshness during transportation or right before consumption.

1. Two novel azo-imine dyes have been synthesized with a pH-responsive effect. 2. The pH-responsive mechanism was studied. 3. The study was supported by computational chemistry using density functional theory. 4. The obtained dyes were used to make pH-responsive sensors for seafood packaging to judge the freshness.

The study of relationships in marketing has received much attention of researchers over the past decade. This paper examines whether men and women exhibit differences in the strength of their relationships with a service provider, based on self‐reported behavioral measure, and whether there is a qualitative difference in the type of motivation that led to such a difference.

Two key independent variables are shown to influence the outcome variable – relationship strength – moderated by gender. It is hypothesized that women will exhibit higher levels of intrinsic interpersonal commitment and lower levels of structural bonds in the relationship with their service providers than men resulting in higher levels of Relationship Strength. A total of 150 structured interviews were conducted. The Likert‐type seven‐point scale was used for each of the key variables. Each scale was tested for reliability.

The results of the Chow test provided statistical evidence of the moderating role of gender in influencing relationships.

Further research is needed in testing the significance of the masculine (“instrumental”) and feminine (“expressive”) traits in the partner's gender role identity on the relationship outcomes.

Results have direct implications for the professional service provider in terms to time and resources allocated to each interaction. This is especially true in health care relationships where face‐to‐face time with client is shrinking.

This study examines the nature and source of differences between men and women in a consumer professional services context.

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework of strategic value encompassing several critical dimensions of value creation/delivery process amidst transactions between organizations, which outsource their work to local/global service‐providing firms.

The paper consolidates pertinent extant literature encompassing these value dimensions, into a cohesive framework of “total value orientation” (TVO) for strategic outsourcing decisions, juxtaposed with their respective antecedents/outcomes.

This research paper models the strategic outsourcing process as blending the three perspectives of shared value, respectively, outsourcing service‐provider value, client firm value, and relationship value, which converge toward manifesting into a common synergy labeled as “TVO” of the business system; thereby explaining how outsourcing has transitioned from a mere economically convenient and transaction cost optimizing‐business decision to a more strategically driven initiative based on shared governance and decision‐making.

This integrated framework of comprehensiveness value assessment helps transacting firms in determining the efficacy of an outsourcing decision. The TVO perspective can be usefully extended beyond pure dyadic transaction relationships to a network of relationships between the client firm and its business partners. Such evaluation/measurement of value of the entire business system is critical for firms and organizations to develop greater competitiveness in today's world of global collaborations.

This articulated framework captures several value dimensions into a consolidated structure that reflects the effectiveness of the relationship network between transacting entities within the business system.

The chapter discusses how adolescents are moving beyond the dichotomy of biological and linguistic socialization, forming interpretive meanings at home through the reading of literature in their mother tongue, Bengali. Involving cultural relevance and non-vulnerability, the chapter conceptualizes “leisure activities” and “leisure pursuits” of reading practice of the IXth and Xth graders from both Bengali and English medium schools in Kolkata. The discussion from the theoretical construction mentions the further conceptualization of reading habits and language choice. This is where adolescents derive their agency. Adolescents from the Indian and especially from the Bengali perspective have a path of colonial discourse. From historical standpoint, the change in Bengali language and its grammar structure has influenced the acceptance of Bengali literature among adolescents in varying degrees through generations. Using mixed methods and content analysis, the chapter focuses on young teenagers’ narration on the way they maneuver curriculum and literature in their respective homes. Authors, for example, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Satyajit Ray, and Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, form the Bengali identity construction in the present time. Rabindranath Tagore’s, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s works are always prevalent in the Bengali language syllabus. These are considered the foundational modern literary figures of pre-independent India. These are taught from a nationalist and gender discourse perspective. The adolescents in this chapter also read those at a minimum level at home and attempt to juggle the difficult vocabulary involved. The simple language of post-independent literature is much sought after by teenagers compared to pre-independent literature. Sunil Gangopadhyay’s Kakababu series, Satyajit Ray’s Feluda and Professor Shanku series, and Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s Chander Pahar stand out among the adolescents from both English and Bengali medium unanimously in this chapter.