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Article
Publication date: 3 May 2016

Pramila Rao

The purpose of this paper is to examine human resource management (HRM) practices of the top 25 companies identified as “best” in India in 2011. This paper provides insights into…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine human resource management (HRM) practices of the top 25 companies identified as “best” in India in 2011. This paper provides insights into HRM practices of a leading country in Asia that is playing a very important role in the global economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper will use for its research analysis the business reports of the Outlook Business Magazine and AON Hewitt. AON Hewitt is a global human resource consulting company and is an established authority in identifying “best” companies in India since 2004. A qualitative content analysis was done of the business report to identify predominant themes.

Findings

The analysis identified how the “best” 25 Indian companies offer progressive HRM practices that required careful investment and collaboration. This research showcases seven specific HRM themes that include elaborate staffing, investment in learning, work–life balance, egalitarian practices, developmental performance culture, generous benefits and engagement initiatives.

Practical implications

This paper provides preliminary guidelines for global practitioners who may be interested in doing business in India. It also provides a model of “best” HRM practices adopted by 25 companies that could help other organizations identify successful HRM practices in India. Among the 25 companies, 16 are Indian companies and 9 are subsidiaries of multinationals.

Originality/value

This paper outlines HRM “best” practices of organizations in an emerging Asian economy that has not been addressed before. This paper hopes to bridge this paucity in the extant literature by showcasing the “best” HRM practices from 25 “best” companies in India. It also provides an Indian model of “best” HRM practices that can be tested by other scholars for future studies.

Details

Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

Pramila Rao

18194

Abstract

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. 14 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2016

Pramila Rao

This empirical research was conducted in a medium-sized private university located in the north-eastern region of the USA. The purpose of this paper was to understand whether…

Abstract

Purpose

This empirical research was conducted in a medium-sized private university located in the north-eastern region of the USA. The purpose of this paper was to understand whether demographic attributes (age, gender, country of origin and years of stay in the USA) of international students will predict any preferences for specific teaching methods. This study was conducted with international students from October 2012 through May 2013 (fall and spring semesters).

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper provides hypotheses to explore whether there is any relationship between demographic factors and preferences for various teaching methods. This study analyzes the results using both Pearson’s correlations and one-way ANOVA to reject or accept the hypotheses.

Findings

The results demonstrated that there were no significant correlations between the demographic variables of international students and teaching methods. However, the one-way ANOVA analyses suggested that there are differences among age groups and their preferences for group projects, years of studying in the USA and their preferences for classroom discussions, and gender and their preferences for textbook assignments.

Practical implications

This study suggests that scholars provide orientation or training on the host country’s pedagogies so that international students can assimilate better into their academic communities.

Originality/value

This pioneering paper examines the role between demographic variables of international students and teaching pedagogies. This specific concept has not been examined in this literature before. This understanding could contribute to a richer understanding of this population of students.

Details

Journal for Multicultural Education, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-535X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 November 2016

Pramila Rao

This qualitative case study research describes the human resource management (HRM) practices of four leading Indian information technology (IT) subsidiaries located in Mexico. The…

Abstract

Purpose

This qualitative case study research describes the human resource management (HRM) practices of four leading Indian information technology (IT) subsidiaries located in Mexico. The purpose of this study is to understand the implementation of these practices from the global integration-local responsiveness perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a qualitative multiple case-design approach to compare HRM themes across multiple cases. This research was conducted with HRM leaders from December 2011 through August 2012. This research involved interviews with 50 per cent of the population of Indian IT companies in Mexico. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed to maintain the rigor of the research. This study also followed other guidelines to maintain validity and reliability in research.

Findings

The results indicate that each function has to be considered independently because of contextual factors. Recruitment and compensation are usually localized as cultural norms, and local laws dictate following domestic practices. Performance management and professional development follow the guidelines from the headquarters as these companies seek standardization of work-related behaviors among their global employees.

Practical implications

This study provides preliminary guidelines for global IT practitioners who may be interested in doing business in Mexico. This paper also details challenges and guidelines for IT multinationals planning to establish in Mexico as articulated by the respondents.

Originality/value

This can be considered a pioneer research, as no other research papers (either qualitative or empirical) have explored the HRM practices of Indian multinational subsidiaries in Mexico. This paper thus provides a preliminary step in understanding this cross-cultural literature in emerging markets.

Details

Journal of Indian Business Research, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4195

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2017

Pramila Rao

The purpose of this paper is to understand the challenges international students face during their higher education in the USA. This research study was conducted at a private…

1549

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the challenges international students face during their higher education in the USA. This research study was conducted at a private university in the Eastern region of the USA from October 2012 through May 2013 (Fall and Spring semesters) with undergraduate and graduate international students. International students for this study are defined as those students who are on an international student visa status (F1).

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts an online survey method to understand the challenges international students encounter in a single university. A total of 111 students responded providing a response rate of 33 percent. The results were analyzed using frequencies and percentages.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that the primary learning challenges of international students are inadequate writing skills, non-participation, and comprehension abilities. The predominant learning needs are writing academic papers, enhancing class participation, and having local mentors. The students recommend that professors offer detailed feedback, encourage nurturing environments, and provide informal feedback for assignments. The preferred pedagogies are class lectures, class discussions, and individual assignments.

Practical implications

This study provides implications for both faculty and administrative staff in managing international students better.

Originality/value

This paper provides a holistic picture of the challenges international students face during their higher education in the USA. Most of the research on this population focuses only on one of the elements addressed in this research. The results of this empirical study will help guide both local faculty and global academic institutions in understanding this student population better.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2010

Avinandan Mukherjee and G. Shainesh

The purpose of this paper is to look back at the first year of publication of the Journal of Indian Business Research (JIBR) and to provide details of the current issue.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look back at the first year of publication of the Journal of Indian Business Research (JIBR) and to provide details of the current issue.

Design/methodology/approach

It is time to look back at the first year of launch of the JIBR. After all, it is widely believed in the academic publishing world that the first year of a new journal is the most crucial one. This editorial gives details of the current issue, paper by paper.

Findings

Filling a much‐felt gap for a high‐quality publishing outlet on Indian business research, JIBR has attracted the attention of leading scholars in the discipline in the very first year of its existence. Renowned scholars such as Jagdish Sheth, Alok Chakrabarti, Raj Aggarwal, Madhukar Angur, G.K. Kalyanaram and Rajendra Sisodia have published their research and/or viewpoints/commentaries in JIBR in its very first year. This issue begins with “Corporate social responsibility communication in the Indian context” wherein Brigitte Planken, Subrat Sahu, and Catherine Nickerson report on research, which investigates the CSR platforms and the communication surrounding those platforms in India. In the second paper titled “Effectiveness of integrated marketing communications: empirical analysis of two brands in India,” Mehir Baidya and Bipasha Maity utilize quarterly, time‐series data over 2000‐2005 for two competing brands in packaged goods business to assess the impact of marketing communication on sales. Pramila Rao, in the third paper titled “A resource‐based analysis of recruitment and selection practices of Indian software companies: a case study approach” enhances our understanding on senior‐level staffing practices of Indian software companies. The next paper by Federica Collato is a case study titled “Is Bangalore the Silicon Valley of Asia? Analysis of the evolution and the structure of this Indian local economy organization.” The final paper of this issue is a viewpoint article on “Overcoming decision flaws from framing” by V.N. Bhattacharya.

Originality/value

The Editorial provides an overview of the inaugural volume of JIBR.

Details

Journal of Indian Business Research, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4195

Keywords

Content available
260

Abstract

Details

South Asian Journal of Global Business Research, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2045-4457

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2010

Pramila Rao

The purpose of this paper is to detail staffing practices of five software companies located in India.

4019

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detail staffing practices of five software companies located in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research paper uses purposeful sampling to provide rich data on senior‐level staffing practices. The interviews conducted in India are tape‐recorded and notes are also taken diligently. The interviews are coded to identify similar and dissimilar themes.

Findings

This research identifies internal recruitment, employer references, succession planning, interviews, personality tests, newspaper recruitment, professional search agencies, and bio‐data as the predominant senior‐level staffing practices.

Practical implications

The paper identifies successful staffing practices adopted by domestic software companies. As multinational companies significantly increase their presence in India, global practitioners can implement successful staffing practices by having a thorough understanding of local staffing practices.

Originality/value

This paper identifies successful staffing practices of the Indian software organizations. This paper further provides a staffing model based on the Lepak and Snell staffing typology and details the main human resource management challenges of the Indian software industry.

Details

Journal of Indian Business Research, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4195

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2010

Pramila Rao

The purpose of this paper is to enhance knowledge on debates as a pedagogical learning technique.

473

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance knowledge on debates as a pedagogical learning technique.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical research was conducted in a northeastern university in the USA on graduate and undergraduate business students taking human resource management (HRM) classes. This research was conducted in the spring summer, and fall semesters of 2009. A total number of 68 completed student surveys from both graduate and undergraduate students were collected over the entire year. This empirical paper provides the null and alternate hypotheses for understanding the relationship between debates and short‐ and long‐term learning outcomes. This study uses the Pearson's correlations and significance levels to reject or accept the hypotheses. The means, SD, and percentages of students' responses with their open‐ended comments are also provided to enhance understanding of the subject.

Findings

This research suggests there are positive correlations between debates and short‐ and long‐term learning outcomes. Further, most of the statements for short‐ and long‐term learning outcomes and debates are significant at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels. Open‐ended comments from students in the survey also enrich the data by providing relevant positive and negative comments.

Practical implications

This study will help educators enhance the understanding of debates and also the impact of short‐ and long‐term outcomes on student learning. This paper also provides debate prompts and formats that HRM professors could possibly adopt in their classes.

Originality/value

This paper has integrated the learning taxonomies of Bloom's and Angelo and Cross' with the learning process of debates to provide a comprehensive theoretical understanding of this learning technique.

Details

Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, vol. 4 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-497X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2009

Pramila Rao

The purpose of this paper is to understand national cultural dimensions and identify their relationship to survey‐response strategies.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand national cultural dimensions and identify their relationship to survey‐response strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical paper will highlight the importance of understanding national cultural dimensions for adopting normative equivalence strategies in international survey research. The survey was sent to 104 Human Resource Directors located in Mexico via email and efax. The paper will identify survey strategies that contributed to a response rate of 49 per cent, which is considered high in cross‐cultural research.

Findings

The importance of normative equivalence strategies in international survey research is highlighted. While semantic and conceptual equivalence are aimed at survey coherence, normative equivalence strategies highlight the significance of the relationship‐building with the respondents. Normative equivalence strategies include identifying people that the respondents will trust and respond to, building an excellent rapport with the respondents, and identifying strategies to be perceived as part of the respondents’ group.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies strategies that potential researchers can adopt to increase response rate. Further, it integrates national cultural dimensions and strategies and provides a model that potential researchers can adopt.

Originality/value

This paper associates the latest national cultural dimensions (global leadership and organizational behavior effectiveness study) and survey research strategies – an aspect that has not been addressed in the literature before.

Details

Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7606

Keywords

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