Search results
1 – 10 of 131Shumank Deep, Rajesh Joshi and Sanjay Patil
Construction industry is one of the worst affected sectors due to the impact of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Therefore, the purpose of this study was…
Abstract
Purpose
Construction industry is one of the worst affected sectors due to the impact of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the key competencies that should be demonstrated by the contractors in the post-COVID-19 scenario to make them resilient to the adverse impact of pandemic outbreaks.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey instrument was developed using an extensive literature review and was tested using a pilot study. It was then administered online using survey monkey to 900 respondents, out of which 324 complete responses were obtained. The data analysis was performed using exploratory factor analysis and second-order confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
After analyzing the data, it was identified that the most critical competence was managing site safety (standard factor loading (SFL) = 0.91), followed by leadership skills (SFL = 0.88), technical competence (SFL = 0.81), managing supply chain disruption (SFL = 0.73) and financial stability (SFL = 0.48) that were found to be less essential from the respondents’ point of view.
Originality/value
The study is first of its kind to identify the core competencies that should be demonstrated by the contractors to cope with COVID-19-induced disruptions. The findings of this article can be used by the practitioners to develop policies and procedures for selection of contractors.
Details
Keywords
Seema Das, Sumi Jha and Sumita Datta
This study aims to explore the career transition process of women professionals when they return to the workplace after a break and re-integrate with their career aspirations.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the career transition process of women professionals when they return to the workplace after a break and re-integrate with their career aspirations.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews for data collection. All 20 women participants have returned to their careers after a break.
Findings
The data analysis reveals women’s career transition and re-integration process into the workplace after a career break. Supervisory support, work–life balance practices, role models, coworker support and career success emerged as factors enabling successful transition. The employing organisations’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring strategy emerged as an important mechanism for re-entry.
Originality/value
Although previous research has studied women professionals returning after a break, the “transition process” that enables re-entry is missing.
Details
Keywords
Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, Vivek Mendonsa, Harshit Joshi and Tejal Pradhan
The context of the case presents an account of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiated by Lawrence & Mayo (L&M), a company dealing in optical frames for 140 years…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The context of the case presents an account of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiated by Lawrence & Mayo (L&M), a company dealing in optical frames for 140 years, helped to build brand equity, image and identity, creating a strategic advantage against competition. The case had a deep-rooted theoretical association with a theory such as the triple bottom line theory (three Ps: profit, people and planet) on CSR. The case helps to understand and clarify the role of CSR in brand equity. It also gives an insight into the value and culture of L&M, and its impact on various stakeholders, namely, employees and customers.
Case overview/synopsis
This case is related to the CSR orientation of L&M and its impact on brand equity. As a brand, L&M is over 140 years old and has a dynamic and trending optics market in India. There is a dilemma in the company around the impact of CSR on brand equity, customer engagement and company goodwill. This case focuses on maintaining and improving brand equity, identity and image through CSR initiatives.
Complexity academic level
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, essential for students focusing on Marketing and CSR disciplines.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 8: Marketing.
Details
Keywords
Aman Kumar Joshi, Rajesh Matai and Nagesh N. Murthy
This study aims to investigate the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) investment on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) profitability in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) investment on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) profitability in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a framework based on the ICT investment and firm size, measuring the impact on profit before depreciation, interest, tax and amortisation of MSME by taking a random sampling of 300 Indian MSME manufacturing firm’s secondary data from the Prowess database. This framework was analysed using the design of experiment (DoE) technique.
Findings
The study showed that ICT investment has a significant positive relationship with profitability. This study examines the different ICT investment levels to predict investment strategies and fine-tune profit targets. The critical finding is that ICT investment maximises profit at one million rupees. This discovery aids MSME leaders’ sustainable business decision-making.
Research limitations/implications
This study has an explicit limit to the Indian context, where the firm requirements of countries are different, and these findings need to be validated with many operating variables and applied to more firms with more data. Even so, as a theoretical implication, this study took a novel approach to ICT adoption (through ICT investment) in the Indian MSME sector with guiding levels of ICT investment for each type of firm (i.e. micro, small and medium). This study opens new avenues for investigating researchers and stakeholders by exploring other factors responsible for ICT adoption.
Practical implications
This study uniquely provides practitioners with the functional level of ICT investment for MSMEs in the Indian context. These finding guides top management to make strategic ICT adoption decisions with information symmetry. At the same time, these findings suggest financial institutions astern their credit programme to provide credit for ICT investment in MSMEs.
Social implications
This study highlights the value of ICT as a practical resource for business owners that significantly makes MSMEs more informed and profitable, thus creating more jobs and incrementing the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Originality/value
This study offers unique empirical findings on how decision makers in MSMEs maximise profits through optimal ICT investment levels depending upon the firm size in an emerging economy like India. There is evidence in the study to conclude that ICT is a need of MSME and has implications for firm performance.
Details
Keywords
B. Rajesh Kumar, K.S. Sujit and Waheed Kareem Abdul
The purpose of this study is to broadly examine the role of marketing–finance interface factors for value creation. Specifically, the study investigates the influence of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to broadly examine the role of marketing–finance interface factors for value creation. Specifically, the study investigates the influence of discretionary expenditures such as advertisement on valuation of brands and firms within the framework of risk factors.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the model and hypotheses of this study as it has the possibilities of multiple causations among different variables used in the system. Some independent variables are not truly independent and there is a possibility of biased estimation and inconsistent results. Hence a dynamic simultaneous equation model is used including the instrumental variable approach.
Findings
The study provides evidence for direct association between brand value and firm value which is represented by the joint impact of both operating and stock market performance. The results establish the direct relationship between brand and firm value and signify the relevance of intangible value creation.
Originality/value
This study addresses the gap in the research which examines the role of marketing decisions on value creation which jointly impacts both operating and stock market performance.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Joshi, Apoorva Srivastava and Varun Ashwini Aggarwal
The case aims to deal with multigenerational entrepreneurship. The family business of sports goods was initiated by Yashpal Aggarwal and his friends in the 1950s. Yashpal acquired…
Abstract
Purpose
The case aims to deal with multigenerational entrepreneurship. The family business of sports goods was initiated by Yashpal Aggarwal and his friends in the 1950s. Yashpal acquired the art of doing business and started initially with trading of sporting goods in Mumbai. Yashpal had three sons, Ashok, Ashwini and Rajesh, who ventured into sports trading business as well. After the demise of Yashpal, Ashok shifted to Jalandhar and started a manufacturing unit, producing roller skates. Ashwini, being entrepreneurial and innovative, had always desired to professionalise the business and hence started with Okini Sports. Okini Sports emerged as the first organised professional sports mall in India.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on case research, individual interviews at different levels, testing the case several times and filling the case gaps during the process to authenticate information, multiple sources of information have been used.
Findings
Businesses largely compete on the basis of available talent, competency and capability. Family businesses must be open to induct competent people within the family with the required skills to lead the company. If a family nurtures a member with requisite skills, values, to keep shareholders, key customers, and suppliers loyal to the business, then family leadership is the best option. As the business grows in dimension, differential capabilities are required to run the business competitively, hence, inducting talented individuals as professionals is a better option. A family must be realistic about the talents available internally.
Research limitations/implications
This case is restricted to sports family business entrepreneurship in the context of India, but has a great learning towards multigenerational entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
The case is original with the family in its fourth generation, the youngest looking to diversify and professionalize the business, set his family dreams of setting up the biggest sports mall in India.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing the happiness of customers of two global coffee food chains through qualitative research in the post pandemic era…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing the happiness of customers of two global coffee food chains through qualitative research in the post pandemic era. Unlike existing studies, this study will compare and examine the differential points between two global coffee food chains so that others can improve their strategies to improve their competitiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
It is qualitative research employing sentiment analysis through “Sprinkler Software” to assess the sentiment of customers of Starbucks and Barista followed by focus interviews through the same customers who have visited both Starbucks and Barista.
Findings
The results showed that most important factors which motivate customers and make them happy to go for “Starbucks” or “Barista” are ambience, store location, quality of product offerings and service quality. Value for money, quality of products and service quality are the top three variables affecting the customers and have rated Starbucks better than Barista on these parameters. The happiness level of the same customers who have visited both the coffee chains is more with Starbucks compared to Barista.
Originality/value
This research contributes to better understanding the effects of different marketing strategies adopted by coffee chain stores and can provide direction to Barista and other coffee chains. The stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model in coffee chain store application is an additional contribution to existing knowledge.
Highlights
Most important factors which motivate customers and make them happy to go for “Starbucks” or “Barista” are ambience, store location, quality of product offerings and service quality.
Value for money, quality of products and service quality are the top three variables affecting the customers and have rated Starbucks better than Barista on these parameters.
The happiness level of the same customers who have visited both the coffee chains are more with Starbuck compared to that of Barista.
This is significant and can give direction to Barista and other coffee chains through learning from this research.
Using the extended SOR model, we explain the variation in response in the happiness level of customers of two coffee chains.
In order to give an insight into the strategies adopted by Starbucks and Barista in emerging markets, a comparison of the happiness levels of clients of both coffee chains is presented.
This original research can help coffee chains improve their return on investment.
The SOR model in coffee chain store application is an additional contribution to existing knowledge.
Most important factors which motivate customers and make them happy to go for “Starbucks” or “Barista” are ambience, store location, quality of product offerings and service quality.
Value for money, quality of products and service quality are the top three variables affecting the customers and have rated Starbucks better than Barista on these parameters.
The happiness level of the same customers who have visited both the coffee chains are more with Starbuck compared to that of Barista.
This is significant and can give direction to Barista and other coffee chains through learning from this research.
Using the extended SOR model, we explain the variation in response in the happiness level of customers of two coffee chains.
In order to give an insight into the strategies adopted by Starbucks and Barista in emerging markets, a comparison of the happiness levels of clients of both coffee chains is presented.
This original research can help coffee chains improve their return on investment.
The SOR model in coffee chain store application is an additional contribution to existing knowledge.
Details
Keywords
Kedar Joshi, K.N. Singh and Sushil Kumar
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a newly developed integrated multi‐criteria decision method (MCDM) with two‐sided preferences or selection scenario in build‐to‐order…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a newly developed integrated multi‐criteria decision method (MCDM) with two‐sided preferences or selection scenario in build‐to‐order supply chains so as to explore the future applications like supplier parks.
Design/methodology/approach
The current state of the consolidation scenario of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers is presented and build‐to‐order imperativeness in the case of a supplier park is highlighted. These motivations guided the need for development of a new technique in two‐sided selection scenario. The MCDM technique, like analytical network process (ANP), is integrated with a mutual compatibility index. A hypothetical example is presented to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Findings
The newly developed integrated methodology helps the decision maker to incorporate both sided preferences in the final supplier‐manufacturer selection.
Originality/value
This paper allows the reader to understand the build‐to‐order supply chain and supplier park situation. The emerging trends in the automobile sector in India are also highlighted. This new integrated technique certainly adds value to the decision maker in today's competitive world.
Details
Keywords
Gaurvendra Singh, Yash Daultani, R. Rajesh and Rajendra Sahu
Over the years, the fruit and vegetable supply chain has encountered several challenges. From the harvesting stage until it reaches the consumer, a significant portion of fruits…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the years, the fruit and vegetable supply chain has encountered several challenges. From the harvesting stage until it reaches the consumer, a significant portion of fruits and vegetables gets wasted in the supply chain. As a result, the present study attempts to identify and analyze the growth barriers in the fresh produce supply chain (FPSC) in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated grey theory and DEMATEL based approach is used to analyze growth barriers in the FPSC. The growth barriers were analyzed and sorted based on their influence and importance relations.
Findings
The results emphasize that the most critical growth barriers in the FPSC that should be addressed to ensure food waste reduction are as follows: Lack of cold chain facilities (B2), lack of transportation or logistic facilities (B1), lack of collaboration and information sharing between supply chain partners (B3), lack of proper quality and safety protocols (B15), a lack of processing and packaging facilities (B14), and poor productivity and efficiency (B13). Results are also verified by conducting a sensitivity analysis.
Practical implications
The results are highly useful for policymakers to exploit growth barriers within the FPSC that require more attention. The obtained results show that the managers and policymakers need to utilize more funds to develop the cold chain facilities and logistics facilities to develop the FPSC. By improving the cold chain facilities, it is possible to improve the quality of food, make the food safe for human consumption, reduce waste, and increase the efficiency and productivity of the supply chain. Also, this study may encourage policymakers and industrial managers to adopt the most influential SCM practices for food waste reduction.
Originality/value
Many researchers have attempted to analyze the causes of food waste and growth barriers in the FPSC using various decision-making methods. Still, no attempts are made to explore the causal relations among various growth barriers in FPSC through the integrated Grey-DEMATEL technique. Also, we devise policy implications in the light of the new farm bills or the Indian agricultural acts of 2020. Lack of cold chain facilities (B2) was found to be the critical driving barrier in the FPSC, as it influences multiple barriers. Also, there is a dire need for cold chain facilities and transportation systems to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Details
Keywords
Jyoti Joshi Pant and Vijaya Venkateswaran
The purpose of the study is to understand whether psychological contract (PC) expectations manifest differently for diversity clusters of gender, physical disability and region in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to understand whether psychological contract (PC) expectations manifest differently for diversity clusters of gender, physical disability and region in relation to job performance and intention to stay.
Design/methodology/approach
It is a survey-based study. Data from 1,065 information technology and business process management professionals were analysed using partial least square based structural equation model (PLS-SEM) and multigroup analysis.
Findings
The met PC expectations related to career growth and development impact performance and are influenced by regional diversity. The met PC expectations related to job and work environment impact the intention to stay. Gender and physical disability do not influence any relationship.
Research limitations/implications
The findings related to physical disability are based on a small sample of 60 employees. This could be reflective of their actual participation in the workplace.
Practical implications
No significant differences were found between men and women employees with/without physically disability. However, regional diversity creates significant differences. Diversity policies should reckon these similarities/differences while viewing requirements of job performance and determinants of intention to stay.
Social implications
One needs to be careful while assuming diversity as a heterogeneous phenomenon. The reality could reflect both differences and similarities. Diverse employee groups having a common set of expectations is a socially positive evolution connoting better social integration.
Originality/value
This article is one of the first to research the influence of gender, physical disability and regional diversity on PC and its outcomes in India. Regional diversity has not been studied based on this framework and this adds to the body of knowledge.
Details