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Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Kanupriya Misra Bakhru and Alka Sharma

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Abstract

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Kanupriya Misra Bakhru, Manas Behera and Alka Sharma

This paper aims to examine the traditional business communities and family businesses of India, their emergence and sustained growth.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the traditional business communities and family businesses of India, their emergence and sustained growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the role of business communities in family businesses of India and identify business communities that have still sustained and marked a global presence.

Findings

Business communities such as Marwaris have the knack for business activities and are leaders of family businesses in India today, who have sustained their past success and continue to create new histories. Other traditional business communities such as Parsis, Sindhis, Chettiars and Gujarati banias have not been able to sustain much. Possible reasons were switching to white-collar jobs, taking up diplomacy and other professions, inter caste marriages, international migration in search of business and Indian government policies.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a useful source of information for academics, policy-makers and economists.

Practical implications

Traditional business communities populate the list of family businesses that have marked their global presence. This paper identifies various factors that are responsible for the growth and sustainability of these business communities.

Social implications

The study clarifies the role of business communities in domestic economic development.

Originality/value

The paper explored traditional business communities of India and assessed their role in family businesses of India that currently mark a global presence.

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2018

Rachna Sharma and Alka Goel

The paper focused onto the development of microcapsules by using two essential oils. It proposes the uses of eucalyptus oil and cedarwood oil as a natural insecticide. The purpose…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper focused onto the development of microcapsules by using two essential oils. It proposes the uses of eucalyptus oil and cedarwood oil as a natural insecticide. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of developed microcapsules to impart insect repellency on textile substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an experimental study using two essential oils and gum in formations of microcapsules through a simple coaseravtion encapsulation technique. The developed solution was analyzed, including confirmation of size and structure through. Application of developed finish on substrate was also undertaken to prove better ability as repellent fabric.

Findings

The paper highlights useful invention of microencapsulated fabric developed with the combination of gum acacia and eucalyptus oil as core and shell material. The developed fabric has better ability to repel silverfish as compared to microencapsulated fabric developed with gum acacia (shell) and cedarwood oil (core).

Research limitations/implications

Due to the lack of time and less availability of essential oils, only two oils were used to test the insect repellent behavior.

Practical implications

This paper fulfills an identified need, it includes implications for the development of a very useful natural insecticide to repel silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) insect. This insect is a very common problem found in cloth wardrobes and bookshelves; it mainly attacks the fabric with cellulosic content and starch.

Social implications

Society will get major benefit of using these microencapsulated finished fabrics, which repel silverfish from their home and keep their clothing and books safe for longer period. The natural fragrance and medicinal benefits of these essential oils can never be ignored.

Originality/value

This study sets a new approach to repel insects like silverfish from the bookshelves and clothing wardrobes. A layer of insect repellent microencapsulated finished fabric can be added in these shelves and wardrobes. It is an eco-friendly approach of using natural essential oils instead of chemical insecticides.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2023

Shobha Tewari and Alka Arya

The purpose of this paper is to determine the most efficient hotels in the Indian hotel industry, the competitive positioning of these hotels, and the factors that affect their…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the most efficient hotels in the Indian hotel industry, the competitive positioning of these hotels, and the factors that affect their efficiency change.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a two-stage analysis and uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Global Malmquist productivity index (MPI) approach in the first stage to calculate the managerial performance of a panel of 63 Indian hotels in 2019–2020 and their efficiency change from 2009–2010 to 2019–2020. Bootstrapped generalized least square (GLS) approach is applied in the second stage to evaluate the impact of contextual variables on efficiency change.

Findings

Using the results of the first stage analysis, the authors categorized the 63 Indian hotels into 7 distinct clusters. These clusters represent different levels of competitiveness and pace of growth. The GLS regression reveals a U-shaped relationship between hotel size and efficiency change and a negative relationship between pro social investments and efficiency.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the hotel industry that has used global MPI as a measure of efficiency change in the first stage and GLS in the second stage. In the Indian context, to the best of authors’ knowledge, no such study exists.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2022

Tharaka De Vass, Alka Ashwini Nand, Ananya Bhattacharya, Daniel Prajogo, Glen Croy, Amrik Sohal and Kristian Rotaru

Using a soft-hard continuum of drivers and barriers, this research seeks to explain wood companies' adoption of circular economy (CE) practices.

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Abstract

Purpose

Using a soft-hard continuum of drivers and barriers, this research seeks to explain wood companies' adoption of circular economy (CE) practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple interviews, complemented by secondary documents and site observations were used to investigate three wood-based companies that have adopted CE practices. The 10R framework and soft-hard continuum are used to guide data analysis.

Findings

The adoption of 10R practices were explained by soft-factor incentives of leaders' values and vision and openness for innovation, all within a regulatory void, and eventually overcome hard-factor barriers of process development, supply chain capability and customer behaviours at product end-of-life.

Practical implications

Crucial for CE model adoption are leaders' positive attitudes, subsequently grown across the companies. The 10Rs are a prompt for CE practice adoption to capture and retain value and generate revenue. Collaboration across the supply chain, including customers and other value capture companies (e.g. repurposing companies), is essential to maximise value retention. Government should play an increased soft-factor incentive regulatory role and support CE practices to overcome hard-factor barriers.

Originality/value

This study contributes an explanation of CE adoption within a relatively unsupported context. Despite the regulatory void, CE practice adoption was driven by leader values. To achieve their vision and overcome the numerous barriers, suppliers and customers required a large investment in education. Indeed, customer behaviour, previously thought to be an incentive for CE adoption, is also identified as a barrier.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2016

Piyali Ghosh, Alka Rai, Ragini Chauhan, Gargi Baranwal and Divya Srivastava

The purpose of this study is to examine the potential mediating role of employee engagement between rewards and recognition and normative commitment.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the potential mediating role of employee engagement between rewards and recognition and normative commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses of a sample of 176 private bank employees in India were used to examine the proposed mediated model.

Findings

The variable rewards and recognition is found to be significantly correlated to both employee engagement and normative commitment. Results of regression have been analyzed in line with the four conditions of mediation laid down by Baron and Kenny (1986). Further, SPSS macro developed by Preacher and Hayes (2004) is used to test the proposed mediation model. The relationship between rewards and recognition and normative commitment is found to become smaller after controlling the variable employee engagement. The results provide partial support to the mediation hypothesis.

Originality/value

Normative commitment has been less researched relative to the attention paid to affective commitment. Further, no research has yet focused on the impact of rewards and recognition on normative commitment, with the mediating impact of employee engagement. This study hence provides the first empirical test of the established relationship between rewards and recognition and employee engagement by introducing normative commitment as an outcome variable.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 39 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2018

Alka Rai, Piyali Ghosh, Ragini Chauhan and Richa Singh

This study aims to explore the possibility that rewards and recognition may be instrumental in improving both in-role and extra-role performances of retail sales associates, with…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the possibility that rewards and recognition may be instrumental in improving both in-role and extra-role performances of retail sales associates, with an underlying mediating role of employee engagement in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted across 35 retail stores in five cities located in North India on 247 sales associates. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the mediation hypotheses. Analysis was done in lines with the conditions of mediation laid down by Baron and Kenny (1986).

Findings

Employee engagement is found to fully mediate the impact of rewards and recognition on in-role and extra-role performances.

Practical implications

Organizations should be committed to recognizing employees’ efforts and providing them with financial and non-financial rewards based on organizational policies. Such measures would improve in-role and extra-role performances through enhancing engagement level of employees.

Originality/value

This study makes significant contributions to literature on employee engagement and that on retail sector, especially in Indian context, through highlighting the mediating role of engagement. Given shortage and retention of skilled manpower as major challenges for Indian retailers, engaging sales associates through rewards and recognition to improve their performance at both in-role and extra-role levels can have significant implications for retailers.

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2017

A. Banu Goktan, Alka Gupta, Subhendu Mukherjee and Vishal K. Gupta

The link between social interaction and entrepreneurial activity has attracted considerable attention in the entrepreneurship literature. In this study, we focus on individual…

Abstract

The link between social interaction and entrepreneurial activity has attracted considerable attention in the entrepreneurship literature. In this study, we focus on individual cultural values, shaped by interactions in the social space, as they relate to opportunity evaluation, a cornerstone of the entrepreneurial process. We test our predictions in India, a non-Western society that has sustained one of the highest rates of entrepreneurial activity in the world. Our findings suggest that value orientation of high power distance is negatively associated with opportunity evaluation whereas uncertainty avoidance, collectivism, and femininity are positively associated with opportunity evaluation.

Details

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2574-8904

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 September 2019

Alka Rai, Piyali Ghosh and Tanusree Dutta

The purpose of this paper is to explore how total rewards might influence intention to stay among employees of private sector banks in India. A moderated-mediation mechanism is…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how total rewards might influence intention to stay among employees of private sector banks in India. A moderated-mediation mechanism is hypothesized, in which a system of total rewards leads to intention to stay via engagement and organizational justice (OJ) moderates the linkage of total rewards with engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Perception of employees about the constructs considered has been assessed by a survey, using a structured questionnaire. Employees of private banks located in the State of Uttar Pradesh were the population for this study. A total of 17 branches of 7 private banks were covered, and the number of valid responses was 761. Hypotheses testing has been done with SPSS PROCESS command.

Findings

Hypotheses proposing mediation (engagement as mediator between total rewards and intention to stay), moderation (OJ as moderator between total rewards and engagement) and moderated mediation have found support.

Practical implications

Results obtained direct us to infer that in addition to the amount or value of any reward, aspects of OJ, such as equity and fairness in allocation of such reward and transparency in the procedure followed, are likely to influence the effectiveness of total rewards practices in engaging employees and motivating them to stay with their present employer.

Originality/value

This study adds to total rewards literature by highlighting how a total rewards system can lead to engagement, and consequently to employees’ intention to stay. Results establish OJ as an important attribute to any total rewards package to make the latter more valuable and effective.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2019

Alka Rai

To deal with the agenda of extensive research to establish employer branding as a valuable Human Resource (HR) practice, this study aims to examine perception of seafarer to…

Abstract

Purpose

To deal with the agenda of extensive research to establish employer branding as a valuable Human Resource (HR) practice, this study aims to examine perception of seafarer to explore the attributes related with employer branding in maritime industry. This study intends to explore the applicability of instrumental-symbolic framework of employer branding in maritime industry to understand the dimensions related with attractiveness of seafarers’ jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample of the study is Indian seafarers include only officers from both deck and engine. Total 276 usable responses were considered at the end for data analysis.

Findings

Both, the instrumental and symbolic attributes explained significant variance in predicting attractiveness of seafarers’ occupation, thus supporting hypotheses 1 and 2. In particular, among instrumental dimensions, social/team activities, structure, advancement, travel opportunities and pay and benefits positively predicted seafarers’ attraction towards their job. As symbolic dimension, sincerity, competence and prestige was positively related, and ruggedness was negatively related to attractiveness of the present job among seafarers.

Practical implications

Overall, the present findings ascertain the utility of the framework as a conceptualization of employer brands and support the applicability of instrumental-symbolic framework for understanding the dimensions of occupational attractiveness in different context and culture, i.e. Indian Seafarers.

Originality/value

Although the popularity of employer branding is growing amongst human resources practitioners, but still, there is dearth of academic (mainly empirical research) literature on the subject, `appeals to management researchers (Cable and Turban, 2001; Backhaus and Tikoo, 2004, Edwards, 2009; alniacik and alniacik, 2012; Kucherov and Zavyalova, 2012). With this in consideration and to deal with the agenda of extensive research to establish employer branding as a valuable HR practice, the present study examines perception of seafarer to explore the attributes related with employer branding in maritime industry.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 43 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

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