Sanjay Bhattacharya and Gautam Pant
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) holds the potential to significantly improve capabilities and performances for architectural, engineering, construction and operation and…
Abstract
Purpose
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) holds the potential to significantly improve capabilities and performances for architectural, engineering, construction and operation and maintenance (AECO) companies in India. The top management of such companies seems unsure and reluctant to implementation of the 4IR applications. The objective of this research is to identify the 4IR technology applications, which would have a significant impact on the operation of the AECO companies in India. Moreover, the paper further attempts to give a conceptual roadmap for the implementation of these 4IR technologies in the AECO value chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The nascent level of research in 4IR in construction necessitated the adoption of mixed methodologies in research. Hypothesis testing has been carried out on the quantitative data to ascertain the potential of 4IR technologies, which could significantly impact the AECO companies. Subsequently, qualitative research has been used to explore the reasons impacting the technology adoption and generate a possible road map for the implementation of the significant 4IR technology applications.
Findings
The AECO value chain is challenged due to its complexity, uncertainty, fragmented supply chains, myopic thinking and a culture reluctant to change. The study provides insights into the dilemmas of practitioners in the Indian context while exploring possible approaches to carry out the transformation in AECO.
Research limitations/implications
The study validation relied on the opinions, perspectives and recollections of respondents. The opinion of practicing professionals was limited to the Indian context.
Originality/value
The article may help leaders of AECO firms, industry associations, policymakers and academia to take steps in relevant directions to enable digital transformation.
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Kanchan Pant and Arunaditya Sahay
The case study “PVR Limited at a Crossroads” has been designed with the requirements of strategic management. The learning objectives are as follows:• Situational analysis �…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The case study “PVR Limited at a Crossroads” has been designed with the requirements of strategic management. The learning objectives are as follows:
• Situational analysis – understand the global and Indian media and entertainment industry PESTEL.
• Strategic planning – internal and external environmental analysis – strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis helps in achieving the strategic plan.
• Strategy development – to accomplish the turnaround plan, various alternatives are developed; choosing from the possible alternatives is a part of strategic planning.
Case overview/synopsis
PVR Limited (PVR) is the largest premium film exhibition company in India. In their annual report for 2019–2020, Chief Executive Officer Gautam Dutta acknowledged, “It was the first time in our more than two-decade history that we witnessed over 100 million patrons entering our premises in a year”. However, with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic in January 2020, things changed for the entertainment industry in India. There were fears of an eminent third wave and the detection of a new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, added to these fears. Being a major player in the game, PVR felt the impact. And even when the business started to reopen, social distancing remained a concern and ticket sales were impacted. Over-the-top viewership rose dramatically at the cost of the multiplex. The lockdown halted film productions worldwide, leading to a shortage of content. Other revenue streams, such as food and beverage, convenience fees and advertising, also came to a halt. Given the circumstances, Dutta was facing the twin dilemma of how to bring customers back to cinema in a post-pandemic world without in any way compromising the security of its patrons and keeping costs under control while investing in social distancing, safety measures and entertainment infrastructure to enhance the cinematic experience.
Complexity academic level
This case was written for use in Strategic Management classes at the undergraduate and MBA levels. It can be used in both management studies and executive development programs. It is suitable for courses on strategic management and strategic planning focusing on a turnaround strategy. Additionally, the case could be used in consumer behaviour courses in management as the focus of the case is well aligned with discussions related to change in consumer behaviour.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
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Dhruba Kumar Gautam and Ann J. Davis
The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of human resource management in publicly listed finance sector companies in Nepal. In particular, it explores the extent to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of human resource management in publicly listed finance sector companies in Nepal. In particular, it explores the extent to which HR practice is integrated into organisational strategy and devolved to line management.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured interview was conducted with the senior executive responsible for human resource management in 26 commercial banks and insurance companies in Nepal.
Findings
The degree of integration of HR practice appears to be increasing within this sector, but this is dependent on the maturity of the organisations. The devolvement of responsibility to line managers is at best partial, and in the case of the insurance companies, it is more out of necessity due to the absence of a strong central HR function.
Research limitations/implications
The survey is inevitably based on a small sample; however this represents 90 per cent of the relevant population. The data suggest that Western HR is making inroads into more developed aspects of Nepalese business. Compared with Nepalese business as a whole, the financial sector appears relatively Westernised, although Nepal still lags India in its uptake of HR practices.
Practical implications
It appears unlikely from a cultural perspective that the devolvement of responsibility will be achieved as a result of HR strategy. National cultural, political and social factors continue to be highly influential in shaping the Nepalese business environment.
Originality/value
Few papers have explored HR practice in Nepal. This paper contributes to the overall assessment of HR uptake globally and highlights emic features impacting on that uptake.
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Dev Raj Adhikari, Katsuhiko Hirasawa, Yutaka Takakubo and Dhruba Lal Pandey
This paper aims to review the situation of decent work (DW) and quality of work life (QWL) in the context of Nepal.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the situation of decent work (DW) and quality of work life (QWL) in the context of Nepal.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a literature survey. Institutional arrangements for DW and QWL are studied in connection with current labor legislations, national policy documents, and company policies and initiatives. The status of DW and QWL is described, examining national policy documents published by the Government of Nepal, National Planning Commission, labor legislations, International Labor Organization (ILO) and other relevant literature.
Findings
At present, although the country has been successful in reducing the number of people under the poverty line, there are challenges in meeting the DW goals. In the case of QWL, since there is rising dissatisfaction among employers and employees in the present economic and political circumstances, they are interested in short‐term benefits.
Research limitations/implications
There are a number of factors affecting DW and QWL. In this paper only national economic and social conditions, poverty level, employment situation and income generation are considered for analysis. The analysis of the QWL situation is done only on the basis of published information rather than using primary sources of information.
Practical implications
The findings of this study will have a number of implications in understanding and improving the level of current institutional arrangements in order to ensure DW and QWL. The observations made in this paper can add some value in the process of formulation of national policy for, and regulation of DW. The issues discussed will have substantial implication for the development and framing of new labor laws and policies.
Originality/value
The paper focuses on DW and QWL for the first time in the Nepalese context. This is an original contribution by the authors to familiarize readers with the situation of DW and QWL in Nepalese organizations.
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Dev Raj Adhikari and Dhruba Kumar Gautam
This paper aims to review how far Nepalese firms are complying quality of work life (QWL) provisions of the Labor laws and to assess expectations of union leaders on different…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review how far Nepalese firms are complying quality of work life (QWL) provisions of the Labor laws and to assess expectations of union leaders on different dimensions of QWL.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is mainly based on a literature survey. To answer the research, three different labor laws are reviewed. In order to understand expectation of union leaders, a questionnaire survey is administered.
Findings
In Nepalese workplaces, the QWL situation is deteriorating and thus commitment of the part of government, employers, and union leaders is required to work on QWL initiatives and to create a sound and harmonious industrial relations environment.
Research limitations/implications
There are various dimensions affecting QWL initiatives. However, in this study only labor legislation is taken as a measure to examine QWL initiatives. Similarly, to understand expectations towards different dimensions of QWL only views of union leaders are collected. No other views than those of union leaders are considered.
Practical implications
The clear deviation in the implementation of labor laws and widening expectation gap of union leaders can be referred as a poor QWL situation in Nepalese firms. This paper clearly makes an open debate on different QWL issues and provides clues for researchers in making future studies of the QWL situation in Nepal.
Originality/value
A paper of this kind focusing on QWL and labor legislation together with inputs from literature has never been written and published before. This is the original contribution of the authors to familiarize readers with the situation of QWL in Nepalese organizations.
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Niromi Seram and Dulshani Nimesha Maduwanthi
Adjustable children’s clothing is being acknowledged as the best solution worldwide to reduce the unnecessary squandering of money and accumulation of waste materials in landfills…
Abstract
Purpose
Adjustable children’s clothing is being acknowledged as the best solution worldwide to reduce the unnecessary squandering of money and accumulation of waste materials in landfills because provision for size adjustment helps to increase the lifespan of a garment. There are no studies on the preferences of both children and their parents for adjustable children's clothing, although they are equally involved as consumers in the children’ clothing market. Thus, this paper aims to explore the preferences of children and their parents about adjustable children’s clothing.
Design/methodology/approach
Five children’s wear fashion outlets in the Colombo District were studied to explore the types of children’s clothing that are available in the Sri Lankan market. A questionnaire survey was conducted with parents who have children between the ages of 8 and 12 years to determine their perceptions on the use of adjustable children’s clothing. Five children living in the Colombo District were also interviewed.
Findings
According to the questionnaire survey results, 53% of the respondents who have children in the age group 8–12 years were unaware of the existence of adjustable children's clothing, whereas 47% had at least some knowledge of them. Interviews with the five children showed that only two children were aware of garments with adjustment features. As it turned out though, four children were indeed wearing them but did not realize those were adjustable garments. It was found that if adjustable children's clothing were freely available in the Sri Lankan market, 79.5% of the respondents would prefer to buy them because they could appreciate the financial and environmental benefits that would result. Clothing made of standard, high quality, durable and comfortable materials were all in demand. In addition, parents expected adjustable children's clothing products to be available at affordable prices.
Originality/value
This study provides important knowledge that can fill the gap in the existing literature on adjustable children’s clothing. The findings will be beneficial for the children’s clothing product designers and developers, as well as academia.
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When discussing the role of executives in public relations and their involvement in decision making, much research has focused on the dichotomous roles of technician and manager…
Abstract
When discussing the role of executives in public relations and their involvement in decision making, much research has focused on the dichotomous roles of technician and manager. From this it is concluded that an executive’s input into an organisation’s strategic decision making depends on how they enact the managerial role. This paper asserts that there is more to being an accepted member of the top management team than role enactment. Enacting the managerial role is, in fact, nothing more than performing high‐level technical activities. A new measurement of is managerial competency is strategic thinking. What this is and how it can be measured is then discussed.
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During the pandemic, restaurants closed due to restrictions and economic instabilities. This research paper aims to investigate the motivational effect of nostalgia induced by…
Abstract
Purpose
During the pandemic, restaurants closed due to restrictions and economic instabilities. This research paper aims to investigate the motivational effect of nostalgia induced by fear of missing out (FOMO) upon the e-WOM about the dining place. Did FOMO evoke nostalgic memories and emotional symptoms with the dining place? It further inspected if the diners trust the restaurant for these nostalgic memories and their emotional connect.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey-based questionnaire was applied to collect data. A two-step method for analyzing the measurement and structural model was applied by using the principles of SEM to analyze the associations among key constructs in the proposed model.
Findings
Psychological constructs like nostalgia and personality drove the diners’ behavior of trust and e-WOM. The findings also confirmed the mediation effect of brand nostalgia, brand personality and brand trust between FOMO and e-WOM. Further, the model has elucidated the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and usage gratification theories.
Originality/value
This paper has contributed to the branding literature by examining how brand constructs have mediated the path between FOMO and e-WOM. Multiple serial mediation effect among the key variables has been a novel contribution of this study. The ELM and the usage gratification theory have been integrated to extend the theoretical underpinnings in the hospitality sector.