Harinder Singh, Jaideep Motwani and Ashok Kumar
Productivity measurement is a required management tool in evaluating and monitoring the performance of a business operation. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of…
Abstract
Productivity measurement is a required management tool in evaluating and monitoring the performance of a business operation. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the state‐of‐the‐art research on productivity measurement. The paper comprises two major sections. First, to develop some consensus about the techniques that can be employed, the theory of productivity measurement is examined and evaluated from several perspectives. Second, based on the availability of diverse techniques for measuring productivity, we analyze innovative case and field studies that demonstrate the techniques an organization can employ to measure performance adequately.
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Harinder Hari, Arun Sharma and Sanjeev Verma
Voice assistants can present search results through “voice presentation” or “voice and visual”, depending on the device they are connected to. Alternatively, consumers can search…
Abstract
Purpose
Voice assistants can present search results through “voice presentation” or “voice and visual”, depending on the device they are connected to. Alternatively, consumers can search for products manually using the online website. Despite the critical role of presentation formats in helping consumers understand and decide on products, this area remains vastly unexplored, particularly the combined use of voice and visual formats. Thus, to understand which presentation format suits different products, we delve into consumer search behaviour, distinguishing between low and high-involvement products.
Design/methodology/approach
A between-subjects factorial experimental design was used to examine the influence of 3 presentation formats (voice only, visual only and voice and visual) and 2 product involvement levels (low and high) on consumer trust, usefulness and behavioural intentions.
Findings
The results confirm a significant interaction between presentation format and product involvement, highlighting consumers' preference for voice presentation in low-involvement products, while a combination of “voice and visual” is preferred for high-involvement products.
Originality/value
The study shows that both presentation format and product involvement affect the trust and usefulness of voice assistants, which further influences consumers’ behavioural intentions. The key finding contributes to the growing body of knowledge of consumer and voice assistant interaction and offers guidance to managers on the use of voice assistants for their customers.
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Bindvi Arora, Shwet Kamal and Ved Prakash Sharma
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the quality characteristics of white button mushroom powder enrichment in sponge cake. The developed product can be a promising inclusion…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the quality characteristics of white button mushroom powder enrichment in sponge cake. The developed product can be a promising inclusion in the convenience functional foods and would serve the purpose of improving nutritional status of consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
Cakes containing graded levels of agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom) powder were prepared by replacing wheat flour with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 per cent mushroom powder. The effect of mushroom powder supplementation on physical, nutritive and sensory quality of the cakes was evaluated and analyzed statistically using Agres-Agdata software.
Findings
Batter density and specific volume of cake samples decreased with increasing levels of mushroom powder in the formulation, which is contrary to the knowledge that they are inversely proportional. For 20 per cent enrichment, batter density and specific volume decreased by 8.23 and 5.79 per cent, respectively. There was no significant difference in individual organoleptic attributes of cake samples up to a level of 20 per cent fortification of mushroom powder, with significant nutrient enrichment (p > 0.05).
Originality/value
Replacing flour in cakes has been tried with many protein-rich ingredients to improve the nutritional quality of cake although with limiting success when it comes to sensorial acceptability. Mushroom powder was incorporated in the formulation to enrich sponge cakes. The processing technology will also reduce post-harvest losses in mushrooms and improve the nutritional status of society.
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Richa Agarwal and Sumedha Tuteja
Paytm has become a popular method to make cashless payments in India. Be it for transferring funds through mobile numbers, online payment of utility bills, cabs, etc. or payment…
Abstract
Synopsis
Paytm has become a popular method to make cashless payments in India. Be it for transferring funds through mobile numbers, online payment of utility bills, cabs, etc. or payment to offline merchants. This case elaborates on the position Paytm has attained in the market thus far and its ambitious future growth plans. It describes the strategies being adopted by Paytm’s competitors and the new developments in the payments business in India. The case finally narrates the challenges the Fintech firm faces at present and poses a pertinent question: is Paytm on a growth trajectory or committing suicide by leaping so fast?
Research methodology
The case collates secondary data pertaining to Paytm’s current position and recent developments in the Indian mobile wallet industry. It presents the facts and data published on websites, newspapers, and magazines in the form of a case study.
Relevant courses and levels
This case can be applied to strategic management at under graduate and introductory level in post-graduate marketing of digital products.
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Kailash Chandra Garg and Suresh Kumar
The purpose of this paper is to examine the quantum of research papers and the citations these papers received for the plant Jatropha curcas Linn.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the quantum of research papers and the citations these papers received for the plant Jatropha curcas Linn.
Design/methodology/approach
Articles published on Jatropha curcas Linn during 1987–2016 were downloaded from Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCIE) by using the keyword Jatropha* on October 18, 2017. The search resulted in 4,276 records in all. The authors analyzed only 4,111 documents which were published as review articles, research articles and proceeding papers using the complete count methodology. The data were analyzed to examine the pattern of growth of output, most prolific countries, institutions and authors. It also identified highly cited authors and journals used for communicating research results.
Findings
The study indicates that India, China and Brazil are the main contributors to the field and the pattern of growth indicates a steep rise in publication output especially in the last block of 2015–2016. Most of the prolific institutions and authors were also located in these countries. However, the impact of output was different from the pattern of output. The publication output is scattered in more than 1,000 journals published from different parts of the globe.
Originality/value
The plant of Jatropha curcas Linn is a highly useful plant as a source of biofuel energy. This is the second study in English language on this plant and has used a large set of publication data as compared to the first. The findings of the study may be useful for policy makers as well as for researchers working in the field of biofuel energy.