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Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Goutam Kumar Kundu and Jayachandra Bairi

The purpose of this paper is to develop a process model, focusing on the detailed analysis of the requirement of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a process model, focusing on the detailed analysis of the requirement of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards related to Participants area, for implementation in a business school setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an articulated procedure for the development of the process model. The study adopted a three-step approach for developing the process model.

Findings

The process model has provided a systemic approach to process design and implementation of AACSB accreditation standards related to Participants area in a business school environment. The process model was developed and applied over the course of systematic reviews in a business school setting.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has developed the process model catering to the requirements of the AACSB standards related to Participants area only. In the near future, the authors intend to develop processes for the remaining areas of AACSB standards.

Originality/value

The present work attempts to develop a process model to meet the requirements of the standards related to Participants area. Academic institutions can benefit from the process model whether they are planning to implement AACSB standards for accreditation or are interested in changing their current processes following AACSB standards.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Goutam Kumar Kundu and Jayachandra Bairi

The purpose of the paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed analysis of requirements of the AACSB International – the Association to Advance…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed analysis of requirements of the AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards related to the learning and teaching area – for evaluation of implementation readiness in a business school setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adopted a multi-method approach for developing the final content of the checklist.

Findings

The introduction of the checklist has provided a systemic approach to process design and evaluation of readiness of a business school for AACSB accreditation related to the learning and teaching area. The checklist was developed and applied over the course of systematic reviews in a business school setting.

Research limitations/implications

The checklist has been developed considering the requirements of the AACSB standards related to the learning and teaching area only. In the near future, the authors intend to develop checklists for the remaining areas of AACSB standards.

Originality/value

This research offers a comprehensive checklist comprising the requirements of the standards related to the learning and teaching area. The checklist would be useful to the business schools that are planning to implement AACSB standards for accreditation or are interested in changing their current processes to follow AACSB standards.

Details

Journal of International Education in Business, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-469X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2012

Jayachandra Bairi, B. Murali Manohar and Goutam Kumar Kundu

The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement an efficient capacity and availability management tracker for information technology (IT) service delivery management that…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement an efficient capacity and availability management tracker for information technology (IT) service delivery management that can be applied by analyzing base‐lined data, using quantitative project management and knowledge discovery techniques, for taking decisions on a monthly basis in resource allocation, optimum resource utilization and efficient service level management.

Design/methodology/approach

A ticket forecasting model has been developed. Also data were collected from fixed price running IT service delivery programs with about 200 or more full‐time employees working in each program, limited to four large service lines. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the data were base lined and applied to a capacity and availability management tracker. The results were then analyzed and conclusions drawn.

Findings

The findings suggest that the service provider was able to share the resources across the organization as needed based on demand, and overall the bench strength of the organization was drastically reduced. Also they were able to achieve better service level management. This has contributed to profit margin improvement in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

The relatively small sample size (three programs and four service lines in one IT service organization) has impact on research implications.

Practical implications

The results have implications for practice in promoting IT tools and technique for capacity and availability management in an IT service provider. It is suggested that senior management may need to concentrate on adapting a positive approach promoting the usage of new IT tools and techniques in order to achieve IT service improvement, better performance and margin improvement.

Originality/value

This study has addressed the consequences of initiating an organization‐wide knowledge‐based process performance model for a popular strategic IT initiative. The study has answered the questions on better resource utilization and efficient service level management.

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2013

Jayachandra Bairi, B. Murali Manohar and Goutam Kumar Kundu

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the major critical success factors involved in knowledge acquisition from an aging oil and gas workforce by outsourced

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the major critical success factors involved in knowledge acquisition from an aging oil and gas workforce by outsourced service providers and find the outcome. In addition, the authors are also interested in finding out the outcome for the client and the service provider by following these critical success factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors shortlisted two outsourced firms for studying, primarily because they deliver lots of service support work to oil and gas firms. For the exploratory nature of this case study, a structured, open‐ended interview was conducted. Through face‐to‐face interviews with 12 senior managers, primary data were collected. Upon content analysis of data collected, the framework was evaluated.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that both client and service providers can benefit by following major critical success factors for knowledge acquisition. From the open‐ended interview with the two companies, it can be concluded that the service providers are able to grow their technical and domain capability through knowledge acquisition from ageing workforce and reduce the cost to client.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been restricted to two service providers, with majority of operations carried out of India, focusing only on US/UK‐based oil & gas firms. Implication on theory is, by following these critical success factors, it is likely to be easier to acquire the knowledge from an aging oil and gas workforce.

Practical implications

The service provider firms can build their knowledge capability, reducing the cost to both client and service provider. Further study with more service providers at the global level may help in pooling larger data. The primary contribution of the paper is in introducing the critical success factors with various associated activities that drive knowledge acquisition from an aging workforce.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of the paper is in introducing the critical success factors with various associated activities that drive knowledge acquisition from an aged workforce in the oil and gas industries. Second contribution is in highlighting the role of these critical success factors in gaining various benefits to client as well as to service providers.

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2015

Goutam Kumar Kundu, B. Murali Manohar and Jayachandra Bairi

The purpose of this paper is to capture and analyze the perception gaps with respect to the current usage and importances of the lean practices from the IT support service…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to capture and analyze the perception gaps with respect to the current usage and importances of the lean practices from the IT support service practitioners’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed to capture the perceptions of the IT support service practitioners. The survey data were quantitatively analyzed by using statistical techniques which included testing of the hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis of the perception gaps revealed that even though all the gaps are statistically significant but gaps between different practices are not same. The gap analysis would be useful for IT support service organization in prioritizing the lean practices for implementation.

Originality/value

Lean practice applicability and implementation in IT support services is a relatively new domain, where mature empirically based studies are scarce. This study provides a sound basis for further research on lean implementation in IT support service area.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 27 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2016

Goutam Kumar Kundu and Jayachandra Bairi

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed analysis of the requirement of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed analysis of the requirement of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards related to strategic management and innovation area, for evaluation of implementation readiness in a business school setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an articulated procedure for the development of the checklist. The study adopted a multi-method approach for developing the final content for the checklist.

Findings

The introduction of the checklist has provided a systemic approach to process design and evaluation of readiness of a business school for AACSB accreditation related to strategic management and innovation area. The checklist was developed and applied over the course of systematic reviews in a business school setting.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has developed the checklist comprising the requirements of the standards related to strategic management and innovation area only. In the near future, the authors intend to develop checklists for the remaining areas of AACSB standards.

Originality/value

The present work attempts to develop a comprehensive checklist comprising the requirements of the standards related to strategic management and innovation area. Academic institutions can benefit from the checklist whether they are planning to implement AACSB standards for accreditation or are interested in changing their current processes following AACSB standards.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2011

Jayachandra Bairi and B. Murali Manohar

The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors in gaining user customer satisfaction in IT outsourced services and find how it helps in the competitive…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors in gaining user customer satisfaction in IT outsourced services and find how it helps in the competitive advantage and customer retention for the service provider. Improving the service quality and customer satisfaction of outsourced IT service is the main rationale behind pursuing this research.

Design/methodology/approach

Three firms were selected for studying primarily because a large part of their IT support work is outsourced to multiple vendors and support work is carried out, both on site and offshore. A structured, open‐ended interview was conducted because of the exploratory nature of this case study. The primary data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews, with 12 senior managers. Extensive secondary data were provided by the interviewees.

Findings

The paper provides evidence that by following critical success factors there are few expected outcomes to client and service provider organizations, like user satisfaction for the client, and competitive advantage and customer retention in IT service‐providing organizations. As evident from the interview with the three companies, from their experience over the years of outsourcing the IT services, the service providers are able to sustain better employee retention. Customers have seen improved employee attitude and morale, increased productivity of the service provider, which resulted in reduced costs to customers over the years.

Research limitations/implications

The findings were based solely on oil and gas organizations from North America and UK. Also, service providers for these organizations have the majority of their operations out of India, and again, the feedback from the customers may be focused only on these service providers, and may not reflect service practices in other geographic, economic or cultural settings. The implication of this research on theory is, by following these critical success factors, user customer satisfaction is likely to improve with outsourced IT services.

Practical implications

This research may help in reducing service provider burn‐out and improve employee retention. Lessons learned are that to be a successful IT service provider in a long‐run, one needs to understand the end user and executives of client, and also its own knowledge workers. Also, the findings may provide valuable insights for practitioners.

Originality/value

IT outsourcing is ultimately a people‐centric business. Many client and service provider companies make the error of assuming that it's a process‐centric event, or a simple business transaction. The best outsource service providers focus on morale, resistance, retention, and cultural evolution. Implementing effective service management will pay back in terms of better service and improved business performance, and result in stronger long‐term relationships between suppliers and recipients.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 24 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2011

Jayachandra Bairi, B. Murali Manohar and Goutam Kumar Kundu

The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate an effective employee retention plan for information technology (IT) service organizations as part of a knowledge management…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate an effective employee retention plan for information technology (IT) service organizations as part of a knowledge management (KM) strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The employee retention plan is evaluated at three IT multi‐national companies which are providing global IT services with successful knowledge management systems (KMS) in place. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with senior managers and team leaders of three companies. The data collected is used for studying attrition and retention and its impact on KM.

Findings

The paper provides evidence of various strategic, technological, and local issues influencing the success of retention and its benefit to KM programs in global IT service companies. Organizations adapt attrition control measures for long‐term benefit. These measures help in effective KM, serving the client at lower cost with consistent service levels.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews are limited to three large companies in the IT services sector in the Bangalore (India) region. Future in depth studies would benefit from a larger and more diverse sample. It is suggested that IT service organizations develop and practice effective employee retention plans along with effective KMS.

Practical implications

To provide clear benchmarks for developing employee retention capabilities, an employee retention plan for IT services is proposed. The employee retention plan is discussed from a consistent delivery perspective and in view of effective KM practice.

Originality/value

The paper conducts an evaluation of the retention measures and provides a roadmap for future research endeavors.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 September 2014

Goutam Kumar Kundu and Jayachandra Bairi

The purpose of this paper is to present research that was conducted with an objective to conceptualize and develop an instrument for the measurement of the perception of IT…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research that was conducted with an objective to conceptualize and develop an instrument for the measurement of the perception of IT support service practitioners about the applicability of lean concepts in IT support services.

Design/methodology/approach

Scale items were identified from current literature and the survey instrument was used to collect data from IT support service practitioners. The constructs’ measurement models were tested and the scale was validated by using statistical tools.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that the operational measures developed here satisfy the criteria for unidimensionality, reliability and validity.

Research limitations/implications

While selecting and excluding measurement items for the survey, the researchers have followed established principles of survey research; but it may have been affected by the personal bias of the author. The sample for the survey was drawn from IT support service companies located in India, thus the results are generalizable only to the extent that these businesses represent the population of all businesses. Another limitation is that no prior survey/case studies were carried out to collect IT service practitioner's perception about the applicability of lean practices.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new measurement instrument for measuring the applicability of lean practices in IT support service environment.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 27 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2011

Goutam Kumar Kundu, B. Murali Manohar and Jayachandra Bairi

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the elements of lean concept and identify those principles which are applicable to service organizations, also, to compare the lean…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the elements of lean concept and identify those principles which are applicable to service organizations, also, to compare the lean best practices with CMMI‐SVC v1.2 model goals and practices and find out the compatibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The capability maturity model integration (CMMI) for services (CMMI‐SVC v1.2) model, developed by Software Engineering Institute is a collection of best practices applicable to service operations. Lean concepts, on the other hand, originated from manufacturing but of late lean principles and best practices have been implemented in some services organizations. As lean concepts originated from manufacturing and CMMI‐SVC v1.2 from software industry, there could be some overlapping content and some differences and each may offer some distinct advantages. This paper is based on the review of the contemporary literature on lean concepts and CMMI‐SVC v1.2 model, including books, journal articles and handbooks. The authors involved a group of practitioners and experts with theoretical and practical expertise on the CMMI framework, software process improvements as well as lean principles and services to find out which lean principles are applicable to service organization and also the compatibility of lean and CMMI‐SVC v1.2 practices.

Findings

The authors have defined a set of lean best practices which can be applied to service organizations. It is concluded that integration and harmonization of both lean and CMMI‐SVC v1.2 practices is possible and in many ways the practices are complementary. In the future, a unified model based on both lean and CMMI‐SVC v1.2 can be developed by combining the best practices of both.

Originality/value

This paper has reviewed the lean literature and grouped the lean best practices which are applicable to service organizations. It has compared the lean best practices with CMMI‐SVC v1.2 best practices. Little research has been done on comparison of lean best practices with CMMI‐SVC v1.2 model.

Details

Asian Journal on Quality, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1598-2688

Keywords

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