Rajesh Kumar, Keshav J. Kumar, Vivek Benegal, Bangalore N. Roopesh and Girikematha S. Ravi
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an integrated intervention program for alcoholism (IIPA) for improving verbal encoding and memory, visuospatial construction…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an integrated intervention program for alcoholism (IIPA) for improving verbal encoding and memory, visuospatial construction, visual memory and quality of life (QoL) in persons with alcohol dependence.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprised treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent persons (n = 50), allotted into two groups: (1) the treatment as usual (TAU) group (n = 25) and (2) the treatment group (n = 25)]. The groups were matched on age (±1 year) and education (±1 year). The TAU group received standard pharmacological treatment, psychotherapeutic sessions on relapse prevention and yoga for 18 days, while the treatment group received IIPA sessions in addition to the usual treatment. Auditory verbal learning test, complex figure test and QoL scale were administered at pre- and post-treatment along with screening measures.
Findings
The two groups were comparable on demographic variables, clinical characteristics and outcome measures at baseline. Pre- to post-treatment changes (gain scores) comparison between the treatment and TAU groups revealed a significant difference in verbal encoding, verbal and visual memory, verbal recognition, visuospatial construction and QoL.
Research limitations/implications
This study suggests that IIPA is effective for improving learning and memory in both modality (verbal and visual) and QoL in persons with alcoholism. The IIPA may help in better treatment recovery.
Practical implications
The IIPA may help in treatment for alcoholism and may enhance treatment efficacy.
Originality/value
IIPA is effective for improving learning and memory in both modalities and QoL in persons with alcohol dependence. The IIPA may help in better treatment recovery.
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Suneel Kumar, Shekhar, Marco Valeri and Geetanjali Sageena
Anupam Saxena, Shalini Nath Tripathi and Swadesh Kumar Singh
After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to understand the following aspects:▪ how good strategic planning can convert a crisis into an…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to understand the following aspects:▪ how good strategic planning can convert a crisis into an opportunity;▪ importance of service excellence and customer satisfaction through customer delight and customer feedback; and▪ utilisation of resources and excellent time management strategies.
Case overview/synopsis
This case discusses how vital teamwork and motivated leadership can convert a crisis such as Covid-19 into an opportunity. This case study talks about Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), a metro rail corporation working to develop metro trains in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The case discusses how challenging it was for the metro rail corporation to transform its processes in a short period and deal with the crisis on major fronts such as facilities maintenance, human resource management, ensuring safety and security of its staff and riders, motivation of staff, service quality and maintaining all operational aspects. The case discusses how UPMRC is a leader on all fronts and has excelled in its operational work. It talks about what challenges the lockdown and unlocking phase posed in front of the leadership and how teamwork, dedication to exemplary service quality and customer satisfaction gave the team the strength to make changes that improved their processes and helped them overcome the crisis.The case starts with a discussion of metro rail inception and incorporation of UPMRC and then how this newly formed metro has to face the challenges of pre-lockdown period where the team worked very hard for sanitisation and safety. The lockdown created a completely different set of challenges related to the facilities and the entire metro train systems, which was a difficult situation to deal because of restrictions and other challenges. However, the team dealt with situations with strength and strategic planning, leading to better managed processes and staff. The unlocking phase also gave many challenges that the team handled with a lot of care and efficiency.
Complexity academic level
This case is suitable for post-graduate-level courses on services marketing, service operations management, general management, crisis management and strategic management. Participants can use the case to develop an understanding of strategic planning and management.This case can also be used in the executive education program for managers to encourage them to think through challenges faced by metro rail corporations.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject Code
CSS 10: Public Sector Management.
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Keshav Kumar Acharya and Habib Zafarullah
The purpose of this paper is to explore how local government bodies in Nepal are empowered to play their constitutional roles and engage in activities to deliver public services…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how local government bodies in Nepal are empowered to play their constitutional roles and engage in activities to deliver public services at the doorsteps of the people effectively. The focus is on the institutionalisation of federalism, its implications for local governance, and capacity development of local authorities.
Design/methodology/approach
Ideas of decentralisation, governance and public management have been used to interpret findings based on qualitative research methods by key informant interviews, focus group discussions and personal observations conducted in five selected municipalities in Nepal.
Findings
The process of operationalising the power of local government bodies is more conventional and hierarchic. At the same time, the formulation and implementation of inclusive plans and budgeting are confined with certain formalities that do not necessarily allow citizens the space for voices. Federal government grants constrain fiscal jurisdiction and control over resource mobilisation. The mere preparation and administration of local government legislation and relevant by-laws have weakened the capacity of local government bodies.
Originality/value
From interpretation of first-hand data, this paper has identified the pitfalls of the federalisation process, the constraints deter the devolution of power to local bodies as well as the transformation of local governments into autonomous institutions in Nepal.
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Keshav Kumar Sharma and Anup Kumar
The purpose of this paper is to develop criteria for project manager selection based on desired skills of a project manager and facilitate the selection of a suitable candidate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop criteria for project manager selection based on desired skills of a project manager and facilitate the selection of a suitable candidate from a pool of potential candidates for the implementation of projects in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilizes three major skills, namely human skill, conceptual and organizational skills; technical skill along with their sub-skills to develop criteria for project manager selection. Based on the responses of project professionals from industry, the study uses analytical hierarchy process to prioritize and identify the relative importance of different skills in the criteria in order to develop a hierarchical structure for project manager selection.
Findings
The study finds that at the first level of project manager selection criteria, conceptual and organizational skills are the most important selection criteria followed by human skills and technical skills. At the second level of project manager selection criteria, planning, delegating authority and understanding methods, processes, and procedures are some of the important sub-selection criteria. The weights indicating the relative importance of major selection criteria and sub-selection criteria can be used to evaluate the relative weight of a given candidate for selection as a project manager.
Research limitations/implications
The results in this study are derived from specific demographic conditions in India. Future research with larger samples from other countries is needed for generalizations of the proposed criteria.
Practical implications
The proposed method quantifies the intangible qualitative criteria to select a project manager, which can aid decision-makers in a multi-criteria decision-making environment.
Originality/value
This research paper is focused on the identification of critical skills for the selection of a project manager, which is almost neglected by the researchers.
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Anita Mendiratta and Anil Kumar
The present study explores the effect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) controversies on firm value. Further, the study investigates when industry munificence…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study explores the effect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) controversies on firm value. Further, the study investigates when industry munificence moderates this association.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employs 5,670 firm-year observations from 2012 to 2018 for the United States (US)-based firms from the Refinitiv database. The direct and moderating effects were tested using a fixed effect panel regression model.
Findings
The primary analysis unexpectedly demonstrates that ESG controversies do not affect firm value. On the contrary, ESG controversies decrease firm value when interacting with industry munificence; this interaction effect is both positive and highly significant. We observed that reduced (increased) ESG controversies translate to higher (lower) firm value in industries with high munificence and lower (higher) firm value with low munificence. These results remain consistent with alternative proxies for size and CSR. Conducting sample split analysis over time, we discovered significant results in 2015–2018, indicating stakeholders' awareness has increased over time.
Research limitations/implications
The findings offer policymakers distinctive perspectives on the moderating role of munificence that impacts companies’ strategic imposition or limitation of ESG controversies to boost their value. Managers can gain valuable insights from the results regarding the importance of munificence in the relationship between ESG controversies and firm value.
Originality/value
This study is the first to examine the moderating effect of industry munificence in the relationship between ESG controversies and firm value for US firms.
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Keshav Kumar Sharma, D. Israel and Bhavna Bhalla
In view of the substantial gaps between desirable and actual competencies of project practitioners, there is a genuine and continual need to improve approaches towards project…
Abstract
Purpose
In view of the substantial gaps between desirable and actual competencies of project practitioners, there is a genuine and continual need to improve approaches towards project management education. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine whether previous work experience of students pursuing a master’s programme in project management plays a role in their understanding and learning from the programme.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from 282 respondents, who included working project professionals along with first-year (junior) and second-year (senior) students of a two-year postgraduate programme in project management. Considering the responses of working project professionals as the benchmark, the paper employs exploratory factor analysis and multiple comparisons to examine differences in the perceived importance given to factor groupings of critical success factors (CSFs) of construction projects by different respondent groups.
Findings
Results of the study suggest that irrespective of students’ seniority in the postgraduate programme, responses of students with previous project work experience more closely match the responses of project professionals, in contrast to students without such experience. The results indicate that students’ previous project work experience does play a role in their understanding and learning. In addition, the paper also identifies four factor groupings of CSFs and, diverging from past studies, conceptualises “alignment” as a new factor grouping.
Practical implications
Findings support the view that adequate previous work experience may be included as an essential qualifying requirement for pursuing higher education in project management.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical studies that investigate the requirement of students’ previous work experience and reveals its significance in higher project management education.
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Deepa Jain, Manoj Kumar Dash and Keshav Singh Thakur
The purpose of present study is to identify influential aspects of published literature, research streams and future research questions to set forth future research agenda based…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of present study is to identify influential aspects of published literature, research streams and future research questions to set forth future research agenda based on comprehensive literature review using bibliometric and content analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analyzed 285 documents from the international Scopus database using bibliometric analysis and content analysis. VOSviewer software is used for bibliometric analysis.
Findings
The study identified influential aspects of published literature; identified five significant research streams: (1) Demonetization and financial system, (2) Demonetization and financial technology, (3) Demonetization and financial market, (4) Demonetization and digital payment system and (5) Demonetization and governance and proposed 27 key future research questions to develop future research agenda.
Practical implications
The present study makes significant contribution to the literature by providing a framework for future research. The framework provides opportunities to future researchers to explore the web of relations among five identified research streams as future research agenda.
Originality/value
The present work is unique in its way of contribution, as to the best of researchers' knowledge no work was witnessed in published literature to cover demonetization in a detailed and comprehensive manner. The present study fills this gap by conducting bibliometric analysis and content analysis. The study proposed conceptual framework for demonetization characterization to understand the demonetization literature well; and also proposed framework for future researcher to be explored further.
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Sovia R.J. Singh, Kulwant Kumar Sharma, Amit Mittal and Pawan Kumar Chand
This study aims to examine the effect of motivating language on employee performance and assesses the mediating roles of organisational citizenship behaviour and employee…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of motivating language on employee performance and assesses the mediating roles of organisational citizenship behaviour and employee engagement between motivating language and employee performance in the Indian health-care sector, which is a highly demanding work environment, wherein employee burnout is high.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was in the context of COVID-19 pandemic set for health-care workers in India. To collect data and test the proposed research model, 328 questionnaires were respondent by multi-level health-care professionals from private and government hospitals in North India.
Findings
The findings suggest that leader’s motivating language is crucial for health-care leaders, inducing employee’s performance in context to patientcare, safety and satisfaction. Underpinning theory of leader member exchange substantiates that the role of leader is pivotal in daily interaction with the stakeholders. Self-determination theory of motivation is determined by psychological needs satisfaction inducing employee engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour, amplified through the leader’s motivating language, resulting into improved patientcare and patient safety. The findings state that leader’s motivating language impacts the high culture context like health-care professionals, as observed in the Indian health-care sector during COVID-19. The findings are indicative of developing non-cognitive personality traits for managerial skills.
Practical implications
The study substantiates the pivotal role of the leader’s communication with stakeholders such as patients/attendants and health-care staff. The findings, which are an indicator of patientcare, as an outcome of patient compliance, will be indicative of developing the non-cognitive skills in the personality traits of managerial skills, inducing patients’ trust in their health-care providers, using motivating language. Therefore, the health-care professionals must be trained in the application of motivating language with stakeholders, namely, patients/attendants and staff.
Originality/value
The findings state that leader’s motivating language impacts on employees of high culture context like health-care professionals, as observed in the Indian health-care sector during the recent global medical emergency of COVID-19, whereas the earlier studies posited leader’s motivating language to be effective on employees with low-cultural context. The role of leader is pivotal in daily interaction with the stakeholders, namely, patients/attendants and health-care staff.
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This paper aims to study the origin story of Harvard Business School’s involvement with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to study the reasons for the spread of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the origin story of Harvard Business School’s involvement with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to study the reasons for the spread of American management education. It introduces both the explicit influence of Cold War politics and Indian development imaginaries to the export of American management thought in the early 1960s.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper relies on archival research for its primary source material, drawing upon rich archives of documents found at the Baker Library of Harvard Business School.
Findings
Harvard’s role in Ahmedabad was explicitly influenced by the Cold War anti-communist foreign policy of the USA, but did so opportunistically and contrary to the Ford Foundation’s (FF) original plans. Vikram Sarabhai, who was a key player in the Indian national imaginary of development, invited Harvard on his own initiative and forced the foundation to follow his interests rather than being a mere “subaltern.”
Research limitations/implications
This paper could additionally add to the historical debate about the scope and periodization of the Cold War and the role of non-state actors.
Originality/value
This paper covers new ground in exploring the early connection between the Indian development imaginary and business education. It concludes that the export of hegemonic US management education was not successful during Cold War, and the FF was not as dominant as it was made out to be.