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This paper aims to identify the variables responsible for classifying the investors into risk takers (RT) and risk avoiders (RA) across their economic perspectives.

The research offers a novel and unobtrusive measure of classifying investors into RT and RA based on a set of financial risk tolerance (FRT) questions. The authors have investigated the causes of discrimination across economic perspectives over a sample of 552 investors exposed to market risk.

The authors identify that out of the total of 11 risk assessment variables, only three are responsible for classifying investors into RA and RT. The variables are risk return trade-off, comfort level dealing with risk, and understanding short-term volatility. Financial literacy is considered as an emerging cause of discrimination. Further, the authors highlight the most striking finding to be the discriminating factors across wealth and source of income of the investors.

Existing research on FRT can be loosely segregated into three groups: the relationship between an individual's financial and non-FRT, estimation of FRT score (FRTS), and perceived self-assessed FRTS. The current research roughly falls into the third category of study where the authors have not only studied the self-assessed risk tolerance but also evaluated the predictors. Most of the studies have focussed on estimating self-assessed FRT with the help of one direct question to the respondent. However, the uniqueness of this study is that the researchers have used an instrument comprising a series of direct and indirect questions that can easily estimate the self-assessed risk perception and also discriminate the role of the economic factors that have any impact on self-assessed FRTS.

In this study, powder mixed electro discharge machining (PMEDM) has been performed for the machining of AISI 304 stainless steel by using the tungsten carbide electrode when silicon carbide (SiC) powder is mixed with kerosene. The purpose of this study is to find the optimal value and ascertain the effect of significant machining parameters on surface crack density (SCD) of a machined surface of AISI 304.

A face-centered central composite design-based response surface methodology has been adopted for designing this experiment.

An increase in peak current and powder concentration decreases SCD, which is the main goal of this investigation.

From this investigation, an optimal value has been achieved to minimize the SCD and prevent fatigue and corrosion resistance of the workpiece.

In this research, electro discharge machining (EDM) of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn titanium alloy is performed taking gap voltage, pulse on time, peak current and duty cycle as process parameters. The purpose of this paper is to find out the optimal process parameters setting for getting higher machining efficiency.

For experimental design, a face-centered central composite design (FCCCD)-based response surface methodology (RSM) is used. Multi-objective optimization like grey relational analysis (GRA) is adopted to achieve the higher machining efficiency by means of lower radial overcut (ROC), surface roughness (Ra), tool wear rate (TWR) and higher material removal rate (MRR). For the statistical study, analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been carried out.

The result shows that gap voltage, peak current and pulse on time are the most efficient parameters for the responses. An optimal parameter setting has been obtained for achieving higher machining efficiency. For validation of the study, confirmation experiment has been performed at optimal parameters setting.

Optimum parameter level for higher machining performance of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn Titanium alloy has been achieved machined by copper electrode during EDM operation.

The learning outcomes of this case study are as follows: It presents an opportunity for the instructors to introduce the concept of decision-making on matters involving risk (like scaling the business) using in-depth market research techniques. The case’s central idea is to make the students understand the growth of the online service delivery model, with a specific example of home-cooked food that also improves social welfare. It is expected to provide the participants with an opportunity to understand the decision-making by the leaders in newly established companies. It enables future managers to analyze a venture’s pros and cons before deciding to expand.

Chef Junction is an online food delivery platform that allows customers to order hygienic home-cooked food prepared by handpicked home chefs in Bhubaneswar. This city in eastern India is one of the fastest-growing metros, is regarded as a study hub, and provides ample employment opportunities making it one of the sought-after destinations for the migrant youth population. The idea behind Chef Junction is to cater to the healthy food needs of the young by utilizing the culinary productivity of the home cooks, empowering the latter by opening up an extra source of income. These chefs prepare delicious healthy food, usually not listed for sale with online food delivery apps. Chef Junction earned revenues by adding an order-dependent commission on the price quoted by chefs and accepting a flat delivery charge from the customers. This offer was very lucrative for home chefs who could join the platform with zero investment and flexible working hours. The customer’s pockets were also handled when several offers and discounts were rolled out through an attractive pricing strategy. Chef Junction expected to improve its patrons’ health quotient by ensuring the nutrition of the home-cooked food, thus contributing to social welfare. With food being delivered from home to home amalgamated with social welfare and empowerment of home chefs, especially women, this case study is an apt example of a sustainable work-from-home model that has proved effective in crisis times. The pertinent question is: “How feasibly can CJ’s business model grow towards an expansion as the demand increases?”

This case study has been prepared keeping in mind the teaching pedagogy for graduate and postgraduate management programs in strategic management, operations research, entrepreneurship and marketing management. It is also expected to be useful for training courses such as management development programs, faculty development programs and executive programs, in discussing service operations in general and online delivery logistics, in particular for working executives and industry practitioners.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.