Padma Vasudevan, P.K. Sen, S.N. Singh, Prahlad Singh, Philip Davies, Prasanta Kumar Dey and Robert Berry
– The paper aims to design and prove the concept of micro-industry using trigeneration fuelled by biomass, for sustainable development in rural NW India.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to design and prove the concept of micro-industry using trigeneration fuelled by biomass, for sustainable development in rural NW India.
Design/methodology/approach
This is being tested at village Malunga, near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The system components comprise burning of waste biomass for steam generation and its use for power generation, cooling system for fruit ripening and the use of steam for producing distilled water. Site was selected taking into account the local economic and social needs, biomass resources available from agricultural activities, and the presence of a NGO which is competent to facilitate running of the enterprise. The trigeneration system was designed to integrate off-the-shelf equipment for power generation using boilers of approximate total capacity 1 tonne of fuel per hour, and a back-pressure steam turbo-generator (200 kW). Cooling is provided by a vapour absorption machine (VAM).
Findings
The financial analysis indicates a payback time of less than two years. Nevertheless, this is sensitive to market fluctuations and availabilities of raw materials.
Originality/value
Although comparable trigeneration systems already exist in large food processing industries and in space heating and cooling applications, they have not previously been used for rural micro-industry. The small-scale (1-2 m3/h output) multiple effect distillation (3 effect plus condenser) unit has not previously been deployed at field level.
Details
Keywords
The study is prompted by the fact that most SMEs may not have the wherewithal or the willingness to devote time and resources to strategy formulation but are focused to reconsider…
Abstract
Purpose
The study is prompted by the fact that most SMEs may not have the wherewithal or the willingness to devote time and resources to strategy formulation but are focused to reconsider this position by the pressures of globalization.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a literature survey, a model suitable for SMEs is identified. An application of the selected model is presented. Applicability of strategic tools such as ERP in SMEs is examined. A case of a company, which has implemented ERP is analyzed.
Findings
SMEs need strategy but the strategy depends on the complexity of the process. The case study points to the need for top management support and commitment.
Research limitations/implications
It is difficult to get financial data from individual SMEs as most SMEs are proprietorship concerns.
Practical implications
For countries, which are labor surplus, study on SMEs which are not capital intensive but create employment, has practical and social implication.
Originality/value
This paper attempts at filling research gaps on competitive strategies for SMEs.
Details
Keywords
Prahlad Kasturi, Alexei G. Orlov and John Roufagalas
Human Resource Management (HRM) effects on firm performance can be examined at the systems architecture (i.e., guiding principles or philosophy), the policy, or practices levels…
Abstract
Human Resource Management (HRM) effects on firm performance can be examined at the systems architecture (i.e., guiding principles or philosophy), the policy, or practices levels. This paper suggests that, at least for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, it is the guiding principles that affect a firm’s performance. Using a unique dataset of 44 SMEs in Tamil‐Nadu, India, this paper presents a regression analysis of the relationship between HRM philosophies and measures of firm performance. It is shown that the attitude of the firm’s owner(s) towards its employees is a major determinant of the firm’s profitability. The effect of HRM philosophy on productivity is smaller, albeit still highly significant.
Details
Keywords
Mayengbam Premi Devi, Manas Ranjan Sahoo, Aparna Kuna, Madhumita Dasgupta, Sowmya Mandarapu, Prahlad Deb and Narendra Prakash
This study aims to examine the effects of various physical and chemical pre-treatments on antioxidant properties of tree bean (Parkia roxburghii G. Don) in combination with…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of various physical and chemical pre-treatments on antioxidant properties of tree bean (Parkia roxburghii G. Don) in combination with storage conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The whole pods and seeds of tree bean were treated with gamma rays (γ-rays), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and stored at room temperature (RT, 25°C) for 30 days. The physical and chemical pre-treated seeds and pods were compared with the same stored at RT and refrigerated storage at 4°C and −20°C. During storage, physical (moisture content) and antioxidants like total phenolics, ascorbate content, reduced glutathione, total flavonoids, along with free radical scavenging activities (FRSA) were measured.
Findings
Chemical pre-treatments with NaOCl, ClO2 and H2O2 significantly accelerated (p = 0.05) the total phenolics (1.9 mg/g FW in seeds and 2.4 mg/g FW in pods), flavonoids content (0.3 mg/g FW each in seeds and pods) and ABTS activities (73.3 per cent in seeds and 92.3 per cent in pods) at 30 days of storage. A significant decrease (p = 0.05) in ascorbate content (6.1 mg/g FW in seeds and 3.5 mg/g FW in pods), reduced glutathione (5.1 mg/g FW in seeds and 3.7 mg/g FW in pods), FRAP (0.3 mg equi Fe/g FW in seeds and 0.4 mg equi Fe/g FW in pods) and reducing power (1.8 mg/g FW in seeds and 3.7 mg/g FW in pods) was observed under all the treatments at 30 days of storage. However, DPPH increased under γ-irradiation and decreased under chemical pre-treatments, storage at RT and refrigerated storage. The overall result showed that pre-treatment of H2O2 at 10-20 mM maintains antioxidants and radical scavenging activities in tree bean during storage.
Originality/value
The application of H2O2 at 10-20 mM prior to storage of tree bean maintains the physical, antioxidant properties and FRSA in tree bean seeds and pods as compared to natural ambient conditions. Hence, this technique will help in improving the keeping quality of this legume and avoid spoilage after harvest for an extended period.
Details
Keywords
Students discussing the case will be able to:▪ Evaluate and decide the marketing strategy that will best align the organizational resources and capabilities with the external…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
Students discussing the case will be able to:▪ Evaluate and decide the marketing strategy that will best align the organizational resources and capabilities with the external environment.▪ Demonstrate the process of segmentation and choose the most attractive target market.▪ Analyze the competition and develop an effective positioning strategy.▪ Evaluate and use different growth strategies in business situations.
Case overview/synopsis
The case demonstrated the decision-making process behind the post-pandemic strategy of ShakahariS by Awadhpuri, a restaurant in the emerging Indian market. The restaurant was situated in Ahmedabad, one of the fastest-growing mini-metro cites of the Indian restaurant industry. It was known for authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine. The restaurant, originally named Awadhpuri, was started in 2012 by Ms. Vandana Singh. It was positioned as a non-vegetarian restaurant providing Awadhi cuisine in the fine-dining segment known for its ambiance and authentic taste. However, due to the predominant vegetarian market in Ahmedabad city, the restaurant was rebranded and repositioned as ShakahariS by Awadhpuri, serving only vegetarian cuisine in 2018. The years 2019–2020 were very harsh due to the Covid-19 crisis. During the uncertain times when the lockdowns and the guidelines kept on changing, it was difficult for the restaurant to even recover their costs. It was a good time to explore the possibilities of the cloud kitchen format, and they came up with multiple kitchens offering different cuisines and targeted new customer segments. The case highlighted these survival strategies adopted by the restaurant during Covid. Post-pandemic, the protagonist was now contemplating a long-term growth strategy for the restaurant to target a new market with a new offering. The dilemma for the restaurant is whether (or not) to align the marketing strategy by repositioning again to cater to the new target segment.
Complexity academic level
Undergraduate courses on Business Management (BBA) and specific topics in introductory courses on marketing management and strategic management of the post-management programs.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 8: Marketing.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis of the commonly projected visions on the future of built environment, focusing on transformative research. The primary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis of the commonly projected visions on the future of built environment, focusing on transformative research. The primary question is will the construction sector be able to make the projected transformative leap even if the history of technology adoption in construction suggests otherwise? And, what role can academic research play?
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a reflective research and qualitative review of academic articles, white papers and reported projections for the future of construction. The reflections are based on discussions with colleagues and students, including thought experiments.
Findings
There is a general agreement across various sources about the key technical and social drivers for the future of construction. However, these projections seem to be emanating from industry insiders, and more diversity and creativity is needed in exploring alternative possibilities.
Research limitations/implications
The paper should be useful for researchers in assessing their research strategy, especially those aiming to focus on the future of construction and transformative research. The findings of this paper suggest the need for collaboration and explorations with diverse disciplines, including those that may not appear immediately connected to digital construction.
Practical implications
The paper should be useful for individuals and organizations, especially start-ups that are seeking novel opportunities to disrupt the future of construction.
Originality/value
The originality and value of this research lies in a timely critique of the commonly projected trends in the future of digital construction. The use of reflective research and thought experiments emphasizes the need for divergent thinking and creative research methods in construction research.
Details
Keywords
Bikram Jit Singh and Dinesh Khanduja
The purpose of this paper is to uncover the significance of quick changeovers in die‐casting foundry environments.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to uncover the significance of quick changeovers in die‐casting foundry environments.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper gives set‐up instructions and guidelines to prepare the standardized set‐up procedure without ignoring actual constraints in foundries. It uses a case study in a medium scale piston foundry to generate an integrated set‐up reduction approach, utilizing single minute exchange of die (SMED)‐based industrial engineering tools to achieve faster set‐ups. It describes the feasibility of quick changeovers in foundry small and medium enterprises based on a “SMED” approach. Finally, the paper carries out empirical analysis of the financial/non‐financial benefits incurred from set‐up reductions.
Findings
Set‐up activities are a vital part of the production lead‐time of any product and so affect overall product cost. Tools like Pareto analysis, root‐cause analysis and method study have been used to analyze the existing procedure of set‐ups. A SMED approach can help eliminate unwanted activities, externalize the internal activities, if possible and reduce them by simplification or standardization. The application of other tools such as 5S, Poke‐Yoke and specific tool‐kits are suggested to further reduce set‐up times.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates the practical application of SMED showing how it can bring real breakthroughs in productivity to small and medium scale foundries.
Details
Keywords
Xianke Sun, Gaoliang Wang, Liuyang Xu and Honglei Yuan
In data grids, replication has been regarded as a crucial optimization strategy. Computing tasks are performed on IoT gateways at the cloud edges to obtain a prompt response. So…
Abstract
Purpose
In data grids, replication has been regarded as a crucial optimization strategy. Computing tasks are performed on IoT gateways at the cloud edges to obtain a prompt response. So, investigating the data replication mechanisms in the IoT is necessary. Henceforth, a systematic survey of data replication strategies in IoT techniques is presented in this paper, and some suggestions are offered for the upcoming works. In two key classifications, various parameters dependent on the analysis of the prevalent approaches are considered. The pros and cons associated with chosen strategies have been explored, and the essential problems of them have been presented to boost the future of more effective data replication strategies. We have also discovered gaps in papers and provided solutions for them.
Design/methodology/approach
Progress in Information Technology (IT) growth has brought the Internet of Things (IoT) into life to take a vital role in our everyday lifestyles. Big IoT-generated data brings tremendous data processing challenges. One of the most challenging problems is data replication to improve fault-tolerance, reliability, and accessibility. In this way, if the primary data source fails, a replica can be swapped in immediately. There is a significant influence on the IoT created by data replication techniques, but no extensive and systematic research exists in this area. There is still no systematic and full way to address the relevant methods and evaluate them. Hence, in the present investigation, a literature review is indicated on the IoT-based data replication from papers published until 2021. Based on the given guidelines, chosen papers are reviewed. After establishing exclusion and inclusion criteria, an independent systematic search in Google Scholar, ACM, Scopus, Eric, Science Direct, Springer link, Emerald, Global ProQuest, and IEEE for relevant studies has been performed, and 21(6 paper analyzed in section 1 and 15 paper analyzed in section 3) papers have been analyzed.
Findings
The results showed that data replication mechanisms in the IoT algorithms outperform other algorithms regarding impressive network utilization, job implementation time, hit ratio, total replication number, and the portion of utilized storage in percentage. Although a few ideas have been suggested that fix different facets of IoT data management, we predict that there is still space for development and more study. Thus, in order to design innovative and more effective methods for future IoT-based structures, we explored open research directions in the domain of efficient data processing.
Research limitations/implications
The present investigation encountered some drawbacks. First of all, only certain papers published in English were included. It is evident that some papers exist on data replication processes in the IoT written in other languages, but they were not included in our research. Next, the current report has only analyzed the mined based on data replication processes and IoT keyword discovery. The methods for data replication in the IoT would not be printed with keywords specified. In this review, the papers presented in national conferences and journals are neglected. In order to achieve the highest ability, this analysis contains papers from major global academic journals.
Practical implications
To appreciate the significance and accuracy of the data often produced by different entities, the article illustrates that data provenance is essential. The results contribute to providing strong suggestions for future IoT studies. To be able to view the data, administrators have to modify novel abilities. The current analysis will deal with the speed of publications and suggest the findings of research and experience as a future path for IoT data replication decision-makers.
Social implications
In general, the rise in the knowledge degree of scientists, academics, and managers will enhance administrators' positive and consciously behavioral actions in handling IoT environments. We anticipate that the consequences of the present report could lead investigators to produce more efficient data replication methods in IoT regarding the data type and data volume.
Originality/value
This report provides a detailed literature review on data replication strategies relying on IoT. The lack of such papers increases the importance of this paper. Utilizing the responses to the study queries, data replication's primary purpose, current problems, study concepts, and processes in IoT are summarized exclusively. This approach will allow investigators to establish a more reliable IoT technique for data replication in the future. To the best of our understanding, our research is the first to provide a thorough overview and evaluation of the current solutions by categorizing them into static/dynamic replication and distributed replication subcategories. By outlining possible future study paths, we conclude the article.
Details
Keywords
Zuhui Huang, Vijay Vyas and Qiao Liang
Agriculture sectors in China and India are going through rapid changes. There is a shift in demand pattern, significant changes in the supply chain, greater competition due to…
Abstract
Purpose
Agriculture sectors in China and India are going through rapid changes. There is a shift in demand pattern, significant changes in the supply chain, greater competition due to opening up of the domestic and external markets and fuller integration with rest of the economy. These developments have impacted traditional agriculture and its institutional underpinning. Latter are being transformed and new institutions are coming into existence. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper discusses the changes in economy and the agricultural sector, explores institutional responses in terms of various producer organizations in the two countries, and examines their adequacy for the coming phase of agricultural development in China and India.
Findings
The co-existence of various farmer organizations will sustain for a long period in both China and India. Overall, they have benefitted agriculture producers, and more particularly the surplus generating farmers. However, the incompatibility between these and the vast and growing small farm sector is not disappearing. Next set of institutional reforms should address this critical question of “reaching the unreached.”
Originality/value
China and India are the world’s two largest countries in terms of population as well as agricultural population. They share a lot of common features. This paper discusses the changes in agricultural sector, explores institutional responses in terms of farmer organizations, and examines their adequacy for the coming phase of agricultural development in China and India, which has never been seen before.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Joshi and Apoorva Srivastava
The case aims to deal with multi generation entrepreneurship. Families are about people and businesses are about money, therefore, conflict between the two is inevitable…
Abstract
Purpose
The case aims to deal with multi generation entrepreneurship. Families are about people and businesses are about money, therefore, conflict between the two is inevitable. Family-owned businesses develop competitive edges when they align values, vision, strategy, investment and governance to make both family and business activities more professional and mutually supportive. It is a belief that “treating the business like a family”, driven by values and concern for human needs, creates an organization with motivated people working together to create long-term value. Jitesh Ghai is the MD of Panchamrit Asbestos Ltd (PAL), which stands for PAL. Jitesh has an “experiential learning” with the cement sheet business and has understood the nuances of the business. It is supposedly required that PAL ought to professionalize owing to market infeasibility. Shashwat, his son has diversified interests and therefore desires to spin-off to “Big Apple”.
Design/methodology/approach
The case is based on research and secondary information, which has been tested several times, while filling the case gaps during the process. To authenticate information, multiple sources (vendors and customers) of information have been used.
Findings
There is a dilemma between the father-son relationship and decision to professionalise or spin-off! It is understood that in multigenerational business, it is not necessary that the subsequent generation keep the same business, but must preserve wealth and traditions.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are based on observations on one organisation and research carried through secondary sources, which may limit to theory building.
Practical implications
An enterprise largely competes on the basis of available talent, knowledge, competency and capability. Therefore, knowledge must be managed. For survival and growth, business transition must be handled effectively.
Originality/value
The case is original with the business family in its second generation striving to survive.