J. Hayes and R. Prakasam
It is considered whether consultation is a strategy that can beused to bring about change in those organisational settings whereattempts to provide senior managers with…
Abstract
It is considered whether consultation is a strategy that can be used to bring about change in those organisational settings where attempts to provide senior managers with off‐the‐job training has had little or no effect. Findings are reported which suggest that while consultation can be effective, the mode of intervention used can have an important impact on the degree of change achieved.
Details
Keywords
J. Hayes and R. Prakasam
This study explores the universality of collaborative modes ofconsultancy intervention as a means of securing organisationalimprovement. Collaborative modes of intervention have…
Abstract
This study explores the universality of collaborative modes of consultancy intervention as a means of securing organisational improvement. Collaborative modes of intervention have been found to be effective in low power distance cultures (UK and US). The efficacy of collaborative and non‐collaborative interventions in a high power distance culture (India) were compared and it was found that the non‐collaborative intervention resulted in greatest organisational improvement, indicating that culture may be a factor which affects the efficacy of particular models of intervention.
Details
Keywords
Kerala, being the most literate state in India, has at least one newspaper being subscribed to every household and thus the Print industry in Kerala is doing a commendable job…
Abstract
Kerala, being the most literate state in India, has at least one newspaper being subscribed to every household and thus the Print industry in Kerala is doing a commendable job. Labour welfare as a part of industrial relation is assuming greater significance with the growth of industrialization. An industry today is a co-operative undertaking with both the capital and the labour as equal partners. The workers in the modern context are not simply a marketable commodity to be purchased by the owners, but human beings with their own needs, emotions and aspirations who invest their labour in making the industry a success. It is normally believed that the model employer maintains harmonious relation with the employees. Considering the conflicts are usually natural, the employer always tries to minimize the disputes by offering the right mix of labour welfare measures and ensure the loss of man days and the loss of production to the lowest possible extent. This article delineates the industrial relations in Kerala newspaper industry. The data were analyzed related to age, occupation, region of working, education and experience on the leaders' attitude on various factors related to labour welfare. The primary data collected from the trade union leaders were analyzed using the statistical computer package SPSS. Appropriate tests were used for analysis. It can be seen that the leaders were not at all satisfied with any of the facilities except for safety practices for the employees and the grievance handling process since they were directly involved.
Details
Keywords
Susanta Kumar Sethy, Tariq Ahmad Mir, R. Gopinathan and D. P. Priyadarshi Joshi
This paper examines India's socio-economic attributes and different financial dimensions of financial inclusion (FI).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines India's socio-economic attributes and different financial dimensions of financial inclusion (FI).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a principal component analysis (PCA) to build indexes related to financial dimensions. It applies the logistics regression model and the Fairlie decomposition method to determine India's socio-economic and financial characteristics of FI.
Findings
Based on the logistic regression, socio-economic factors like age, gender, marital status, level of education and religion have an impact on FI. The use of financial institutions has positively contributed to the probability of FI, while the low proximity of financial service providers retards the process of FI. Fairlie decomposition concludes regional disparity and gender disparity in FI; however, the rural–urban gap in FI is not captured by the variables included in the study. The main reasons for the discrepancy are lack of education, financial literacy, the proximity of financial service providers and lack of financial institutions.
Originality/value
This paper makes two important contributions: first, it presents a micro-level analysis of FI across the socio-demographic strata of India, and second, it demonstrates the regional, rural–urban and gender disparity in FI in India.
Details
Keywords
Reviews the available evidence on the use of human resourcemanagement consultants, and examines the findings from a study of theiruse in manufacturing in the North‐East of…
Abstract
Reviews the available evidence on the use of human resource management consultants, and examines the findings from a study of their use in manufacturing in the North‐East of England. Also considers the following questions: What types of consultants are used and in what areas? How is the HRM consultant sourced, selected, managed and evaluated? What is their relationship with in‐house personnel departments? Concludes by considering the implications of the findings for the future role and status of the personnel function and identifies an agenda for further research. Suggests that the use of HRM consultants does not necessarily undermine the in‐house personnel function and under certain conditions may enhance its reputation.
Details
Keywords
Lourdes Susaeta, José Ramón Pin, Sandra Idrovo, Alvaro Espejo, Maria Belizón, Angela Gallifa, Marisa Aguirre and Eugenio Avila Pedrozo
The purpose of this paper is to address the subject of work attitude drivers within the current scenario considering two influencing factors, culture and generation. Both…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the subject of work attitude drivers within the current scenario considering two influencing factors, culture and generation. Both membership of a particular generation and membership of a particular culture can affect individuals' work attitudes. The study considers these two factors in order to analyse five dimensions that are sources of work attitudes: life project, professional ethics, and attitude towards authority, leadership and commitment to the company.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon a sample of almost one thousand people from various Ibero‐American countries, the results show significant differences between generations and cultures, particularly when focusing on the life project.
Findings
Among its conclusions, the paper points out that Latin America cannot be viewed as a homogenous whole in terms of individual work attitude. On the contrary, it is characterised by a significant degree of national diversity and managers should take this into account when designing initiatives to improve employee motivation.
Originality/value
The contribution that this paper seeks to make is to include the cross‐cultural perspective in the study of attitudes towards work, which has received less attention in previous studies.
Details
Keywords
Samnan Ali, M. Amaad Uppal and Stephen R. Gulliver
E-learning has gained much focus from educators and researchers, with many extolling e-learning over traditional learning. Despite this focus, implementation of e-learning systems…
Abstract
Purpose
E-learning has gained much focus from educators and researchers, with many extolling e-learning over traditional learning. Despite this focus, implementation of e-learning systems often fails. The purpose of this paper is to consider a range of barriers, impacting the success of e-learning implementations, yet to the best of the authors’ knowledge no conceptual framework is able to consolidate existing research.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper undertook an in-depth review of literature concerning e-learning implementation barriers. Papers were extracted from established peer-reviewed journals and open sources. Articles not related to e-learning implementation barriers were discarded. A total of 259 papers were identified, published between 1990 and 2016. Hermeneutics and data-driven qualitative content analysis was used to define 68 unique barriers.
Findings
The 68 unique barriers were thematically grouped into four conceptual categories, i.e. Technology (T), Individual (I), Pedagogy (P), and Enabling Conditions (EC). These four categories led to the conceptualization of “TIPEC” framework, which highlights the key concepts hindering e-learning implementation and delivery. Results show that most articles only consider a narrow range of success barriers.
Practical implications
The proposed TIPEC framework acts as a guide for education practitioners, system developers, policy makers, and researchers. It provides stakeholders with a summary of e-learning barriers.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need for a conceptual framework that consolidates all current research related to e-learning implementation barriers.
Details
Keywords
Michael Norris and Charles Oppenheim
This review aims to show, broadly, how the h‐index has become a subject of widespread debate, how it has spawned many variants and diverse applications since first introduced in…
Abstract
Purpose
This review aims to show, broadly, how the h‐index has become a subject of widespread debate, how it has spawned many variants and diverse applications since first introduced in 2005 and some of the issues in its use.
Design/methodology/approach
The review drew on a range of material published in 1990 or so sources published since 2005. From these sources, a number of themes were identified and discussed ranging from the h‐index's advantages to which citation database might be selected for its calculation.
Findings
The analysis shows how the h‐index has quickly established itself as a major subject of interest in the field of bibliometrics. Study of the index ranges from its mathematical underpinning to a range of variants perceived to address the indexes' shortcomings. The review illustrates how widely the index has been applied but also how care must be taken in its application.
Originality/value
The use of bibliometric indicators to measure research performance continues, with the h‐index as its latest addition. The use of the h‐index, its variants and many applications to which it has been put are still at the exploratory stage. The review shows the breadth and diversity of this research and the need to verify the veracity of the h‐index by more studies.
Details
Keywords
O.E. Adelakun, D. Metcalfe, P. Tshabalala, B. Stafford and B. Oni
This study aims to focus on the use of pectinase enzymes for producing clarified mango juice with blend of orange juice and to evaluate some of its quality attributes.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the use of pectinase enzymes for producing clarified mango juice with blend of orange juice and to evaluate some of its quality attributes.
Design/methodology/approach
Mango pulp was incubated at 60oC for 1 hr to destroy natural enzymes present in the juice. Prepared mango pulp and separately prepared orange juice were formulated into various mixes in the ratio mango:orange (v/v) 100:0, 50:50 and 0:100. A portion of the mango pulp or the one with equal volume of orange was then treated with 0.1 per cent (v/w) pectinase enzymes at 40oC for 24 hrs. All the treated and untreated mixes were separately packed inside a bottle and pasteurized at 80oC for 10 mins. Samples were analyzed using methods reported in the literature for some chemical and sensory properties.
Findings
From this project work, the use of enzyme (pectinase) in juice production from mango was found beneficial and profitable since it increases the yield of juice extracted. A blend of mango and orange juice which was processed with enzyme was found not to be significantly different from orange juice in terms of sweetness, appearance, flavour and general acceptability.
Originality/value
The paper has demonstrated effect of pectinase enzymes in the production of clarified mango juice with blend of orange juice and its acceptability.
Details
Keywords
Samuel Ayofemi Olalekan Adeyeye
Fishes are important sources of good and high-quality protein in developing countries. Spoilage and keeping quality of fish especially in the tropics is temperature dependence as…
Abstract
Purpose
Fishes are important sources of good and high-quality protein in developing countries. Spoilage and keeping quality of fish especially in the tropics is temperature dependence as high temperature and relative humidity accelerate the process of spoilage and fish keeping quality. Fish dehydration removed moisture and extended the shelf life of dried fish. Drying involves removal of moisture from fish as a result of heat and mass transfer done under controlled conditions. This study delves into various drying techniques and drying kinetics of fish.
Design/methodology/approach
The review examines fish drying kinetics and the various drying models applicable to fish drying.
Findings
This review showed that moisture content and colour of dried fish are affected by time and power level. It was also found that the moisture content of the dried fish varied according to the drying method used. Also, as drying power and drying rate varied inversely with drying time. Eight different thin layer drying models were examined for evaluation of drying data for all the experimental conditions involving fish drying. It was found that the quality of the dried fish decreased with drying. Higher values of effective moisture diffusivity have been found to increase moisture velocity within fish samples which improve removal of moisture to reach equilibrium moisture content at specified relative humidity. However, based on this, effective moisture diffusivity could be a useful parameter to design an effective drying method in terms of time, energy consumption and cost to prolong the storage life of dried fish samples. Drying kinetics and different drying models were considered and explained. The use of these models was considered to be important in choosing appropriate drying conditions for effective drying and to get good quality dried fish samples.
Research limitations/implications
The review considers few available literatures on the subject matter.
Practical implications
The review explores the possibility of creating more awareness for more in-depth research on fish drying kinetics and their usefulness in fish preservation.
Originality/value
This outcome of this study is important to researchers, policymakers and regulatory agencies in developing countries on fish preservation.