Rajaram Dasgupta and Manickaraj Malai
Indian Bank, a major commercial bank in South India, has launched Rural Credit Franchisee (RCF) model for lending money to small borrowers in villages. The study aims to study the…
Abstract
Purpose
Indian Bank, a major commercial bank in South India, has launched Rural Credit Franchisee (RCF) model for lending money to small borrowers in villages. The study aims to study the business model, the profile of ultimate borrowers and their credit requirements and to study the economics of the model.
Design/methodology/approach
Data used for the study are mostly primary in nature collected from the RCFs and the rural borrowers. In addition, bank officials were interviewed and also data on loan accounts of RCFs were collected from the sample bank branches and the RCFs.
Findings
The RCF scheme is a novel micro finance scheme and it has showcased that the informal institutions can be linked with the formal credit institutions. The scheme has benefited all the stakeholders including the bank, the RCFs and the rural poor.
Research limitations/implications
The study has covered majority of the RCFs of the bank in terms of number and volume of business under the scheme and hence the results indicate the performance of the entire portfolio of the bank under the scheme.
Practical implications
The study finds that the scheme has benefited all the stakeholders. It has particularly helped in creating competition amongst the rural moneylenders and thereby bringing down the cost of credit in rural hinterlands. Findings are strongly in favour of expanding/replicating the model by the other commercial banks and in all parts of the country, rather across the entire world.
Originality/value
The RCF model is one of its kind and the policy makers and regulators may encourage the scheme in order to attain inclusive economic growth. This is a first of its kind study investigating the operation of such a model.
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Mayank Prakash and Kshipra Jain
The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to measure the health inequalities among malnourished children; second, to decompose the health inequalities to identify key…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to measure the health inequalities among malnourished children; second, to decompose the health inequalities to identify key socioeconomic predictors for child malnutrition; and third, to assess the change in the proportional contribution of key predictors over time.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has used data of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted in 1992-1993, 1998-1999 and 2005-2006. The information on anthropometric indicators for children below three years of age is provided; however the study is restricted to “weight-for-age,” as it is considered to be a comprehensive indicator of child nutritional status. In the first stage of analysis, health inequalities are measured among malnourished children using concentration indices (CI) for each round of NFHS. In second stage, the inequalities are decomposed to estimate the proportional contribution of socioeconomic predictors. In the third stage, change in the relative contribution of socioeconomic predictors over three rounds is assessed to suggest target-specific policies and programs.
Findings
The results highlight a slow decline of only seven percentage points in the proportion of malnourished children in India during 1992-2006. The increasing values of CIs from −0.13 (1992) to −0.18 (2006) demonstrates the concomitant rise in economic inequalities among malnourished children. The results of decomposition analysis point toward household poor economic status and mother’s illiteracy as the major contributor of inequalities during 1992-2006. During the study period, the economic status explained 50, 65 and 59 percent of inequalities, whereas mother’s illiteracy explained 40, 30 and 29 percent of inequalities, respectively. Overall, the contributors to health inequalities remained the same over time with a change in their relative contribution.
Research limitations/implications
The present study is focussed on three rounds of NFHS data conducted at different time period and so it has certain limitations which should be kept in mind while interpreting the results. The study has revealed mother’s education and economic status of the household as the major contributory factors toward child health inequalities. However, one should not forget that the level and quality of education has undergone tremendous change from 1992 to 2006 which the authors could not capture considering the availability of data in the form of years of schooling. Second, since the NFHS-1 has collected the information about the caste groups in only three categories, i.e. schedule caste, schedule tribe and others; the authors have to pool the other backward caste groups with the general caste groups. Third, the authors have used the broad classification of place of residence, i.e. rural and urban area to analyze the inequalities assuming the uniform level of development across the urban regions; however there exists huge disparities within urban areas which leave scope for further research. Fourth, though, the authors have estimated the wealth based inequalities, but NFHS does not provide the absolute level of wealth and so the authors have computed the proxy measure for wealth based on the household assets which has been extensively used in the field of research. Despite these limitations, the authors however believe that the present research work has appropriately decomposed the inequalities among malnourished children and have revealed the changes in the proportional contribution of socioeconomic factors over time.
Practical implications
The decomposition analysis brought into light that average health indicators are insufficient for determining the right approach to health intervention programs. Health policy interventions have to focus ideally on both health averages and within and between group inequalities based on varying contributions of socioeconomic determinants.
Social implications
Concentrated efforts along with the inter-sectoral concurrence, good nutrition governance, effective investment and unequal distribution of resources are pre-requisites to ameliorate the level and existing inequalities in child malnutrition in India.
Originality/value
The distinctiveness of this study can be primarily found in the use of all three rounds of NFHS data to estimate health inequalities among underweight children. The study has also decomposed the health inequalities to estimate and analyze the change in relative contribution of socioeconomic predictors for each round to facilitate the formulation of target-specific policies and programs.
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Rajesh Siriyala, A. Gopala Krishna, P. Rama Murthy Raju and M. Duraiselvam
Since, wear is the one of the most commonly encountered industrial problems leading to frequent replacement of components there is a need to develop metal matrix composites (MMCs…
Abstract
Purpose
Since, wear is the one of the most commonly encountered industrial problems leading to frequent replacement of components there is a need to develop metal matrix composites (MMCs) for achieving better wear properties. The purpose of this paper is to fabricate aluminum MMCs to improve the dry sliding wear characteristics. An effective multi-response optimization approach called the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the sets of optimal parameters in dry sliding wear process.
Design/methodology/approach
The present work investigates the dry sliding wear behavior of graphite reinforced aluminum composites produced by the molten metal mixing method by means of a pin-on-disc type wear set up. Dry sliding wear tests were carried on graphite reinforced MMCs and its matrix alloy sliding against a steel counter face. Different contact stress, reinforcement percentage, sliding distance and sliding velocity were selected as the control variables and the response selected was wear volume loss (WVL) and coefficient of friction (COF) to evaluate the dry sliding performance. An L25 orthogonal array was employed for the experimental design. Optimization of dry sliding performance of the graphite reinforced MMCs was performed using PCA.
Findings
Based on the PCA, the optimum level parameters for overall principal component (PC) of WVL and COF have been identified. Moreover, analysis of variance was performed to know the impact of individual factors on overall PC of WVL and COF. The results indicated that the reinforcement percentage was found to be most effective factor among the other control parameters on dry sliding wear followed by sliding distance, sliding velocity and contact stress. Finally the wear surface morphology of the composites has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy.
Practical implications
Various manufacturing techniques are available for processing of MMCs. Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. In particular, some techniques are significantly expensive compared to others. Generally the manufacturer prefers the low cost technique. Therefore stir casting technique which was used in this paper for manufacturing of Aluminum MMCs is the best alternative for processing of MMCs in the present commercial sectors. Since the most important criteria of a dry sliding wear behavior is to provide lower WVL and COF, this study has intended to prove the application of PCA technique for solving multi objective optimization problem in wear applications like piston rings, piston rods, cylinder heads and brake rotors, etc.
Originality/value
Application of multi-response optimization technique for evaluation of tribological characteristics for Aluminum MMCs made up of graphite particulates is a first-of-its-kind approach in literature. Hence PCA method can be successfully used for multi-response optimization of dry sliding wear process.
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Globally, women suffer from a lack of knowledge about breast cancer (BC), its symptoms and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to examine how people living in rural and less…
Abstract
Purpose
Globally, women suffer from a lack of knowledge about breast cancer (BC), its symptoms and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to examine how people living in rural and less developed areas in Pakistan perceive BC. The study investigates the level of knowledge about BC in rural communities and analyses how the prevalent perceptions and beliefs impact women's lives and delay the diagnosis.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on 42 in-depth interviews with the women who have undergone BC treatment during the past five years. The participants were interviewed were the residents of the northern Sindh, southern Pakistan.
Findings
Findings show that BC was perceived as a contagious disease transmitted through touching or being physically close to the patient. Some women were abandoned by their husbands because of this perception. Faith in fatalism and the perception that BC is an incurable disease were common in communities with low socio-economic status. This is likely to affect the prevention and early detection of BC.
Originality/value
The study shows a strong co-relation of awareness with the prevalent perceptions regarding BC. Therefore, we recommend promoting health literacy and introducing culturally specific interventions in remote communities to enhance their understanding of the available treatment and help remove misconceptions about BC.
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Rita J. Shea-Van Fossen, Lisa T. Stickney and Janet Rovenpor
Data for the case came from public sources, including legal proceedings, court filings, company press releases and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Abstract
Research methodology
Data for the case came from public sources, including legal proceedings, court filings, company press releases and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Case overview/synopsis
In June 2020, former Pinterest employees made public charges of gender and racial discrimination. Despite changes implemented by the company, several Pinterest shareholders filed derivative lawsuits charging the company with breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, abuse of control and violating federal securities laws. The case provides an overview of the company’s management, board and stock structures, as well as information on the shareholders who sued the company and their concerns. The case raises substantial questions about management’s and board member’s responsibilities in corporate governance, illustrates how stock structures can be used to impede governance and suggests ways to evaluate activist shareholders.
Complexity academic level
This case is appropriate for graduate, advanced undergraduate or executive education courses in strategy, corporate governance or strategic human resources that discuss corporate governance, fiduciary responsibilities, designing workplace culture or management responses to shareholders. Instructors can apply two sets of theories and frameworks to this case: theories of corporate governance and Hirschman’s (1970) exit, voice or loyalty framework in the context of shareholder activism.
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R.K. Radhakrishnan, Emma Emily de Wit, Vandana Gopikumar and Joske G.F. Bunders
After being forced to flee their respective home countries, Sri Lankan Tamils and Rohingya refugees resettled in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This study attempts to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
After being forced to flee their respective home countries, Sri Lankan Tamils and Rohingya refugees resettled in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This study attempts to explore the extent to which the state has provided means for integration in the absence of refugee protection laws and citizenship.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research approach was used, including in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with participants from both refugee groups between 2019 and early 2020. A representative sample of male and female Sri Lankan Tamils, living in or outside government camps, in urban and rural areas, was included (total number = 75). Similarly, a representative sample of the Rohingya refugee community was included for this study (n = 44).
Findings
Despite constraints imposed by inadequate infrastructure, the study finds that Sri Lankan Tamils and Rohingyas both show to be progressively integrated in local society and have been capable of fulfilling some important basic livelihood needs, especially with regards to education. Some areas for improvement are identified as well, most urgently in terms of health and accommodation.
Practical implications
Other states in India, as well as in similar low-income countries (LICs), could learn from the current case study with regards to administering workable policies for small groups of refugees.
Originality/value
With minimal state facilitation and within the context of limited legal backing, refugee groups have somewhat managed to re-built their lives. This study identifies the threshold of requirements that make this achievement possible and suggests what more could be done to further advance the current state.
In part-I of this review series, research from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka was reviewed. The purpose of this paper which is part-II of the…
Abstract
Purpose
In part-I of this review series, research from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka was reviewed. The purpose of this paper which is part-II of the series, is to review management research from India and Pakistan over a 25-year period from 1990 to 2014.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review approach was adopted for this research. As a quality standard for inclusion, articles were restricted to journals rated A*, A, or B by the Australian Business Deans Council in 2013 and either Q1 or Q2 in the Scopus/Imago classification system. The divisions and interest groups of the Academy of Management were used as framework to organize the search results.
Findings
A total of 1,039 articles related to India (n = 930) and Pakistan (n = 112) emerged from the search process, with three articles being related to both countries. The research was published in 163 different journals that met the quality criteria. The period under review coincides with the advent of economic liberalization in India and this emerged as a major theme in the India-related research. Other context-specific insights for these two countries are also derived from an ecological and institutional theory perspective.
Originality/value
This research represents the first comprehensive and systematic review of management research in India and Pakistan. As in part-I, the unique review approach allows for strict adherence to a predetermined quality standard while including a wide variety of journals and research traditions.