Shekhar Singh and Sandeep Srivastava
With India becoming world’s second largest user of smartphones (Ming, 2017) and with more users adopting mobile devices for online shopping, Indian online retailers now have to…
Abstract
Purpose
With India becoming world’s second largest user of smartphones (Ming, 2017) and with more users adopting mobile devices for online shopping, Indian online retailers now have to manage mobile channel in addition to existing traditional channel (of computers). Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the mapping of product characteristics with individual channel capabilities and its effect on online consumer behaviour, so that e-tailers can create enhanced online shopping experience for consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive research model is developed on the basis of the knowledge gained from multichannel retailing and e-commerce literature. Then, the model is empirically tested, with primary data collected from 344 customers, using structural equation modelling. The data are collected from customers across two product categories: electronics and fashion.
Findings
The results reveal that perceived usefulness, perceived risk and perceived self-efficacy are important drivers of online consumer behaviour for continued usage. The multi-group analysis confirms the moderation influence of platform type for some relationships across electronics and fashion.
Practical implications
The findings underline the importance of multichannel complementarity across electronics and fashion. The preference of mobile devices for fashion and traditional devices such as computers for electronics provides valuable insights for online retailers towards management of multichannel e-commerce ecosystem.
Originality/value
In Indian context, this is the first empirical research on online multichannel retail setting, studying the impact of diverse channel formats on different product categories. The study’s findings give empirical basis to online retailers to look out for right product–channel fit strategy for engaging consumers in the long run.
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Sandeep Yadav and Jagriti Srivastava
COVID-19 induced uncertainty in the firms’ business transactions, financial markets and product-market competition, causing a severe organizational legitimacy crisis. Using the…
Abstract
Purpose
COVID-19 induced uncertainty in the firms’ business transactions, financial markets and product-market competition, causing a severe organizational legitimacy crisis. Using the organizational legitimacy perspective and agency theory, this paper aims to study the relationship between prior corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, monitoring cost (MC) and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a quarterly panel (16,924 firm-quarter observations from 61 countries for CSR and 53,345 firm-quarter observations from 55 countries for MC) for 14 quarters from January 2018 to June 2021. This study uses panel fixed-effect regression models to estimate the effect of CSR activities and MC (measured as audit fees) on firm performance during the COVID-19 period.
Findings
This study finds a U-shaped relationship between CSR and firm performance. This relationship is strengthened during COVID-19. In contrast, this study finds an inverted U-shaped relationship between firm MC and firm performance. However, this relationship is weakened during the pandemic.
Originality/value
This study contributes to theory and practice on maintaining organizational legitimacy and reducing agency costs during the pandemic. This study shows that firms’ prior legitimacy-gaining practices, such as CSR activities and MC, provide an opportunity to increase firm value. To balance agency costs and legitimacy benefits, firm managers also need to identify the optimal level of CSR activities and MC.
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Sandeep Singh and Samir K. Srivastava
This paper aims to address the conceptual and practical challenges in integrating triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the agriculture supply chain (ASC). It identifies the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the conceptual and practical challenges in integrating triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the agriculture supply chain (ASC). It identifies the key enablers for each of the three dimensions of TBL sustainability, analyses their causal relationships as well as cross-dimensional interactions under each TBL dimension. Further, it develops a decision support framework (DSF) for the assessment of TBL sustainability practices and policies in ASC and validates it through a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive structure modelling (ISM) methodology is deployed to establish the interrelationships among all TBL enablers and to identify the enablers with high driving power on sustainable ASC. Brainstorming by a group of experts was used to identify the relevant enables. Finally, a DSF was developed as a resultant of ISM.
Findings
The paper provides a set of enablers with high driving power that can significantly influence the sustainability practices and policies in ASC. The social enablers directly help to enhance the effect of economic enablers and collectively these enhance the effect of environmental enablers. If agriculture firms and supply chains design innovative policies and develop practices based on these enablers, they can achieve sustainable ASC. Consequently, the living standards of the people directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture firm or supply chain can be improved without compromising on economic performance.
Research limitations/implications
The paper consolidates the fragmented knowledge of sustainable supply chain management in the agriculture sector and suggests a DSF to policymakers, managers and practitioners for assessing TBL sustainability practices and policies. The DSF has wide applicability in other sectors of production and operations management as these sectors also face the challenge of achieving TBL sustainability across their supply chain.
Practical implications
The DSF, developed in the paper, is a useful tool for practitioners to frame and analyse sustainability initiatives and policies for ASC. A firm or supply chain may achieve TBL sustainability if it succeeds in uplifting the social status of its stakeholders.
Social implications
It is a first step towards addressing the practical challenge of integrating sustainability in the agriculture sector of emerging economies and provides a path to improve the livelihood of people in the agriculture sector. Stakeholder engagement with a focus on collaboration and awareness may lead to the desired social and environmental consequences. Potential adverse social effects also need to be considered.
Originality/value
This paper focusses on the so far rather neglected but essential aspect of integrating TBL sustainability in the agriculture sector of emerging economies. The hierarchal representation and classification of the TBL sustainability enablers of sustainability is a unique effort in the field of ASC. Development of DSF is one of the first attempts to create a mapping between various enablers of TBL sustainability. The novelty of the study lies in the sector-specific, holistic evaluation of TBL sustainability policy measures that may lead to improvements in practice.
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Nagendra Kumar Maurya, Manish Maurya, Shashi Prakash Dwivedi, Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Ambuj Saxena, Sandeep Chahuan, Aditya Tiwari and Advitya Mishra
Nowadays, rapid prototyping is emerging as end use product in low volume. The accuracy of the fabricated components depends on various process parameters. Process parameters used…
Abstract
Purpose
Nowadays, rapid prototyping is emerging as end use product in low volume. The accuracy of the fabricated components depends on various process parameters. Process parameters used in this investigation are layer thickness (150, 200 and 250 µm), infill pattern (linear, hexagonal and star fill), raster angle (0°, 45° and 90°) and infill density (40, 60 and 80%). Linear and radial dimension of knuckle joint are selected for the response factor.
Design/methodology/approach
The experiments are design by using response surface methodology (RSM). Four design variables at three levels are used to examine their influence on percentage error in linear dimension and radial dimension of the component. A prototype Knuckle joint is selected as component. Minitab-14 software is used for the design of experiments.
Findings
Experimental measure data is analyzed by using “smaller is better” quality characteristics. A regression model for the forecasting of percentage error in linear and radial dimension is developed. The developed model is within precision range. The optimum level of process for linear and radial dimensions are obtained: layer thickness of 150 µm, Infill pattern of linear, Raster angle of 90° and infill density of 40%.
Research limitations/implications
It proves that both the mathematical model is significant and can be able to approximate the desired output value close to the accurate dimensions. While comparing the calculated F-values for both linear and radial dimension with the standard table (F-table, 0.05), it is found that at the given set of degree of freedom the standard F-values (6.61) is lower for that regression, linear, square and interaction source of the predicted model, for which p-values have already less than 0.05. It is desirable for significant process parameters.
Practical implications
The dimensional accuracy with respect to average percentage error of FDM produced knuckle joint is successfully examined. The effect of process parameters, namely, layer thickness, infill pattern, raster angle and infill density on average percentage error was investigated by RSM and analysis of variance table.
Social implications
The novelty of this work lies in the fact that only few studies are available in archival literature related to influence of these process parameters on percentage error in linear and radial dimension for Polycarbonate (PC) material.
Originality/value
The novelty of this work lies in the fact only few studies are available in archival literature related to influence of these process parameters on percentage error in linear and radial dimension for Polycarbonate (PC) material.
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Sujata Joshi, Anugamini Priya Srivastava, Sandeep Prabhu, Pankaj Pathak, Abhijit Chirputkar and Samaya Pillai
The objective of this paper is to investigate the digital transformation (DT) trends in higher education institutes (HEI) (from 2010 to 2023) and examine the role of upcoming…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to investigate the digital transformation (DT) trends in higher education institutes (HEI) (from 2010 to 2023) and examine the role of upcoming technologies in the HEI and their impact on user experience and social inclusiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
The middle-range research method is adopted, wherein the Scopus database is used for publication searches. The bibliometric analysis is done on a dataset of 408 articles to determine research trends in DT, top-cited articles, top journals, key authors, country-wise contribution, keyword analysis, bibliographic coupling and co-occurrence analysis. Additionally, content analysis was done on 51 articles that were finally selected to identify the upcoming DT themes in HEI.
Findings
Three key themes emerged from the analysis: digital technologies (for teaching, learning, assessment and administration), user experience and social inclusiveness, based on which we propose a conceptual model for DT in HEI.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the ongoing studies in the following way: (1) it proposes a conceptual model for DT in HEI. (2) It provides an understanding of the impact of DT on user experience and social inclusiveness in the context of HEI. (3) It paves the way for future research by providing future research themes, future research directions and future research questions, providing a groundwork for upcoming investigations which will help researchers develop this area further.
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Sidharth Srivastava, Sandeep Kumar Dey, Savita Sharma and Mark Ratilla
An extant literature review of hospitality manpower performance reveals the scarcity of green skills among young graduates of hospitality management in the Asian context. Studies…
Abstract
Purpose
An extant literature review of hospitality manpower performance reveals the scarcity of green skills among young graduates of hospitality management in the Asian context. Studies signal the discrepancy between knowledge imbibed and skills acquired. The current study is a call to action to identify the barriers to green training at the academic level.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a qualitative investigation by senior academics from Asian countries. Thematic analysis is the primary method deployed.
Findings
Four major themes emerged from the analytical exercise. They include lack of resources, policies and regulations, an overburdened curriculum and awareness. Interestingly, the themes are in tandem with the Tourism Education Futures Institute (TEFI) value framework for nurturing sustainability practices in the hospitality industry through systematic programming of hotel management education.
Practical implications
In order to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2030 (Goal 4) of ensuring lifelong strategic education to foster sustainability, the green skill–knowledge gap must be bridged at the academic level. The current paper sheds light on how the synergy between industry and academia can address this knowledge–skill gap and develop sustainable capacities in the long run.
Originality/value
This study used a qualitative dataset, and the findings contribute to the sustainability literature. Further studies can be undertaken using big data in varied settings.
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Sandeep Narula, Sudhir Rana, Shakul Srivastava and Manjeet Kharub
This study explores the relationship between market orientation (MO), marketing capabilities, competitive advantage and firm performance with a focus on productivity and growth…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the relationship between market orientation (MO), marketing capabilities, competitive advantage and firm performance with a focus on productivity and growth. This study answers on how MO and capabilities can enhance the performance of a firm. The following research points have been looked into: (1) business development in uncertain times, (2) strategies that complement both business development and competitive advantage at the same time and (3) how proactive MO helps the business organization to improve performance and attain category leadership in the desired therapeutic segment.
Design/methodology/approach
This article is based on an intensive case study that provides a thorough description, interpretation and understanding of the case. To accomplish the given goals, a public sector firm was carefully chosen and data were gathered through interviews with managers from different levels of the case company.
Findings
Results of this study explain that the MO concept is highly effective in building the marketing capabilities and sustaining the performance. The study offers business development strategies for the businesses where product differentiation is low and price ceiling is practiced on a certain category of products. MO when combined with marketing capabilities gives the organization a competitive advantage which ultimately enhances the firm performance.
Originality/value
The manuscript is based on a case study representing niche and mid-sized Indian pharmaceutical company, “Indian Immunologicals Limited” (IIL, a public sector firm), that adopted MO along with competitive business strategies in highly competitive, regulated and price control therapeutic category, anti-rabies vaccine. The company with a judicious mix of business strategies, operational excellence and MO not only enhanced productivity but also market share and created new business units for future.
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In the last 10 years, India has amended its laws dealing with sexual offences against women with the changes ranging from increasing terms of imprisonment for the offence of rape…
Abstract
In the last 10 years, India has amended its laws dealing with sexual offences against women with the changes ranging from increasing terms of imprisonment for the offence of rape to state-funded compensation schemes for women and child victims. In this regard, challenges persist for the agencies of the criminal justice system in India especially the courts to realise the vision of restorative justice as these forums have to navigate the relevant statutory provisions and binding precedents. This chapter seeks to analyse the challenges faced by courts in proper reintegration of victims and offenders of sexual offences, the institutional responses of the courts and suggests reforms to the criminal justice system in India in consonance with the principles of restorative justice acknowledged in the restorative justice movement in the international discourse.
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Harpreet Singh Bedi, Sandeep Vij and Rayees Farooq
The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business performance (BP). The study uses a five-dimensional approach to understand EO’s relationship with BP.
Design/methodology/approach
A personal survey of key informants (who have decision-making power in their firm), one each from 550 North Indian firms has been conducted. The hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO are equally valid and have a significant impact on BP. The study highlights the contextual nature of the relationship between EO and BP.
Practical implications
This study supports a comprehensive five-dimensional approach to EO, benefiting researchers and management practitioners. It validates an integrated measurement of BP and advances entrepreneurship theories, enabling broader generalizations for improved decision-making and strategy development.
Originality/value
The study is relevant for researchers and management practitioners. This study supports the five-dimensional conceptualization of EO and reveals the relevance of both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO. The study also lends support to the integrated approach of BP measurement. The results may also help to generalize entrepreneurship theories.