Ginni Chawla, Tripti Singh, Rupali Singh and Sonal Agarwal
Viewed in the context of liberalization, privatization and globalization, the socio-economic and legal environment facing the unions have changed, throwing them into clutches of…
Abstract
Purpose
Viewed in the context of liberalization, privatization and globalization, the socio-economic and legal environment facing the unions have changed, throwing them into clutches of adversity and destitution. The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons (i.e. antecedents) behind workers’ participation in union activities (such as strikes, rallies, demonstrations) in today’s scenario, and to understand how these participation tactics influence workers’ performance (i.e. worker behavior effectiveness) at work.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of published sources is drawn on, including quantitative, survey based and qualitative, case-study and other evidence for building the conceptual review.
Findings
The investigation clearly indicates that contemporary challenges facing unions in the present scenario prompt industrial actions. Only specific and genuine grievances and justifiable demands motivate workers to form a strong emotional attachment to their unions and engage in union participation activities such as strike activity (Darlington, 2006; Bean and Stoney, 1986).
Originality/value
Contrary to the traditional view, which sights unions as detrimental to worker productivity, turnover, and attendance at work (via restrictive work rules, featherbedding and disruptive strikes or other adversarial tactics), the investigation, through extensive review of literature proposes that unions positively influence worker behavior at work. The model, however, requires empirical testing to validate the proposed relationships.
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Sonal Agarwal, Ginni Chawla and Rupali Singh
The purpose of this study is to develop innovations in human resource (InHR) framework in the context of Indian banking industry and further develop a scale for its measurement.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop innovations in human resource (InHR) framework in the context of Indian banking industry and further develop a scale for its measurement.
Design/methodology/approach
A non-response bias test is conducted on a sample of 300 employees, and the assumptions of constant variance, outliers and normality are tested. Further, the InHR scale is validated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tests.
Findings
EFA confirms the existence of five empirically distinct constructs at banking industry in India, and CFA affirms the dependability of the arrived constructs. It is concluded that the InHR framework constructs possess high reliability and validity.
Research limitations/implications
The authors duly recognize the limitations of survey-based research, the exploratory research design and the use of single method.
Practical implications
The proposed InHR scale and its constructs are an important input to guide managers and human resources (HR) policymakers to devise strategies for the Indian banking industry. Banks can also benchmark existing HR policies by applying the proposed InHR framework constructs.
Social implications
The InHR constructs provide academicians and practitioners with a better approach of understanding the InHR practices.
Originality/value
Despite the significance of Indian banking industry for the socio-economic capital, academic research focusing on this industry’s innovative practices has been limited. This study reveals originality and value by proposing an InHR framework in the context of Indian banking industry which integrates all the major innovative practices. Further a scale has been developed for its measurement.
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Sonal Agarwal, Vidushi Sharma and Anuradha Pughat
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) and networks has built a potential impact on the product cost and time in a company’s manufacturing process. These IoT solutions provide…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) and networks has built a potential impact on the product cost and time in a company’s manufacturing process. These IoT solutions provide end-to-end visibility and faster introduction of merchandise and supplier in the market. The main aim of this research paper is to supply products with improved quality and cheaper price, whereas the rising response and quality of the client service.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper designs and develops two cases for selecting the most efficient vendor while keeping in mind the profit and cost constraints in optimization.
Findings
Outsourcing is a vital parameter to cut back the price and maximize the profit of the manufacturer. Therefore, the integration of supply chain with IoT can provide a solution to the cost optimization and supplier/vendor selection problems in supply chain management.
Research limitations/implications
The results show that the models are quite realistic and can help the IoT-based manufacturing units to make strategic decisions regarding product manufacturing and distribution.
Practical implications
The authors can further extend the model to derive the retailer’s profit function and develop the end product cost to the consumers and hence make it a n-level multi-vendor selection model for IoT-based systems.
Originality/value
The right choice of vendor for IoT-enabled business is a crucial concern. In this paper, the authors designed and developed multi-vendor models with in-house production and outsourcing decisions to meet the demand along with the vendor selection. The variable demands and designed variable unit cost function and batch order are set to make vendor selection more realistic.
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Rupali Singh, Ginni Chawla, Sonal Agarwal and Avani Desai
The purpose of the paper is to explore the antecedents of employability from the employer’s perspective to provide sustainable employment and to develop a measurement scale.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to explore the antecedents of employability from the employer’s perspective to provide sustainable employment and to develop a measurement scale.
Design/methodology/approach
In the study, the survey-based approach has been adopted. The authors developed an instrument following extensive literature review and further pre-tested the instrument with experts drawn from the academics. The data collection was monitored following Dillman’s (2007) total design test method. Finally, 114 usable responses were collected. The data were further tested for normal assumptions. Orthogonal and parsimonious constructs were derived following exploratory factor analysis, and the construct validity was checked using confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The following antecedents of employability were obtained: innovative skills and innovative abilities along with the knowledge, innovative abilities, personality factors, career-building traits, emotional intelligence and efficacy beliefs.
Research limitations/implications
The authors observed that the present study like other survey-based research has its own limitations. Currently, cross-sectional data were used, which inherit some serious limitations like endogeneity and common method bias. However, utmost care was taken to minimize the effects of endogeneity and common method bias using some suggested measures in the existing literature.
Social implications
The findings and conclusions are expected to aid students, academicians and practitioners in developing an understanding of employability. Moreover, these antecedents can be developed in graduates along with their higher education as per the requirements of the industry.
Originality/value
This paper is an attempt to develop a scale for measurement of employability in the education sector.
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Sonal Purohit, Bhakti Agarwal, Jagjeevan Kanoujiya and Shailesh Rastogi
Financial distress (FD) is an unfavorable situation that can have severe negative consequences on a firm. Within the range of multiple micro and macro factors, firm’s dividend…
Abstract
Purpose
Financial distress (FD) is an unfavorable situation that can have severe negative consequences on a firm. Within the range of multiple micro and macro factors, firm’s dividend policy can impact FD. However, this relationship is yet to be explored. Since shareholder yield (SHY) is a major component of the dividend policy, this study aims to explore the effect of SHY on a firm’s FD. Taking insights from stakeholder theory and dividend signaling theory, we also examined if this relationship is moderated by competition and firm size.
Design/methodology/approach
The data from Fortune 500 companies over thirteen years (2010–2022) was subjected to panel data analysis (PDA). The analysis particularly takes the quantile panel data model to have a deeper understanding of variable’s association in different scenarios of FD.
Findings
The findings revealed that the SHY does not directly influence a firm’s FD. However, it is negatively moderated by competition at a lower quantile of financial stability and positively moderated by firm size at all quantiles of financial stability (reverse of FD). It means when competition increases, the shareholder’s yield reduces the financial stability. However, it improves financial stability when firm size increases.
Practical implications
The findings deliver significant implications for all the stakeholders to consider dividend policy in form of SHY as a crucial element for a firm’s financial soundness. It is very situational to improve or detriment the financial health of the firm when it combines with other factors particularly competition or firm size. Hence, it is important to understand its sensitivity for FD.
Originality/value
In this study, we evidenced competition and firm size as moderators to SHY and FD relationship thus presenting novel insights. The findings are integrated to stakeholder theory and dividend signaling theory, and thus offer theoretical advancements.
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Anugamini Priya Srivastava, Sonal Shree and Sucheta Agarwal
The present study aims to statistically prove the theoretical model on inclusive higher education provided by Srivastava and Shree (2019), which analyzes the effect of authentic…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to statistically prove the theoretical model on inclusive higher education provided by Srivastava and Shree (2019), which analyzes the effect of authentic leadership (AL) on inclusive classrooms (ICs) with the intervening role of academic optimism (AO) and art-based innovation pedagogies.
Design/methodology/approach
This current study collected data through a questionnaire method from higher education faculty and the faculty's immediate leaders. Statistical methods like descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple regression analysis were conducted to evaluate the variables, model fit and hypothesis, respectively.
Findings
The results indicated a positive effect of AL on ICs via the partial mediating role of AO. However, unlike the proven theoretical model, the moderating role of art-based innovation pedagogy between AO and the IC was not supported.
Originality/value
The implications of this study advanced the theoretical aspect of the model while providing managerial suggestions that can be applied to support the development of ICs in educational institutions.
The learning outcomes of this case study are as follows: to understand the concept of social commerce and how it is different from e-commerce business, to discuss the unique…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this case study are as follows: to understand the concept of social commerce and how it is different from e-commerce business, to discuss the unique features of Meesho’s social commerce model, to understand concepts of entrepreneurship (e.g. addressing the gap through business, pivoting), to understand the dynamics of online grocery market and e-commerce market and to apply business strategy concepts to make recommendations.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study presents Meesho, an organization in social commerce in India. Meesho was founded by Indian Institute of Technology graduates Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal in the year 2015 to help the small business owners with online selling. It was initially launched as an app that connected local retailers to the customers. Owing to low customer interest and low profit margins, they pivoted the business to a reseller app that facilitated the individuals and small retailers to resell the wholesalers’ products (unbranded and long-tail products) to the customers on social media channels. However, the tough competition from other start-ups in social commerce and retail giants such as Amazon and Flipkart who targeted the same customers impacted their growth. After receiving a funding of US$300m, the founders were considering if they should enter the e-commerce market and directly compete with giants such as Amazon and Flipkart or extend the product line to the online groceries market and compete with dominant players such as BigBasket and Blinkit. Through this case study, the students could be provided an opportunity to evaluate a situation, apply the strategic management concepts and make a recommendation on the strategic plan.
Complexity academic level
The case study can be taught in the business and strategy courses at the graduate and postgraduate levels in business schools. It is also suitable for the entrepreneurship course with focus on e-commerce start-up and sustainability, which is also taught at the MBA level. This case study can also be used in executive development programs for abovementioned courses.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
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This case presents the hybrid business model of a social venture Gramshree. It provides arich description of an actual decision situation faced by the board of trustees regarding…
Abstract
This case presents the hybrid business model of a social venture Gramshree. It provides arich description of an actual decision situation faced by the board of trustees regarding the selection of marketing channel for Gramshree for bringing sustainability to the business. Gramshree aimed at empowering women artisans by ensuring a steady income for them so that they could become catalyst for sustainable economic development and social change. However, with growing competition and difficulties in selling, to generate market demand was a key challenge for Gramshree. This case illustrates the strategies for development and value creation of a hybrid social business model. It also describes the challenges faced by social organizations. The case provides an opportunity to evaluate the current situation and proposes a decision for sustainability of the organization.
Details
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Keywords
Vanita Tripathi and Sonal Thukral
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of financing the outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) by building a three-level framework residing on host country…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of financing the outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) by building a three-level framework residing on host country market imperfections, ownership advantages of parent firm investing abroad and the industry to which it belongs.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper used random effects probit model.
Findings
Parent debt financing of OFDI by Indian parent firms is driven by the credit market development of the host country, the uniqueness of the industry to which parent firm belongs and systematic risk. Debt-oriented firms are found to invest more via parent debt.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study are as follows: –first, time period before 2008 could not be considered due to unavailability of data in the public domain. Second, the characteristics of foreign affiliates that spread across diverse host countries have not been factored in. Third, in the case of parent’s industry-level determinants, financial sector has not been included because the financing and risk-taking strategy of this sector are quite different from other sectors. Finally, the present study assumes financing decision to be centralized in the multinational system at the parent firm.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this study are as follows: first, industry innovativeness must be taken as a guide by the Indian MNEs to finance their OFDI and they must provide equity. Second, the study suggests that Indian MNEs rely on their existing capital structure while financing their OFDI. Third, parent firms are found to follow the industry norms. Fourth, parent firms must finance their OFDI by considering the development of credit market in the host country. Fifth, host government must focus on improving the credit market development of their economy and not just reducing tax rates to attract FDI into their economy.
Originality/value
Empirically examining internal flows in a multinational system has limited the research in the area of financing the OFDI. The paper is one of the first attempts to formally develop a model of factors that shape financing of OFDI in case of one such emerging market – India.
Details
Keywords
- Emerging market multinationals
- Outward foreign direct investment
- Financing
- Parent debt
- Internal capital market
- Random effects
- Probit model
- Emerging economy
- India
- Strategy tripod
- Institutional environment
- Industry environment
- Resource-based view
- Credit market development
- Systematic risk
- Legal environment
- Financial environment
- Growth opportunities
- R&D intensity
- advertising intensity
Sonal Kureshi and Vandana Sood
The purpose of this paper is to understand the growing phenomenon of brand placements in the Indian movie industry. The study goes further to compare the incidence and the nature…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the growing phenomenon of brand placements in the Indian movie industry. The study goes further to compare the incidence and the nature of brands placed within movies for the same time period.
Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis of 106 successful Bollywood movies between 1997 and 1999 was conducted and the incidence of brand placements within them and the execution style adopted were documented. Analysis of the brand appearances in 110 Hollywood movies was carried out and the volume of placements, kind of brands placed and the movie genre in which they were found was noted.
Findings
In‐film placements of entertainment and automobile brands were found to be highly prevalent in Indian movies. Showing the usage of the brand was the most common style of execution. The volume of in‐film placements in Hollywood movies was found to be far higher than that in Indian movies.
Research limitations/implications
This study being exploratory in nature has the inherent limitation of generalizability of the results.
Practical implications
This paper provides implications for marketing managers and movie producers employing this form of communication.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to systematically record, analyse and compare the occurrence and the execution of brand placements in Indian movies in a non‐US context and compare and contrast the placement practices of these two movie industries.