Shantanu Sharma, Sucheta Rawat, Faiyaz Akhtar, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Sunil Mehra
The authors intend to assess the village health sanitation and nutrition committees (VHSNC) on six parameters, including their formation, composition, meeting frequencies…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors intend to assess the village health sanitation and nutrition committees (VHSNC) on six parameters, including their formation, composition, meeting frequencies, activities, supervisory mechanisms and funds receipt and expenditures across nine districts of the three states of India.
Design/methodology/approach
The cross-sectional study, conducted in the states of Uttar Pradesh (five districts), Odisha (two districts) and Rajasthan (two districts), used a quantitative research design. The community health workers of 140 VHSNCs were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The details about the funds' receipt and expenditures were verified from the VHSNC records (cashbook). Additionally, the authors asked about the role of health workers in the VHSNC meetings, and the issues and challenges faced.
Findings
The average number of members in VHSNCs varied from 10 in Odisha to 15 in Rajasthan. Activities were regularly organized in Rajasthan and Odisha (one per month) compared to Uttar Pradesh (one every alternate month). Most commonly, health promotion activities, cleanliness drives, community monitoring and facilitation of service providers were done by VHSNCs. Funds were received regularly in Odisha compared to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Funds were received late and less compared to the demands or needs of VHSNCs.
Research limitations/implications
This comprehensive analysis of VHSNCs' functioning in the selected study areas sheds light on the gaps in many components, including the untimely and inadequate receipt of funds, poor documentation of expenditures and involvement of VHSNC heads and inadequate supportive supervision.
Originality/value
VHSNCs assessment has been done for improving community health governance.
Details
Keywords
Shantanu Sharma, Faiyaz Akhtar, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Sunil Mehra
This study aims to assess the associations of early marriage and spousal age difference (independent of early marriage) with reproductive and sexual health and autonomy in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the associations of early marriage and spousal age difference (independent of early marriage) with reproductive and sexual health and autonomy in decision-making among married women before conception.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study was a part of a three-year community intervention to improve the preconception health of young married women (20–35 years) in the West Delhi district of India. The six key outcomes assessed were: knowledge of reproductive health, discussions related to sexual health, history of anemia, use of contraceptives by women, frequency of consumption of meals per day and the autonomy in decision-making for household expenditures. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between the two key predictors (early marriage or spousal age difference), sociodemographic variables and six outcomes. The results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 2,324 women, enrolled from four wards in the district using cluster-based sampling, were interviewed.
Findings
Around 17% of women were married by the exact age of 18, and 20% were elder or just one year younger than their husbands. Women who were married early had low reproductive health knowledge (OR (95% CI): 0.48 (0.38–0.60)) and a lower probability of expressing autonomy (OR (95% CI): 0.78 (0.62–0.97)). However, women older than men or younger by just one year in the married relationship had higher reproductive health knowledge (OR (95% CI): 1.25 (1.01–1.54)) than women younger than men more than two years.
Originality/value
Under the umbrella of the preconception care domain, frontline workers should emphasize counseling girls and young women to marry late and delay the first pregnancy.
Details
Keywords
Rajesh Attri, Bhupender Singh and Sunil Mehra
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain and analyze the interactions among different barriers of 5S implementation in manufacturing organizations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain and analyze the interactions among different barriers of 5S implementation in manufacturing organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, 15 barriers affecting the implementation of 5S in manufacturing organizations have been identified from literature analysis and discussion with academic and industrial experts. Afterwards, identified barriers were validated by using nation-wide questionnaire-based survey. Then, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach has been utilized to find out the interaction among the identified barriers in order to develop hierarchy-based model.
Findings
The research identifies several key barriers which have high driving power and weak dependence power. In this concern, these barriers entail extreme care and handling for successful implementation of 5S. Financial constraints, lack of top management commitment, and no proper vision and mission are found to be the key barriers.
Research limitations/implications
The developed ISM model is based on experts’ opinion. This developed hierarchy-based model requires further validation by using structural equation modeling approach or by performing detailed case studies.
Originality/value
In this paper, ISM-based structural model has been recommended for Indian manufacturing organizations, which is a novel exertion in the area of 5S implementation.
Details
Keywords
Sunil Budhiraja, Ujjwal Kumar Pathak and Neeraj Kaushik
The purpose of this paper is to examine the components of individual creativity which are commonly unrecognized and untapped by managers and organizations. A framework is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the components of individual creativity which are commonly unrecognized and untapped by managers and organizations. A framework is suggested to leverage these components of creativity for organizational innovation through organizational learning and support.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper makes use of grounded theory based on three levels of feedback received from employees of six information technology (IT) companies in India. The paper makes use of qualitative responses (and narratives) received from software engineers, their respective project managers, and HR representatives on various components of individual creativity. Deliberation on the role of respective organizations is also included to tap and leverage the unrecognized components of creativity
Findings
The paper provides a framework for practitioners working in IT industries on how to leverage the untapped individual creativity to achieve greater process innovation.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is written from the perspective of the Indian IT industry.
Practical implications
The framework proposed in the study will help organizations to identify and use components to achieve organizational innovation.
Originality/value
In the context of the Indian IT industry, there has been little effort put into identifying and examining the untapped components of individual creativity to build sustainable innovative organizations. Moreover, the findings of the study will help IT companies to build robust models by using various learning interventions.
Details
Keywords
Chayanika Mitra and Indrani Sengupta
The issue of dropout looms large in the context of school education in India despite various flagship programs that have been initiated in school education. According to U-DISE…
Abstract
The issue of dropout looms large in the context of school education in India despite various flagship programs that have been initiated in school education. According to U-DISE report (2019–2020), girls drop out more than boys at the upper primary level. An analysis of the dropout problem demands probing deeper into intrahousehold dynamics that involves bargaining at the household level on investment decision. These decisions are often influenced by the social context in which the girl child in the family faces discrimination which gets reflected in terms of dropout of girl children. Apart from the issue of gender, birth order also determines which child is more likely to drop out. Using NSSO data (2017–2018), we observe that not all children of a household are equally susceptible to the dropout problem. Moreover, the eldest sibling is found to be more susceptible to the dropout problem and dropout rate goes down with the other younger siblings in the same household. First-born girl children drop out more than their male counterparts showing gender bias. The chapter concludes that the factors pushing a child to drop out become more effective for the eldest sibling. The major reason is the family structure of India as the eldest sibling is expected to be more responsible and look after other younger siblings. Consequently, a certain number of the younger siblings try to follow the elder siblings and discontinue going to school.
Details
Keywords
Agriculture knowledge, market intelligence, emerging business model.
Abstract
Subject area
Agriculture knowledge, market intelligence, emerging business model.
Study level/applicability
It is best suited to teach undergraduates and graduates in the areas of rural marketing, agri-business management, service management and information and communication technology for development.
Case overview
India is changing with great pace by inclusive growth on espousal of technology into the mainstream. Indian farmers are wholly depending even now on traditional methods for decision making on entire agriculture supply chain. The constant decision making provides middle men with a chance to exploit and empower themselves on the returns produced by farmers. Technology is creating waves providing an opportunity for farmers to benefit by adopting information and technology to solve their basic livelihood problems. The Thomson Reuter group launched a SMS-based mobile information service to support India's 250-million-strong agricultural community. The service, named Reuters Market Light (RML), is trying to provide a missing link by providing required information in the quickest possible time to farmers; user need-based services are critical to this. How far RML services are delivering in this context is quizzed by some analysts. Thomson Reuter's service started with the global climb down in commodity prices, coupled with increased risk of natural disasters as per experts. The competitors providing similar services at price which differ with RML wondered about the success, scalability and sustainability of its venture.
Expected learning outcomes
This is a practical view of how these interventions can be better looked at and can get into policy for a framework for rural areas' socio-economic development.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes.
Details
Keywords
Franco Muleya, Bodwin Mulenga, Sambo Lyson Zulu, Sunday Nwaubani, Chipozya Kosta Tembo and Henry Mushota
This study aimed to investigate the suitability and cost-benefit of using copper tailings as partial replacement of sand in concrete production. The study was motivated by the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the suitability and cost-benefit of using copper tailings as partial replacement of sand in concrete production. The study was motivated by the accumulation and non-use of copper tailings in dams among them tailing dam 25 also known as TD 25 in Kitwe city of the Copperbelt province in Zambia that take up approximately 111 hectares of unused land.
Design/methodology/approach
Laboratory experimental approach of concrete production based on water/cement ratios of 0.3 and 0.5 was used because this was an exploratory study designed to establish the primary performance of concrete. In total, 30 concrete cubes were cast based on the two water-cement ratios. In total, 0% to 30% partial sand replacement with copper tailings was used in both mixes with the 0% copper tailings replacement being the control mix and reference point. Other concrete tests included workability, density, compressive strength and element composition analysis.
Findings
Results revealed that copper tailings from TD 25 were suitable for partial replacement of sand in concrete. Thirty per cent of sand replacement with copper tailings was established as the maximum replacement amount to produce optimum compressive strength values from both mixes. The drier mix of 0.3 water-cement ratios produced higher compressive strength results of 23 MPa at 28 days of concrete curing with 2.34% as optimum concrete cost reduction.
Practical implications
The research results provide the cost-benefit analysis and savings that can be attained from using cheaper copper tailings based concrete. The study further provided the quantity of land available for development arising from absorption of copper tailings as a sustainable construction material. The local authority now has statistics and numerical values that it can use to absorb copper tailings as a concrete raw material.
Originality/value
The study provides guidance on optimum concrete grade produced and cost reduction details of copper tailing-based concrete to support for local authorities in suitable land wand waste management using real data.
Details
Keywords
Dhayalan R., Subrahmanyam Saderla and Ajoy Kanti Ghosh
The purpose of this paper is to present the application of the neural-based estimation method, Neural-Gauss-Newton (NGN), using the real flight data of a small unmanned aerial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the application of the neural-based estimation method, Neural-Gauss-Newton (NGN), using the real flight data of a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Design/methodology/approach
The UAVs in general are lighter in weight and their flight is usually influenced by the atmospheric winds because of their relatively lower cruise speeds. During the presence of the atmospheric winds, the aerodynamic forces and moments get modified significantly and the accurate mathematical modelling of the same is highly challenging. This modelling inaccuracy during parameter estimation is routinely treated as the process noise. Furthermore, because of the limited dimensions of the small UAVs, the measurements are usually influenced by the disturbances caused by other subsystems. To handle these measurement and process noises, the estimation methods based on neural networks have been found reliable in the manned aircrafts.
Findings
Six sets of compatible longitudinal flight data of the designed UAV have been chosen to estimate the parameters using the NGN method. The consistency in the estimates is verified from the obtained mean and the standard deviation and the same has been validated by the proof-of-match exercise. It is evident from the results that the NGN method was able to perform on a par with the conventional maximum likelihood method.
Originality/value
This is a partial outcome of the research carried out in estimating parameters from the UAVs.
Details
Keywords
The learning outcomes of this case are in understanding core concepts of brand management and brand dilution. Assessment of macro-economic risks and proper positioning strategies…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this case are in understanding core concepts of brand management and brand dilution. Assessment of macro-economic risks and proper positioning strategies are the key take-away from this case. The case gives an understanding of how brands are built and positioned, and the pitfalls of poor brand planning and assessment that could lead to brand dilution. The case is useful for highlighting the importance of brand management and the challenges of re-positioning. The discussions would shed light on why it is important to plan and manage spending on marketing for brand building activities, and why brands would suffer when spending is reduced. This case is a teaching case and not a research case. It will help participants assimilate available information in combination with existing academic theories and publications to help develop an accurate assessment and prognosis of the events leading until the point of slicing the case.
Case overview/synopsis
Reid & Taylor in 2015 had been reduced to a discounter brand offering extended end-of-season sales when most other competitors have ended their promotions. In the 17 years since its big-budget launch in the Indian market in one of the most memorable brand introductions, Reid & Taylor changed its ambassador twice and repositioned itself thrice. The case would allow participants to delve deeper into aspects of marketing spending, brand management, positioning and advertising effectiveness. The case brings to the fore discussions on marketing, specifically on branding, positioning and its related advertising in the textile sector for a brand that has not been studied in academic literature until the present time. The discussion allows for novelty, involving both forward- and backward-looking assessments and evaluations to help participants better imbibe learnings in brand management and positioning.
Complexity academic level
The case is suitable for a graduate-level (Master’s level) course in marketing and brand management. This case is suitable for elective courses that discuss positioning and brands.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 8: Marketing