Sunita Panda and Chandan Kumar Sahoo
– Describes how, in a highly competitive environment, Larsen & Toubro attracts and retains its talent in a strategic way.
Abstract
Purpose
Describes how, in a highly competitive environment, Larsen & Toubro attracts and retains its talent in a strategic way.
Design/methodology/approach
Researches the firm’s various talent-management and leadership-training strategies.
Findings
Reveals that 360-degree talent management is necessary to empower employees and to develop leadership capacities.
Practical implications
Presents a framework for talent management and leadership development in a manufacturing business which can be recast to suit different organizational set-ups.
Social implications
Explains that the company recruits many of its workers from rural India. Employees are recruited for their potential as much as for their existing skills.
Originality/value
Describes a new dimension of talent management being practiced and its success in a manufacturing business.
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Sunita Panda and Chandan Kumar Sahoo
The purpose of this paper is to attempt to test a model of talent development interventions and find out the various factors which actually impact the process in a manufacturing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to attempt to test a model of talent development interventions and find out the various factors which actually impact the process in a manufacturing concern.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple regression analysis is used to analyse the data and find the extent to which the variables considered are significant predictors of talent development. Primary data are collected from the respondents (executives) of two manufacturing units with the help of a structured questionnaire. A sample size of 200 is considered for extraction of data for the study.
Findings
The results of the study highlight that six of the independent variables significantly predict the dependent variable. This paper identifies the most important factors which are found to be pivotal for the development of talent in the organizations considered for the study.
Practical implications
Managing talent in the present competitive business scenario is one of the most vital issues in which HR professionals/practitioners are involved. It becomes imperative for top management to know about the various ways which can aid in proper development of talent. This paper empirically identifies the various strategic interventions which aid in the proper development of talent in manufacturing sector.
Originality/value
While there are many papers tracing the talent development process and the various strategic interventions, there is a dearth of empirical research being done in this field in the manufacturing sector. This paper attempts to explore the developmental interventions in the manufacturing sector and adds new insights on an empirical basis.
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Subrat Sarangi, Ashok Priyadarshi, Gloryson R.B. Chalil and Rasananda Panda
The case dwells with the following theoretical concepts: Appreciate the different need dimensions required to motivate different employee types based on need theory (Alderfer…
Abstract
Theoretical basis
The case dwells with the following theoretical concepts: Appreciate the different need dimensions required to motivate different employee types based on need theory (Alderfer, 1969). Identify the functional needs as per Maslow’s need hierarchy (Hall & Naougaim, 1968) for the permanent and contractual workers. Outline why only hygiene factors are insufficient to arrest worker absenteeism during a pandemic like COVID-19. Apply need theory and “Herzberg’s two-factor theory” (Herzberg, 1966; Herzberg et al., 1957) to enumerate the measures that need to be implemented to build supply chain resilience by reducing absenteeism by motivating employees.
Research methodology
The case is based on primary research carried out by the authors at Alkem Laboratories Ltd., Sikkim unit in India, during the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the company leading to high absenteeism of contractual workers.
Case overview/Synopsis
Alkem Laboratories Ltd. is a leading pharma major from India with a global footprint. At the break of COVID-19 pandemic, the manufacturing unit of the company at Sikkim is facing the scare of mass absenteeism, especially among the contractual workers who account for 60% of the workforce of the unit. Ashok Priyadarshi (Vice President, Human Resources) and his team along with the think tank of the unit have to find a solution to the problem at hand. What shall be the measures that the think tank will propose? The team sets out to find an answer to these questions so that Alkem could seize the business opportunity at the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Complexity academic level
The case is suitable for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in organizational behavior, organizational change and development and supply chain risk management. The case can also be positioned for executive education and training modules in companies on employee motivation and commitment.
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Vipin Shukla, Ravi Shukla, Dharmendra Singh, Mahendra Singh, Madhu Bajpai and Sunita Seth
To prepare modified epoxy resins from resorcinol, cresol and phenol for improved adhesion and chemical resistance. To evaluate the properties of such modified epoxy resins.
Abstract
Purpose
To prepare modified epoxy resins from resorcinol, cresol and phenol for improved adhesion and chemical resistance. To evaluate the properties of such modified epoxy resins.
Design/methodology/approach
Epoxy novolac resins (ENRs) were synthesised by condensing epichlorohydrin with novolacs based on different types of substituted phenols for improving adhesion and chemical resistance. Various compositions were made by incorporating different proportions of polyamide resin. The chemical and adhesive strengths of the conventional epoxy and the modified epoxy resins were characterised.
Findings
The modified ENR using substituted phenols showed significant enhancement of chemical and adhesive strengths over the conventional DGEBA resin. The modified ENR had an increased number of glycidyl groups (thus increased functionality) of resin, which was responsible for improved chemical and adhesive strengths over the conventional DGEBA resin.
Research limitations/implications
The EPN resins used in the present context was synthesised from phenol, resorcinol and cresol and cured by polyamide resin of different amine values. Besides, it could be synthesised from phenolphthalein p‐aminophenol and p‐ter‐butylcatachol, etc.
Practical implications
The method developed provided a simple and practical solution to improving the adhesive and chemical resistance of cured epoxy phenol novolac resins.
Originality/value
The method for enhanced adhesive and chemical resistance of cured epoxy was novel and could find numerous applications in surface coating and adhesive.
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Sujata Mukherjee and Santana Pathak
Among the various global options for self-employment, venturing into the micro-enterprise sector has been recognized as an important way for employment generation and poverty…
Abstract
Among the various global options for self-employment, venturing into the micro-enterprise sector has been recognized as an important way for employment generation and poverty alleviation in many developing/emerging economies. In this context, women-owned businesses at the grassroots play a vital role in developing countries like India far beyond contributing to job creation and economic growth. The informal sector is a sizeable and expanding feature of the contemporary global economy.
However, the informal economy operates at the cusp of the institutional framework, which makes them susceptible to many risks like lack of formal financing options, legal aid or increasing margin through access to formal markets. Non-Profit Development Agencies (NPDAs) have emerged as a viable and essential middle ground support in promoting women entrepreneurship in their capacity to contribute beyond governmental institutions.
The study adopted an inductive qualitative option through a case study design to explore the approaches adopted by NPDAs in promoting micro-entrepreneurship among women at the base of the pyramid (BoP) in the urban informal sector in India. The findings suggest that the NPDAs created an impact through the services, which translated into monetary earnings for the entrepreneurs. They could make financial contributions to their families, which boosted their self-confidence and overall personality. The findings also indicate positive changes like increased self-confidence, self-dependence, and inner strength as reported by the entrepreneurs.
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Fritz Reusswig and Lutz Meyer-Ohlendorf
Purpose – Adaptation to climate change requires that the population at risk and decision makers in various sectors become aware of the possible detrimental impacts in order to…
Abstract
Purpose – Adaptation to climate change requires that the population at risk and decision makers in various sectors become aware of the possible detrimental impacts in order to take whatever action is needed, especially in highly vulnerable countries and regions. In order to assess the climate change and impact awareness in a particularly vulnerable area – the Indian city Hyderabad, located within a semiarid region – we wanted to learn more about the local climate discourse, in particular the daily newspaper coverage of climate change and weather extremes.
Methodology/approach – After having looked at the Indian climate change discourse (CCD) in general, based on literature review, we were studying the local public CCD, based on the in-depth analysis of two English language daily newspapers, and three Telugu (the dominant local language) daily newspapers, covering the period of 2008–2009. This qualitative and quantitative analysis was completed by two expert interviews with local journalists.
Findings – We find that the more recent Indian CCD has shifted if compared to the dominant argumentation pattern of the period before, as reported in other analyses. While the former discourse was characterized by the scheme “the poor/developing countries suffer from anthropogenic climate change caused by the industrialized countries,” the recent Indian CCD has become more differentiated, taking into account both impacts elsewhere, and, most notably, conceding a (limited) responsibility of countries like India. On a local level, while reports on weather extremes are very common, we find that local newspapers of Hyderabad do not provide a link between these extreme events and (global) climate change.
Research limitations – Our discourse analysis could only cover a short time period of a local CCD, leaving open the questions of (a) its further development, and (b) how things might stand in other places in India. Furthermore it would be necessary to complement our study by analyses of the impact of mass media reporting on people's attitudes and behavior.
Originality/value of paper – Given the importance of public participation in adaptation measures, it is crucial to know if and how the wider public and the majority of the nonexpert public administration (which needs to be involved) understands the causes, potential impacts, and possible adaptive action in the face of climate change. This chapter provides a necessary (though not sufficient) element for that assessment. The findings can help to identify weaknesses, and thus to give hints how to improve the adaptive capacity in places like Hyderabad (India).
Nataraj Balasubramanian, Umayal Palaniappan, M. Balaji and Nachiketas Nandakumar
This research investigates the barriers for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) adoption among the patients in India. Despite the established role of CAM in the Indian…
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates the barriers for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) adoption among the patients in India. Despite the established role of CAM in the Indian healthcare system for several years, the WHO (WHO) reports limited adoption of these therapies among Indian patients. This study investigates the key barriers toward wider CAM use within the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a combined interpretive structural modeling (ISM)-MICMAC approach to identify barriers to CAM usage. In the first phase, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to understand the barriers. Subsequently, experts in the Indian healthcare system were identified and interviewed to capture the contextual intricacies of these barriers within the Indian context.
Findings
The study identified ten key barriers to CAM adoption through ISM. A hierarchical model was developed to understand the relationships and interactions among these barriers, revealing their linkages. A MICMAC chart was created to determine the driving and dependent power of the barriers, categorizing them as dependent barriers, linkage barriers or independent barriers. The House of CAM framework was then derived from the ISM-MICMAC analysis, providing a structured, sequential approach for CAM adoption.
Practical implications
The awareness of the potential benefits and usage of CAM is significantly low among Indian patients. There is a pressing need to investigate and systematically conceptualize the barriers to CAM adoption. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, insurers, practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine, multi-specialty hospitals offering CAM services and regulatory bodies. Understanding these barriers will enable these stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that effectively address these issues.
Originality/value
This research makes substantial contributions to the understanding of barriers to the adoption of CAM. Through a comprehensive investigation, the study introduces the House of CAM framework developed using ISM-MICMAC analysis, providing a strategic approach for targeted intervention against identified barriers.