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1 – 10 of 13Satya Nandini Arjunan, Minu Zachariah and Mathew J. Manimala
Womenomics is the idea that women’s economic development will lead to improving the economy as a whole
Abstract
Theoretical basis
Womenomics is the idea that women’s economic development will lead to improving the economy as a whole
Research methodology
The case is a primary case. Gender equity is about treating men and women fairly, data for the case was collected through interviews with the protagonist Ms Kalpana Anand.
Case overview/synopsis
Although women are capable of writing their own destiny regardless of what they are and where they come from, Kalpana Anand, the Executive Director of Avaneetha Textiles, believes that education plays an essential role in empowering women. Accordingly she is determined to offer shop floor jobs to young underprivileged women aspiring dropouts that provides them an opportunity to learn while they earn. Established in the year 2004 in Coimbatore, Avaneetha Textiles is currently being managed by two sisters Uma (Managing Director) and Kalpana. Although this business model supports around 900 young women, not all have made the most of it. Only 25% of their employees benefitted from the “learn-while-you-earn” program promoted by the company. Kalpana realized that such a conduct would hinder the achievement of empowering women. Therefore, the challenge before her was to motivate more women to enroll for different courses and thereby improve the quality of their life.
Complexity and academic level
Graduate or post-graduate level of courses in management, commerce, sociology, social work and related subjects.
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Zachariah Mathew and Yunus Kathawala
The use of robots to supplant direct labor, automated materials handling, computer controlled flexible manufacturing systems which are capable of producing a number of products…
Abstract
The use of robots to supplant direct labor, automated materials handling, computer controlled flexible manufacturing systems which are capable of producing a number of products within the same product line, and just‐in‐time production and distribution are creating a new manufacturing environment. As in the past, the need for assignment and control of direct material costs remains; however, the allocation and control of conversion costs can no longer be based on direct labor hours or labor costs. Further, since different products are produced in the same assembly line, the allocation and control of conversion costs, based on the materials used or units produced, is not possible. A machine cost per minute is, therefore, developed in order to allocate conversion costs to products and effectuate control over such costs.
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W. James Jacob, Huiyuan Ye, Shuo Wang, Xueshuang Wang, Xiufang Ma, Abdullah Bagci, Quan Gu and Julio Luis Méndez Vergara
In this chapter, the authors provide a historical overview of the development of comparative and international education in North America from 1920s to the beginning of the…
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors provide a historical overview of the development of comparative and international education in North America from 1920s to the beginning of the twenty-first century. The authors document the significant role some of the most influential leaders played to help lay the foundation for comparative education societies in Canada, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and the United States. Using historical comparative research technique, the authors examine the many interconnections of current and past leaders. The authors conclude with recommendations on how knowing the history can help strengthen comparative and international education development well into the future.
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B.V. Binoy, M.A. Naseer and P.P. Anil Kumar
Property tax continues to be the most viable, steady, progressive and genuine source of income for an independent local government administration in India. Kerala has one of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Property tax continues to be the most viable, steady, progressive and genuine source of income for an independent local government administration in India. Kerala has one of the most complex cadastral and property taxation systems in the country. In 2008, the Kerala government introduced “Fair value of land” for all landed property in Kerala, which is calculated per Are and notified by the Government of Kerala on the website. This paper presents the outcome of the spatial mapping of the fair value of land in Kerala and its comparison with actual land value collected through advertisements and surveys.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used in this study analyzed the existing fair value system of land valuation in Kerala and identified its drawbacks. Fair value is integrated into cadastral data in geographical information system (GIS) and spatially analyzed to identify the discrepancies in fair value fixation. The actual land value for 837 locations is collected from online advertisements and verified through a field survey. A paired t-test analysis follows this to compare the fair value and actual land value of the study area.
Findings
The disparity between the original land value and the registration value in Kerala has resulted in the undervaluation of land resources by the government. The fair value fixed by the government is significantly lower than the actual land value based on the statistical comparison results. It is observed that the actual land value is multiple times higher than the government fixed land value. Also, the spatial distribution of the village level fair value shows the randomness in fixation and abnormalities existing at numerous locations.
Practical implications
The results indicate that the traditional comparison method used for fair value calculation by the Kerala government is not suitable in Indian scenarios due to the unreliability of registration values. The study thus points to the importance of developing a scientific method for determining the land value that would consider various spatially influencing parameters.
Originality/value
The current study provided an in-depth analysis of the land valuation system of the Kerala government. The strengths and weaknesses of the existing system are analyzed through statistical methods.
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Sonia Bharwani, David Mathews and Amarpreet Singh Ghura
This study aims to explore the reasons for the rise of independent, stand-alone restaurants and ascertains the benefits of outsourcing food and beverage (F&B) in luxury hotels in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the reasons for the rise of independent, stand-alone restaurants and ascertains the benefits of outsourcing food and beverage (F&B) in luxury hotels in India from the perspectives of the strategic partners involved in such an alliance. The study also proposes different formats for F&B outsourcing in luxury hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory study was carried out by collecting primary data from 16 Hotel General Managers and F&B operations experts through qualitative, semi-structured, personal and in-depth interviews. NVivo12 software was used to carry out a qualitative thematic analysis of the data. The primary data collected were triangulated with secondary data gathered through literature review of academic papers, industry reports and studies on the trends of restaurants in luxury hotels being outsourced.
Findings
The study focusses on the antecedents of the rise of stand-alone restaurants in the Indian hospitality industry. To combat the competitive disruption arising because of this trend, the study posits the business model innovation of outsourcing F&B operations in luxury hotels.
Practical implications
The benefits of a strategic alliance from the perspective of both parties – the luxury hotel and Michelin-star chef or branded/marquee restaurant – are elucidated. Further, three broad formats, which can be adopted for speciality restaurant outsourcing are also proposed. Practitioners, researchers and educationists in the hospitality industry would find the implications of this study useful in the context of the present customer-centric business environment where hotels are constantly striving to meet the exponentially rising bar of guest expectations in an increasingly globalised milieu.
Originality/value
The study proposes a preliminary road map for internationalisation of F&B operations through the business model innovation of outsourcing operations of in-house specialty restaurants by luxury hotels in the Indian context.
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Several countries in South Asia face the challenge of ineffective educational reforms manifest in increasing rates of school failure and poor learning outcomes after embarking…
Abstract
Several countries in South Asia face the challenge of ineffective educational reforms manifest in increasing rates of school failure and poor learning outcomes after embarking along education for all. Critical voices from the South have questioned the relevance and appropriateness of ideas that have shaped these reforms. Narratives from the region tell us that importation of educational concepts and policy orientations have led to the dismantling of existing structures and processes of education, creating new forms of inequities and disadvantage. The sheer scale and diversity of populations within the region poses formidable challenges and opportunities for contextual innovation. The construction of national imaginaries in the diverse societies of South Asia has the potential to provide new discourses to educational reform; going beyond the abstract goals set by disconnected international experts and the institutional processes they represent. This chapter deliberates on the need to establish a persuasive critical perspective that can influence and shape the trajectories of policy and practice, research and theorization, within the field of comparative education in South Asia, and the global south.
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De-Graft Owusu-Manu, Lawrence Martin Mankata, Caleb Debrah, David John Edwards and Igor Martek
Ghana has set an objective of achieving 10% of its energy requirements through renewable sources, by 2020. However, to date, the renewable energy (RE) sector has attracted only…
Abstract
Purpose
Ghana has set an objective of achieving 10% of its energy requirements through renewable sources, by 2020. However, to date, the renewable energy (RE) sector has attracted only marginal investor interest. This paper aims to identify the challenges faced in financing RE in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive review of literature in renewable energy finance was conducted and 12 financing challenges were identified. From this list, a questionnaire was developed asking to rank barriers. This was distributed to experts within financial institutions and 32 were returned. A factor analysis and severity index analysis were performed to identify a ranking of challenges impeding RE project financing in Ghana.
Findings
The challenges to RE financing fall into the three broad categories, namely, “economic, commercial and regulatory” challenges. Within these broad constraints, “long payback periods,” “limited track record” and “high upfront cost” are the most severe impediments to obtaining financing for RE.
Practical implications
Identifying the specific conditions that make an investment in RE unattractive, give policymakers set on achieving the 10% RE goal, a way forward in developing a targeted policy that would mitigate identified investor disincentives.
Originality/value
The broad range of potential barriers to investment are known. However, this study combines a specific governmental ambition – encouraging the financing of RE – with a specific set of identified barriers inhibiting that ambition. In this regard, this study identifies exactly where the government needs to act if it is to facilitate investment in RE, as is required for Ghana to reach its 10% RE target.
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Governing principles of the world countries' current foreign policies are based on nationalism and in the realization of this aspiration, human rights in other countries are less…
Abstract
Purpose
Governing principles of the world countries' current foreign policies are based on nationalism and in the realization of this aspiration, human rights in other countries are less considered and demands of national interests on other issues are surpassed. Islam, in principle, is opposite to this approach. However, national interests are important in Islam, but Islam does not try to achieve this target by destruction of other countries and rights violations of their peoples. Interests of Islam's government are based on expediency of humankind as a whole and its foreign policy should be arranged in a way to fulfill this target. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to introduce the basic principles of foreign policy in Islam based on the Sufi standpoint.
Design/methodology/approach
Islam aims to improve humanities based on moralities and spiritualities. Some principles for reaching this goal based on Islamic Sufism standpoints are provided.
Findings
In total, 32 principles are introduced.
Research limitations/implications
Comparative researches in other religions' Gnosticism will be helpful.
Practical implications
These principles can be used for applied debates in the field and be ended to new international regulations.
Social implications
Delicateness, truthfulness, and righteousness of Islamic Sufism, may turn the attentions of scholars and researchers to this viewpoint, and enable a new set of regulations to be codified.
Originality/value
Political scientists have not touched the topic from a Sufi point of view. This paper brings this approach to a new challenging arena.
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This case study would enable students to understand the concept, process and advantages of mergers and acquisitions as a growth strategy with respect to 1mg. Also, the students…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
This case study would enable students to understand the concept, process and advantages of mergers and acquisitions as a growth strategy with respect to 1mg. Also, the students would be able to use the threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths matrix to map 1mg’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study analyses the transformation journey of 1mg to Tata 1mg, one of the most trusted internet pharmacies in India. This case describes a small start-up that was launched in 2013 and had made many acquisitions since then. This case revolves around Tata Digital’s purchase of 1mg. The case starts out by explaining 1mg’s financial situation and why the company was acquired. This case study focuses on how the integration helped Tata Digital and 1mg realize their respective missions. Furthermore, the case study illustrates the benefits and difficulties of this integration.
Complexity academic level
This case study is basically aimed at postgraduate management students; it can be used in strategic management and health-care courses. Students can understand the concept of diversification and acquisition with the help of this case study. Students can also gain an insight into the organic and inorganic diversification as a growth strategy.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
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