Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad published in 1994"
TL;DR: A number of different approaches are possible when a system of linear constraints turns out to be inconsistent, and some results are proved on some plausible approaches and their limitations.
78 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the problem of organizing and controlling the material handling activity in an AGV-based material handling system for a flexible manufacturing system involves several decisions such as the number of vehicles required for the system, the layout of the tracks, the dispatching rules for the vehicles and the provision of control zones and buffers.
Abstract: The problem of organizing and controlling the material handling activity in an AGV-based material handling system for a flexible manufacturing system involves several decisions such as the number of vehicles required for the system, the layout of the tracks, the dispatching rules for the vehicles and the provision of control zones and buffers. This paper demonstrates the use of a two-stage approach for solving the problem. The required number of vehicles is estimated using an analytical model in the first stage. In the next stage, the effects of AGV failures and AGV dispatching rules on the system performance are observed through simulation studies based on which the AGV dispatching rule can be chosen.
46 citations
01 Feb 1994
TL;DR: The Indian capital market has been attracting considerable attention in recent years especially after the opening up of the Indian economy as discussed by the authors. As a result, several researchers have addressed various issues related to Indian capital markets.
Abstract: The Indian capital market has been attracting considerable attention in recent years especially after the opening up of the Indian economy. As a result, several researchers have addressed various i...
34 citations
TL;DR: The analysis indicates that improvement of maternal nutrition and antenatal care might prevent a substantial portion of SGA births in this and similar populations.
Abstract: Intra-uterine growth retardation is an important public health problem in many developing countries. The authors conducted a case-control study of low birth weight (LBW) in three teaching hospitals and a population survey in Ahmedabad city, India during 1987-1988. To identify and quantify risk factors for small for gestational age births, we divided the low birth weight and control infants into small for gestational age (SGA, n = 617) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA, n = 1851) using an Indian birth weight by gestational age standard. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for important risk factors. Prevalence of risk factors was estimated from a community sample survey of mothers (n = 1102) who had delivered in the past year. Attributable risks were calculated from odds ratios and prevalence data. The most important risk factors for SGA was poor maternal nutritional status (weight < 51 kg) with an attributable risk of 42 per cent. Other significant risk factors were anaemia, primiparity, poor obstetric history, lack of antenatal care and hypertension during pregnancy, and birth defects, each of which contributed only moderately to the attributable risk. The analysis indicates that improvement of maternal nutrition and antenatal care might prevent a substantial portion of SGA births in this and similar populations.
31 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined the similarities and differences in the attitudes of marketing and non-marketing executives towards marketing practices, consumerism, and government regulation in India and found that marketing executives are more defensive of the prevailing marketing practices and less favorably disposed towards consumerism.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of leasing obligations on the volatility of the return on equity (ROE) and found that leasing is viewed as a form of borrowing and the market considers leases more favourably than debt.
Abstract: In finance theory, leasing is viewed as a form of borrowing. Prior studies have indicated that secured debt and lease are regarded as equivalent by the capital market. The following questions are addressed: i) do debt and lease have the same effects on the volatility of equity return? ii) Have changes in the accounting regulations altered the effect of lease obligation on the volatility of equity return? The results indicate that, on average, finance leases have a positive effect on the volatility of the return on equity as debt does. It is also found that the market considers leases more favourably (less risky) than debt. Two explanations are possible for the favourable treatment: i) the finance lease obligations are less like debts due to the imposed capitalisation requirements; ii) firms pay high costs of leasing because of the benefits from leasing relative to debt and the market reacts to those benefits favourably.
17 citations
TL;DR: The interactive nature of INTEGER has made it more usable than other popular programs—it demonstrated a superiority over another program, LINDO, in enabling students to understand the methodology and made a great impact on classroom teaching for MBA and Executive Development Program participants in India and Singapore.
Abstract: In this paper, we discuss a graphics based computer-aided learning program INTEGER for understanding the Branch and Bound algorithm for solving integer programming problems. It presents the algorithm step by step, by developing the solution tree in an interactive mode. It relieves the user from the computational aspects and thereby provides a better insight into the solution methodology. Powerful screen management routines and appropriate data structures permit the users to scan any part of the solution tree at any stage of the analysis, and to view the linear programming formulation at any desired node of the solution tree. The interactive nature of INTEGER has made it more usable than other popular programs—it demonstrated a superiority over another program, LINDO. in enabling students to understand the methodology and made a great impact on classroom teaching for MBA and Executive Development Program participants in India and Singapore.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue for a renewed emphasis on hydro generation, with a concerted effort to tackle the environmental issues and also argue for dropping the concept of State Level planning for power sector so that the generators can be located near the mines' mouth or hydel locations and electricity wheeled to distant load centres through high voltage transmissions.
Abstract: The paper argues for a renewed emphasis on hydro generation, with a concerted effort to tackle the environmental issues It also argues for dropping the concept of State Level planning for power sector so that the generators can be located near the mines' mouth or hydel locations and electricity wheeled to distant load centres through high voltage transmissions
6 citations
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6 citations
TL;DR: This work investigates complete orthogonal arrays with s = 2 symbols, attaining the Rao bound on parameters and finds that the cases t = 6, 7 are completely characterized and for 8 ⩽ t⩽ 13, complete orthogsonal arrays are almost entirely characterized.
5 citations
TL;DR: The proposed micro-level planning methodology using rapid assessment would improve client-responsiveness of the health care system and provide a basis for increased decentralization and improve efficiency by making it possible to focus efforts on a small group of villages which account for most of the unmet need for services in an area.
Abstract: The authors describe the use of a rapid assessment technique in micro-level planning for primary health care (PHC) services which has been developed in India. The technique involves collecting household-level data through a quick sample survey to estimate client needs service coverage and unmet need. The data are then used to develop plans designed to improve service coverage and quality for a primary health center area. Analyzing the data helps to identify village-level variations in unmet need and develop village profiles from which general interventions for overall service coverage improvement and targeted interventions for selected villages are identified. A PHC area plan is developed and the system implemented in 113 villages of three PHC centers of a district in Gujarat state. The program demonstrated the feasibility and utility of the approach while also revealing barriers in institutionalizing the system on a broader scale. This planning methodology should improve the client responsiveness of the health system provide a basis for increased decentralization promote equity in the use of health services and help improve efficiency. The methodology therefore appears to be both feasible and preferred over the current top-down target-based health planning approach employed in India.
01 Apr 1994
TL;DR: The case by IM Pandey and S Ramnarayan published in this issue throws up the following issues for discussion as discussed by the authors : 1) What are the major changes in the environment of AFC and what are major elem...
Abstract: The case by IM Pandey and S Ramnarayan published in this issue throws up the following issues for discussion. First, what are the major changes in the environment of AFC and what are the major elem...
01 Jul 1994
TL;DR: Malaysia is among the first few developing countries to have launched a large scale program of privatization of public enterprises as discussed by the authors, and Malaysia's experience of formulating and implementing the priva...
Abstract: Malaysia is among the first few developing countries to have launched a large scale programme of privatization of public enterprises. Malaysia's experience of formulating and implementing the priva...
TL;DR: The Development Bank of Singapore (DBS Bank) undertook a major business planning exercise in the mid-1980s, as part of its overall strategy to gain a distinct competitive advantage in the banking industry.
Abstract: The Development Bank of Singapore (DBS Bank) undertook a major business planning exercise in the mid-1980s, as part of its overall strategy to gain a distinct competitive advantage in the banking industry. The Bank's strategic investment in information technology (IT) and the close collaboration between the Bank's business and IT functions has put the Bank in the forefront of the banking industry in Singapore. In 1992, DBS Bank won the National IT Award which is given in recognition to organizations in Singapore for achieving superior business performance through the strategic application of IT. The Bank's philosophy is to exploit the main strengths of its technological infrastructure to meet the needs of its corporate and retail customers. The Bank introduced a number of IT innovative applications in the late 1980s and has achieved a large market share and productivity improvement. The key to successful project management at DBS Bank is ‘scoping’. The Bank's mission for the 1990s is to leverage on its pre-eminent position in Singapore to be a leading bank in the Asia-Pacific region.
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TL;DR: The business benefits of DHL's move to an open architecture based on Unix for all its operations worldwide have been recognized by the award to DHL Singapore of the National IT Award for outstanding achievements in the application of IT for competitive advantage.
Abstract: DHL is the market leader in the worldwide air express industry. During the late 1980s DHL moved to an open architecture based on Unix for all its operations worldwide. The business benefits of this move have been recognized by the award to DHL Singapore of the National IT Award for outstanding achievements in the application of IT for competitive advantage.
01 Jul 1994
TL;DR: In the current liberalized environment, the Indian debt market appears to be all set to take off as mentioned in this paper, with the commencement of trading of debt instruments by the National Stock Exchange this year.
Abstract: In the current liberalized environment, the Indian debt market appears to be all set to take off. With the commencement of trading of debt instruments by the National Stock Exchange this year, the ...
TL;DR: In this article, an integrated computer-based model is presented for health manpower planning in the oil-rich middle east countries, which enables simulation of alternative human resources and health system infrastructural strategies.
Abstract: Health manpower planning is a key component of health sector planning. It is crucially important for countries with scarce indigenous human resources, such as the oil-rich developing countries in the middle east. Most of these countries have adopted a policy of indigenisation. Health manpower planning models have evolved over the years, and the concepts and principles of these are generally applicable to any country. However, in view of the special characteristics and features of the oil-rich middle east countries, it is necessary to adapt and evolve a model with increased applicability to such settings.This paper presents an integrated computer-based model (already successfully implemented in an oil rich country), which enables simulation of alternative human resources and health system infrastructural strategies.
01 Apr 1994
TL;DR: In this article, Abraham Koshy and Anna Angel focused on the nature of new product introduction strategies of multinational corporations, large, medium, and small enterprises, based on data on 237 product/brand launches collected from four business periodicals between January 1991 and July 1992.
Abstract: What is the nature of new product introduction strategies of multinational corporations, large, medium, and small enterprises? Based on data on 237 product/brand launches collected from four business periodicals between January 1991 and July 1992, this article by Abraham Koshy and Anna Angel focuses on this issue.
01 Jan 1994
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the experience of a non-governmental organization in educating 113 school dropouts as "bare-foot" veterinarians in the tribal areas of Gujarat.
Abstract: This article by Vijaya Sherry Chand focuses on the experience of a non-governmental organization in educating 113 school dropouts as ‘bare-foot’ veterinarians in the tribal areas of Gujarat. Based on an analysis of this experience, the author draws implications for education and research.
01 Apr 1994
TL;DR: In this paper, S Ramnarayan and Ram Mohan Rao feature cases of six outstanding organizational helmsmen who had successfully built up and nurtured enduring organizations, and the lasting tribute to leaders is that the culture, institutions, and practices set in motion by them persist long after their own departure from the organizational scene.
Abstract: The lasting tribute to leaders is that the culture, institutions, and practices set in motion by them persist long after their own departure from the organizational scene. Whereas the organizations move on, the imprints of these leaders continue to inspire them.In this article, S Ramnarayan and Ram Mohan Rao feature cases of six outstanding organizational helmsmen who had successfully built up and nurtured enduring organizations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the level of achievements of human development in India in relation to the other countries is studied and appropriate strategies including financial restructuring at the governmental level to be able to bring about perceptible improvements in the areas of Human Development in India and consequently create conditions for achieving sustained level of rapid growth with equity.
Abstract: Human Development is both an end as well as means of growth and prosperity. It is a process which facilitates enhancing human choices as well as capabilities. Investment in human capital essentially involves improvements in the standards of nutrition, education, health, and habitat. Also UNDP's Human Development Index (HDI) has offered a better index of development than Income index.An attempt has been made in this paper to study first, the level of achievements of human development in India in relation to the other countries. This will help to identify the gaps, suggest appropriate strategies including financial restructuring at the governmental level to be able to bring about perceptible improvements in the areas of human development in India and consequently create conditions for achieving sustained level of rapid growth with equity.It appears that lack of adequate investment in human capital in India could be one of the principal reasons for perpetuation of low income, poor performance in population control, continuation of large-scale poverty, failures in tackling mounting trade gaps, practically no improvement in the total factor productivity growth, etc.The country, therefore, needs much greater emphasis on human development.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the opportunities in Czech and Slovak Republics from the perspective of foreign enterprises regardless of the home country base of these enterprises and evaluate the merits of the policy changes initiated in these nations.
Abstract: This paper explores the opportunities afforded by the Czech and Slovak Republics from the perspective of foreign enterprises regardless of the home country base of these enterprises. It does not evaluate the merits of the policy changes initiated in these nations. Using a business opportunity evaluation framework, the paper recommends accessing business opportunities in the Republic of Czech, given the current reforms enhancing its receptiveness to foreign investment and its vast experience in trading with Eastern European countries especially in iron and steel, metals and chemicals. The authors observe that the combination of the urge to join the European community, study market oriented pressure from bodies like the International Monitory Fund and courageous leadership of the democratic government may ensure that at least the Republic of Czech if not Slovak continues market oriented reforms, instead of reneging into greater government interventions. Therefore it is important for foreign investors to enter sooner than later into the Republic of Czech, the reason being that it takes time to build knowledge of how to do business in this market and to build contacts and networth. The companies intending to build their own image and awareness when the markets are still developing, will benefit at the expense of companies which come later to the market.
TL;DR: In this paper, some options for broadening the strategic management of human resources are elucidated in the oil-rich middle east countries; some of these options have yielded both positive and negative results.
Abstract: The oil-rich middle east countries are fast developing its social infrastructure, drawing upon non-national imported human resources. This policy has led to certain unintended outcomes and vitiated normal human resources development: cultural dissonance, limited transfer of expertise, passive managerial styles, low staff morale, etc. The nations have responded by adopting strategies of indigenization of manpower, restriction of managerial positions to national staff only, full employment policy for 'qualified' nationals. As many of these policies have yielded both positive and negative results, scope still exists for broadening the strategic management of human resources; some of these options are elucidated in this paper.
TL;DR: In this paper, a Compromise Solution for claims problems which satisfies invariance under affine utility transformations is presented, which is a major deficiency of the latter class of solutions as they fail to predict appropriate responsiveness to risk aversion by one's opponents.
TL;DR: In this paper, the problems associated with distributive justice in an abstract framework originally conceived for the analysis of social choice and bargaining problems are studied, in particular the fairness correspondence and a generalized Walrasian bargaining solution and establish links between the two concepts.
Abstract: In this article we study the problems associated with distributive justice in an abstract framework originally conceived for the analysis of social choice and bargaining problems. Induced social choice correspondences are derived by considering alternatives which are invariant under permutations of the status quo point. We study in particular the fairness correspondence and a generalized Walrasian bargaining solution and establish links between the two concepts. The analysis in this article can be extended far beyond the point at which it ends.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a concept or opportunity fairness for economies in which there are public goods and establish its equivalence with the concept of an equal income Lindahl equilibrium.
Abstract: In this paper we propose a concept or opportunity fairness for economies in which there are public goods and establish its equivalence with the concept of an equal income Lindahl equilibrium.