Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad published in 1995"

Firm size and export behaviour: An Indian case study

Abstract: In the context of Indian industry, this article argues that in the presence of capital market imperfections and sub‐optimal contractual arrangements, small firms face higher transaction or selling costs in the domestic market. One of the strategic responses by small firms towards overcoming the mobility barriers imposed by high transaction costs in the domestic market is to break into the competitive world market. Small firms that could realise a critical level of production efficiency and possible information externalities that arise through inter‐firm linkages might be the ones that could succeed in exports. The empirical observations derived from the analysis of firm level survey data provide reasonable support to the main arguments.

Attitudes Toward Women as Managers: Does Interaction Make a Difference?

Abstract: This research was designed to explore the relationship between interaction with women managers and attitudes toward women as managers. Data were collected from 101 male bank managers on the extent of their interaction with women managers and their attitudes toward women as managers. Results showed little relation between the extent of interaction with women managers and participants' attitudes. However, there was a significant positive relationship between satisfaction with interaction with women managers and attitudes toward women as managers. Discussions with participants indicated the possibility of their attitudes toward women as managers being influenced by their interaction with women clerks. A second study was carried out on another set of 99 participants with a comparable profile to explore the relationship between interaction with women clerks and attitudes toward women as managers. The earlier pattern of relationships persisted: the extent of interaction with women clerks was not associated with...

Earnings around Seasoned Equity Offerings: Are They Overstated?

Abstract: This paper documents significant earnings management around seasoned equity offerings. I find that discretionary accruals are positive and significant in the quarter preceding, the quarter of, and the quarter following the announcement of the offering. Additional tests that control for the endogeneity of the decision to issue equity confirm that earnings are managed in direct response to the decision to issue equity in the quarter preceding the announcement of the offering. Consistent with recent research, I find that offering firms experience poor stock price and earnings performance in the three year period subsequent to the offering. I then show that (i) the subsequent earnings declines can be predicted using the magnitude of accruals management at the time of the offering and (ii) a portion of the post-offering stock price declines are related to the predictable earnings declines. My results therefore suggest that at least a portion of the anomalous post-offering stock performance reflects the stock market's inability to unravel accruals management around the time of the offering. Data Availability: The list of firms that made seasoned offerings and the offering announcement dates are available from the author. The rest of the data used in this study are publicly available from sources identified in the paper.

Change point estimation in non-monotonic aging models

Abstract: The problem of estimating change points in various non-monotonic aging models is considered. A general methodology for consistent estimation of the change point is developed and applied to non-monotonic aging models based on the hazard rate function as well as on the mean residual life function.

Indian 'plague' epidemic: unanswered questions and key lessons.

Abstract: This paper briefly recapitulates the events during the recent plague epidemic in India with specific focus on suspected pneumonic plague cases in Surat City. The paper discusses three key questions which are as yet unanswered. These questions are: (a) The exact nature of the disease, specifically whether it was plague or some other diseases; (b) Origin of the suspected plague cases: and (c) The mode of transmission of the disease in the community. The paper discusses available evidence from secondary sources and some primary investigations done by the expert committee appointed by the State Government of Gujarat. This paper discusses the key lessons learnt from this suspected plague epidemic. The lessons learnt are in the areas of investigating epidemic of unusual disease, managing public fear during epidemic and management of cases of highly infectious diseases. The paper briefly comments upon the deteriorating public health situation in India and includes that developing countries must pay greater attention to public health in order to become globally competitive.

Satellite town development in asia: the case of new bombay, india

Abstract: In the 1960s and 1970s, Asian urban development policies centered on slowing down the rate of urbanization through controlson the growth of the large metropolitan cities. Satellite towns and greenbelts have been among the most widely adopted means to achieve this. However, on the whole, satellite towns have proved to be ineffectual in meeting original objectives, and those towns built to be self-contained have been most successful. Although the outcomes of the satellite-town building experience in Asia are fairly straightforward, what is less clearly understood is why so many of them, though built from scratch, were planned with a weak economic base. Were the planners unaware of this, or was the planning process circumscribed from the start because of the pulls of different interest groups? This paper reviews the evolution of the satellite town of New Bombay, India, to illustrate the political nature of its planning, the difficulties of plan implementation, and the influence of local interest groups. The ...

Information technology enables business process reengineering at YCH DistriPark (Singapore)

Abstract: The Yap Chwee Hock Distribution Park (YCH DistriPark) in Tuas, Singapore started as a passenger transportation company in the 1950s, changed its business to cargo transportation in the 1970s, and is today offering 'total logistics'. Information technology (IT) has played a significant role in the business process reengineering at YCH in transforming the company to its current status as a regional leader in offering total logistics. Total logistics at YCH starts with operating a group of central distribution centres or warehouses with storage systems tailored for each client's products, handling chemicals for DuPont, electronics for AIWA, medical products for Roche and so on. It then adds a package of services like container haulage, international sea/air freight forwarding, inventory control, etc. Three major IT applications devised by YCH, namely the Warehouse Management System, Freight Management System, and the Logistics Management System are integrated with the country's electronic data interchange networks TRADENET and PORTNET in providing total logistics. In 1992, YCH won the National Computer Award in the Local Enterprise category, in recognition of achieving superior business performance through strategic application of IT.

MIS in Large Public Programs: The Literacy Program in India

Abstract: Designing MIS for large public programs is a complex task more so in a developing country context. While the potential need and utility of computer based management information systems (MIS) is obvious, the actual application poses challenging problems regarding system design, implementation, decision structures, financial allocations and manpower. As a result, there have been only a few programs where computerized MIS has been a success in developing countries. A large part of MIS literature covers private sector studies in developed countries – the relevance of which is limited for developing countries. Few studies of computerized MIS in public programs have been made, particularly in developing countries. There is, therefore, a need to document and analyze the experience of these countries in order to identify the significant issues and their bearing on the successful program implementation and MIS design. These studies need to be related to existing theory and frameworks. This paper documents the experience of implementing an MIS for the literacy program in India which was being promoted in over 187 districts of India as of April 1993. The paper highlights important issues in design and implementation of MIS for such programs and uses a public MIS framework to identify differences in developed and developing country contexts.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities Professional Management & Global Competition

Abstract: Our basic stance in this paper is to treat entrepreneurship as a process which flourishes when the interlinked dimensions of individual entrepreneurial traits, societal encouragement, and business opportunities convene to a common goal. From the process perspective, one does not become an entrepreneur by the mere act of starting or owning an enterprise. More important is the nature, degree and extent of innovations that the entrepreneur introduces and that too on a continuous basis. Those individuals, especially in family businesses, who on inheritance fail to add value lo their output in terms of productivity increases through market-place innovations, would not qualify as entrepreneurs. Conversely, under the process perspective, an individual with an entrepreneurial frame of mind will always act as one irrespective cf his time, place and position. Such an individual will be expected to have a high internal locus of control. He would expect himself to be the master of time and space around him and feel responsible for his productivity and contribution to society. In this view, teachers who design new courses or devise new teaching methods, doctors who find a newer, more cost-effective ways of treatment, music maestros who create new forms of music, and intrapreneurs and champions who invent new products and design new processes inside large corporations, would all qualify as entrepreneurs.

The End of Core Competence: What the “Stars” Foretell

Abstract: The core competence concept has proved to be an elusive one for management scholars and executives alike because of its ambivalence towards Japanese industrial history, selectivity towards corporate histories,and the amorphousness and porosity of its logical structure.This note by P S Thomas tries to show how identification of core competences can be facilitated by complete reviews of the histories of two “star” corporations, viz., Matsushita Electric and Fujitsu Ltd. More such case studies may have to be undertaken and⁄ or discussed to facilitate the use of the core competence perspective for global competition.

Return to Equity, Financial Structure, and Risk Contracting in Infrastructure Projects

Abstract: Infrastructure projects, with private participation, worth several hundred billions of dollars, using some form of ‘project finance’ are under consideration in many emerging markets. These projects are made bankable by extensive risk contracting. One stumbling block in finalizing these projects is the question of appropriate return to equity investment. This paper by Sidharth Sinha discusses the relationship between risk contracting arrangements and the return to equity and financial structure. The main conclusion that emerges is the need for competitive bidding in the absence of an equity market for ‘infrastructure type projects.’ Governments can help reduce the risk and required return on equity investment by creating the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for reducing delays and uncertainties in finalizing and implementing these projects.

Paradigm Shifts - Implications for Individuals and Organisations

Abstract: A paradigm is a set of beliefs that are used to set boundaries and focus problem solving. A paradigm shift occurs whenever a new analytic framework changes the understanding of the way a system operates. In this article the paradigm shifts in the family system, political systems, man management, health care, information technology, human resource management, marketing, retailing and management education are discussed. Their implications to individuals and organizations are also elaborated.

Financing of Transport Infrastructure & Services: Issues in the Context of Realignment of State & Market

Abstract: The critical role of infrastructure in sustaining high rates of economic growth and overall development has been receiving renewed attention in recent years. The World Bank's major annual publication on development imperatives, the World Development Report 1994, is addressed to infrastructure for development. The rapid pace of globalization in many parts of the developing world has brought with it both a demand for more and better quality infrastructure and services, as well as new opportunities in the new climate for private foreign investment. The transportation sector is a key component of the infrastructure sector, and shares many features common to infrastructure generally. At the same time, transportation has distinctive characteristics which distinguish the sector from other infrastructure, and even within transportation, there are major differences between alternative modes. These differences have a close bearing on the manner in which transportation infrastructure and services can be financed.