Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad published in 1997"
TL;DR: The danger of attributing unethical practices to system failure is recognized as discussed by the authors, and it is also important to bring to bear on intellectual property rights the more fundamental principle of natural property rights.
Abstract: Unethical business in India became a recognized phenomenon during the second World War. Academic/journalistic/legal concern with ethics has become visible only during the nineties. Corruption-of-the-poor and corruption-of-the-rich need to be distinguished – especially in the context of globalization. The danger of attributing unethical practices to system failure is recognized. It is also important to bring to bear on intellectual property rights the more fundamental principle of natural property rights. Consciousness ethics will be more crucial than just intellectual ethics.
83 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a heuristic framework is developed to analyze firms' technology strategies across industry groups and four firm-level strategies are identified: 1. undertake research and development; 2. purchase disembodied foreign technology; 3. combine (a) and (b); 4. remain technologically inactive.
75 citations
TL;DR: Technological outcomes, particularly in terms of water quality, were found to be better in project 1 than in project 2 and the health habits of the beneficiaries in project1 were far better compared to project 2, specifically in covering drinking water containers and use of latrines.
Abstract: This comparative study on the two rural drinking water supply and sanitation projects in the state of Kerala India was conducted to determine the impact of community participation on the project outcomes. Both were piped water schemes delivered by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA); one had adopted community participation by the beneficiary community the other contained no community participation component. Project 1 was served by the Dutch/Danish project and Project 2 was served by KWA alone. A total of 160 respondents were involved in the study 80 individuals belonged to each project. Technological outcomes particularly in terms of water quality were found to be better in project 1 than in project 2. 40% of the people in Project 1 villages and 25% in Project 2 villages switched over completely to the "safe" water supply provided by the project. It was also found that the health habits of the beneficiaries in project 1 were far better compared to project 2 specifically in covering drinking water containers and use of latrines. In addition there was more continued community involvement in project 1 than in project 2. Satisfaction-wise the majority (75%) of respondents in project 1 areas claimed satisfaction with the project as compared to 30% of project 2 respondents.
71 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the impacts of a global tradable permits market to stabilize global carbon emissions on the Indian economy under the following two emissions allowance allocation methods: grandfathered emissions and equal per capita emissions.
67 citations
TL;DR: The Indian software industry is seen as sustaining its competitive advantage and having reasonable growth prospects, a counter-point from many of the earlier predictions that suggested that the growth of the software industry in India was a temporary phenomenon.
Abstract: Over the last decade, India has made a conscious effort to participate in the global software industry by providing software development services to client companies in the West. We see the Indian software industry as sustaining its competitive advantage and having reasonable growth prospects. In some ways this is a counter-point from many of the earlier predictions in the literature that suggested that the growth of the software industry in India was a temporary phenomenon which exploited an existing opportunity of shortage of software engineers in Western countries and benefited from the consequent moves towards outsourcing.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, higher order power in a possibly non-iid set-up was studied for the likelihood ratio and score tests under the criteria of secondorder local maximinity and third-order local average power, respectively.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored some of the basic shortcomings and fallacies of managerial behavior in dynamic situations and found that typical mistakes were responsible for the groups' difficulties. But these mistakes are integrated into a number of generic behavior patterns and uncontested basic assumptions that guide action.
Abstract: This article explores some of the basic shortcomings and fallacies of managerial behavior in dynamic situations. In a laboratory study, 20 groups of three participants each, all with an education in business management, were observed while trying to manage a computer-simulated industrial organization called MANUTEX. This is an interactive simulation of a small garment factory. For most groups, this problem proved to be extremely difficult. The analysis of the problem-solving process and the strategies that the participants employ show that several typical mistakes were responsible for the groups' difficulties. These mistakes are integrated into a number of generic behavior patterns and uncontested basic assumptions that guide action. The participants' difficulties are not due to insufficient managerial knowledge or cognitive limitations. Rather, they stem from an incorrect use of the available knowledge, a tendency to avoid risks and reduce uncertainty, and a motivational process directed at sheltering th...
29 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a model of diffusion with a view to enhance the understanding the process of public information system implementation in a developing country, based on two case studies of successful IS management in developing countries.
Abstract: A large part of the information systems (IS) literature is based on experiences of the private sector in developed countries and is therefore of limited relevance to design and implementation of public information systems (PIS) in a developing country context at least for two reasons. The first is the disparity in the level of development of information technologies between developed and developing countries. The second is the dissimilarity in issues related to IS management in public and private sectors. While differences between public and private sector IS exist even in developed countries, the emphasis on various factors may vary in developing countries. This paper proposes a model of diffusion with a view to enhance the understanding the process of public information system implementation in a developing country. This model is based on two case studies of successful IS management in developing countries. The paper identifies the management elements associated with each stage of the model and implications for management as the external environment in the country undergoes a change.
22 citations
TL;DR: The Rights to the Benefits of Research (RBR) as discussed by the authors is proposed as a unifying term to coalesce ideas of compensation for benefits to the Outsiders obtained from a non-commercial research process.
Abstract: Research on indigenous knowledge has resulted in innumerable benefits to the Outsider(s). Indigenous peoples should be compensated in return. This article argues for integrating compensation and empowerment into the heart of the research process itself rather than viewing them as post-project undertakings. "Rights to the Benefits of Research" (RBR) is proposed as a unifying term to coalesce ideas of compensation for benefits to the Outsider(s) obtained from a noncommercial research process. In contrast, compensation of indigenous peoples via "Intellectual Property Rights" (IPR) is seen as predicated primarily upon commercial benefits. A strategy to implement RBR based on ethical guidelines and indigenous peoples' empowerment is suggested. A participatory ethnobotanical research project conducted in Ecuador serves to illustrate benefits for which compensation would fall under RBR but not IPR. The project involved the local communities in documenting their oral knowledge of medicinal plants in a written for...
20 citations
01 Jul 1997
TL;DR: Corporate India has been steadily restructuring itself through mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other means as it repositions itself in the post-liberaliza tion environment.
Abstract: Corporate India has been steadily restructuring itself through mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other means as it repositions itself in the post-liberaliza tion environment. While examining...
19 citations
TL;DR: This paper attempts to address some of the concerns and extends the existing base of work on success factors by identifying the key constructs in successful IS implementation and developing a model for relating these constructs.
Abstract: Although the success factor approach has been widely used to model the interaction of Information Systems (IS) with organizations, there are inherent limitations associated with this approach. This paper attempts to address some of the concerns and extends the existing base of work on success factors by identifying the key constructs in successful IS implementation and developing a model for relating these constructs.
TL;DR: The state of the Internet infrastructure, the skill base, and the potential application areas from which Indian organisations can benefit are reviewed and the future growth of electronic commerce in India is projects.
Abstract: This paper discusses the potential of electronic commerce by reviewing the state of the Internet infrastructure, the skill base, and the potential application areas from which Indian organisations can benefit. It identifies the enabling factors as well as the bottlenecks and projects the future growth of electronic commerce in India.
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: An attempt is made to forecast electric load using neural networks to identify the appropriate historical patterns of load and temperature readings to determine the electrical deficit.
Abstract: An attempt is made to forecast electric load using neural networks. Neural networks represent a pattern or load shape and, in reality, perform a pattern recognition function. This pattern is based on training cases provided to the network. A strategy that uses a minimum distance measurement to identify the appropriate historical patterns of load and temperature readings is used to estimate the network weights. Most of the electrical power systems in India exhibit energy shortages. An optimization algorithm is used to periodically revise the forecasted load demand and the generating capacities to determine the electrical deficit.
01 Oct 1997
TL;DR: The significance of mergers and acqmsltions is undergoing change since liberalization in India as mentioned in this paper and the MRTP Act and FERA have been amended paving way for large business groups and foreign companies to...
Abstract: The significance of mergers and acqmsltions is undergoing change since liberalization in India. The MRTP Act and FERA have been amended paving way for large business groups and foreign companies to...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors look at the factors that shape the behavior and performance of teachers and students in relation to mass primary education in the developing country context and identify policy instruments under the control of designers and implementors that can be used to strengthen primary education programs.
01 Apr 1997
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the impact of new technology on costs and returns in agriculture, taking the leading cases of wheat and rice in Punjab in a study, and found that the new technology has the capability of boosting production.
Abstract: This study examines the impact of new technology on costs and returns in agriculture, taking the leading cases of wheat and rice in Punjab. Apart from boosting production, has the new technology ac...
TL;DR: In this article, the major components of guillotine shears, including the side stands, bottom connecting plate, the hold-down, top connecting plate and the blade carrier, are examined critically for rigidity and strength, vibration characteristics, dynamic stresses and factor of safety whilst the shear is in operation.
01 Oct 1997
TL;DR: Analysis of next generation solar cookers reveals that three important features are: stainless steel vessel as against aluminium, provision of an electrical backup as against an exclusive solar device, and installation of an indicator to enable the user to judge the degree to which cooking has progressed.
Abstract: Previous studies on solar cookers currently available in the market had indicated the need for redesigning to suit user requirements better. In order to help design engineers in developing next gen...
01 Apr 1997
TL;DR: In this article, the authors suggest that the budget could have had better inter-sectoral perspective for generation and allocation of resources to employment-led economic growth and alleviation of absolute poverty with which agricultural growth is complementary.
Abstract: According to the author, though the budget has some positive initiatives for agriculture, they are unlikely to pull the sector out of its poor growth in postreform period. Moreover, the budget shows that the government expenditure for agriculture leaves much to be desired. Therefore, the author suggests that the budget could have had better inter-sectoral perspective for generation and allocation of resources to employment-led economic growth and alleviation of absolute poverty with which agricultural growth is complementary.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an algorithm which gives us the unique solution to the problem of minimizing the maximum loss (where loss is measured by unsatisfied demands) for a claims problem.
Abstract: In this paper we provide an algorithm which gives us the unique solution to the problem of minimizing the maximum loss (where loss is measured by unsatisfied demands) for a claims problem. The answer lies crucially on the structure of the problem.
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TL;DR: In this article, the stability radius of optimal or approximate solutions of binary programming problems with a min-sum or min-max objective function is calculated in polynomial time if the optimization problem itself is polynomially solvable.
Abstract: We present algorithms to calculate the stability radius of optimal or approximate solutions of binary programming problems with a min-sum or min-max objective function. Our algorithms run in polynomial time if the optimization problem itself is polynomially solvable. We also extend our results tothe tolerance approach to sensitivity analysis.
01 Jul 1997
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the emerging competitive structure of the Indian telecom sector, identified the constraints within which the private sector is expected to operate, and discusseed the competition among the private players.
Abstract: This paper by Sidharth Sinha reviews the emerging competitive structure of the Indian telecom sector, identifies the constraints within which the private sector is expected to operate, and discusse...
TL;DR: In this paper, a grounded process model of product innovation projects that are initiated by industrial firms and implemented jointly with not-for-profit technology institutions such as technological universities and government research laboratories is proposed.
Abstract: / propose a grounded process model of product innovation projects that are initiated by industrial firms and implemented jointly with not-for-profit technology institutions such as technological universities and government research laboratories. The proposed model is limited to those joint product development projects between collaborators with complementary expertise, that are of strategic importance to both collaborators and involve the joint creation of new technology or significant improvement over present technology. The model contributes significantly to the literature on collaborative product development by depicting in detail the essential linkage of antecedent conditions and motivations for the joint project initiation, to the actual project implementation process in which the two collaborators contribute complementary resources, and further to the project's expected consequences. The process model has been developed by synthesizing in-depth case studies of such university-industry joint product innovation projects, and aids understanding of effective processes for their initiation and implementation. Implementing University-Industry Joint Product Innovation Projects
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01 Jan 1997TL;DR: In this paper, the stability radius of optimal or approximate solutions of binary programming problems with a min-sum or min-max objective function is calculated in polynomial time if the optimization problem itself is polynomially solvable.
Abstract: textWe present algorithms to calculate the stability radius of optimal or approximate solutions of binary programming problems with a min-sum or min-max objective function. Our algorithms run in polynomial time if the optimization problem itself is polynomially solvable. We also extend our results to the tolerance approach to sensitivity analysis.
01 Jul 1997
TL;DR: Based on a sample of respondents drawn from two cities of Gujarat as well as three corporate houses of Ahmedabad, Manikutty identified issues regarding estimation of demand for telephone connections and services and drew implications for the government including the role of TRAI as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Based on a sample of respondents — both owners and non-owners of telephones—drawn from two cities of Gujarat as well as three corporate houses of Ahmedabad, this study by S. Manikutty identifies issues regarding estimation of demand for telephone connections and services and draws implications for the government including the role of TRAI.
01 Apr 1997
TL;DR: In this article, Sampat P Singh describes three models of management education: the pragmatist, the professional, and the humanist and emphasizes that for continuous education in future, we ought to...
Abstract: In this paper, Sampat P Singh describes three models of management education: the pragmatist, the professional, and the humanist and emphasizes that for continuous education in future, we ought to ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the performance of three forms of organizations: hierarchies, oiligarchies and committees, and showed that polyarchies have an advantage in terms of time required to reach a decision.
Abstract: This paper investigates the performance of three forms of organizations: hierarchies, oiligarchies and committees. Sah and Stiglitz (1986) show that hierarchies and polyarchies differ in their information processing abilities in terns of type-1 and type-1 I errors, with 'fallible' agents making decisions. This paper modifies the structure of a polyarchv and calls it an oligarchy and examines this notion in terms of an incomplete information game where players receive private signals about the state of nature. A hierarchy is defined in terms of authority and the amount of communication allowed and it is shown that the statistical errors vary depending on the particular design of the organization. We show that hierarchies may lead to better information processing in terms of minimizing both types of statistical errors but polyarchies have an advantage In terms of time required to reach a decision. We, also, contrast hierarchical decision making with that of committees. This leads us to suggest that the information requirements for a "good" hierarchy are stringent and if such information is not available, committees present a suitable alternative. We also discuss the performance of these organizations when individuals do not share the same preferences and show that the position of individuals become important.
TL;DR: In this article, the marginal cost of producing electricity after accounting for fixed outages was calculated by using the Kernel method and the maximum penalized likelihood method to estimate the load density.
Abstract: In this article, density estimation procedure is used to calculate the marginal cost of producing electricity after accounting for fixed outages. Two density estimation techniques, the Kernel method and the maximum penalized likelihood method are used to estimate load density. Next, in a production cost modeling framework, both the marginal variable operating cost and the marginal fixed capital cost are calculated for an Indian utility.
TL;DR: In this article, the cost of supplying electricity in a grid is minimized in a nonlinear optimization framework and the formulation of the problem gives the incentive-compatible trading prices of electricity among many independently operating state utilities.
Abstract: The cost of supplying electricity in a grid is minimized in a nonlinear optimization framework The formulation of the problem gives the incentive-compatible trading prices of electricity among many independently operating state utilities. The problem is solved both for a central planner (central grid operator) and for the case of a slate planner (independent state utility). It is proved that there exist trading prices that are compatible with both. Finally, as an example, the theorem is applied to the case of the Indian National Grid.