Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

About: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad is a education organization based out in Ahmedabad, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Emerging markets & Population. The organization has 1828 authors who have published 4011 publications receiving 59269 citations. The organization is also known as: IIMA & IIM Ahmedabad.

Institutional Leverage Capability: Creating and Using Institutional Advantages for Internationalization

Abstract: Plain language summary Home country institutions, for instance chambers of commerce and educational systems, can support firms' efforts to expand into foreign markets. However, only some firms utilize this support and become successful in international markets. We propose that these firms have a particular ability to leverage institutions; they have institutional leverage capability. More precisely, we explain that firms need to be aware of the institutional support, access it, decide to adopt it, and adapt their resources to fully exploit the institutions available in their home countries. We recommend that firms design organizational structures and processes to leverage institutions for internationalization. We illustrate our suggestions with the example of the German ‘hidden champions,’ medium-sized firms that are global market leaders, and how they leverage institutions to internationalize. Technical summary We develop the notion of a firm's institutional leverage capability in order to explain heterogeneity among firms with respect to their ability to turn a location's generally available institutional benefits into firm-specific institutional competitive advantages. Institutional leverage capability represents a higher-order construct formed by the four components of awareness, access, adoption and adaption of institutional benefits. It is of particular strategic relevance in institutional contexts that provide high levels of support to firms. Firms can use institutional competitive advantages, which they generate by leveraging their home country's institutions, for the purpose of internationalization. We illustrate our argument using the example of several mid-sized German companies that have leveraged home-country institutional benefits and attained leading positions in international markets. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.

Estimation of number of AGVs for an FMS: an analytical model

Abstract: The estimation of the number of vehicles is of paramount importance in AGV-based systems and requires a careful and detailed study, especially when AGVs are selected as the primary material handling system. This paper describes the development of an analytical model for estimation of the number of AGVs. The ability of the model to estimate the vehicle requirements under various conditions have been tested. The results indicate the consistent performance of the model and confirm the utility.

The influence of marketing on consumption behavior at the bottom of the pyramid

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to explore the nature and degree to which marketing affects consumption behavior of bottom of the pyramid (BOP) population. The objective of the study is to examine, identify and explain aspects of consumption behavior that evidences the influence of marketing practices on the BOP consumers. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a long interview-based approach for an in-depth qualitative investigation of consumption behaviors of BOP consumers. Findings – Key findings that emerged from the research are: widespread usage of international brands and expenditure on products outside of the core bundle of consumption, susceptibility to sales promotions, need to look and feel good and use “fairness” creams, susceptibility to advertising and celebrity endorsements and influence of store personnel. Practical implications – For managers, this research suggests a careful examination of the likely consequences of their marketing actions. A set of guidelines are provided to them for do...