Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Management Bangalore published in 2002"
TL;DR: An examination of the positive and negative implications of trade in health services for equity, efficiency, quality, and access to health care indicates that health services trade has brought mixed benefits and that there is a clear role for policy measures to mitigate the adverse consequences and facilitate the gains.
Abstract: In light of the increasing globalization of the health sector, this article examines ways in which health services can be traded, using the mode-wise characterization of trade defined in the General Agreement on Trade in Services. The trade modes include cross- border delivery of health services via physical and electronic means, and cross-border movement of consumers, professionals, and capital. An examination of the positive and negative implications of trade in health services for equity, efficiency, quality, and access to health care indicates that health services trade has brought mixed benefits and that there is a clear role for policy measures to mitigate the adverse consequences and facilitate the gains. Some policy measures and priority areas for action are outlined, including steps to address the "brain drain"; increasing investment in the health sector and prioritizing this investment better; and promoting linkages between private and public health care services to ensure equity. Data collection, measures, and studies on health services trade all need to be improved, to assess better the magnitude and potential implications of this trade. In this context, the potential costs and benefits of trade in health services are shaped by the underlying structural conditions and existing regulatory, policy, and infrastructure in the health sector. Thus, appropriate policies and safeguard measures are required to take advantage of globalization in health services.
280 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an approach for branding a service by bringing together David Aaker's brand identity framework, the 7Ps of services marketing and the economic classification of goods.
Abstract: This paper provides an approach for branding a service. It accomplishes this by bringing together David Aaker’s brand identity framework, the 7Ps of services marketing and the economic classification of goods. The 7Ps of services are product, price, place, promotion, physical evidence, process and people. The economic classification divides goods into search, experience and credence goods. Typical examples for search, experience and credence goods are a consumer durable, a restaurant and a doctor respectively. The branding efforts needed for each of these goods is different. The approach recommends what should be done in terms of 7Ps for each of the three types of goods and integrates this effort with their branding.
109 citations
TL;DR: The literature on the gender paradox' in health from an equity perspective is reviewed and how research can contribute to improving gender equity and health by being conscious of potential biases in data, methodology and clinical research is discussed.
Abstract: Attention to health equity on the basis of economic class, caste or race has not spilled over to an effective consideration ofgender. Yet, social bias not only heavily influences health outcomes between women and men, it also affects our very understanding of biological differences with implications for understanding gender equity. Hence, when considering biological differences or special gender needs, it is necessary to be aware that biological 'givens' can also mask social norms that sanction discrimination and perpetuate health inequities. It is, therefore, particularly crucial to understand the nuances found in a gender and health equity approach and the consequences of not taking gender seriously in health research. These include the neglect of certain areas through resounding silences, the existence of misdirected or partial approaches, and the poor recognition of interactive pathways in terms of co-morbidity and multi ple social processes. After detailing this background we review the literature on...
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the Indian context for software product development and build on the general literature on product development to develop an understanding of the software products development process in India.
Abstract: We examine the Indian context for software product development and build on the general literature on product development to develop an understanding of the software product development process in India. We do the latter by drawing from a detailed study of six specific software product development projects ofsix different Indian firms. The products were chosen to provide a variety of industrial contexts, types of firms, types of markets and levels of customisation. Based on a cross-product analysis on parameters such as product definition and positioning, choice of product, technology, product architecture and customisation, version management, marketing and product launch, reward and incentive systems, and quality systems, we draw implications for software product development by companies and for policy makers in the Indian context.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the formal social security systems of India and Sri Lanka are analyzed and the conditions for reforms are more favourable now owing to hopeful signs of an end to longstanding conflict in Sri Lanka, and decade-long experience with financial sector reforms in India.
Abstract: This paper analyses the formal social security systems of India and Sri Lanka. While many of the social, demographic, and economic indicators differ markedly between the countries, the structure of the social security systems, challenges, and reform directions are quite similar. Thus, the provident fund organizations in both countries need to modernize and benchmark their governance, operations, and investment policies. The dualism in their systems, which has resulted in relatively generous non–contributory pensions being provided to civil servants, also needs to be addressed. This dualism and the fiscal unsustainability of current civil service pension arrangements lend urgency to reforms in this area in the two countries. The prospects for voluntary tax–advantaged private sector schemes are encouraging, particularly in India. The conditions for reforms are more favourable now owing to hopeful signs of an end to longstanding conflict in Sri Lanka, and decade–long experience with financial sector reforms in India.
9 citations
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21 Mar 2002TL;DR: This paper studies a remanufacturing facility that receives a stream of returned products according to a Poisson process, and develops several heuristics based on traditional inventory models that develop approximate lower and upper bounds on the optimal solution.
Abstract: textSustainability has become a major issue in most economies, causing many leading companies to focus on product recovery and reverse logistics. This research is focused on product recovery, and in particular on production control and inventory management in the remanufacturing context. We study a remanufacturing facility that receives a stream of returned products according to a Poisson process. Demand is uncertain and also follows a Poisson process. The decision problems for the remanufacturing facility are when to release returned products to the remanufacturing line and how many new products to manufacture. We assume that remanufactured products are as good as new. In this paper, we employ a "push" policy that combines these two decisions. It is well known that the optimal policy parameters are difficult to find analytically; therefore, we develop several heuristics based on traditional inventory models. We also investigate the performance of the system as a function of return rates, backorder costs and manufacturing and remanufacturing lead times; and we develop approximate lower and upper bounds on the optimal solution. We illustrate and explain some counter-intuitive results and we test the performance of the heuristics on a set of sample problems. We find that the average error of the heuristics is quite low.
8 citations
01 Apr 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, Indian software firms are involved in a variety of relationships with international organizations that have opted for global software outsourcing and most firms, if not all, started as vendors on shor...
Abstract: Indian software firms are involved in a variety of relationships with international organizations that have opted for global software outsourcing. Most firms, if not all, started as vendors on shor...
7 citations
02 Dec 2002
TL;DR: This paper introduces an aspect of interestingness called 'item-relatedness' to determine interestingness of item-pairs occurring in association rules, elucidate and quantify three different types of item -relatedness, and demonstrates the efficacy of this total measure on a sample taxonomy.
Abstract: 'Interestingness' measures are used to rank rules according to the 'interest' a particular rule is expected to evoke in a user. In this paper, we introduce an aspect of interestingness called 'item-relatedness' to determine interestingness of item-pairs occurring in association rules. We elucidate and quantify three different types of item-relatedness. Relationships corresponding to item-relatedness proposed by us are shown to be captured by paths in a 'fuzzy taxonomy' (an extension of the concept hierarchy tree). We then combine these measures of item-relatedness to arrive at a total-relatedness measure. We finally demonstrate the efficacy of this total measure on a sample taxonomy.
5 citations
01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on a series of successful public information system (IS) projects implemented in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India and analyze the context and processes involved and consider implications for the success of IS projects in general in developing countries.
Abstract: Public information system (IS) implementations in developing countries have had to confront many serious challenges, and generally have had a poor record of success. In this paper, we report on a series of successful projects implemented in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. We analyze the context and processes involved and consider implications for the success of IS projects in general in developing countries. The lessons can be summarized as: detailed effort and attention to the involvement of multiple groups, innovative organizational structures, a people-orientation in project selection; and persistence over time, backed by committed and knowledgeable leadership. Inc.
4 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a remanufacturing facility receives a stream of returned products according to a Poisson process and demand is uncertain, and the decision problems are when to release returned products to the re-manufacturing line and how many new products to manufacture.
Abstract: Sustainability has become a major issue in most economies, causing many leading companies to focus on product recovery and reverse logistics. This research is focused on product recovery, and in particular on production control and inventory management in the remanufacturing context. We study a remanufacturing facility that receives a stream of returned products according to a Poisson process. Demand is uncertain and also follows a Poisson process. The decision problems for the remanufacturing facility are when to release returned products to the remanufacturing line and how many new products to manufacture. We assume that remanufactured products are as good as new. In this paper, we employ a "push" policy that combines these two decisions. It is well known that the optimal policy parameters are difficult to find analytically; therefore, we develop several heuristics based on traditional inventory models. We also investigate the performance of the system as a function of return rates, backorder costs and manufacturing and remanufacturing lead times; and we develop approximate lower and upper bounds on the optimal solution. We illustrate and explain some counter-intuitive results and we test the performance of the heuristics on a set of sample problems. We find that the average error of the heuristics is quite low.
4 citations
01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: Advice for potential GSO clients counsels starting small, starting at home, and starting with programmers (McFarlan, 1996), many client organisations have followed this advice, putting a toe into the GSO waters through small-scale body shopping.
Abstract: GLOBAL SOFTWARE OUTSOURCING Global software outs urcing (GSO) is the outsourcing of software development to sub-contractors outside the client organisation’s home country. India remains the unquestioned leader, registering average annual growth of more than 40% over the last decade and developing some US$3.6bn-worth of software for foreign clients in 1999/2000 (Heeks, 2000). Advice for potential GSO clients counsels starting small, starting at home, and starting with programmers (McFarlan, 1996). Many client organisations have followed this advice, putting a toe into the GSO waters through small-scale body shopping: for example, having Indian sub-contractor staff come over to the client site to complete a minor, non-critical piece of coding/conversion work.
TL;DR: Several countries worldwide are implementing reform and restructuring in the electricity supply industry The operating environments of utilities differ considerably between developed and developing countries as discussed by the authors. But the main challenges of electricity supply are transmission and distribution.
Abstract: Several countries worldwide are implementing reform and restructuring in the electricity supply industry The operating environments of utilities differ considerably between developed and developin
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TL;DR: This article analyzed the exchange rate in a no-arbitrage or real business cycle equilibrium model and provided empirical evidence for this model vis-a-vis PPP and showed that, as a long-run relation, the generalized model outperforms PPP.
Abstract: This Paper analyses the exchange rate in a 'no-arbitrage' or 'real business cycle' equilibrium model and provides empirical evidence for this model vis-a-vis PPP. Our contribution is to show, based on a generalization of the equilibrium model of exchange rates, that (i) the test equation linking the exchange rate to fundamentals should allow for international heterogeneity in time preferences or risk attitudes, as well as noise - that is, the model should not be tested as an exact relation; (ii) empirical work should use levels of variables rather than first differences; (iii) tests on the existence of long-run relations should be complemented by tests on the signs of the coefficients; (iv) the specification of the regression should offer demonstrated advantages over alternatives, and the significance tests should not rely on asymptotic distributions; and (v) the tests should steer clear of countries that have imposed, for most of the period, capital restrictions or exchange controls, thus violating the integrated-markets assumption of the model. Our empirical work shows that, as a long-run relation, the generalized model outperforms PPP.
TL;DR: In this paper, the current state of the Indian pension system is reviewed and some policy directions for reforming the Indian Pension System are discussed. But, the focus of the paper is on the Indian Retirement Benefit Scheme (IBPS).
Abstract: This paper reviews the current state of the Indian pension system. The Indian experience could potentially influence policy decisions in other developing countries, especially those with similar reliance on the national provident fund system. Institutional features of various retirement benefit schemes are highlighted and their deficiencies are discussed. It is argued that low coverage level, underperformance of provident fund schemes due to investment restrictions, and financial difficulties in administering unfunded public pension programmes have rendered the current system ineffective and unsustainable. The failed experiments with ad hoc reform initiatives in the recent past further emphasize the need for a structural and lasting change. The paper concludes with some policy directions for reforming the Indian pension system.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors estimate the size of the individual life insurance market in India and provide an estimate of the potential for group life insurance, which can help to plan the business strategy and set goals.
Abstract: The market for life insurance in India has evolved in the context of the specific socio-economic and political environment that existed over the years. Prior to nationalisation, although the insurance business had grown considerably, it remained an essentially urban phenomena. This limited spread of life insurance was also marked by many malpractices, deficiencies and frequent liquidation of insurance companies, shaking public confidence in purchasing insurance. The objectives of nationalisation were to spread insurance coverage, to provide a stable environment thus increasing the confidence of the people in insurance, and to harness the resources generated for nation building activities as determined by the government.The purpose of this paper is to estimate the size of the individual life insurance market that exists in India. In this study, we have not provided an estimate of the potential for group life insurance. It is hoped that these estimates will help to plan the business strategy and set goals i...
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the relationship between founder-characteristics and start-up policies of the enterprise, and the comparison of British and Indian enterprises in terms of their startup policies and founder characteristics.
Abstract: An earlier study by the author on 'Entrepreneurial Heuristics' had shown that entrepreneurial performance (especially in terms of innovativeness which is the essence of entrepreneurship) varies significantly with the types of policies and strategies adopted by the enterprise/entrepreneur during the start-up phase. Such policies and strategies were then designated as 'heuristics' because of their non- formal and evolutionary nature. In an entrepreneurial venture the primary source of such policies, strategies or heuristics is naturally the founder who normally has the maximum influence on the decisions made in the enterprise. Based on this logic, it was decided to undertake a follow-up study to ascertain the extent of such association, if any, between the founder characteristics and start-up policies. Coinciding with the design of the follow-up study, the author obtained data from British enterprises using the same research design. This research investigated two important issues in entrepreneurship: (a ) the relationship between founder-characteristics and start-up policies of the enterprise, and (b) comparison of British and Indian enterprises in terms of their start-up policies and founder characteristics. The present paper deals only with the second part. The first part is mentioned here only to explain the rationale for choosing the variables. There are four sets of variables being investigated in this study: (a ) Background and early experiences of the entrepreneur, (b) Personal policies (traits) of the entrepreneur, (c) Motives of the entrepreneur and (d) Management practices (policies and strategies) of the enterprise. The findings are explained and a few hypotheses generated on cross-cultural perspectives on entrepreneur ship and enterprise management.
TL;DR: In this paper, a financial model for estimating the net present value of an independent power project (IPP) based on specific power purchase agreement (PPA) contractual conditions is presented.
Abstract: Power sector reforms in India have focused initially on the privatization of power generation. The power purchase agreement (PPA) signed between an independent power project (IPP) and a state-owned electricity board determines the viability of the IPP and the tariff that consumers pay. This article builds a financial model for estimating the net present value of an IPP based on specific PPA contractual conditions. Partial derivatives with respect to the plant load factor (PLF), the benchmark heat rate, and the debt maturity are established. These partial derivatives provide an understanding of the sensitivity of the project viability to technical performance and debt maturity. Partial derivatives are also provided for the sensitivity of consumer gains to the above factors. Both these sets of partial derivatives provide an enhanced understanding of contractual conditions. A numerical illustration demonstrates that lengthening debt maturity can add considerable value to equityholders.
TL;DR: In this article, the welfare implications of a uniform regulatory cost imposed by the regulator on all insurance firms are analyzed using a standard von Neuman-Morgenstern utility function with risk averse buyers of insurance.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the implication of a uniform regulatory cost imposed by the regulator on all insurance firms. Using a standard von Neuman-Morgenstern utility function with risk averse buyers of insurance, the welfare implications of a uniform regulatory costs are analyzed. The regulatory cost which results in higher cost of insurance results in some potential buyers with low risk not buying insurance. This results in a smaller size of the insurance market and a reduction in consumer and social welfare. Insurance regulation, therefore, needs to identify and link regulatory costs to not only the asset side of the balance sheet but also to the risks on the liability side of the balance sheet